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Forbes Travel Guide Announces Star Awards 2026

On February 11, 2026, Forbes Travel Guide (FTG), the only independent global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants, spas, and ocean cruises, revealed its prestigious Star Awards for 2026. This year marks the 68th annual celebration, featuring an impressive list of winners from over 100 countries including new emerging destinations such as Bhutan, Croatia, Georgia, Grenada, Laos, Poland, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Uzbekistan.

The announcement highlights an exciting era in the luxury travel sector, showcasing more winners than ever before. Notably, it features the world’s first Five-Star cruise, the Ilma from The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, and the first Five-Star restaurant at sea, Le Voyage by renowned chef Daniel Boulud aboard the Celebrity Xcel. These accolades point to a growing trend in the cruise industry, where exceptional experiences are increasingly recognized.

A significant shift also sees luxury travelers leaving behind major capitals to embrace smaller destinations that offer sophistication without the crowds. New Five-Star hotels have emerged in the Turks and Caicos Islands (Wymara Villas), Nikko, Japan (The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko), and Montenegro (OneOnly Portonovi), demonstrating the growing appeal of lesser-known yet high-quality locales. Similarly, the four-star awards have gone to The Charleston Place in Charleston and 100 Princes Street in Edinburgh, indicating a rising standard in hospitality across less-explored markets.

Marriott International's luxury hotels have also notably shone, with Atlanta achieving its first dual Five-Star ratings for The St. Regis Atlanta and its restaurant, Atlas Buckhead. The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, earns the top hotel recognition in the city, while Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, becomes the first Five-Star hotel within Saudi Arabia's expansive Giga-project on the Red Sea.

As luxury shifts from the mandated to the personal, hotels are embracing bespoke, localized offerings. This trend is evident with Sedona's first Five-Star hotel, Mii amo, delivering tailored wellness journeys amidst its stunning red rock backdrop. The Ritz-Carlton Reserve portfolio emphasizes authentic guest experiences, allowing travelers to explore destinations at their own pace.

Macau continues to dominate as a top destination for luxury travelers, securing its position with 28 Five-Star hotels for the fourth consecutive year. Recent awardees exemplify a growing preference for intimacy over scale, with properties like Capella at Galaxy Macau, Paiza Grand, and Palazzo Versace Macau offering exclusive, hotel-in-hotel experiences prioritizing privacy.

Key Highlights of the 2026 Awards

The latest announcement includes a total of 2,422 awarded establishments:

• - 343 Five-Star, 708 Four-Star, and 679 Recommended hotels.
• - 82 Five-Star, 138 Four-Star, and 80 Recommended restaurants.
• - 118 Five-Star and 241 Four-Star spas.
• - One Five-Star, nine Four-Star, and nine Recommended cruise ships, along with one Five-Star, eight Four-Star, and five Recommended cruise restaurants.

In the U.S., five new Five-Star hotels have been recognized, including The Chateau at Nemacolin in Pennsylvania, Mii amo in Sedona, and The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes. Meanwhile, the European landscape sees new entries such as The Maybourne Riviera in France, OneOnly Portonovi in Montenegro, and Mandarin Oriental properties in Barcelona and Zurich.

The Asia-Pacific region is rapidly emerging as the next epicenter for luxury travel, accounting for 40% of all new Five-Star hotel additions, with the prestigious Bvlgari Hotel in Tokyo and other remarkable venues in Macau and Shanghai celebrating top honors.

Endorsements from the FTG Team

Amanda Frasier, FTG's President of Standards & Ratings, remarked on the latest winners, stating that they illustrate a thrilling evolution in luxury travel. "Our mission is to provide guests with trusted, integrity-based guidance in this ever-evolving travel landscape to discover the best in accommodations, dining, and leisure activities. The 2026 list reveals establishments deeply committed to delivering consistent and world-class experiences,” she stated.

For the full list of winners and to learn more about how FTG compiles its Star Ratings, visit ForbesTravelGuide.com.