2026 Forbes 5-Star Award Winners — Page 4

Book Wymara Villas, Sunset Cove if the trip calls for privacy, quiet, a villa-led stay in Providenciales rather than a busy Grace Bay resort rhythm. Its Forbes 5-Star and Star Wine List recognition give it credibility for a special occasion, but hard booking difficulty means flexible dates and early planning matter.

The Umstead Hotel and Spa is the Raleigh-area splurge to book when the stay itself matters: quiet atmosphere, strong luxury credentials, a more resort-like feel than downtown boutique options. Choose it for spa weekends, couples trips, polished business stays; pick a smaller Raleigh hotel if walkability or rate discipline matters more.

Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island is a strong fit for travelers who want the resort itself to be the trip: private-island pacing, Outer Islands seclusion, major luxury-hotel recognition for 2025 and 2026. It is less suitable for guests who want easy off-property dining, shopping, or frequent island-hopping from a central base.

Takanawa Hanakohro is worth prioritizing if you want a quieter Tokyo hotel base with polished service signals rather than a high-energy lobby scene. Its Takanawa address works especially well for repeat visitors and business travelers who value calm between commitments; cross-shop Grand Hyatt Tokyo or The Strings by InterContinental Tokyo if nightlife access or a livelier city feel matters more.

Four Seasons Hotel des Bergues is the Geneva pick for travelers who want a formal lakefront luxury stay with strong service confidence. It is easier to justify for business, celebrations, or a short high-comfort trip than for a value-led overnight. Cross-shop Beau-Rivage Geneva and Hotel d'Angleterre for historic character, or Eastwest Hotel if price discipline matters more than grand-hotel polish.

Twin Farms is a resort in Barnard, Vermont.

Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach is a resort on South Ocean Boulevard in Palm Beach.

A strong Abu Dhabi choice for travelers who want polished city luxury on Al Maryah Island rather than a full beach-resort stay. The draw is convenience, service consistency, wellness support around a business or short leisure schedule; choose Saadiyat peers instead if pool-and-beach days are the point of the trip.

Jade Dragon is a Cantonese restaurant at City of Dreams Macau.

Cara is Newport's only fine dining room with direct Atlantic Ocean views, operating as a nightly blind tasting menu (5 or 8 courses) inside The Chanler at Cliff Walk. With AAA 5 Diamond status, a 2,635-bottle wine program, just five tables, it is the strongest choice in Newport for a special occasion dinner. Book the 8 p.m. seating with wine pairings for the full experience.

Altira Macau is the sharper pick for travelers who want a quieter Taipa luxury base rather than a large Cotai resort. Its 2026 Forbes 5-Star recognition and 96-point La Liste Top Hotels score support the quality case, but the address works better for couples and repeat visitors than for groups chasing maximum on-property scale.

Book Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre for a service-led DIFC stay, especially if the trip mixes meetings, polished dinners, a short luxury break. It is not the Dubai choice for a sprawling resort feel; it works because the scale is tight, the staff support is deep, the rooftop pool, spa, Mina Brasserie, Luna Dubai cover the essentials without leaving the district.

The Eight is a restaurant on the second floor of Grand Lisboa in Macau.

Raffles Doha is a hotel in Lusail's Marina District near Doha.

Mesa by José Avillez brings Portuguese fine dining to Cotai's Grand Lisboa Palace, inside the Karl Lagerfeld hotel. Its double Star Wine List accreditation (2023 and 2026) makes the wine program the headline reason to book. Easy to reserve outside peak season, the most distinctive alternative to Macau's Cantonese and French fine dining options.

Atlantis The Royal is a beach resort on Palm Jumeirah in Dubai.

Hotel 41 is worth shortlisting for a polished, small-scale London stay near Buckingham Palace Road, especially if service confidence matters more than suite size. Book early, keep the room category practical, only upgrade if the trip involves meaningful in-room work or downtime.

Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel, Venice is a hotel on Giudecca in Venice.

Addison serves William Bradley's California gastronomy in San Diego.

Book Four Seasons Resort Napa Valley when the hotel needs to carry the occasion, not just support the itinerary. It is a stronger fit for polished Napa celebrations than for casual mineral-springs weekends, with Michelin 1 Key and Forbes 5-Star recognition supporting the premium positioning.

Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills is the right call for a polished Beverly Hills stay where location and luxury credentials matter more than bargain value. It fits anniversaries, business travel, Westside-heavy itineraries; cross-shop The Peninsula Beverly Hills for a more residential luxury feel or The Beverly Hilton for event convenience.

Book The Egerton House Hotel if the goal is a quiet, service-led Knightsbridge stay for a special occasion. Its Forbes 5-Star recognition and La Liste 98.5-point score make the case for high-touch luxury, but this is better for guests who value calm and staff attention over big-hotel facilities.

The Lodge at Blue Sky, Auberge Collection is the Wanship choice for a special-occasion stay where privacy and setting matter more than Park City convenience. Forbes 5-Star recognition, a 2025 World Travel Awards boutique-hotel win, Star Wine List recognition make it a credible splurge, but travelers who need easy in-town access should compare Park City peers first.

Book One&Only Reethi Rah for a high-control North Male Atoll stay where privacy, luxury-hotel polish, resort depth justify the spend. It is better suited to executive extensions, retreats, milestone trips than quick stopovers, with 2026 recognition from La Liste Top Hotels, Forbes 5-Star, Virtuoso supporting its premium position.

A serious Half Moon Bay splurge for travelers who want the hotel, dining, wine program, coastal setting to carry the trip. The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay is easier to justify for celebrations and stay-on-property weekends than for value-driven room-only stays; compare Beach House Half Moon Bay if you mainly need a coastal base.

The Ritz-Carlton, Chengdu is the safer luxury choice for business travelers who value Marriott consistency, central Qingyang positioning, serious 2026 hotel recognition. It is less compelling for travelers chasing boutique character or the lowest sensible Chengdu rate, so compare Dorsett Chengdu, Niccolo Chengdu, The St. Regis Chengdu before deciding.

Raffles Hotel Singapore is a hotel on Beach Road in Singapore.

Grand Lisboa Hotel works for a formal Macau stay where on-site dining and central location matter more than resort sprawl. Forbes 5-Star recognition gives it a credible luxury signal, but confirm room category and dining plans before committing, especially for celebrations.

The Peninsula Bangkok is the right choice if you want a quieter Chao Phraya base with river views from every room and enough on-property dining to keep the trip easy. Upgrade to a suite for longer stays, family travel, or business downtime; stay standard if the view is the priority and most days will be spent out in Bangkok.

A safer luxury pick in Punta Mita for travelers who want full-service resort polish, family flexibility, credible dining support rather than a secluded hideaway. The 2026 Forbes 5-Star, Virtuoso, Star Wine List recognition make it a strong choice, but room upgrades should be judged carefully against Naviva or Imanta if privacy is the priority.

JK Place Capri is a hotel on Via Marina Grande in Capri.

Victoria & Albert's is a restaurant at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

A strong choice for travelers who want polished luxury in Ubud's Sayan area rather than a central town base. The awards profile is the main confidence signal: Michelin 1 Key, Forbes 5-Star, Virtuoso partner status, a 96-point La Liste hotel score make it a safer splurge for business-linked retreats and high-comfort leisure stays.

Encore Macau is a smart pick for a service-led Macau peninsula stay, especially if centrality and recognition-level polish matter more than Cotai resort scale. Cross-shop Wynn Macau for the closest luxury peer, Mandarin Oriental, Macau for a quieter non-casino feel, Artyzen Grand Lapa Macau if value matters more than high-gloss service cues.

La Casa de la Playa is a hotel in Mexico's Riviera Maya near Playa del Carmen.

A strong pick for a polished downtown Chicago stay when the occasion calls for formal luxury, riverfront convenience, major hotel recognition. Book early for peak weekends or special dates; cross-shop if the trip needs a more casual mood, sharper value, or a stronger boutique feel.

Mandarin Oriental, Shenzhen is the luxury pick for a polished Futian stay with serious recognition: Michelin 1 Key in 2025, Forbes 5-Star in 2026, a 90.5-point La Liste Top Hotels score for 2026. Choose it for anniversaries, business milestones, or city weekends where service confidence matters more than chasing a lower rate.

Tenmasa at Altira Macau is the clearest case for specialist Japanese tempura in Macau, with table-side preparation using techniques dating to the restaurant's 1937 Tokyo origins. Recognised in La Liste Top Restaurants 2026, it sits on the 11th floor of the Forbes Five-Star Altira with peninsula views and a dedicated sake cellar. Book three to four weeks out minimum; availability is tight.

Worth booking when the rate is competitive with Beijing's upper luxury hotels and the trip values design, calm, a Chaoyang base over big-hotel machinery. Michelin 2 Keys, Forbes 5-Star status, La Liste recognition, Virtuoso partnership make the quality signal strong, but the value case is strongest when you will actually use the property rather than treat it as a sleep-only stop.

Capella Singapore is a hotel on The Knolls on Sentosa Island.

A strong choice for a return Kyoto trip when the hotel itself matters, backed by Michelin 3 Keys, Forbes 5-Star status, La Liste recognition, a World's 50 Best Hotels placement. Book it as a central luxury base near Nijo Castle, not purely for destination dining, since cuisine and menu details are not specified.

An AAA 5 Diamond, Forbes Four-Star prix fixe in a candlelit Kennebunk barn, The White Barn Inn Restaurant is the clearest fine-dining choice in southern Maine. Dinner is multi-course, seasonally driven, built around pristine local seafood. Book at least several weeks out for peak-season dates, especially June through October.

Rosewood San Miguel de Allende is the safer luxury choice for celebrations, family trips, travelers who want the hotel to carry more of the stay. Choose it over smaller boutique peers when on-property dining, spa time, a polished central base matter more than a lower-key hideaway.

One of the most credentialed French restaurants in North America, Joel Robuchon at The Mansion holds AAA 5 Diamond status, La Liste 96 points (2025), and an Opinionated About Dining #88 North America ranking. The $$$-tier dinner format with a 1,645-selection wine list is the right choice for a significant occasion; and easier to book than comparable restaurants at this level.

Caruso's is a restaurant at Rosewood Miramar Beach in Montecito.

Harrimans Grill at Salamander Middleburg is the right choice for farm-sourced American cooking in Virginia horse country, with Sunday brunch the stronger value and dinner the better culinary statement. La Liste-listed and World of Fine Wine accredited, it sits at $$$ per head with a 365-selection wine list. Book early during Gold Cup season; otherwise, reservations are easy to secure.

Book Shangri-La The Shard, London for a high-rise London stay where the view and service polish are the point. It is strongest for first-timers, celebration trips, business travelers who want a luxury base with major recognition; it is less compelling for guests prioritizing townhouse calm or value-led room rates.

A strong Kuwait City choice for special-occasion and business-luxury stays, especially if atmosphere, service polish, a central city base matter more than beach access. The recognition profile is strong, with Michelin 1 Key, Forbes 5-Star, La Liste Top Hotels 2026 recognition, so treat it as a splurge-tier option rather than a value play.

Caprice is a French restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong.

Mandarin Oriental Wangfujing, Beijing is worth booking for a first Beijing stay when central location and a calm, design-led hotel matter more than resort scale. Its 2025 Michelin 1 Key, 2026 Forbes 5-Star status, La Liste hotel score, Virtuoso partnership make it a strong luxury pick, but demand means early planning is the safer play.

A strong Doha pick if you want Mandarin Oriental service in a central Msheireb address rather than a resort-style escape. The case is strongest for first-timers, business travelers, couples who want easy movement around the city, backed by Michelin 1 Key, Forbes 5-Star, La Liste Top Hotels recognition.

Ashford Castle is worth booking when the hotel is meant to anchor the trip: milestone leisure, senior client hosting, or a contained retreat near Cong. It is less sensible for a quick work overnight, because the value comes from time on the estate and the property's serious luxury credentials.

Atlas is a restaurant at The St. Regis Atlanta with a full bar.

LUX* South Ari Atoll is worth shortlisting if the trip is built around pool, spa, full-service resort time rather than a pared-back island escape. Its 2026 Forbes 5-Star recognition and La Liste Top Hotels score give it stronger trust signals than many South Ari options, but compare Drift Thelu Veliga Retreat or Fiyavalhu Resort Maldives if a quieter or more value-led stay matters more.

Armani Hotel Dubai is worth booking if the Burj Khalifa address is central to the trip and the budget allows for a luxury Downtown stay. Suite-level spend makes sense only when added view, space, or in-room downtime changes the experience; otherwise, compare nearby Downtown hotels before paying the premium.

Rosewood Guangzhou is the better pick for a polished Tianhe stay when business access, quiet luxury, award-backed hotel standards matter. Its Michelin 1 Key, Forbes 5-Star recognition, La Liste 96-point score justify a serious look, but compare rates against Four Seasons Hotel Guangzhou and Park Hyatt Guangzhou during high-demand periods.

Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection is the Cabo pick for travelers who want a polished resort stay in the Tourist Corridor rather than a downtown base. