We verify luxury
Forbes Travel Guide is the global authority on luxury hospitality. Our professional inspectors travel the world to assess hotels, restaurants, and spas based on 900 objective standards that determine our coveted annual Star Ratings.
We visit every hotel, restaurant, and spa that we Star Rate, paying our own way and staying anonymously as a typical guest. No one can buy a rating under any circumstance. Every Star Rating is earned through our objective, independent process.
While we assess both service and facility, our Star Rating system emphasizes service because your experience at a hotel, restaurant, or spa goes beyond looks
— how it makes you feel is what you will remember most.
We started in 1958, as Mobil Travel Guide, a guidebook for US motorists. We created the original Five-Star rating system, and we are the only independent, global rating agency for luxury hospitality. For more than 60 years, we have traveled the world to give guests the most reliable information on where to stay, dine and relax.
We exist to elevate and celebrate genuine Five-Star service for your enjoyment.
LEARN HOW WE INSPECT
We verify luxury. Our highly trained inspectors visit every property we rate, evaluating based on up to 900 objective criteria. Our hotel stays span a minimum of two nights.
We pay our own way. No one can buy a rating; all ratings are earned through our objective inspection process.
Our global team of inspectors are anonymous, so they have the same experience as a typical guest.
While we inspect both service and facility, our Star Rating system emphasizes service because your experience at a hotel, restaurant or spa goes beyond looks — how it makes you feel is what you will remember most.
We started in1958 as Mobil Travel Guide, and we created the original Five-Star rating system for hospitality.
Five-Star
These are outstanding, often iconic properties with virtually flawless service and amazing facilities.
Four-Star
These are exceptional properties, offering high levels of service and quality of facility to match.
Recommended
These are excellent properties with consistently good service and facilities.
Soon To Be Rated
As our highly trained, incognito inspectors work to assess properties, our editors check them out ahead of time and provide a sneak preview of what to expect.
