2026 Forbes 4-Star Award Winners — Page 6

The Dining Room at Inn on Biltmore Estate is the right call for a formal celebratory dinner in Asheville, with estate-raised beef and lamb, hand-cut pastas, a historic country-house setting on the original Vanderbilt property. Two tasting menus and a seasonal farmers tasting anchor the program. Book one to two weeks ahead for weekends; peak fall and holiday season fills faster.

Four Seasons Bangkok is a hotel on Charoen Krung Road beside the Chao Phraya River.

Book Live Aqua Urban Resort San Miguel de Allende for a polished, design-forward stay where the hotel experience matters, not just the location. Its Forbes 4-Star and Virtuoso Luxury Hotel Partner recognition make it a safer luxury choice for celebrations and business-leaning trips than smaller boutique options, though travelers wanting a more intimate historic feel should cross-shop nearby peers.

Park Hyatt Saigon is the right Ho Chi Minh City luxury pick when the trip needs a polished District 1 base and the address matters. It is better for special occasions, business travel, first visits than for value-led stays, with serious third-party recognition supporting the premium positioning.

Ai Fiori, on the second floor of the Langham Hotel on Fifth Avenue, is Midtown's most wine-serious Italian restaurant, holding the Star Wine List #1 ranking in 2025 and an Opinionated About Dining #235 North America position. At $$$$ pricing, it delivers formal service and a 1,750-selection wine list that justifies a return visit for anyone who treats the bottle as seriously as the plate.

Bürgenstock Resort is a resort in Obbürgen above Lake Lucerne.

The Wauwinet is the Nantucket pick for a quieter, occasion-driven stay, especially if the hotel is meant to carry the trip rather than just support it. Its recent luxury recognition strengthens the case, but hard availability means it rewards early planning. Choose it over in-town peers for privacy and atmosphere; choose a central hotel if convenience is the priority.

Shanghai Terrace inside The Peninsula Chicago is the city's strongest option for dim sum in a Forbes Five-Star setting; intimate at 70 seats, with Cantonese-Shanghainese cooking, knowledgeable service, Lake Michigan views. Book well ahead: it fills fast for weekend lunch and dinner. Best for romantic occasions or a polished dim sum lunch; less suited to casual drop-in dining.

Book Address Beach Resort Fujairah for a quieter UAE beach-resort stay with stronger special-occasion and retreat logic than daily Dubai business convenience. The 2026 Forbes 4-Star and Star Wine List recognition make it a safer polished choice, but location is the deciding factor: choose it for a destination-style stay, not a packed city schedule.

Banyan Tree Doha At La Cigale Mushaireb works for a polished central Doha stay, especially on business trips where location and luxury recognition both matter. It is a stronger fit for urban convenience than resort-style escape, with La Liste, Forbes, Virtuoso, MICHELIN Guide hotel recognition supporting its place in Doha's higher-end hotel set.

Ojai Valley Inn is a resort on Country Club Road in Ojai.

Six Senses Paro is the Paro splurge for travelers who want a calm, wellness-led base rather than a simple touring hotel. Book it for anniversaries, recovery days, a more self-contained stay; compare Zhiwaling Heritage for stronger heritage value and Amankora for a more rarefied lodge-style alternative.

The Peninsula Paris is the high-certainty luxury choice near Avenue Kléber and the Arc de Triomphe, stronger for executive stays and milestone trips than for value-led Paris breaks. Michelin 2 Keys, La Liste 95pts, Forbes 4-Star status, Virtuoso partnership support the premium positioning, but travelers mainly needing a room should compare smaller nearby hotels first.

Book Jumeirah Saadiyat Island for a polished Saadiyat resort stay where service, beach setting, occasion quality matter more than city convenience. It is a strong fit for celebrations, family breaks, villa-led weekends, but less practical for a fast business trip based around Abu Dhabi's commercial districts.

Brine sits inside Salterra, a Luxury Collection Resort on South Caicos, earns its reservation on the strength of its setting; salt flats at sunset, a coherent salt-heritage identity, morning service that outperforms the average resort dining room. Best suited to Salterra guests rather than a standalone destination. Book through the property before peak season (December–April).

Book The Darling if you want a polished Pyrmont hotel with serious external recognition and a more adult-leaning feel than a standard large Sydney stay. It is strongest for couples, business travelers, value-seekers weighing quality signals against price; cross-shop Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour or W Sydney if a bigger harbour-hotel atmosphere matters more.

