#USA #Atlanta #Forbes Travel Guide #Luxury Hospitality #Star Awards 2025

Forbes Travel Guide Announces the 2025 Star Awards

Forbes Travel Guide (FTG), the esteemed independent global rating system specializing in luxury hotels, restaurants, spas, and ocean cruises, has just unveiled its prestigious Star Awards for 2025. This year’s list is particularly notable as it highlights over 2,100 properties located across 90 countries, marking a significant milestone in luxury travel recognition.

Celebrating the Best in Luxury

The annual awards recognized 336 five-star hotels, 645 four-star hotels, and 567 recommended hotels. Furthermore, 79 five-star restaurants, 128 four-star restaurants, and 64 recommended dining experiences received accolades. For wellness enthusiasts, the list includes 124 five-star spas and 224 four-star spas. In a groundbreaking move, FTG introduced its inaugural cruise restaurant ratings, featuring seven four-star cruise liners and three recommended dining experiences.

With a commitment to acknowledging excellence, the guide has expanded its criteria to include new destinations. Highlights include lavish locales such as Brunei, Costa Navarino in Greece, and cities across China like Haikou, Xiamen, and Xi'an, among others. The inclusion of these destinations signifies FTG's effort to recognize emerging markets and provide travelers with fresh experiences.

New Trends Emerged from Inspections

According to FTG's inspectors, several emerging trends have been identified that shape today’s luxury travel landscape:

• - Expansion of Luxury Boundaries: Luxury travel is stepping beyond conventional destinations, with a growing number of high-end travelers seeking authentic experiences in less-traveled areas. For instance, the fresh inclusion of locations such as Málaga, Spain and Phu Quoc, Vietnam on the FTG list underscores this trend.

• - Focus on Wellness: There’s a pronounced emphasis on health and wellness in hospitality, as hotels adapt their offerings to cater to travelers’ growing desire for rejuvenation. FTG’s data indicates that this trend is consistently prevalent among five-star hotel rankings while gaining traction within four-star hotels and recommended properties.

• - Innovative Luxury Collaborations: High-end establishments are increasingly partnering with luxury brands to enhance guest experiences. A notable example includes the collaboration between Atlantis The Royal in Dubai and Louis Vuitton, showcasing a unique art installation that celebrates the hotel's first anniversary.

Geographic Highlights of the Awards

For the third consecutive year, Macao stands out as the leading destination for five-star hotels, boasting 24 luxury accommodations including the newly recognized Epic Tower at Studio City Macau and Raffles at Galaxy Macau. Additionally, seven new five-star dining establishments like Aurora and Don Alfonso 1890 elevate the culinary offerings in the region.

In the United States, new five-star recognition delighted the luxury market with awards for The Canyon Suites at The Phoenician in Arizona, The Maybourne Beverly Hills and the Olivella restaurant in California, as well as RiverView Ranch in Montana.

Europe also showcased a strong performance, welcoming new five-star hotels in countries such as Azerbaijan, France, Greece, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Notably, The Ritz-Carlton in Hong Kong also received accolades, showcasing the enduring excellence in the Asian luxury market.

Essential Takeaway

Amanda Frasier, President of Standards and Ratings for FTG, stated, “The winners of the Star Award exemplify the excellence in hospitality. This year’s list reflects the changing luxury landscape, with properties leading the way in delivering authentic experiences, unmatched service, and the creation of unforgettable moments for discerning travelers.”

For a comprehensive list of winners and more insights into FTG's rigorous rating process, visit Forbes Travel Guide.

Overall, the 2025 Star Awards from Forbes Travel Guide not only celebrate established luxury experiences but also point towards new horizons of travel, marking an exciting time for both travelers and the industry alike.