The Original Five Star Standard

Since 1958, when Forbes Travel Guide was founded as Mobil Travel Guide, our team of professional incognito inspectors and editors has traveled the globe in search of the world's best hotels, restaurants and spas. We visit each hotel, restaurant and spa that we rate and recommend, anonymously testing every aspect of a property's experience to determine a rating you can rely on when planning travel. With Forbes Travel Guide's Five Star ratings as your guide, excellence in travel is what you'll get.

What's a Five Star property?

Whether you're looking for the ultimate in luxury or impeccable all-around service, Forbes Travel Guide's Five Star properties deliver. These top-of-the-line hotels, restaurants and spas are the best in the world.

Five Star Properties

These exceptional hotels provide a memorable experience through virtually flawless service and the finest of amenities. Staff is intuitive, engaging and passionate, and eagerly goes beyond expectations. The hotel was designed with your comfort in mind, with particular attention paid to craftsmanship and quality of product. A Forbes Travel Guide Five Star property is a destination unto itself.

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Forbes Travel Guide Five Star restaurants offer a truly unique and distinctive dining experience. A Five Star restaurant consistently provides exceptional food, superlative service and elegant decor. An emphasis is placed on originality and personalized, attentive and discreet service. A gracious, warm dining room team attends to every detail of the meal.

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Stepping foot in a Five Star Spa will result in an exceptional experience with no detail overlooked. These properties wow you with extraordinary design and facilities, and uncompromising service. Expert staff caters to your every whim and pampers you with the most advanced treatments available. These spas often offer exclusive services and emphasize local elements.

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What's a Four Star property?

When you want an excellent hotel, restaurant or spa experience, Forbes Travel Guide's Four Stars will deliver. Four Star properties impress with attentive service and exceptional facilities.

Four Star Properties

These hotels provide a distinctive setting, and you will find many interesting and inviting elements to enjoy. Attention to detail is prominent throughout the property, from design concept to quality of products provided. Staff is accommodating and takes pride in catering to your specific needs throughout your stay.

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These are exciting restaurants with often well-known chefs who feature creative, complex foods and emphasize various culinary techniques and a focus on seasonality. A highly trained dining room staff provides refined personal service.

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Four Star spas offer a wonderful experience in an inviting and serene environment. A sense of personalized service is evident from the moment you check in and receive your robe and slippers. Your comfort is always of utmost concern to the well-trained staff.

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What are Recommended Properties?

These well-appointed establishments have enhanced amenities that provide you with a strong sense of location, whether through style or function. They may have a distinguishing style and ambience, or they may be more focused on functionality, providing easy access to tourism hot spots.

Recommended Properties

These well-appointed hotels have enhanced amenities and design that provide a strong sense of location, whether through style or function. They may have a distinguishing design and ambience, or they may be more focused on functionality, providing easy access to local hot spots.

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These restaurants serve fresh, appealing food in a unique setting that offers a strong sense of location either by style or menu. Attention to detail is evident through the restaurant, from the service to the menu.

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These full-service spas have enhanced facilities, a full menu of treatments and an efficient, welcoming staff. Guests will find a variety of unique treatments delivered in a clean, relaxing environment.

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