AYANA Villas Bali is worth prioritizing for a special-occasion Jimbaran stay where privacy, resort support, service consistency matter more than value hunting. It is a stronger fit for couples and families who want a villa-led base than for travelers planning to spend most of the trip off property.

Eden Roc Cap Cana is the splurge pick for travelers who want a more designed, high-recognition resort stay in Cap Cana. Its Michelin 2 Keys, Forbes 4-Star, La Liste, Relais & Châteaux, Virtuoso credentials make it easier to justify for couples and leisure trips where the hotel is the point of the trip, not just the base.

Upper House Shanghai is worth prioritizing if you want a polished Jing'an luxury base with serious hotel recognition rather than a scene-heavy stay. The case is strongest for repeat Shanghai visitors, business travelers, couples who value calm, central access, a credible wine-and-service signal over a resort-style amenity checklist.

Santorini Secret Suites & Spa is worth shortlisting for couples who want an Oia-based luxury stay with stronger quality signals than view-led boutique hotels alone. The value case is location plus recognized standards; skip it if you mainly need family space or plan to spend most days away from Oia.

Ling Ling at Atlantis The Royal is Dubai's most complete Asian-concept evening venue, running from dinner service through to nightclub hours on the Palm Jumeirah. The bar program holds a 2026 Star Wine List award, making it a credible stop for serious drinkers as well as diners. Book for groups who want one address to carry a full night; for food-first occasions, consider Zuma or Trèsind Studio instead.

Fairmont Hotel Vancouver is worth booking when central location, heritage-hotel atmosphere, recognized luxury credentials matter more than a newer boutique feel. For special occasions, choose a room tier based on live rate gaps and space needs rather than status alone; Rosewood Hotel Georgia and Wedgewood Hotel & Spa are the key downtown cross-shops.

The Chedi Luštica Bay is a hotel at Luštica Bay Marina near Tivat.

Hotel Les Trois Rois is a hotel on Blumenrain in Basel.

The St. Regis Aspen Resort is a strong pick for travelers who want a polished, calmer luxury base in Aspen rather than a party-forward or value-first hotel. Families and first-timers should like the service framework and central setting, but hard booking difficulty means peak ski dates need early planning.

Conrad Macao is a sensible Cotai booking for travelers who want recognized luxury, Hilton-backed service, strong location value without paying automatically for a more private ultra-luxury stay. Its 2026 La Liste 95-point rating, Forbes 4-Star status, Michelin hotel selection give it credible backing; cross-shop Londoner Court and Four Seasons if the rate gap is narrow.

S.E.A. is the tasting-menu restaurant on The Ritz-Carlton's Evrima yacht, docked at Floriana's Valletta Waterfront, with chef Sven Elverfeld (three-Michelin-star Aqua, Wolfsburg) overseeing the kitchen. Book it for a special occasion dinner when the yacht is in port; confirm the schedule before you plan around it. The beverage pairing is the recommended way to experience the full programme.

Fairmont Bab Al Bahr is worth booking when you want an Abu Dhabi city-resort stay with creek frontage, large rooms, mosque views, enough on-property dining to keep logistics easy. It suits special occasions, families, business trips better than travelers looking for a small boutique feel or a highly walkable neighborhood base.

A strong Bal Harbour pick for travelers who want calm, space, luxury-hotel reliability over South Beach energy. Suite upgrades make the most sense for longer stays, families, or guests spending real time in-room; short weekend travelers should compare location and rate against nearby luxury peers before stretching.

Book The St. Regis Deer Valley if the trip is built around Deer Valley access, polished luxury-hotel service, the Marriott International ecosystem. It is less compelling for travelers who want Main Street energy every night, where Washington School House Hotel or Main & SKY Park City Utah may fit better.

A strong Condado choice when full-service hotel polish matters more than a small boutique mood. The upgrade to suite-level space works for longer stays, work-heavy trips, or repeat guests who will actually use the room; for short San Juan stays, a standard category is the cleaner value play.

The Oberoi, Mumbai is the polished Nariman Point choice for travelers who want a controlled luxury stay rather than boutique character or heritage drama. It is strongest for first-timers, business-led trips, short stays where location, service consistency, external hotel recognition matter more than a scene-driven atmosphere.

Providence is a seafood-focused restaurant in Los Angeles.

Four Seasons Hotel Chicago is the safer luxury pick for travelers who want polished service, a Gold Coast and Magnificent Mile base, strong external recognition. Cross-shop Waldorf Astoria Chicago and Park Hyatt Chicago if rates are high; choose this when brand consistency and full-service comfort matter more than finding the lowest upscale room.

