Summary: Forbes Travel Guide released its 68th annual Star Awards for 2026, recognising 2,422 properties across more than 100 countries. The list includes the first-ever Five-Star cruise, a record number of new winners, and multiple inaugural Five-Star hotels in smaller destinations.

Forbes Travel Guide announced its 2026 Star Awards, the 68th edition of the independent global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants, spas and ocean cruises. The awards cover properties in more than 100 countries and introduce several firsts, reflecting changes across the luxury travel sector.

New destinations and first-time winners

The 2026 list expands Forbes Travel Guide’s geographic reach by adding destinations that include Bhutan, Croatia, Georgia, Grenada, Laos, Poland, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Uzbekistan. The awards also highlight several inaugural Five-Star hotels in less-expected markets, signalling broader distribution of top-tier luxury.

First Five‑Star cruise milestones

For the first time in its history, Forbes Travel Guide has conferred Five-Star ratings within the cruise segment. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s Ilma is recognised as the first Five-Star cruise, while Celebrity Xcel’s Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud becomes the guide’s first Five-Star cruise ship restaurant. These awards reflect the growth of luxury cruising and the industry’s emphasis on high-end onboard dining and service.

Notable hotel and restaurant recognitions

Several prominent properties earned top honours or important firsts in 2026. Examples include Wymara Villas in Turks and Caicos, The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko in Japan and One&Only Portonovi in Montenegro, which each received inaugural Five-Star hotel awards. In the United States, five new Five-Star hotels were added: The Chateau at Nemacolin (Farmington, Pennsylvania); Mii amo (Sedona); The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes; The St. Regis Atlanta; and Yacht Club at The Boca Raton.

  • US new Five-Star hotels: The Chateau at Nemacolin; Mii amo; The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes; The St. Regis Atlanta; Yacht Club at The Boca Raton
  • New Five-Star restaurants in the US: Atlas Buckhead (Atlanta); Aurelia at Castle Hill (Newport, Rhode Island); Flybridge (Boca Raton)
  • Inaugural Five-Star hotels in smaller markets: Wymara Villas (Turks and Caicos); The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko (Japan); One&Only Portonovi (Montenegro)
Forbes Travel Guide inspectors and luxury hotel entrance during awards season
Luxury properties worldwide were recognised in Forbes Travel Guide’s 2026 Star Awards, including hotels, restaurants, spas and cruises.

Regional patterns and standout markets

Asia Pacific accounted for 40% of the new Five-Star hotels this year, with notable additions such as Bvlgari Hotel Tokyo; Capella at Galaxy Macau; Capella Shanghai, Jian Ye Li; Mandarin Oriental Qianmen, Beijing; Paiza Grand, Macau; Palazzo Versace Macau; Regent Hong Kong; ROKU KYOTO; The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko; and The St. Regis Macao. Macau retained its global lead in Five-Star hotel numbers for the fourth year running, totaling 28 properties, with new winners including Capella at Galaxy Macau, Paiza Grand and Palazzo Versace Macau.

The Middle East welcomed four new Five-Star hotels—Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi; Grosvenor House, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Dubai; Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve (Saudi Arabia); and Rosewood Doha—while Europe and the Caribbean also saw new top-tier properties.

Awards by the numbers

Forbes Travel Guide recognised a total of 2,422 properties in 2026 across hotels, restaurants, spas and cruises. The full breakdown highlights the scale of the awards programme and its global reach.

  • Hotels: 343 Five-Star, 708 Four-Star, 679 Recommended
  • Restaurants: 82 Five-Star, 138 Four-Star, 80 Recommended
  • Spas: 118 Five-Star, 241 Four-Star
  • Cruises: 1 Five-Star, 9 Four-Star, 9 Recommended
  • Cruise ship restaurants: 1 Five-Star, 8 Four-Star, 5 Recommended

Amanda Frasier, President of Standards & Ratings at Forbes Travel Guide, underlined the significance of this year’s winners ahead of the full release.

Forbes Travel Guide’s newest Star Award winners showcase an exciting evolution in luxury. As guests navigate the increasingly complex travel landscape for the best places to stay, sail, dine and spa, we are proud to provide them with the trusted, integrity-based guidance they need. The 2026 list showcases properties deeply committed to delivering consistent and reliable world-class experiences.

What this means for travellers and the industry

The expansion of Forbes Travel Guide’s awards to new markets and the inclusion of cruise and cruise-restaurant Five-Star distinctions point to evolving consumer demand for personalised, high-end experiences both on land and at sea. For travellers, these ratings offer a vetted shortlist when seeking premium stays, dining and spa services. For operators and destination marketers, the awards can drive visibility, justify premium pricing and support luxury positioning in competitive markets.

So what? The 2026 Star Awards highlight where luxury travel demand is growing—particularly in Asia Pacific and emerging destinations—and give travellers a trusted guide to premium experiences worldwide.