Forbes Travel Guide 2025 Star Winner – Forbes Travel Guide Story
The most luxurious hotels in the world can often be found in the most unlikely destinations. From the ancient streets of Azerbaijan to the rugged terrain in western Montana, Forbes Travel Guide’s annual star award celebrates the world’s best hotel. The winners this year are FTG’s most geographical location list in 67 years, enjoying outstanding performance in 90 countries, while Brunei, Finland, Montenegro and Romania made their debuts.
Behind each Forbes Travel Guide Star Award are a thousand small gestures: In the concierge of the hidden cafes that locals love, these are chefs who sour ingredients from a farm that has been passed down from generation to generation. Spa therapists who make custom aromatherapy that blends local flowers. From established luxury capitals to emerging destinations, 2187 winners in 2025 show that real luxury is not measured in thread counts or square feet, but at a true moment of connection.
FTG’s ratings are objective, independent and data-driven. Invisibility inspectors can pose as daily guests – check in hotels, boat tours, receive spa treatments and dine in gourmet restaurants. They tested hundreds of strict standards that emphasize excellent service, accounting for 70% of property ratings. The quality and condition of the facility account for the remaining 30%. In addition to these metrics, inspectors evaluate the intangible assets behind a truly outstanding guest experience: whether the property allows you to continue a healthy-conscious lifestyle and enhance your sense of well-being; location, design, or other elements will all elicit strong status. and all of them add up to memorable accommodation.
See the full list of Star Awards 2025 hereand learn more about the latest additions to the collection below.
Action globally, think locally
The latest five-star hotel brings travelers to the heart of the destination. River view ranchLocated next to Lolo National Forest, guests can explore 1,000 acres of western Montana terrain with horse riding, mountain biking, wakeboarding and snowshoes, all included in the accommodation.
at the same time, Capela Hanoi In Vietnam, pay tribute to the nearby Hanoi Opera House, a landmark from the early 1900s that was decorated by rooms designed by Bill Bensley of the opera production. The boutique hotel also immerse guests in local culture, connecting them with high-end craftsmen with centuries-old traditions of Vietnamese lacquer paintings and ceramics.
exist Waldorf Astoria Sehechelles Platte Islandguided walks from dawn, reveal an island with wildlife – Hawksbill, Hawksbill, green turtle and eagle rays are found throughout the crystal waters, while Lemon and Blacktip Sharks patrol deeper passages. Guests can feed the ancient aldabra giant tortoise or participate in the coconut harvest, which is the nod of the island’s plantation heritage. By night, the property became a stage of Seychelles culture Sega The music pulses under the sky under the stars.
Winning destination
Macau remains the world’s five-star hotel capital for the third consecutive year. Luxurious Chinese territory (only on the western coast of Hong Kong), Tang people Studio City Macau’s epic towera full-suite hotel overlooking the green space in color and the wonders of Golden Reel in Studio City (a character 8 Ferris wheel), and Galaxy Macau raffleThis is the luxury property of the brand’s largest suite. Two new five-star spas, Spas at Epic Tower and Spas in Palazzo Palace, Macaualso added to the list.
After Macau, London has 20 five-star hotels in 2025. New entries include Cadogan at Belmond Hotel Londona historic boutique hotel that Oscar Wilde once lived in, Raffles London in OWOan employee, Ian Fleming’s former war office found the inspiration for creating James Bond.
Overall, Europe has performed well among the best hotels in the world. Property won a new five-star award in Azerbaijan (Haibei) Four Seasons Hotel Baku), France (renovated Lady Grande Carlton Cannes, Regent Hotel), Greece (Modernist, hillside Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino), Italy (Tuscan rural retreat Castelfalfi) and Spain (modern in the middle of this century Rosewood Villa Magna in Madrid).
In addition, Europe has won a new five-star spa in France (Spa in Les Areles) and Türkiye (Raffles Hot Springs in Raffles Istanbul).
At home, the United States has won several five-star victories this year. Riverview Ranch of Montana joins Mayburn Beverly Hillsa charming escape, the outpost of the famous Dante Bar in New York City; Four Seasons Hotel and Residence Spa Fort Lauderdalereceive water as a refuge; and Hot spring montage skyin the Alpine Retreat in Montana.
The Middle East has won five-star awards A & only Royal Sea Rage residence (Adult-only rich seaside resort) and Pearl Spa at Four Seasons Dubai Resort in Jumeirah Beach (drawn from the pearl diving roots in the area), both in Dubai; Regis Abu Dhabi (Own your own beach club); and The spa and wellness center at Four Seasons Hotel Doha (A huge three-story facility).
New in Asia, Singapore Paiza SeriesOn the dazzling beaches of Pier Bay, specializing in Butler services, it received a five-star rating for 2025. Outside Macau, China has won the highest honors of two tall towers: Rosewood Guangzhou (The tallest hotel in southern China) and Liz Carlton, Hong Kong (claimed to be the tallest hotel in the world). Tokyo and Maldives also welcome new five-star spas Bvlgari Spa Tokyo and A & the only reethi rah sparespectively.
The first voyage of the cruising restaurant
This year, FTG also announced its inaugural Cruise Restaurant rating, becoming the first independent rating guide to assessing on-board dining experiences. While Cruise ships have historically been subjected to bad rap for food, luxury liners are changing courses alongside world-class chefs, innovative menus and excellent service.
Celebrity (Apex and Ascent’s fine steakhouse), Ritz-Carlton Yacht series (Eve’s Sea), Seadream Yacht Club (Restaurants in Seadream II), Silversea (Silver barbecue rack) and Fengxing (Star Pride’s Candle) was one of the first fleets of the winners.
More New Restaurant Winners
Macau also ruled the restaurant category in 2025 and received the highest honor aurora (Altira Macau), Chef Tam’s Season (Wynn Palace), Don Alfonso 1890 (Versey Palaze Macau), The Huaiyang Garden (London Hotel), mesa (Karl Lagerfeld), Yamazato Macau (Okura Macau Hotel) and Zuicho (Macau, Grand Rispo Palace).
Mexico this year with María Doloresit is located in the all-inclusive studio Playa Mujeres in Cancun. Hosted by Edgar Núñez, the seasonal vegetable menu shows modern Mexican cuisine.
Three restaurants in Dubai earned five stars: Dinner in Dubai at Heston Blumenthal (Roy of Atlantis), where the legendary chef reinvented historic British cuisine; Ossiano (Atlantis, Palm), his restaurant is like an aquarium; and Line 45 (Grosvenor House, a luxury collection hotel in Dubai), an intimate cooking theater by British chef Jason Atherton.
Ojay Valley Hotel, Southern California, USA Olives Added to the warm atmosphere of five stars and fresh Italian-style California cuisine.
Wandering in health
The best hotels in the world continue to embrace health as part of their products. Bali’s latest five-star champion, Mandapa, Ritz-Carlton Reservehelping guests distract from disconnected numbers to reconnect the program while traditional homa yajnaBali’s flame rituals transform unnecessary beliefs or habits into positive energy.
While in Scottsdale, Arizona Canyon Suite in Phoenix, a luxurious collection destination Health products such as aerial yoga and sound meditation are available in free buffet breakfast and daily fitness classes spa. The new five-star hotel also attracts guests’ activities such as guided bike rides through the old town, through the cactus garden and “adult rest”, a rotating tournament – what else? – Pickle.
