 |
| Le Cinq at Four Seasons George V. Courtesy of Four Seasons George V, photo by Gregoire Gardette |
It’s that time of year: Forbes Travel Guide announced its worldwide star rating recipients, which include 42 new five-star hotels and 101 new four-star hotels. Forbes now rates properties in 29 countries throughout the Americas, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. In the next year, Forbes plans to expand into the Middle East and Africa. There is a total of 154 five star winners. In addition to the hotels, two new restaurants earned five-star awards, bringing the total to 56. There are also now 47 five–star spas with two new spas making the list.
Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts came out on top (as far as brands are concerned). The brand had six new five-star hotels in Florence, Italy; Geneva, Switzerland; Hangzhou, China; Papagayo, Costa Rica; Paris, France; and Whistler, Canada. This is the first time that one brand has been awarded six new five-star hotels in a single year.
Paris topped the new destinations with nine five-star hotels. The list included Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris; Hôtel Plaza Athénée; La Réserve Paris; Le Bristol Paris; Le Meurice; Le Royal Monceau — Raffles Paris; Mandarin Oriental, Paris; The Peninsula Paris; and Shangri-La Hotel, Paris.
Hotel Plaza Athénée’s restaurant, Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée, was also crowned a winner this year when it was awarded three Michelin stars. Le Cinq at Four Seasons Hotel George V also was awarded three Michelin stars earlier this month. Check out more about these top eateries here.
 |
| La Réserve Paris |
Advisors, don’t forget that at La Réserve Paris guests can now book a day-trip to the vineyards at the Chateau Cos d’Estournel. You can take a sneak peek of the tour here. Want more special packages? This past September, Mandarin Oriental, Paris launched a new “Zen & the City” package. It includes a 30-minute yoga session and a 30-minute massage or facial. Get all the details here.
Italy also did well on the Forbes list. Eight hotels in the country earned five-star ratings. This is the country’s first year as a rated destination. Rome grabbed five out of the eight spots, Florence three and Milan one. The awards went to Hotel de Russie, Hotel Eden, Hotel Hassler Roma, J.K. Place Roma, Four Seasons Hotel Firenze, Hotel Savoy, Portrait Firenze and Mandarin Oriental, Milan.
Mandarin Oriental, Milan opened in July and we were there to cover the buzz. Top touches include the six-room spa, and the Seta restaurant, which is under the watch of chef Antonio Guida. For more, look here. Tip: Hotel Eden’s La Terrazza dell’Eden holds a Michelin star. To see all the top places to eat in Rome, click here.
Forbes rated Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou at West Lake with five stars this year in the Asia-Pacific region. China now has 10 five-star hotels, with three first-time winners this year. Palace Hotel Tokyo became the first Japanese-branded hotel to receive five-star accolade.
 |
| The Royal Suite of The Goring has two bedrooms and runs the entire length of the hotel |
The boutique hotels were also recognized this year by Forbes. Top honors went to The Goring, London; J.K. Place Roma, Rome; La Réserve Paris; and Portrait Firenze, Florence; and Coworth Park. Luxury Travel Advisor also recognized The Goring, London this year. David Morgan-Hewitt, of The Goring, was awarded our General Manager of the Year award. Read all about it and the hotel here.
Other five-star winners included The Langham, Chicago, Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Sandy Lane Hotel and Wequassett Resort and Golf Club.