I’ve stayed in more hotels around the world than I can count, so I figured I’d share some insider knowledge on the countries with the most hotels globally.
Whether you’re a fellow wanderluster looking for your next adventure or just curious where all the lodging is at, stick with me and I’ll give you the lowdown.
Now I ain’t no statistics professor, but I’ve done my homework and asked my pal Google for a hand with the numbers.
According to the data, these five countries have the most hotels in the world:
China
It’s no shocker that China tops the list with a whopping 170,000 hotels! With the largest population on Earth, China needs a ton of rooms for all its people traveling around the massive country.
From bustling Beijing to beautiful Guilin, you can find hotels on every corner in China. My favorite is this little family-run joint called the Jade Palace in Yangshuo with kickass dumplings – the pork and chive ones are to die for.
The owners don’t speak much English but they welcome you with the warmest smiles and their teenage son will help translate the menu. They’ve only got 5 rooms but each one is decked out with handmade bamboo furniture and this gorgeous emerald wallpaper with gold accents.
The mattresses are a bit hard but you won’t care after feasting on their insane breakfast spread. I’m talking mounds of steamed buns, porridge, pickled veggies, fried crullers and more for like $3.
It’s right on the Li River so you fall asleep to the sound of water and wake up to epic mountain views right from your window.
But with over 170,000 hotels across China, from luxury skyscraper suites in Shanghai to cozy courtyard rooms in Hutongs, to extravagant resorts in Hainan, you really can’t go wrong with lodging in China.
Some of my other favorite stays in China include the Peninsula Hotel in Shanghai. Talk about glitz and glam – we’re talking ornate chandeliers, Italian marble bathrooms, Hermes toiletries, and sweeping views of the Bund and Huangpu River.
I felt like a million bucks sipping cocktails at their rooftop bar in my robe and slippers. In Beijing, the Courtyard 7 is a beautiful converted courtyard home right in the thick of the Hutongs.
Their custom bikes let you easily tour the alleyways and experience old Beijing at its finest.
And you can’t miss the Banyan Tree in Lijiang – their pool villas make you feel a world away with private dip pools fed by natural hot springs against the backdrop of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.
Whether you’re in the über modern cities or rural ancient villages, China has accommodations to meet every budget and style.
I have to shout out some other amazing hotel experiences I’ve had around China.
Up north in Harbin, during their epic Ice Festival each winter, I had a blast staying at the Ice and Snow World Hotel – yes, it’s made completely of ice and snow! I bundled up in my parka as I slept on an ice bed, gazed at ice sculptures, and even slid down ice slides.
Over in the tropical island paradise of Hainan, I indulged in total luxury at the St. Regis Sanya.
Their beach villas came with personal butlers who would draw my bath and unpack my clothes – now that’s service! And in the karst mountains of Yangshuo, I had the most unreal view from my room at the Banyan Tree resort, with towering green peaks bursting from the ground like a painting.
Whether you want something totally quirky or totally pampering, China delivers.
Speaking of quirky stays – who could forget the Great Wall guesthouses where you can actually spend the night on the legendary Great Wall itself! I’ve done it a few times at places like Watchtower and Brickyard and it’s an incredible experience to watch the sunset and gaze at the stars over the ancient stone.
Just watch your step when finding your room after a few beers at night! If you’re traveling the Silk Road in Western China, bases like Dunhuang and Turpan have wonderful Muslim-influenced hotels, like the Silk Road Dunhuang with its cool courtyard and camel rides.
And Hong Kong of course has no shortage of ritzy hotels, where you’re greeted with champagne as your personal butler shows you around your suite – the Ritz-Carlton and Four Seasons in Hong Kong come to mind.
With diverse landscapes and cultures, China really does have it all when it comes to creative lodging.
United States
Coming in second is my homeland, the US of A! We’ve got over 53,000 hotels from sea to shining sea.
I’ve road-tripped along the entire Route 66, staying in some of the funkiest retro motels you can imagine, with midcentury neon signs and original ’50s interior.
The Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba, Missouri had the coolest covered wagons you could sleep in, and the Blue Swallow in Tucumcari, New Mexico was straight out of a cowboy movie with its adobe-style rooms.