The Chateaux Deer Valley is a strong Park City pick for travelers who want a polished Deer Valley base rather than a Main Street-centered stay. It works especially well for ski weekends, family trips, low-friction celebrations, with Forbes 4-Star recognition adding confidence for guests weighing it against nearby luxury resorts.

The most credentialed tasting-menu restaurant on the Los Cabos Tourist Corridor, Cocina de Autor holds AAA 5 Diamond status and back-to-back La Liste recognition. Book the terrace or chef's table the moment your Grand Velas stay is confirmed; both fill fast. Adults only, reservations required, smart-casual dress code.

Gleneagles is a resort in Auchterarder, Scotland.

The Langham, Sydney is a strong choice for a quieter luxury stay in Millers Point, especially for celebrations, couples, business trips that need polish without big-hotel noise. Its Michelin 1 Key, Forbes 4-Star, Virtuoso signals support the splurge, but choose room tiers based on space and practical benefits rather than label alone.

Jade Mountain is a resort on Saint Lucia's southwestern Caribbean coast.

Portrait Roma is a hotel on Via Bocca di Leone in Rome.

Marbella Club Hotel is a resort on Bulevar Príncipe Alfonso de Hohenlohe in Marbella.

Fairmont Riyadh is the practical luxury pick for business travel, formal occasions, calm family stays in Qurtubah. Its Accor backing and 2025–2026 recognition from La Liste, Forbes, the MICHELIN Guide, World Luxury Hotel Awards make it a safer choice when the stay needs polish and predictability.

Prince de Galles, A Luxury Collection Hotel is a smart Paris luxury pick when the Avenue George V location will genuinely simplify the trip. Forbes 4-Star recognition and Virtuoso partner status support the price, but the value depends on dates: compare closely with Four Seasons George V, Bulgari Hôtel Paris, Hôtel de Sers, La Clef Champs-Élysées, Grand Powers before committing.

Imperial Hotel Tokyo is the right choice for a polished Chiyoda stay where location, formal service tone, recognized hotel credentials matter. Book it for special occasions, business trips, return visits to Tokyo; compare Ginza lifestyle hotels if a newer-feeling room or lighter atmosphere matters more.

Book Four Seasons Hotel Alexandria at San Stefano if Alexandria access matters more than a resort-style escape. Its strongest case is the San Stefano location, full-service Four Seasons backing, external recognition with Michelin 1 Key in 2025 and Forbes 4-Star in 2026; North Coast peers are better for beach-first trips.

Rosewood Cape Kidnappers is the Te Awanga choice for a calm family or multigenerational luxury stay, especially when the plan is to slow down rather than move hotels every night. Its Michelin 2 Keys, La Liste 94-point score, Forbes 4-Star recognition, Virtuoso status make it a serious hotel pick, but the real reason to book is the quiet, stay-put format.

A strong choice for a villa-led beach stay in Ras al Khaimah, especially if the room category is part of the trip rather than just a place to sleep. It suits couples, families, resort-focused weekends better than business-heavy or itinerary-packed stays. Cross-shop Waldorf Astoria Ras Al Khaimah and The Ritz-Carlton Al Hamra Beach if you want a more established luxury-resort feel.

Address Creek Harbour is a strong Dubai choice for travelers who want a polished waterfront hotel base away from the busiest central corridors. It makes the most sense for special occasions, families, business stays where room category, view, loyalty perks can materially improve value. Forbes 4-Star recognition for 2026 and MICHELIN hotel selection in 2025 support the quality case.

Book The Phoenician if you want a polished Scottsdale resort with broad amenities and strong luxury recognition, especially when seasonal rates undercut smaller peers. Cross-shop Canyon Suites for a quieter splurge, Sanctuary Camelback for a more retreat-like stay, Hotel Valley Ho for a livelier, design-forward base.

Book One&Only Za'abeel for a polished Dubai work trip where the hotel needs to do more than provide a bed. Its 2026 Forbes 4-Star recognition, 2025 AFAR Best New Hotels inclusion, Virtuoso Luxury Hotel Partner status make it easier to justify for executive travel, but value-focused corporate stays should cross-shop nearby business hotels first.

A strong Disney-area luxury choice for families who want the hotel to carry part of the trip, not just provide park access. The strongest case is for repeat Orlando visitors, multigenerational groups, parents who want resort downtime with a polished service baseline.

