As global travel rebounds and luxury hospitality flourishes, five-star hotels have become a tangible marker of a city’s tourism ambitions and infrastructural muscle. While the definition of ‘five-star’ can vary across regions, these properties typically offer a consistent level of luxury, service, and amenities that cater to the upper end of the market. So which cities in the world house the most five-star hotels today?

Where does this data come from

For this ranking, we relied on data from Booking.com, one of the world’s largest hotel aggregation platforms. The site uses local classification systems to tag hotels by star rating, offering a consistent global interface. While not an official government source, Booking.com listings reflect what travellers are most likely to encounter when booking luxury stays, making it a useful barometer of real-world availability.

The methodology

We filtered Booking.com’s listings to include only properties currently tagged as five-star in each city, excluding serviced apartments and resorts outside city limits. These counts reflect active listings as of May 2025. While the platform doesn’t publicly share criteria for assigning stars, it aligns its categories with local tourism boards, offering a degree of standardisation across markets.

What the data says

Istanbul leads the global list with 201 five-star hotels, buoyed by its role as a transcontinental hub and the Turkish government’s push to grow its tourism economy. Bangkok and Shanghai follow closely, both major players in Asia’s high-end hospitality scene. Western capitals like London and Paris also feature in the top ten, but it’s clear that Asian cities are dominating when it comes to sheer volume of luxury stays. India doesn’t feature in the top ten, but cities like Delhi and Mumbai each have over 50 five-star properties listed on Booking.com, signalling a strong presence in the luxury segment and steady growth in urban hospitality infrastructure.

The 10 cities with the most five-star hotels, ranked

Istanbul: 201 five-star hotels

Shanghai: 201 five-star hotels

Bangkok: 200 five-star hotels

London: 162 five-star hotels

Dubai: 133 five-star hotels

Manila: 127 five-star hotels

Paris: 116 five-star hotels

Beijing: 112 five-star hotels

Mexico City: 88 five-star hotels

Batumi: 86 five-star hotels

Coastlines have long held a powerful grip on the imagination of travellers, shaped by tides, trade, and time. They’re not just natural borders, but geological features that have shaped trade, migration, and identity for centuries. Whether you’re drawn to Norway’s intricate fjords, Indonesia’s island-hopping potential, or Canada’s sweeping Atlantic-to-Pacific expanse, the length of a country’s coastline can say a lot about its geographic diversity, ecological wealth, and maritime heritage. But measuring that coastline isn’t as simple as it sounds.

To make sense of it, we turned to data compiled by the World Resources Institute (WRI), a global research organisation known for its environmental and geographical data tools. WRI’s measurement draws from the World Vector Shoreline database, using a consistent scale of 1:250,000. In simple terms, this means coastlines were mapped as digital lines made up of hundreds of thousands of points. The total length of each country’s coastline was calculated by adding up the length of all the mapped line segments that define its shore.

This method avoids the common pitfalls of what geographers call the “coastline paradox”, or the fact that a coastline can appear longer or shorter depending on how detailed your map is. By sticking to a standard resolution, the WRI provides a level playing field for comparison. Here are the 10 countries with the longest coastlines in the world.

Countries with the longest coastlines in the world

Canada: 202,080km

With its vast network of bays, inlets, and island chains stretching from the Pacific to the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, Canada holds the uncontested top spot.

Norway: 83,281km

Thanks to its famously rugged coastline carved by glaciers and peppered with fjords, Norway comes in a distant but impressive second.

Indonesia: 54,716km

An archipelago of over 17,000 islands, Indonesia’s shoreline snakes through tropical waters across Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

Greenland: 44,087km

Although sparsely populated, Greenland’s jagged, ice-carved coastline is among the most intricate on the planet.

Russia: 37,653km

Bordering both the Arctic and Pacific Oceans, Russia’s coastline is as sprawling as its landmass, though much of it remains remote and icy.

Philippines: 36,289km

This tropical nation of more than 7,000 islands punches well above its weight when it comes to coastline length.

Japan: 29,751km

With four major islands and thousands of smaller ones, Japan’s highly indented shoreline is vital to its fishing and shipping industries.

Australia: 25,760km

A single massive island-continent, Australia’s coastline is known for its surf beaches, coral reefs, and dramatic cliffs.

United States: 19,924km

Spanning both the Atlantic and Pacific, plus the Gulf of Mexico and island states like Hawaii, the US has a diverse and expansive coastline.

New Zealand: 15,134km

Its two main islands, and hundreds of smaller ones, give New Zealand a high coastline-to-land ratio, ideal for sailing, surfing, and scenic road trips.

