Today, Forbes Travel Guide unveiled its highly anticipated 2024 Star Awards, recognizing top-tier hotels, restaurants, spas, and ocean cruises worldwide based on current traveler preferences. In its 66th annual edition, the guide focused on destinations offering enriching experiences, including overlooked smaller cities in the U.S. and new additions like Azerbaijan, Curacao, Iceland, Kenya, Sardinia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
FTG employs a meticulous, unbiased evaluation process conducted by anonymous inspectors who blend in as ordinary guests, staying at hotels, cruising, indulging in spa treatments, and dining at upscale restaurants across the globe. These inspectors meticulously assess approximately 900 specific criteria, emphasizing exceptional service, which constitutes 70 percent of a venue’s rating. Additionally, FTG introduced new standards emphasizing guest experience, such as the presentation of beverages and the likelihood of recommending the venue to others. The remaining 30 percent of the rating accounts for the quality and maintenance of facilities, including considerations of value for money.
Among the highlights of the 2024 winners, Dubai welcomed five new Five-Star hotels, including Address Beach Resort, Armani Hotel Dubai, Atlantis, The Royal, The Ritz-Carlton, Dubai, and The St. Regis Dubai, The Palm, solidifying its status as a luxury destination with a total of 12 Five-Star properties. Notably, Montage Hotels & Resorts attained the distinction of being the sole global brand with all properties achieving Five-Star ratings, thanks to the addition of Montage Big Sky in Southwestern Montana.
In the Middle East, Waldorf Astoria Kuwait and Talise Spa at Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel & Spa in Kuwait garnered top honors, while Qatar boasted acclaimed establishments like Four Seasons Hotel Doha and Raffles Doha. Macau maintained its position as the city with the most Five-Star hotels globally, with Dubai leading in new top-rated additions. Rwanda entered the list with One&Only Gorilla’s Nest and One&Only Nyungwe House, offering exclusive experiences amidst natural wonders.
Adventure-seeking travelers can indulge in animal-centric experiences at Nairobi’s Giraffe Manor and Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club, while luxury cruise options like Viking Neptune and Seven Seas Splendor cater to those craving extraordinary journeys, including Arctic expeditions. Furthermore, the prestigious triple Five-Star designation was awarded to select properties like Salamander Middleburg, Rosewood Miramar Beach, and The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, exemplifying excellence across hotel, restaurant, and spa categories.
Noteworthy trends include a growing interest in smaller U.S. cities, as exemplified by Nashville’s JW Marriott Nashville and Conrad Nashville, Charleston’s The Charleston Place, and New Orleans’ Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans and The Ritz-Carlton Spa, New Orleans. Additionally, beach vacation seekers can indulge in luxury at new Five-Star properties such as Hurawalhi Island Resort in the Maldives and Royal Palm Beachcomber Luxury in Mauritius.
Emphasizing holistic wellness, newly recognized Five-Star spas offer rejuvenating experiences worldwide, from The St. Regis Spa Chicago to Spa Halekulani Okinawa. Amanda Frasier, President of Ratings for Forbes Travel Guide, commended the 2024 Star Award winners for their commitment to delivering elevated guest experiences and catering to evolving traveler preferences.
See the list here.