Forbes Travel Guide (FTG), the only independent global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants, spas, and ocean cruises, has unveiled its 2025 Star Awards. The full list of winners is available on ForbesTravelGuide.com.
This year marks the 67th edition of the prestigious awards, recognizing over 2,100 properties across 90 countries. The list includes 336 Five-Star, 645 Four-Star, and 567 Recommended hotels; 79 Five-Star, 128 Four-Star, and 64 Recommended restaurants; 124 Five-Star and 224 Four-Star spas; and seven Four-Star and seven Recommended cruise ships. Notably, FTG introduced a new category this year, rating cruise ship restaurants, with three Four-Star and three Recommended establishments making the cut.
Expanding Horizons in Luxury Travel
The 2025 awards expanded into new destinations, reflecting the growing appetite for unique and less-explored locales. New additions include Brunei; Costa Navarino, Greece; Finland; Haikou, Xiamen, and Xi’an, China; Kazakhstan; Malaga, Spain; Montenegro; Oualidia and Tamuda Bay, Morocco; Phu Quoc, Vietnam; Romania; and Salzburg, Austria.
FTG also introduced its first-ever cruise restaurant ratings, featuring standout venues such as Celebrity’s Fine Cut Steakhouse (Apex and Ascent), The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s S.E.A. (Evrima), SeaDream Yacht Club’s Dining Room (SeaDream II), Silversea’s The Grill (Silver Origin), and Windstar’s Candles (Star Pride).
Key Trends in Luxury Hospitality
FTG’s inspections revealed several emerging trends in the luxury travel sector:
The Boundaries of Luxury Are Expanding
Hotels are catering to adventurous travelers seeking unique, off-the-beaten-path experiences. Authenticity is a priority, with properties integrating local customs, history, and culture into their design, cuisine, and overall guest experience.
Wellness Takes Center Stage
Health-focused experiences are in high demand, with travelers prioritizing well-being during and after their trips. This trend is particularly strong among Five-Star properties but is also gaining traction among Four-Star and Recommended establishments.
Luxury Collaborations Elevate Guest Experiences
Hotels are partnering with high-end brands to create unforgettable experiences. For example, Atlantis The Royal in Dubai collaborated with Louis Vuitton on a property-wide art installation to celebrate its first anniversary.
Geographic Highlights of the 2025 Awards
- Macau continues to dominate as the destination with the most Five-Star hotels (24), adding Epic Tower at Studio City Macau and Raffles at Galaxy Macau. Seven new Five-Star restaurants were also recognized, including Aurora, Chef Tam’s Seasons, and Don Alfonso 1890.
- The U.S. saw new Five-Star additions in Arizona (The Canyon Suites at The Phoenician), California (The Maybourne Beverly Hills), and Montana (RiverView Ranch and Spa Montage Big Sky).
- Europe showcased strong growth, with new Five-Star properties in Azerbaijan (Four Seasons Hotel Baku), France (Carlton Cannes), Greece (Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino), and the U.K. (The Cadogan, A Belmond Hotel).
- China made a robust comeback, with new Five-Star hotels in Guangzhou (Rosewood Guangzhou) and Hong Kong (The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong).
- Asia welcomed new Five-Star hotels in Hanoi, Vietnam (Capella Hanoi), and Singapore (The Paiza Collection at Marina Bay Sands).
- The Middle East and Africa also saw new additions, including One&Only Royal Mirage – The Residence in Dubai and Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island.
A Commitment to Excellence
“Forbes Travel Guide’s Star Award winners exemplify excellence in hospitality,” said Amanda Frasier, FTG’s President of Standards & Ratings. “This year’s list reflects the changing landscape of luxury, with properties setting the standard for authentic experiences, unparalleled amenities, enhanced well-being, and unforgettable moments. We are thrilled to recognize their dedication to creating world-class experiences for today’s discerning guests.”
The 2025 Star Awards underscore the evolving definition of luxury, emphasizing authenticity, wellness, and innovative collaborations to meet the demands of modern travelers.
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