Forbes Travel Guide Unveils Its 2026 Star Awards Recognizing Luxury Destinations
Forbes Travel Guide (FTG), the exclusive global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants, spas, and cruises, has published its much-anticipated 2026 Star Awards, bringing exceptional recognition to outstanding establishments across the globe. In this year's awards, a significant milestone is achieved with coverage extending to over 100 nations, introducing travelers to fresh destinations such as Bhutan, Croatia, Georgia, Grenada, Laos, Poland, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Uzbekistan.
One of the most notable highlights of the 2026 Star Awards is the debut of the first-ever five-star cruise ship. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's ship, Ilma, rises to the occasion, while the Celebrity Xcel's restaurant, Le Voyage, emerges as the premier five-star dining experience at sea, setting a new standard in luxury travel experiences.
Luxury travel is evolving, moving beyond traditional capital cities to embrace smaller, lesser-known destinations that offer refined experiences without the burden of large crowds. The award-winning hotels in these emerging locales include Wymara Villas in the Turks and Caicos, The Ritz-Carlton in Nikko, Japan, and OneOnly Portonovi in Montenegro. This year's awards have also seen Charleston Place in Charleston, and 100 Princes Street in Edinburgh achieve four-star status, highlighting the growing appeal of previously overlooked markets.
In the United States, Marriott International's luxury hotels shone brightly with Atlanta celebrating its first dual five-star recognition with The St. Regis Atlanta and its illustrious dining option, Atlas Buckhead. Meanwhile, the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, made history as the first hotel in the area to receive a star rating. The Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, proudly holds the distinction of being the first five-star hotel in Saudi Arabia's ambitious Red Sea project.
The current trend in luxury hospitality signals a shift towards personalized experiences rooted in local culture, moving away from a one-size-fits-all model. This is exemplified by ÁMii amo, the first five-star resort in Sedona, which customizes wellness journeys to align with the area's unique red rock surroundings. The Ritz-Carlton Reserve portfolio continues to prioritize local experiences, empowering guests to explore at their own pace, ensuring a more intimate connection to the destination.
Macao remains a stronghold in the luxury hotel market, once again leading the world with 28 five-star hotels. New contenders like Capella at Galaxy Macau, Paiza Grand, and Palazzo Versace Macau signify a shift towards more intimate luxury experiences that cater to discerning guests seeking privacy and exclusivity.
In total, the 2026 Star Awards recognized 2,422 establishments, including an impressive 343 five-star hotels, 708 four-star hotels, and 679 recommended venues. This year also highlighted 82 five-star restaurants, alongside numerous four-star accolades and 118 five-star spas. Notably, five new five-star hotels were welcomed in the United States: The Chateau at Nemacolin in Pennsylvania, the innovative Mii amo in Sedona, The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, The St. Regis Atlanta, and Yacht Club at Boca Raton, alongside three brand-new five-star dining venues.
Europe is making waves with new five-star establishments like The Maybourne Riviera in France, OneOnly Portonovi in Montenegro, and Mandarin Oriental in Barcelona and Zurich. Meanwhile, the Asia-Pacific region solidifies its position as a luxury epicenter, boasting 40% of all new five-star hotels, including the luxurious Bvlgari Hotel in Tokyo and several prestigious properties in Macau and Beijing.
The Middle East has also welcomed four new five-star hotels: Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental in Abu Dhabi, Grosvenor House in Dubai, and Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Saudi Arabia, alongside Rosewood Doha. In the Caribbean and Mexico, new five-star hotels include Wymara Villas in the Turks and Caicos and Grand Velas Los Cabos, respectively.
Amanda Frasier, the president of standards and evaluations at FTG, expresses her enthusiasm regarding this year's winners, emphasizing the exciting evolution within the luxury sector. She notes that as travelers navigate through a complex landscape in search of the best venues for lodging, dining, and relaxation, FTG is committed to providing reliable guidance that upholds integrity and authenticity. The 2026 list features establishments that are dedicated to delivering consistently exceptional, world-class experiences.
