The 67th Annual Luxury Hospitality Awards celebrate the world's best hotels, spas, restaurants, ocean cruises and the new cruise restaurant of the year.
Jennifer Kester, contributor
The world's most luxurious hotels can often be found at the most unlikely destinations. From ancient streets in Azerbaijan to the rugged terrain of western Montana, the Forbes Travel Guide's annual Star Awards celebrate the finest hospitality around the world. This year's winners are FTG's most geographically diverse list of 67 years, with outstanding excellence in 90 countries, with debuts in Brunei, Finland, Montenegro and Romania.
Behind every Forbes Travel Guide Star Award is a thousand small gestures. A concierge who tracks hidden cafes loved by locals, chefs who source ingredients from generations of old farms, and spa therapists who create traditional flower customary aromatherapy blends. From established, luxurious capitals to emerging destinations, the 2025 winners of 2,187 shows that true luxury is measured in real connection moments, not thread counts or square feet.
The FTG evaluation is objective, independent and data-driven. The Secret Inspector will check out hotels, embark on a cruise, take spa treatments, and eat at high-end restaurants. They test hundreds of strict standards that highlight exceptional services, which account for 70% of real estate ratings. The quality and condition of the facility accounts for the remaining 30%. Beyond these metrics, inspectors rate the intangible things behind a truly remarkable guest experience. Whether the property can continue a health-conscious lifestyle and increase happiness. Whether the place, design, or other elements reminds you of a strong sense of place. And whether that was all added to an unforgettable stay.
Check out the full list of 2025 Star Award winners here and learn more about the latest additions to the collection below.
Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island
Think of global action, local
The newest five-star hotels take travelers to the centre of their destination. Next to the Loro National Forest, Riverview Ranch offers 1,000 acres of Montana's diverse terrain through horse riding, mountain biking, wakeboarding and snowshoes. All of these are included in your stay.
Meanwhile, Capella Hanoi, Vietnam, pays tribute by decorating a room designed by Bill Bensley with opera artifacts at the nearby Hanoi Opera House, a landmark from the early 1900s. The boutique hotel also immerses guests in local culture and connects them with Master Artissan, who shares centuries-old traditions with Vietnamese lacquer paintings and ceramics.
At Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island, a guided walk begins at dawn and reveals an island full of wildlife. Hawksville and green turtles and eagle rays are found throughout Crystal Waters, while lemon and black chip sharks patrol deeper channels. Guests can either feed the giant turtles of ancient Aldabra or take part in the coconut harvest, nodding to the heritage of the island's plantation. At night, this property becomes a stage of Seychelles culture as the artistry of Creole cuisine is shared by intimate cooking classes and the rhythm of traditional Sega music pulses under the stars.
Palazzo Versace Macau Spa
Winning destination
For the third year in a row, Macau remains the capital of five-star hotels in the world. Luxurious Chinese territory off the west coast of Hong Kong touches 24 top ranked hotels with the addition of a spectacular tower to Studio City Macau, an all-suite hotel overlooking the green spaces of Koroane and Studio City's Golden Reel Spectacles. (Figures – 80 Ferris Wheels), and a raffle at the Galaxy Macau, a luxurious property with the brand's biggest suite. Two new five-star spas, the Epic Tower spa and the Palazzo Verss Macau spa also joined the list.
Following Macau, London boasts 20 5-star hotels in 2025. The new entry will include Oscar Wilde's historic boutique hotel in London, London, London, London, and one employee, one employee, to ruffle London at OWO. Included. , Ian Fleming found the inspiration to create James Bond.
Overall, Europe had a strong show among the most amazing hotels in the world. Properties won new 5-star awards in Azerbaijan (Waterfront Four Seasons Hotel Baku), France (Renovated Grande Dam Carlton Cannes, Regent Hotel). Castelfalfi and Spain (Mid-Century Modern Rosewood Villa Magna, Madrid).
Additionally, Europe has won new five-star spas (Sparamar from Les Allelle) and Turkey (Rafle Swisstanbul Raffle Spa).
Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navalino
Domestically, the US has achieved several notable five-star victories this year. Montana's Riverview Ranch is joined by Maybourne Beverly Hills, a charming escape at the famous Dantever post base in New York City. The Four Seasons Hotel and the residence spa are water-inspired shelters. and Spa Montage Big Sky, an alpine hideaway in Montana.
The Middle East, Dubai, is one of the only Royal Mirage (a stately beachfront resort for adults only) and pearl spa at Jumeirah Beach's Four Seasons Resort Dubai (drawn from the area's pearl diving roots) He won the Pearl Spa Award. St. Regis Abu Dhabi (it has its own beach club). The spa and wellness centre at Four Seasons Hotel Doha (a vast three-storey facility).
In Asia, Singapore's new The Paiza Collection is located above the stunning Marina Bay Sands, specializing in Butler Services, achieving a five-star rating in 2025. Outside of Macau, China has won top acclaim for two empty towers. Hotels in southern China) and the Ritz-Carlton in Hong Kong (they claim to be the world's tallest hotel). Tokyo and Maldives welcomed a new five-star spa, Bulgari Spy Tokio and one only Reethi Rah Spa, respectively.
Seadream II's dining room
Maiden's Voyage at Cruise Restaurant
This year, FTG announced its first cruise restaurant ratings, becoming the first independent review guide to assess the onboard dining experience. The cruise ship has historically received a bad rap for their food, but the luxurious liners have changed courses with world-class chefs, innovative menus and excellent service.
Celebrities (Apex and Ascent's Fine Cut Steakhouse), The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection (Evrima's Sea), Seadream Yacht Club (Seadream II's Dining Room), Silversea (Silver Origin's The Grill), Windstar (Star Pride's Candle) are the first fleets It's one of them. of the winner.
Oschano
Newer Restaurant Awardees
Macau also dominated the restaurant category for 2015, including Aurora (Altilla Macau), Cheftum Season (Win Palace), Don Alfonso 1890 (Palazzo Versar Macau), Huaiyan Garden (London's Hotel), Mesa (Carl Carl (Carl) won top honors: Lagerfeld), Yamazato Macau (Hotel Okura Macau), Zuicho (Grand Lisboa Palace Macau).
Mexico landed its first five-star restaurant this year along with Maria Dolores, inside all-inclusive Atelier Playam Geres in Cancun. At the helm of acclaimed Mexican chef Edgar Nuñez, the menu, leaning towards seasonal vegetables, presents modern Mexican cuisine.
Three restaurants in Dubai won five stars. Dinner by Heston Blumenter Rudbai (Atlantis The Royal). Osciano (Atlantis, Palm), the dining room is like an aquarium. and the intimate culinary theatre of British chef Jason Atherton, 45 years old (Grosvenor House, a luxury collection hotel in Dubai).
Olivera from Ojay Valley Inn in the Southern California state has joined the 5-star rank for a warm atmosphere and fresh Italian influenced California cuisine.
Mandapa, Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Let's wander your health
The best hotels in the world continue to embrace health as part of their offering. Bali's latest five-star winner, Mandapa, helps guests disconnect from digital distractions and reconnect the program. Meanwhile, the traditional Homa Yajna, a Balinese fire blessing ritual, transforms unwanted beliefs or habits into positive energy.
While in Scottsdale, Arizona, a Phoenician canyon suite, you will be featured with healthy products at a complimentary breakfast buffet and daily fitness classes such as aerial yoga and sound meditation at its spa. The new 5-star hotel will move guests with activities such as guided hiking in Camelback Mountain, bike rides through the old town, and walks through the cactus garden and “adult boredom.” Pickleball.
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