Discover the world’s 10 greatest outdoor travel destinations for 2025, ranked for adventure, natural beauty, and cultural richness. From Australia to Brazil, explore the top spots for outdoor enthusiasts seeking unforgettable experiences.

More travelers today are shifting their focus—from ticking off landmarks to chasing real adventure. It’s not just about where you go, but how you experience it. KÜHL’s Global Outdoor Destination Index dug deep into 183 countries, measuring everything from the number of outdoor activities and biodiversity to safety, natural preservation, and climate comfort. The result? A surprising list of the world’s top spots where nature, adventure, and peace come together perfectly.

While many places boast stunning landscapes or a few great hikes, only a handful truly deliver across all the essentials for an unforgettable outdoor journey. These countries offer vast wild spaces, seamless access, and the kind of calm and safety that lets you lose yourself in nature without worry. Here are the world’s 10 greatest outdoor travel destinations for 2025—where every step outside is a story waiting to happen:

1. Australia

More than kangaroos and beaches, Australia is a vast playground of deserts, rainforests, and epic coastlines. Surf the Great Barrier Reef or trek the rugged Outback—the adventures here never end.

2. USA

From the soaring peaks of the Rockies to the wild deserts of Utah and the untouched fjords of Alaska, the US offers an outdoor buffet that few countries can match.

3. New Zealand

Adventure capital meets natural wonder. Whether it’s bungee jumping, skiing, or hiking through pristine fjords, New Zealand turns outdoor dreams into reality.

4. Canada

Endless forests, shimmering lakes, and majestic mountains make Canada a sanctuary for nature lovers. Paddle, hike, or simply breathe in the wilderness.

5. France

Think beyond Paris. France’s natural beauty ranges from Alpine peaks to fragrant lavender fields and wild Atlantic coasts, offering hiking, cycling, and more with effortless charm.

6. Mexico

Snorkel in hidden cenotes, hike ancient volcanoes, or wander through lush jungles. Mexico’s outdoor offerings combine vibrant culture with raw nature.

7. China

Surprisingly diverse landscapes await—from the iconic Great Wall hikes to ethereal sandstone pillars in Zhangjiajie. China’s outdoor scene is as vast as its history.

8. Bhutan

The kingdom where nature and spirituality meet. Trek pristine Himalayan trails and explore centuries-old monasteries in a land that treasures peace and preservation.

9. Malta

Small but mighty, Malta’s dramatic cliffs and crystal-clear waters make it a Mediterranean gem for diving, cliff walks, and soaking up the sun year-round.

10. Brazil

Beyond the samba and cities lies the Amazon’s endless wilderness and the Pantanal’s vast wetlands. Brazil’s raw beauty invites explorers to discover its wild heart.

How to travel cheap: 5 smart hacks to save money on your next trip

Let’s agree that travelling can be a costly affair, but if planned right, you can save big time! You won’t have to break the bank to explore a new place or country if you smartly plan your trip. You can cut costs significantly without sacrificing the quality of your trip.
Here are five smart travel hacks that can help you save money on your next trip.

1. Book flights in advance

The maximum amount goes into flight bookings but if your timing is on point, you can book flights at a cheaper rate. There have been studies from several top travel search engines which prove that buying tickets 1–3 months in advance for domestic flights and 2–8 months for international trips often gets you the best prices! Booking midweek flights can also be cheaper than weekends.

2. Pack light to avoid extra fees

These days most airlines are charging insanely for checked bags, and even some carry-ons. Traveling light can save you a surprising amount so choose a carry-on backpack and stick to essentials. Pack light and try to carry one luggage. Also you can carry your own snacks and a reusable water bottle (fill it after security).

3. Choose homestays/hostels

Next where your big money goes is hotels which can be expensive. Consider booking a homestay, tourist hostels or lodging. If you’re open to cultural exchange, there are many websites which allow travellers to connect with locals who offer a place to stay, offering an immersive travel experience.

4. Travel reward programs

Credit card travel rewards and airline loyalty programs can also help you save if you are a frequent traveller. Sign up for cards offering points on travel purchases, or airline miles. Use these rewards and points wisely as these can often cover the cost of flights, hotel stays, or even get you an upgrade.

5. Choose off-season

You can save surprisingly big if you choose to travel during off season. Avoiding peak travel times can lead to significant savings on everything from flights and hotels to tours and dining. Late spring (April–June) and early fall (September–October) will fetch you better offers. Additionally, exploring lesser-known destinations rather than top tourist cities can reveal hidden gems at a fraction of the cost.