U.S. News & World Report releases inaugural best hotels in Europe rankings

WASHINGTON - U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in rankings and consumer advice, announced the 2016-2017 Best Hotels in Europe rankings. The rankings evaluate more than 2,000 five-star hotels in over 40 countries to identify the very best accommodations in Europe.

The Lanesborough in London earned the No. 1 spot in the inaugural rankings. Italian hotels claim the next three spots with Hotel Santa Caterina on the Amalfi Coast at No. 2, J.K. Place Roma in Rome at No. 3 and Palazzo Avino, also on the Amalfi Coast, following at No. 4. France's Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris rounds out the top five.

U.S. News identifies the top 10 percent of all ranked hotels with a Gold badge. With 28 award-winning hotels, Italy has the strongest showing in the overall rankings. Here are the top five countries with the highest number of Gold badge hotels:

• Italy has 28 Gold badge winners out of 196 ranked hotels.
• England has 24 Gold badge winners out of 145 ranked hotels.
• France has 20 Gold badge winners out of 171 ranked hotels.
• Portugal has 11 Gold badge winners out of 129 ranked hotels.
• Switzerland has 11 Gold badge winners out of 93 ranked hotels.

"Evaluating European hotels was a natural step for U.S. News Travel, which has been ranking the Best Hotels in the U.S. for several years," said Erin Shields, travel editor for U.S. News. "We took the same detail-oriented approach to help the increasing number of people who are coming to our site to plan trips outside of the U.S., particularly in Europe."

The Best Hotels in Europe methodology evaluates five-star hotels based on a composite of expert and guest ratings and awards. In addition to awarding Gold badges, U.S. News identifies the top 30 percent of ranked hotels within each destination, such as Paris or London, with Silver badges.

2016-2017 U.S. News & World Report Best Hotels in Europe Rankings

Overall Best Hotels in Europe 
1. The Lanesborough (England)
2. Hotel Santa Caterina (Italy)
3. J.K. Place Roma (Italy)
4. Palazzo Avino (Italy)
5. Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris (France)
6. Four Seasons Gresham Palace (Hungary)
7. The Beaumont (England)
8. Corinthia Hotel London (England)
9. The Milestone Hotel (England)
10. Hotel Plaza Athenee (France)

Barcelona	London
1. Cotton House Hotel, Autograph Collection	1. The Lanesborough
2. Hotel Arts Barcelona	2. The Beaumont
3. Mercer Hotel Barcelona	3. Corinthia Hotel London
4. The Serras Hotel Barcelona	4. The Milestone Hotel
5. Majestic Hotel & Spa	5. The Goring
Paris	Rome
1. Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris	1. J.K. Roma
2. Hôtel Plaza Athénée	2. Hassler Roma
3. Le Bristol Paris	3. Hotel de Russie, a Rocco Forte Hotel
4. Shangri-La Hotel, Paris	4. The Inn at the Spanish Steps
5. Ritz Paris	5. The St. Regis Rome