Forbes Travel Guide (FTG) has unveiled its 2026 Star Award winners, marking a historic moment in luxury travel with the world’s first Five-Star cruise and the first Five-Star restaurant at sea. Now in its 68th year, the awards span more than 100 countries, with new destinations including Bhutan, Croatia, Poland, Tanzania and Uzbekistan.
FTG’s ratings are determined by anonymous inspectors who evaluate properties against hundreds of standards, with service accounting for 70% of the score. The 2026 list reflects a shift toward immersive, experience-driven luxury across hotels, spas, cruises and restaurants.
Marriott International’s Luxury Group accounted for nearly 30% of new Five-Star hotels. Notable winners include The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, and Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea project. Mandarin Oriental also secured multiple top honors, including properties in Beijing, Zurich, Barcelona and Abu Dhabi.
Macau retained its dominance with 26 Five-Star hotels, introducing ultra-exclusive “hotel-within-a-hotel” concepts such as Capella at Galaxy Macau and Palazzo Versace Macau.
The awards also spotlighted destination-focused luxury, from Sedona’s Mii amo wellness retreat to Portugal’s Six Senses Douro Valley. In dining, new Five-Star restaurants emerged across Atlanta, Dubai and Macau, highlighting global culinary excellence.
The 2026 awards underscore a growing trend: personalized, high-service luxury experiences redefining travel worldwide.
