Forbes Travel Guide Unveils 2025 Hotel Star Bars List
Forbes Travel Guide (FTG), the leading authority on luxury hospitality, has announced its 2025 Hotel Star Bars list, featuring an impressive lineup of 58 premier hotel bars from around the world. Each of these establishments was selected through meticulous in-person inspections that assessed cocktail craftsmanship, service standards, and overall guest experiences. This notable selection highlights FTG's commitment to excellence in the world of luxury hospitality.
The 2025 Hotel Star Bars are representative of a global tapestry, with bars hailing from 19 different countries. The evaluation process utilized data from FTG's 2024 and 2025 Star Ratings, where inspectors conducted anonymous evaluations at over 1,500 hotels worldwide. This level of scrutiny ensures that only the finest establishments receive recognition, demonstrating FTG's longstanding tradition of excellence since its inception as Mobil Travel Guide in 1958.
Highlights from the List
According to Hermann Elger, CEO of FTG, the newly announced list signifies a benchmark in hotel bar quality. He remarked, "This list represents the pinnacle of hotel bar excellence. Our in-person inspections provide unmatched insight, and the 2025 Star Bars are shining examples of luxury, creativity, and impeccable hospitality."
Among the 58 honored venues, London stands out with the highest number of selections, boasting seven bars, followed by Paris with five and Dubai with four. Notably, independent hotels topped the ranks with nine winners, closely followed by Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts with eight accolades. Further, stalwart brands like The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, and Rosewood Hotels & Resorts each celebrated five bars on the list.
Noteworthy Winners
Some standout bars among the winners include:
- - Le Bar Américain at Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, a favorite of jazz legends such as Josephine Baker and Lady Gaga, known for its timeless 1930s ambiance.
- - BKK Social Club at Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, which creatively melds Buenos Aires influences with agave-centric cocktails.
- - Scarfes Bar at Rosewood London, where the cocktail menu draws inspiration from the whimsical artistry of British caricaturist Gerald Scarfe.
- - Library by the Sea at Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa in Grand Cayman, which presents an innovative twist on classic literature through the art of mixology.
Bastien Gardrat, FTG's Global Spirits Ambassador, emphasized that these awards highlight the sophisticated atmosphere, personalized service, curated wine selections, and creative cocktail presentations that define an unforgettable hotel bar experience.
The exceptional flavors of the 2025 Hotel Star Bars will be showcased at the
Spirits Lab at Le Logis, FTG's prestigious center for excellence located in Cognac, France. Here, visitors will have the chance to explore and enjoy the specialty cocktails and spirits offered by these acclaimed bars.
For those interested in discovering more about the remarkable venues that made this year's list, the complete roster is available at
ForbesTravelGuide.com.
In conclusion, Forbes Travel Guide continues to set the standard in the luxury hospitality landscape by celebrating the artistry and sophistication of hotel bars around the world. The 2025 Hotel Star Bars list not only acknowledges established icons but also introduces emerging personalities in the luxury bar scene, reinforcing the essence of luxury, creativity, and unparalleled guest experiences.