I’ve also camped all over the national parks, from backcountry sites in the rugged Badlands to VRBO cabins near Yellowstone.
My favorite park stay was at the Majestic Yosemite Hotel, formerly known as the Ahwahnee Hotel, which made me feel like royalty with its massive timbers and stone fireplaces.
Plus you can’t beat those Yosemite views right from your room! If city stays are more your speed, I’ve done it all – lived it up in penthouses in Vegas with infinity pools and private butlers, stayed in historic architectural gems like The Pfister in Milwaukee, and paid through the nose for tiny spaces in NYC and San Francisco.
Pro tip: sort by price to find cheaper rates when booking in pricey cities like NYC or San Fran. The $300+ night hotels in places like Times Square really rack up quick!
Some other quintessential American lodging experiences include beachfront resorts along the Florida coast, Charleston’s charming antebellum inns, the grand old lodges of National Parks like Yellowstone’s
Old Faithful Inn, mountain lodges in Colorado’s ski towns, über-luxury five-star properties in Hawaii, route 66’s iconic motels, Texas ranch resorts, Napa Valley’s swanky vineyard stays,
New England’s quaint bed and breakfasts, Chicago’s architectural wonders, Savannah’s graceful historic homes, log cabins in the Smokies…
I could go on but you get the idea! With diverse landscapes and cities filled with character, the United States is a hotel haven.
I have to mention some other awesome American hotel gems I’ve discovered over the years.
Down in the Florida Keys, I had an unforgettable stay at the Kona Kai Resort – their overwater bungalows made me feel like I was in Bora Bora but with Florida vibes! In New York, I splurged on The Mark Hotel and felt like a celebrity when they gift you a designer handbag at check-in.
Quirky stays I’ve loved include the Dog Bark Park Inn in Idaho, which is shaped like a Beagle, the Boot Bed and Breakfast in Texas shaped like a cowboy boot of course, and the wigwam motels along Route 66.
America really cornered the market on cool roadside attractions!
Speaking of roadtrips – cruising the Pacific Coast Highway is a must, and I’ve stayed in everything from retro surf motels to cliffside luxury resorts like the Post Ranch Inn, where your own private infinity hot tub on the deck leaves you feeling on top of the world.
In big cities like San Francisco, Seattle or Chicago, I love finding historic hotels from the early 1900s – they don’t make em like the Fairmont, the Langham, and the Drake anymore.
Hitting up a ski town? You can’t beat spots like the Little Nell in Aspen or the Stein Eriksen Lodge in Utah that really let you live that luxe apres-ski lifestyle.
For outdoorsy types, dude ranches and national park lodges let you really immerse yourself in nature, like Dunton Hot Springs deep in the Colorado Rockies.
And America does theme hotels better than anyone – I’m talking the Madonna Inn’s retro vibes in California or the country music star-studded Gaylord Opryland in Nashville.
India
India takes the bronze medal with over 46,000 hotels. With mountains, beaches, jungles, and deserts, India’s got it all – and tons of hotels so you can see it in style.
I’ll never forget waking up to monkeys playing outside my window at a resort in Rajasthan! It was like my own version of the Jungle Book.
If you’re traveling India’s Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, look for deals at spots like the Oberoi Amarvilas, with views of the Taj Mahal from your balcony, or the Royal Heritage Haveli, with its sprawling courtyards and marble carvings.
India has some absolutely incredible luxury hotel chains like Taj Hotels and Oberoi Hotels. I felt like royalty staying at the Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur, a stunning white marble palace seemingly floating on Lake Pichola.
But India also has fantastic budget options, like Zostel hostels where you can get a bed in a dorm for under $10 a night and make friends from around the globe.
Some of my other favorite stays in India include beach huts along the beaches of Goa, with paradise-like views of the Arabian Sea. In Kerala, I stayed on a gorgeous houseboat and drifted through the tranquil backwaters.
Up north in the mountains, I cozied up in a wooden cottage with a roaring fire in Dharamshala. And in Mumbai, with its fast-paced city energy, I opted for the hyper-modern comforts of the Four Seasons.
