Forbes Travel Guide’s 65th annual Star Awards has witnessed London falling from the number one spot and Macau taking its place. The UK capital lost the cherished title as the world’s five-star hotel capital after spending four years in the top spot. How well Macau, China, will manage to be the destination with the most top-rated hotels will be revealed over time. But for now, the reigning destination- the Las Vegas of Asia flaunts 22 five-star hotels with bigwigs like the Grand Lisboa Palace Macau, The Karl Lagerfeld, and The Londoner Hotel (London lost the spot with 21 five-star hotels).
The list witnessed several new entries awarded five-star ratings from the United States, namely the Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago, the Montage Healdsburg resort in California, and Florida’s Boca Raton Beach Club. This year nine destinations Athens, Bodrum, Capri, Kuwait, Lake Como, Mallorca, Osaka, Riyadh, and Shenzhen, welcomed their first Five-Star hotel. Soneva Jani and The Ritz-Carlton were among new additions from the Maldives added to the ranking. For nearly half a century, Forbes Travel Guide’s inspectors compile the list after checking into hotels incognito.
They wine and dine in the restaurants and experience spa services as ordinary guests, which makes their decision trustworthy. The 65th annual list features 360 five-star, of which 48 are brand new establishments. For the first time in its 65-year history, Forbes Travel Guide dove into ocean cruises, launching its inaugural ratings with five ships. The decision put cruises like Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Flora, and Celebrity Millennium on the map with coveted four-star awards.
“Travel is in an incredible position for continued growth, as people prioritize authentic, in-person experiences,” said Amanda Frasier, President of Ratings for Forbes Travel Guide. “The hotels, ocean cruises, restaurants and spas on our 2023 Star Rating list demonstrate an impressive commitment to creating memorable environments that nurture connection, joy and sense of place as we experience the world to its fullest.”
