McLean-Based Company Ranked World's Best Workplace

MCLEAN, VA — McLean-based Hilton has been named the world's best workplace by Fortune and Great Place To Work for the second consecutive year, marking the third time the global hospitality company has earned the top ranking.

Hilton announced the recognition Thursday, Nov. 12, saying it remains the only hospitality company ever to reach No. 1 on the World's Best Workplaces list. The company has appeared on the annual list for 11 consecutive years, dating back to 2016.

The recognition comes as Hilton released new research showing how employees who begin their careers in frontline hotel positions can advance into management and corporate leadership roles. According to an internal company survey, 93 percent of Hilton's hotel leaders began their careers in frontline positions, while 67 percent said they reached their first management position within three years.

Hilton Highlights Career Advancement Opportunities

"At Hilton, we believe that when we take great care of our people and give them opportunities to learn and grow, a first job can become a lifelong career – and their experience on the frontline can shape the leaders they become," said Chris Nassetta, Hilton's president and CEO.

"That's what makes being named the world's best place to work so meaningful: In an age of technological disruption, it celebrates our culture of people serving people where team members can build their futures while filling the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality," Nassetta added.

Hilton reported that 43 percent of its corporate employees previously worked onsite at a hotel. In addition, 61 percent of the company's hotel and corporate leadership positions were filled by internal candidates in 2025.

The company also reported that 90 percent of its employees believe they have ample opportunities to learn and grow, while 86 percent believe they can achieve their career goals at Hilton.

A separate survey conducted by Morning Consult on Hilton's behalf found that 74 percent of respondents believe the value of frontline or customer-facing work experience is underestimated. Another 66 percent agreed that frontline positions can provide a better entry into a company than traditional corporate or office jobs.

The Morning Consult survey was conducted online Nov. 2-4 among 2,002 U.S. adults and had a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.

Company Expands Workforce And Employee Benefits

Hilton, which operates more than 9,600 properties across 144 countries and territories, said its global expansion has created additional employment opportunities.

The company reported opening nearly two hotels per day on average over the past year. An estimated 130,000 employees have been hired across its managed and franchised hotels and corporate operations in 2026.

Since 2022, Hilton has created more than 3.1 million learning and career development opportunities for employees and community members worldwide, according to the company.

Among its employee development initiatives are:

• LAUNCH: A 24-month rotational program that allows early-career employees to work in hotel operations and corporate departments.
• Hilton University and LinkedIn Learning: Educational platforms offering access to nearly 30,000 courses and professional certifications.
• Guild: Tuition-free educational opportunities for eligible U.S. employees, including certificate programs, language instruction and degree programs.
• Global Language Learning Program: Free language instruction available to corporate, managed and franchised hotel employees.
• Mentoring Programs: Career development initiatives that have matched more than 6,000 employees with mentors, generating nearly 30,000 hours of completed mentoring time.

Hilton also offers discounted hotel stays through its Go Hilton employee travel program and paid leave opportunities through its Thrive Sabbatical and Thrive Reset programs.

According to the company, 93 percent of employees surveyed said Hilton provides unique and special benefits.

Hilton Earns Top Rankings Across 21 Countries

In addition to its worldwide recognition, Hilton was ranked as a Great Place To Work in 73 countries in 2026, earning the No. 1 position in 21 countries.

The company said the 21 top country rankings represent an all-time record for the most No. 1 country rankings achieved by a company in a single cycle. Hilton also received top workplace recognition in Europe, Asia and Latin America.

The World's Best Workplaces rankings are based on research by Great Place To Work, which analyzed more than 9 million confidential employee survey responses representing the experiences of 23 million workers worldwide at certified organizations.

To qualify for consideration, companies must employ at least 5,000 people worldwide and have appeared on at least five regional Best Workplaces lists during 2025 or early 2026.

Hilton's latest ranking reflects employee feedback from its corporate and managed hotel workforce. The company's broader global workforce spans approximately 500,000 employees across 144 countries and territories.

The hospitality company operates 28 hotel brands and more than 1.4 million rooms worldwide.

More information about the recognition is available in Hilton's Nov. 12 announcement.