India really does have so much diversity when it comes to accommodations – you can sleep like royalty at heritage forts and palaces in Rajasthan, stay at an ayurvedic retreat in Kerala, relax at a Goan beach resort, or base yourself at a budget-friendly hostel while exploring chaotic Delhi.
With so many types of hotels, plus friendly Indian hospitality, you’re sure to feel right at home.
Beyond the popular Golden Triangle cities, India has so many incredible lodging gems to discover. If you want luxury in the middle of the bustling city action, Mumbai has you covered with seaside stunners like the Taj Mahal Palace and Oberoi Mumbai, the latter featuring a rooftop pool with epic skyline views.
Seek some tranquility? Check into an ayurvedic wellness center like Ananda in the Himalayas, with rejuvenating spa treatments and yoga amidst mountain scenery.
Prefer going off-grid? Karnataka has amazing forest camps like Bison Resort, for spotting wildlife on jeep safaris and sleeping in remote jungle glamour.
For beach vibes, I loved figuring at the Lemon Tree Amarante Beach Resort in Goa, with its palm-fringed pools and Funky Monkey beach club.
And for heritage charm, Rajasthan’s castle hotels can’t be beat – I felt like royalty wandering the majestic courtyards of Bundi Vilas.
With 29 diverse states, India has so much variety when it comes to creative lodging finds.
Japan
The Land of the Rising Sun comes in fourth with 43,000+ hotels. From futuristic Tokyo to historic Kyoto, Japan beautifully blends ancient tradition and cutting edge modernity.
I highly recommend staying in a ryokan for an authentic Japanese lodging experience – sleeping on comfy tatami mats, soaking in open-air onsen baths, and feasting on traditional multi-course kaiseki dinners are a must in a ryokan.
My favorite was Hiiragiya ryokan in Kyoto – the rooms were straight out of the Edo period with their zen minimalism, screen doors, and perfectly manicured zen gardens.
Yet the service was out-of-this-world with everyone wearing beautiful kimono and providing omotenashi hospitality. Tipping is even frowned upon!
In addition to ryokans, Japan has incredible luxury hotels, like the Park Hyatt Tokyo, with its sky-high views and swank amenities. I felt like a star staying here – they even provide traditional yukata robes and slippers.
For a more economical but equally cultural stay, I loved Hotel Kanra Kyoto which had a hip vibe but super cozy rooms styled with handcrafted wood and bamboo touches.
Out in the Japanese Alps, I stayed at an amazing onsen lodge with private onsen baths fed by hot springs right in your room – talk about relaxation! And Japan’s capsule hotels provide functional, affordable places to sleep in otherwise expensive cities. I easily met locals chilling in the lounge areas too.
Whether you bunk at a peaceful temple lodging, a minimalist design hotel, a hyper efficient capsule hotel, a traditional ryokan, or a luxe skyscraper property, Japan has a truly unique range of places to stay. Futuristic and ancient co-existing in harmony – that’s Japan for you!
Beyond Tokyo and Kyoto, Japan is filled with quirky lodging finds if you just do some digging. Looking for extreme relaxation? Book a room with an open-air onsen at a hot spring ryokan in Beppu, where you can access soothing mineral baths right in your room.
On the flip side, seeking thrills? Stay in a cool capsule hotel in Akihabara, Tokyo’s neon-lit gaming and anime district, where you’ll sleep in a pod but have nonstop nightlife and activities right outside your door.
If you want Instagram-worthy design, boutique hotels like Trunk Hotel in Tokyo are urban oases blending traditional touches like tatami mats with sleek minimalism.
For a fairytale experience, medieval castle hotels like Himeji Castle let you live like royalty in a real Japanese fort. And for anime nerds like me, Japan’s manga cafes are a must – you can actually pay by the hour to stay in tiny themed rooms surrounded by comics and games!
With world-class hospitality, cutting edge technology, peaceful nature and fascinating history all in one place, Japan really does offer some of the most memorable, unique stays you’ll find anywhere on Earth.
Germany
Last but not least is Germany with over 41,500 hotels.
You can’t beat German hospitality, scrumptious sausages and steins of beer – so stay in Germany and get your fill! Some of my favorite stays have included Alpine resorts in Bavaria, where I’d hike during the day then relax at night with a mug of beer by a roaring fire.
