When people decide to travel, they often have a wide range of properties to choose from for their stay, with hotels being the most popular choice. Fortunately, there are now over 700,000 hotels and resorts around the world, offering more than 16 million rooms. Some major players in the hotel industry invest significant capital and build portfolios with thousands of hotels, creating what we now call hotel chains.
With so many options out there, picking the ideal hotel can feel overwhelming. To help, we’ve rounded up 15 of the best hotel chains from around the world, each known for their top-notch service, stunning properties, and attention to detail. Whether you’re traveling for work or a well-deserved getaway, these hotel chains are sure to offer a stay you’ll never forget.
TABLE OF CONTENT
AMERICA
- MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL
- HILTON WORLDWIDE
- HYATT HOTELS & RESORTS
- WYNDHAM HOTELS & RESORTS
- BEST WESTERN INTERNATIONAL
- CHOICE HOTELS
- FOUR SEASONS HOTELS & RESORTS
EUROPE
- ACCOR
- INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS GROUP
- MELIÁ HOTELS INTERNATIONAL
- RADISSON HOTELS
- BARCELÓ HOTEL GROUP
- PESTANA HOTEL GROUP
ASIA
- JIN JIANG INTERNATIONAL
- MANDARIN ORIENTAL HOTEL GROUP
AMERICAN HOTEL CHAINS
Let’s start with some of the most renowned hotel chains established in the United States.
1. Marriott International
“Travel with us as we expand our world, improve the communities we serve and open doors to new opportunities.”
Founded in 1927 by J. Willard and his wife Alice Marriott, Marriott International has grown into the largest and most globally recognized hotel chain in the World. They have a portfolio of approximately 9000 properties across more than 30 leading brands (like the Ritz-Carlton, Sheraton and Westin hotels) in 141 countries and territories. Marriott’s diverse portfolio includes hotels, resorts, and properties categorized into four types: Luxury, Premium, Select, and Longer Stays.
In 2023, Marriott reached its highest-ever revenue of $23.71 billion.
2. Hilton Worldwide
“Wherever travel takes you, Hilton is ready to welcome you with unrivaled service”
Conrad Hilton opened the first Hilton hotel in the small town of Cisco in 1925 with the goal of making it the best hotel in Texas. Today, Hilton is one of the most respected brands in the world and a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 24 world-class brands comprising more than 7,600 properties and nearly 1.2 million rooms, in 126 countries and territories.
The top Hilton brands include the Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, LXR Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts and the Curio Collection by Hilton.
3. Hyatt Hotels & Resorts
“As one of the world’s top hospitality companies, Hyatt remains committed to caring for people so they can be their best.”
Headquartered in Chicago, the Hyatt Hotels Corporation manages and franchises luxury and business hotels, resorts, and vacation properties. It was founded and is still managed by the Pritzker family which now counts more than 1350 hotels and all-inclusive properties in more than 69 countries across all the continents.
Hyatt categorizes its brands under four categories: Timeless Collection, Boundless Collection, Independent Collection and Inclusive Collection.
4. Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
From big cities and small towns to beachfront resorts and highway hotels, Wyndham describes itself as the largest hotel franchiser in the world. It has a portfolio of 26 brands and more than 9100 hotels across the globe. Some of the Wyndham brands are: AmericInn, Baymont, Days Inn, La Quinta and Super 8. Wyndham hotels are found everywhere, from large cities to beach resorts and small towns.
Some of the standout Wyndham properties are the Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach Resort located in Florida, the Dolce by Wyndham Hanoi Golden Lake in Vietnam which features a golden rooftop infinity pool, and the Dolce by Windham CampoReal Lisboa (Portugal).
5. Best Western International
“Inspiring travel through unique experiences.”
Best Western, or BWH group, is comprised of 3 hotel companies including WorldHotels, Best WesternHotels & Resorts and SureStay Hotels. The enterprise boasts approximately 4,300 hotels in over 100 countries and territories worldwide. From traditional hotel brands, to extended stay or unique boutique and upscale options, they offer 19 unique brands.
6. Choice Hotels
“Connect the world through the power of hospitality”
Based in Maryland, Choice Hotels traces its roots back to 1939 when they were a small chain of roadside hotels. Nowadays, they are one of the world’s largest hotel franchisers with more than 7000 hotels representing nearly 570 000 rooms. Their properties cater to various travel needs, from economy to upscale options, with popular brands like Comfort, Clarion, and Ascend Collection.
They claim they are the nation’s first hotel chain. Some of the best Choice hotels are the Riverside Hotel in West Chesterfield and the Liberty Hotel in Cleburne, both from the Ascend Collection.
7. Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts
When you think about a Four Seasons hotel, true luxury comes to mind. To them, true luxury is a meaningful sense of belonging and a dedicated focus on how people want to be treated.
Their story began in 1961 when they opened their first hotel in Toronto, Canada and from then they expanded their business first in the US and then around the world in the 90s.
In 2007, a deal was completed that returned Four Seasons to private ownership in a partnership between Microsoft’s Bill Gates and Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal, one of the major shareholders of Four Seasons. Founder Isadore Sharp and his family retained an ownership stake and operating involvement in the company he founded, where he stayed as chairman.