Cliff House Maine is the right call for a polished coastal celebration in Cape Neddick, especially if hotel recognition and resort depth matter. Its Michelin 1 Key, Forbes 4-Star, Virtuoso status make it a stronger splurge than simpler nearby stays, but compare package value before committing.

Atlantis Steakhouse is Reno's most serious beef-and-wine operation: USDA Prime cuts dry-aged 28 days, a 665-bottle wine list with dedicated sommelier coverage, post-renovation dining room that earns the $$$ price tag. Book here for a special occasion or a proper dinner; it's easy to reserve and delivers a standard you won't find elsewhere in the city.

Taj Exotica Resort and Spa, Maldives is a strong South Malé Atoll pick when convenience, recognized luxury standards, a smoother work-trip rhythm matter more than remote-atoll isolation. The hard booking signal means preferred dates need early planning, especially for business retreats or milestone stays tied to fixed flights.

Josun Palace is the Seoul pick for travelers who want a polished Gangnam luxury stay with serious recognition behind it. It makes more sense for repeat visitors, business travelers, Marriott loyalists than for guests chasing boutique character or the lowest rate.

Four Seasons Hotel Kyoto is the right pick if you want a high-service luxury base in Higashiyama rather than a small Kyoto inn. Its Michelin 1 Key, La Liste 95-point score, Forbes 4-Star recognition, Virtuoso status make it a safer splurge for couples and families, but value-focused travelers should compare smaller nearby options before committing.

Bairro Alto Hotel is a hotel on Praça Luís de Camões in Lisbon.

Genting Grand at Resorts World Genting is worth booking when the trip is anchored to Genting Highlands and the room quality matters, not when Kuala Lumpur city access is the priority. The 2026 Forbes 4-Star recognition gives it a credible luxury signal, but compare Highlands Hotel for practicality and Crockfords for a higher-end resort alternative.

Blue Hill at Stone Barns is a restaurant at Stone Barns Center in Tarrytown, New York.

Amilla Maldives is worth shortlisting for a Baa Atoll stay that needs luxury credentials without a rigid mega-resort feel. Its 2026 La Liste Top Hotels score, Forbes 4-Star rating, Small Luxury Hotels of the World membership make it a strong fit for couples, families, work-adjacent recovery trips.

A Michelin-starred, 8-seat kappo counter in Central with direct chef access, a 10-course seasonal Japanese menu, over 50 sake varieties. Kappo Rin earns its $$$$ price point through format and proximity: the chefs are inches away, the menu changes with the season, the team actively engages. Book at least a week ahead; three seatings a day at 8 seats fills fast.

Nimb Copenhagen is a hotel on Bernstorffsgade in Copenhagen.

Alila Ventana Big Sur is worth booking for a special-occasion stay built around privacy, scenery, a wellness-forward resort rhythm. It makes less sense if the priority is beach-town walkability or a lower-maintenance Carmel weekend. Awards from Michelin Keys, Forbes, La Liste, Food & Wine, Robb Report, Virtuoso support its luxury positioning.

Four Seasons Resort Seychelles is the right Mahé choice for a celebration stay where the resort setting matters more than value hunting. The Petite Anse address, Four Seasons service expectation, Michelin 1 Key recognition in 2025, Forbes 4-Star rating in 2026 make it a strong pick for couples and resort-led trips, less so for travelers using Mahé mainly as a base.

Williamsburg Inn is the polished, plan-ahead choice for a Williamsburg stay where the hotel matters as much as the historic district. It makes the strongest case for couples, repeat visitors, travelers who will use the slower amenity time; value drops if the room is only a place to sleep.

Post Ranch Inn is a hotel and spa on Highway 1 in Big Sur, California.

Conrad Xiamen is worth shortlisting for a polished city stay in Siming District, especially when rates sit close to other upper-tier Xiamen hotels. The strongest case is for Hilton loyalty travelers, business stays, city-focused weekends; resort-first leisure travelers should also compare Lohkah Hotel & Spa or Kaipuu on the Reef before committing.

Wynn Las Vegas is worth booking for a polished Strip stay where the hotel carries the trip: celebrations, client travel, weekends built around dining and resort time. It is not the value play; compare Wynn Tower Suites, Encore Tower Suites, Palazzo if room category, privacy, or suite space matters more than the base-resort experience.

Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe is the right call if you want a luxury resort base outside the central Santa Fe hotel cluster. Book standard categories for city-heavy itineraries; consider a suite only when downtime on property is a real part of the trip.