The Timberland cabins at Eagle’s Nest near Berchtesgaden made me feel like Heidi in the Swiss Alps!
I also loved the romantic castle hotels that transported me back to medieval times, like Schlosshotel Kronberg near Frankfurt filled with suits of armor and four poster beds.
In bustling Berlin, artsy boutique hotels like the Hotel Adlon Kempinski let me dive into the city’s hip creative side.
Meanwhile, places like the Baroque Hotel am Steinplatz dazzled me with preserved Rococo architectural details around every corner. Out in the wine regions along the Rhine River, half-timbered inns like the Hotel Boll Antique in Baden-Baden made me feel like I was in the Grimm’s fairy tales.
And in the Black Forest village of Titisee, I adored Landhaus Stritt Room and Breakfast, a quaint family-run bed and breakfast with the best breakfast spreads of cold cuts, breads, cheeses, jams, and the smoothest coffee ever.
With so many cool, culture-rich cities and charming small villages, Germany has you covered from the Alps to the Baltic Sea.
From major cities like Berlin and Munich to storybook villages and medieval castles, Germany won’t disappoint. You’ll find hotels ranging from no-frills pensions to design-centric boutiques to grand palatial affairs across Deutschland.
With legendary German hospitality, delectable food and cultural gems around every corner, you’re guaranteed an unforgettable stay. Prost!
Beyond Bavaria’s fairy tale castles and Berlin’s vibrant arts scene, Germany has such an incredible variety of places to stay. Tropical beach resorts on the Baltic Coast islands? Germany’s got em, like my delightful stay at the Beach Motel Prerow.
Dreamy Alpine lodges? Check out places like the Überfahrt in Rottach-Egern, with spa treatments and mountain views galore. Or for a trendy urban vibe, hotels like Roomers in Frankfurt and Michelberger Hotel in Berlin knocked it out of the park with their swanky bars and modern design.
Germany also does quaint countryside inns so well – I’ve had amazing meals and even better sleeps at places like Landgasthof Zur Linde in the Rhineland Palatinate.
For history buffs, you have to spend a night or two in a medieval castle turned hotel, like Burg Stargard in Mecklenburg or Althoff Schlosshotel Zermuth in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Talk about feeling like royalty as you gaze at rolling green countryside from your tower bedroom! And for oenophiles, Germany’s wine regions have no shortage of delightful wine country estates, like Schloss Reinhartshausen in the Rheingau where I sipped Rieslings on an impeccably manicured lawn.
Top 10 Countries With the Most Hotels
Hotels | Overview | |
---|---|---|
China | 170,000 | With a massive population, China unsurprisingly has the most hotels globally including luxury skyscrapers, historic courtyard inns, tropical island resorts, and more. |
United States | 53,000 | From coast to coast, the diverse USA offers everything from quirky roadside motels to beach resorts, city high-rises, mountain lodges, and more. |
India | 46,000 | India’s array of luxury heritage hotels, beachside Goan resorts, Himalayan retreats, and backpacker hostels provide varied accommodation. |
Japan | 43,000 | Japan seamlessly blends ancient ryokans and zen temple stays with sleek, modern skyscraper hotels and hi-tech capsule hotels. |
Germany | 41,500 | Fairy tale castles, Alpine resorts, wine country inns, restored palaces, and vibrant city hotels characterize Germany’s offerings. |
Italy | 33,000 | Charming Tuscan villas, historic palazzos, Mediterranean beach resorts, and stylish urban hotels bring visitors to Italy. |
Spain | 32,500 | With beachside retreats, grand Moorish palaces, converted monasteries, and uber-modern city hotels, Spain has diverse options. |
France | 26,000 | Iconic Parisian palaces, Provence B&Bs, French Riviera resorts, and alpine ski chalets give France wide appeal. |
United Kingdom | 25,000 | The UK draws visitors with stately castles, countryside manors, London gems like Claridge’s, buzzy boutiques, and more. |
Mexico | 23,000 | Hacienda hideaways, luxe beachfront resorts, eco-lodges, and boutique city hotels bring visitors to Mexico. |