The top properties in the GCC will be revealed this summer.
FACT Magazine is proud to announce the return of the FACT Hotel List, an annual ranking that spotlights the finest hotels across the GCC. For the 2026 edition, the FACT editorial team has compiled a definitive list of the top 50 hotels across the region, recognising the most exceptional destinations.
From idyllic beachfront resorts to chic city escapes, the FACT Hotel List celebrates the diversity and excellence of hospitality across the GCC. Each hotel has been carefully selected by FACT’s experienced editorial team, who visited and reviewed properties across the region to compile a list that reflects luxury, service, design, and unforgettable guest experiences. No nominations or paid entries are accepted, ensuring that the ranking remains an independent and trusted benchmark of hospitality in the region.
Last year’s list ranked properties by design distinction, destination-setting, and experiences that feel genuinely hard to replicate elsewhere, placing Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, at number one for its overwater villas and an exceptional spa and watersports offering in an untouched stretch of the Red Sea. At number two, Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab earned its place as Dubai’s newest icon, a superyacht-shaped Shaun Killa creation. Saudi Arabia’s Desert Rock Resort sat at number three for its ambitious, cave-like integration into the mountains, with rock-cut villas and suites. Number four, Atlantis The Royal, is the city’s blockbuster resort with vast accommodation options and a stacked restaurant line-up. Rounding out the top five, The Lana – Dorchester Collection is the polished sophisticate, defined by standout suites, serious chef pedigree, sunset views from High Society, and the Middle East’s only Dior Spa.
Speaking about the return, Edward Smith, Founder and CEO at FACT, said: “We at FACT are proud to announce that with the return of the FACT Hotel List, we are bringing a new set of best practices and strong guidelines to the hospitality industry’s awards. Judging is carried out by FACT editors across the UAE, KSA, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and Kuwait, supported by independent advisors, including travel writers. Commercial activity has no bearing on editorial outcomes. This approach ensures a more accurate result of who is truly at the top of their game in hospitality, giving greater legitimacy and objectivity to the winner selection process.”
The FACT Hotel List 2026 will be unveiled this summer, marking an annual tradition that recognises the very best in regional hospitality. From landmark openings to iconic addresses, the list serves as a trusted guide for both residents and international travellers seeking the ultimate hotel experiences in the Gulf.
The FACT Hotel List is part of a broader initiative by FACT Magazine FZ LLC, which includes popular dining awards held in Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, London, and Saudi Arabia.
Check in with FACT for more information and to view the region’s top 50 hotels when they are revealed.