John O'Ceallaigh, The Daily Telegraph, April 25, 2013
Forbes Travel Guide today announced its expansion into Europe, by applying its long-established Star Rating programme to London for the first time. The system has been used to assess hotels and spas throughout North America and Asia, with a total of 76 hotels and 35 spas in those continents having achieved five-star status.
Hotels and spas throughout the capital were visited anonymously by professional inspectors and were measured for performance across 17 different categories, with a particular emphasis on guest engagement and service delivery. In total, six London hotels and two London hotel spas were awarded five-star status by the judges, meaning London is among the top three destinations worldwide with the greatest concentration of Five Star properties in the more than 140 markets rated and inspected by the company.
The six luxury hotels in London which achieved five stars are 45 Park Lane, Claridge’s, Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane, The Dorchester, The Lanesborough and The Savoy ; the two hotel spas to achieve five stars are The Spa at Four Seasons and The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, London.
Other London hotels which received commendations from the judges included Brown’s Hotel, the Corinthia Hotel, InterContinental London Park Lane, The Goring, The Ritz and The Langham, all of which were awarded four stars. In the spa category, four stars were also awarded to the Aman Spa at The Connaught, ESPA Life at Corinthia and The Berkeley Health Club & Spa, among others.
Formerly Mobil Travel Guide, Forbes Travel Guide has rated the travel industry since 1958 and the London awards will be followed by assessments of hotels and spas in other cities throughout Europe. Ratings for luxury hotels in Paris will be announced in 2014.