In September 2022, Four Seasons announced it was launching Four Seasons Yachts, with its first super yacht scheduled to hit the high seas in 2025. In June 2023, the company confirmed plans for a second ship due for delivery in 2026.
EUROPEAN HOTEL CHAINS
After looking at the biggest US-based chains, we turn to the major hotel groups in Europe, some of which rival their American counterparts.
1. Accor
“Innovation. Inspiration. Emotion.”
As Europe’s largest hospitality company and the sixth largest globally, Accor offers over 840,000 rooms across 5,700 hotels, spanning 45 brands in more than 110 countries. In addition to managing over 10,000 restaurants and bars, Accor employs more than 300,000 people worldwide.
Some of Accor’s most renowned hotels include Raffles Istanbul, Raffles Singapore, and Fairmont Maldives. Accor’s portfolio is one of the most diverse in the industry, offering properties that range from luxury to economy.
2. InterContinental Hotels Group
“Live the InterContinental life”
InterContinental hotels have delighted luxury travelers since 1946, serving as a meeting place for heads of state, a setting for world-changing speeches, and the impetus for some of the most famous love stories of all time.
They already manage 950 thousand rooms across 6430 hotels, but they also have more than 2200 hotels with 329 thousand rooms in the pipeline and ready to be opened soon.
One of its most iconic properties, InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown, is the largest in the Americas, while the historic Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington, D.C., has been the choice of many heads of state.
3. Meliá Hotels International
“Leisure at heart, business in mind”
Founded in 1956 in Mallorca, Spain, Meliá Hotels International has a portfolio of more than 400 hotels (portfolio and pipeline), throughout more than 40 countries, and 10 brands.
It is recognized as the world’s most sustainable hotel company, according to the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, and is considered one of the best employers in the hotel industry. Other than that, they have won tons of other awards in the past years for their leadership, corporate responsibility, employer brand and most importantly, their hotels.
All of this, along with their Spanish warmth and passion, makes them distinct and different.
4. Radisson Hotels
“Your first choice”
An international and dynamic hotel group with 10 distinctive hotel brands and more than 1380 hotels in operations and under development, the Radisson Hotel Group have more than 75 years of hospitality experience which they use to deliver world class hospitality and excellent service.
They are recognized as the 3rd Best Employer in the Travel & Leisure industry by Forbes.
Since 2018 Radisson Hotel Group is part of Jin Jiang International, the biggest Asian hotel group and 2nd in the world, which will be discussed later.
5. Barceló Hotel Group
“Leading the travel experience for over 90 years”
This family business based in Spain, with four international brands, offers all kinds of experiences in 4 and 5 star urban and holiday hotels. They now have 208 hotels, and more than 62 000 rooms distributed over 25 countries. They have more than 38 000 employees. The group has earned a reputation for delivering memorable travel experiences for guests.
6. Pestana Hotel Group
“The world would be a better place if everyone had the opportunity to have the time of their lives”
This one is quite interesting. This hotel chain is the largest multinational group from Portugal in the tourism sector. It is available in 16 countries in Europe, África, North and South America. Manuel Pestana, the founder, opened the group’s first hotel in Madeira Island in November 1972, the Pestana Carlton Madeira. From then, him and his son Dionísio have expanded the brand’s footprint internationally.
In 2003, Pestana took over management of Pousadas de Portugal, a collection of historic heritage hotels, boosting its portfolio significantly.
In 2016, they signed a 75 million € joint venture with Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the best football players of all time, launching the group’s 4th brand: Pestana CR7 Lifestyle Hotels which now has hotels in Funchal, Lisbon, Madrid and New York.
ASIAN HOTEL CHAINS
Lastly, let’s delve into two of the most significant hotel chains based in Asia, one of which plays a major role in the global hospitality landscape.
1. Jin Jiang International
Mentioned earlier, this Shanghai-based tourism and hospitality company is owned by the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government. It is an 80-year-old brand doing hotel management and investments, tourist services and transport and logistics. By making major acquisitions in the past decades, this company established itself as the 2nd largest hotel group in the world.
Other than acquiring the Radisson Hotel Group, some of their major purchases include the Groupe de Louvre, Plateno Group, Vienna Hotels Group and investments in the Accor Hotels & Resorts, mentioned earlier.
They manage more than 10 000 hotels and resorts across more than 120 countries, containing over a million rooms. What makes them different from their competitors is that now they have more than 40 hotel brands in their portfolio.
2. Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
“A world of fans”
Mandarin Oriental is renowned for combining luxury with a signature oriental charm.
Founded in 1974 through the merger of two legendary hotels—the Mandarin in Hong Kong and the Oriental in Bangkok—the group purely focuses on luxury hotels, resorts, and residences worldwide.
With 40 hotels, 12 residences, and 23 exclusive homes in 26 countries, each Mandarin Oriental property reflects the brand’s oriental heritage, local culture, and unique design. Its personalized service and attention to detail make it one of the most respected names in luxury hospitality.
If you enjoyed learning about these top hotel chains and want to explore more travel insights, hotel recommendations, or real estate tips, be sure to check out the rest of the content on Prime Havens. Stay tuned for more in-depth guides and expert advice to elevate your travel and hospitality experience!
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