Forbes Travel Guide Unveils the Star Award Winners for 2025

On February 12, 2025, Forbes Travel Guide (FTG), the only independent global evaluation system for luxury hotels, restaurants, spas, and cruises, disclosed its prestigious Star Award winners for the year. The 67th annual list encompasses over 2,100 establishments across 90 countries, featuring 336 Five-Star hotels, 645 Four-Star hotels, and 567 Recommended hotels. Additionally, it includes 79 Five-Star restaurants, 128 Four-Star restaurants, and 64 Recommended restaurants, alongside 124 Five-Star spas and 224 Four-Star spas. Notably, FTG expanded its recognition to include seven Four-Star cruise ships as well as three Four-Star cruise restaurants, marking a new milestone for the awards.

Key Trends from the 2025 Inspections

The 2025 awards reflect several key trends observed during FTG's meticulous inspections:

1. Expanding Luxury Boundaries: An evolving luxury market is surfacing, welcoming adventurous travelers who are eager to explore lesser-known destinations. The new locations featured in the 2025 list showcase this trend, including places such as Brunei, Costa Navarino in Greece, and Phu Quoc in Vietnam.

2. Authenticity Matters: Inspectors noted an increasing emphasis on authenticity within luxury hospitality. This was not only visible in the décor and culinary offerings but also in the thoughtful incorporation of local customs and histories, which enhanced the overall guest experience.

3. Prioritizing Wellness: Today's travelers are increasingly focused on health and wellness. The desire to feel rejuvenated after their journey is becoming a standard expectation among luxury hotel offerings, with this trend strengthening among not only Five-Star but also Four-Star and Recommended establishments.

4. Luxury Collaborations: Hotels are creatively partnering with luxury brands to elevate guest experiences. For instance, Atlantis The Royal in Dubai collaborated with Louis Vuitton to feature a stunning art installation as part of the hotel’s first anniversary celebration.

Notable Geographic Highlights

For the third consecutive year, Macau boasts the highest number of Five-Star hotels—24 in total. New additions this year include Epic Tower at Studio City Macau and Raffles at Galaxy Macau, alongside seven new five-star restaurants.

In the United States, several new Five-Star establishments emerged: The Canyon Suites at The Phoenician in Arizona, The Maybourne Beverly Hills in California, and RiverView Ranch in Montana received top honors.

Europe continued to make strides with new Five-Star recognitions in Azerbaijan, France, Greece, Italy, Spain, and the UK. Meanwhile, mainland China surged forward with accolades for Five-Star establishments in Guangzhou and Hong Kong.

Celebrating Excellence in Hospitality

Amanda Frasier, President of FTG Standards and Ratings, commented, "The Star Award winners exemplify hospitality excellence. This year’s list mirrors the evolving luxury landscape, showcasing establishments that set the benchmark for authentic experiences, unparalleled amenities, superior wellness, and unforgettable moments. We are thrilled to honor their commitment to creating world-class experiences for today’s discerning travelers."

For the full list of winners and further insights, visit ForbesTravelGuide.com. Discover how FTG determines its star ratings and get a closer look at the award-winning properties around the globe.

As our world continues to adapt and change, the commitment to luxury and exceptional experiences remains a constant, reaffirmed through the trusted evaluations by Forbes Travel Guide.