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Forbes Travel Guide 2026 Star Awards Unveiled

On February 11, 2026, Forbes Travel Guide (FTG), the only independent global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants, spas, and ocean cruises, announced its coveted Star Awards for the year. This year's honorees extend across over 100 countries, introducing remarkable new destinations, including Bhutan, Croatia, Georgia, Granada, Laos, Poland, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Uzbekistan. This marks the 68th annual list and showcases an unprecedented number of winners and inaugural distinctions, signifying a new era in luxury travel.

Five-Star Milestones

The RTiz-Carlton Yacht Collection has made history by introducing the first-ever five-star cruise, Ilma. Additionally, Celebrity Cruises made a noteworthy entry with Le Voyage, the first five-star restaurant at sea, crafted by renowned chef Daniel Boulud. These innovations indicate a significant evolution in luxury cruising as travellers seek exceptional experiences on the water.

Emerging Tiny Destinations

As luxury travelers increasingly move beyond major capitals in favor of quaint cities boasting sophisticated offerings devoid of crowds, hotels are stepping up to meet this demand. Notable first-time five-star arrivals include Wymara Villas in the Turks and Caicos, The Ritz-Carlton in Nikko, Japan, and OneOnly Portonovi in Montenegro. Cities like Charleston and Edinburgh have seen an enhancement in their hospitality with The Charleston Place receiving four stars and 100 Princes Street achieving the same rating, elevating their tourism profile in less explored markets.

Marriott's Luxury Spotlight

Marriott International's luxury hotels also shone brightly on this year's list, with Atlanta welcoming its first double five-star award winners, The St. Regis Atlanta and its fine dining counterpart, Atlas Buckhead. The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, received the city's first top-tier hotel accolade, while Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, made its mark as the first five-star property in Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea mega-project.

A Shift Toward Personalization

The landscape of luxury travel is shifting from one-size-fits-all to personalized experiences deeply tied to their locations. Mii amo, the first five-star hotel in Sedona, Arizona, crafts wellness journeys tailored to the unique red rock setting. The Ritz-Carlton Reserve portfolio emphasizes local experiences that allow guests to engage with their destinations at their own pace, moving away from universal hospitality trends.

The Intimacy of Luxury

Macao continues to outshine other luxury travel destinations for the fourth consecutive year with 28 five-star hotels. New winners in the region illustrate a pivot toward a more intimate luxury dimension, with properties like Capella at Galaxy Macau, Paiza Grand, and Palazzo Versace Macau providing hotel experiences that prioritize guest privacy over size.

Noteworthy Statistics

The 2026 Star Awards encompass a total of 2,422 properties, which includes 343 five-star hotels, 708 four-star hotels, and 679 recommended venues. The gastronomic aspect features 82 five-star restaurants, 138 four-star restaurants, and 80 recommended dining establishments. In the spa category, there are 118 five-star spas and 241 four-star spas awarded. Moreover, for cruises, one five-star cruise, nine four-star options, and nine recommended cruises were recognized, along with a five-star cruise restaurant and eight four-star dining establishments on the seas.

The United States alone gained five new five-star hotels including The Chateau at Nemacolin in Pennsylvania, as well as three new five-star restaurants, including Atlas Buckhead in Atlanta and Aurelia in Newport, Rhode Island.

In Europe, five-star hotels emerged in France, Montenegro, Spain, and Switzerland, while Asia Pacific is on track to become the next luxury hotspot, contributing 40 percent of new five-star hotels, including several in prestigious locations like Tokyo and Macau.

Middle Eastern luxury saw the addition of four new five-star hotels including the Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental in Abu Dhabi and Grosvenor House in Dubai.

Additionally, the Caribbean and Mexico welcomed fresh five-star accommodations, highlighting a promising expansion in global luxury offerings.

Amanda Frasier, President of Standards and Ratings at FTG, stated, "The new 2026 Star Award winners reflect an exciting evolution in luxury. As guests navigate a diverse travel landscape searching for the best experiences to stay, dine, or unwind, we are proud to provide them with the reliable and comprehensive guidance they need. The 2026 list showcases properties that are deeply committed to delivering consistent, world-class experiences."

To explore the complete list of honorees, visit Forbes Travel Guide.