Forbes Travel Guide (FTG), the sole independent global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants, spas, and ocean cruises, has announced its 2026 Star Awards. The comprehensive list, now in its 68th edition, spans over 100 countries, including new destinations such as Bhutan, Croatia, Georgia, Grenada, Laos, Poland, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Uzbekistan. The complete list of honorees can be found on ForbesTravelGuide.com.

This year’s list marks significant milestones, featuring a record number of new award winners and introducing several first-time distinctions, highlighting a transformative era in luxury travel:

For the first time, the world sees Five-Star accolades for cruise ships. As the popularity of cruising continues to rise, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s Ilma has been honored as the first Five-Star cruise in FTG’s history. Additionally, Celebrity Xcel’s Le Voyage, helmed by master chef Daniel Boulud, is recognized as the first Five-Star cruise ship restaurant.

Smaller destinations are also making a significant impact. Luxury travelers are increasingly looking beyond major capitals to smaller cities with sophisticated offerings without the crowds. New Five-Star awards have been given to Wymara Villas in Turks and Caicos, The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko in Japan, and One&Only Portonovi in Montenegro. Charleston Place in Charleston and 100 Princes Street in Edinburgh have achieved Four-Star status, enhancing their cities’ hospitality reputation and boosting tourism in these less-explored markets.

Marriott International’s luxury hotels have shone particularly brightly this year. Atlanta celebrates its first double Five-Star recognition with The St. Regis Atlanta and its Atlas Buckhead restaurant. The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes has earned the city’s first top hotel accolade, and Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, is the first Five-Star property from Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea giga-project.

The luxury travel industry is pivoting from standardized experiences to personalized offerings. Hotels are increasingly focusing on customized, local immersion to offer bespoke hospitality deeply rooted in their destinations. Sedona’s first Five-Star property, Mii amo, tailors wellness journeys to its red rock setting, while the Ritz-Carlton Reserve portfolio emphasizes local experiences that allow guests to explore at their own pace.

There is also a growing trend toward intimacy and privacy in hospitality. For the fourth consecutive year, Macau leads the world in Five-Star hotels, boasting 28. The city’s latest winners, such as Capella at Galaxy Macau, Paiza Grand, and Palazzo Versace Macau, exemplify a shift toward intimate luxury, offering hotel-within-a-hotel experiences favoring privacy over scale.

Overall, the 2026 Star Awards recognize 2,422 properties, including 343 Five-Star, 708 Four-Star, and 679 Recommended hotels; 82 Five-Star, 138 Four-Star, and 80 Recommended restaurants; 118 Five-Star and 241 Four-Star spas; one Five-Star, nine Four-Star, and nine Recommended cruise ships; and one Five-Star, eight Four-Star, and five Recommended cruise ship restaurants.

In the United States, five new Five-Star hotels have been recognized: The Chateau at Nemacolin in Farmington, Pennsylvania; Mii amo in Sedona; The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes; The St. Regis Atlanta; and Yacht Club at The Boca Raton. Additionally, three new Five-Star restaurants have been acknowledged: Atlas Buckhead in Atlanta, Aurelia at Castle Hill in Newport, Rhode Island, and Flybridge in Boca Raton.

Europe sees new Five-Star entries in France (The Maybourne Riviera), Montenegro (One&Only Portonovi), Spain (Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona), and Switzerland (Mandarin Oriental Savoy, Zurich). The Asia Pacific region is emerging as the next luxury epicenter, with 40% of all new Five-Star hotels, including Bvlgari Hotel Tokyo, Capella at Galaxy Macau, and Regent Hong Kong, among others.

The Middle East welcomes four new Five-Star hotels: Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental in Abu Dhabi, Grosvenor House, A Luxury Collection Hotel in Dubai, Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Saudi Arabia, and Rosewood Doha. The Caribbean adds Wymara Villas in Turks and Caicos, while Mexico sees Grand Velas Los Cabos earning Five-Star status.

Amanda Frasier, FTG’s President of Standards & Ratings, remarked, “Forbes Travel Guide’s newest Star Award winners showcase an exciting evolution in luxury. As guests navigate the increasingly complex travel landscape for the best places to stay, sail, dine, and spa, we are proud to provide them with the trusted, integrity-based guidance they need. The 2026 list showcases properties deeply committed to delivering consistent and reliable world-class experiences.”