Cress on Oak Creek is Sedona's strongest case for dining as destination: alfresco tables set at the edge of Oak Creek, with red rock views and a French-influenced menu that reaches $66+ per person. The five-course prix fixe is the dinner format to book; Sunday brunch is the smarter return visit. Reservations required for dinner and easy to secure.

The Inn on Biltmore Estate is the Asheville pick for travelers who want a quieter, estate-based stay rather than a downtown hotel rhythm. It is strongest for business-leisure trips, client-friendly overnights, guests who will use the setting enough to justify the premium over more central alternatives.

Compared with smaller Algarve stays, Conrad Algarve is the safer choice for travelers who want a polished resort base with a serious pool-and-spa focus. Book ahead: demand is marked hard, the hotel makes the most sense when downtime and on-property amenities are central to the trip.

Hotel Café Royal is the pick for travellers who want a polished luxury base between Piccadilly, Mayfair, Soho, the West End. Its Michelin 2 Keys, La Liste Top Hotels 2026 score, Forbes 4-Star status, Virtuoso partnership make booking-channel perks especially relevant; compare adviser and direct rates before choosing a cheaper public rate.

A strong Jimbaran choice for travellers who want a calmer luxury stay with credible recognition rather than a high-energy resort circuit. It is especially sensible for work-linked Bali trips where rest, privacy, a beach setting matter more than nightlife or maximum on-property variety.

Address Sky View is a strong Downtown Dubai pick if the stay is built around central access and a room worth spending time in. Standard categories suit short, busy trips; suite-level is easier to justify for celebrations, longer stays, or families who need space. Compare rates carefully against nearby luxury peers before paying a big upgrade premium.

Solaz is worth shortlisting if the goal is a polished Los Cabos resort stay with credible on-site dining and wine recognition, not a town-first trip. The Tourist Corridor location suits first-timers who want resort days with selective off-property meals, while Marriott affiliation adds loyalty-program usefulness and brand predictability.

Choose this for a polished Cabo Del Sol stay where space, service, family ease matter more than an all-inclusive price structure. It is a stronger fit for celebrations and multigenerational trips than for bargain hunting, with Forbes 4-Star, Esquire Best New Hotels, Star Wine List recognition supporting the premium positioning.

Book Tower at The Boca Raton if the trip needs a polished Boca Raton resort base with credible luxury signals. Michelin 1 Key, Forbes 4-Star, Leading Hotels of the World, Virtuoso status make it a stronger fit for business travel and first-timers than a purely leisure-led beach stay.

Lakeview Palace at Wynn Palace delivers one of the most visually dramatic dining rooms in Cotai, with a grand Cantonese setting built for occasion dining. Timing matters here: visit October through December for hairy crab season to get the most from the kitchen. Booking is straightforward through the Wynn Palace hotel, the room suits both couples and groups.

Seven Stars Resort & Spa is the practical Grace Bay choice for travelers who want a polished resort stay with a Forbes 4-Star signal in 2026. Prioritize room location and usable space over automatically upgrading; the value case is strongest when beach, pool, spa access matter more than private-island seclusion.

Mondrian Doha is a strong pick for travelers who want a design-led Doha hotel in the West Bay Lagoon area rather than a quiet classic resort. Compare rates carefully against The Ritz-Carlton, Doha and Fairmont Doha; it makes the strongest case when its price is close to those peers but the mood matters more than brand formality.

Raffles Europejski Warsaw is worth booking when the hotel experience matters as much as the city: central, formal, backed by serious luxury-hotel recognition. Treat the dining as a convenience rather than the main reason to stay; value-focused travelers should compare it against Hotel Bristol, Flaner Hotel, PURO Warsaw Stare Miasto, Hotel Verte before paying the premium.

Anthology at EXPLORA II delivers a seven-course tasting menu in a composed hotel dining room on Avenue Eugène-Pittard 16. It is one of the easier fine dining reservations to secure in Geneva, making it a practical choice for special occasions and business dinners that cannot wait weeks for a table. Confirm the current menu and any dietary requirements before you arrive.

A polished Clayton choice for travelers who want a lower-risk luxury stay in St Louis, especially when service consistency and on-site dining matter. The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis is stronger for calm logistics and wine-focused meals than for nightlife proximity; compare downtown and design-led peers before booking if location energy is the priority.

The St. Regis Kuwait is worth short-listing for a polished Kuwait City stay, especially when its rate is close to Four Seasons, Waldorf Astoria, or Grand Hyatt. It is strongest for business travel and formal city trips; value-seekers should compare inclusions and loyalty benefits before booking.

Halekulani is a hotel on Kālia Road in Honolulu.