For those keen to learn more about how Forbes Travel Guide establishes its ratings, detailed insights are available on their official website. Explore the complete roster of award winners for 2026 and join us in celebrating the best of luxury travel around the globe.
One of the most notable highlights of the 2026 Star Awards is the debut of the first-ever five-star cruise ship. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's ship, Ilma, rises to the occasion, while the Celebrity Xcel's restaurant, Le Voyage, emerges as the premier five-star dining experience at sea, setting a new standard in luxury travel experiences.
Luxury travel is evolving, moving beyond traditional capital cities to embrace smaller, lesser-known destinations that offer refined experiences without the burden of large crowds. The award-winning hotels in these emerging locales include Wymara Villas in the Turks and Caicos, The Ritz-Carlton in Nikko, Japan, and OneOnly Portonovi in Montenegro. This year's awards have also seen Charleston Place in Charleston, and 100 Princes Street in Edinburgh achieve four-star status, highlighting the growing appeal of previously overlooked markets.
In the United States, Marriott International's luxury hotels shone brightly with Atlanta celebrating its first dual five-star recognition with The St. Regis Atlanta and its illustrious dining option, Atlas Buckhead. Meanwhile, the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, made history as the first hotel in the area to receive a star rating. The Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, proudly holds the distinction of being the first five-star hotel in Saudi Arabia's ambitious Red Sea project.
The current trend in luxury hospitality signals a shift towards personalized experiences rooted in local culture, moving away from a one-size-fits-all model. This is exemplified by ÁMii amo, the first five-star resort in Sedona, which customizes wellness journeys to align with the area's unique red rock surroundings. The Ritz-Carlton Reserve portfolio continues to prioritize local experiences, empowering guests to explore at their own pace, ensuring a more intimate connection to the destination.
Macao remains a stronghold in the luxury hotel market, once again leading the world with 28 five-star hotels. New contenders like Capella at Galaxy Macau, Paiza Grand, and Palazzo Versace Macau signify a shift towards more intimate luxury experiences that cater to discerning guests seeking privacy and exclusivity.
In total, the 2026 Star Awards recognized 2,422 establishments, including an impressive 343 five-star hotels, 708 four-star hotels, and 679 recommended venues. This year also highlighted 82 five-star restaurants, alongside numerous four-star accolades and 118 five-star spas. Notably, five new five-star hotels were welcomed in the United States: The Chateau at Nemacolin in Pennsylvania, the innovative Mii amo in Sedona, The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, The St. Regis Atlanta, and Yacht Club at Boca Raton, alongside three brand-new five-star dining venues.
Europe is making waves with new five-star establishments like The Maybourne Riviera in France, OneOnly Portonovi in Montenegro, and Mandarin Oriental in Barcelona and Zurich. Meanwhile, the Asia-Pacific region solidifies its position as a luxury epicenter, boasting 40% of all new five-star hotels, including the luxurious Bvlgari Hotel in Tokyo and several prestigious properties in Macau and Beijing.
The Middle East has also welcomed four new five-star hotels: Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental in Abu Dhabi, Grosvenor House in Dubai, and Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Saudi Arabia, alongside Rosewood Doha. In the Caribbean and Mexico, new five-star hotels include Wymara Villas in the Turks and Caicos and Grand Velas Los Cabos, respectively.
Amanda Frasier, the president of standards and evaluations at FTG, expresses her enthusiasm regarding this year's winners, emphasizing the exciting evolution within the luxury sector. She notes that as travelers navigate through a complex landscape in search of the best venues for lodging, dining, and relaxation, FTG is committed to providing reliable guidance that upholds integrity and authenticity. The 2026 list features establishments that are dedicated to delivering consistently exceptional, world-class experiences.
For those keen to learn more about how Forbes Travel Guide establishes its ratings, detailed insights are available on their official website. Explore the complete roster of award winners for 2026 and join us in celebrating the best of luxury travel around the globe.
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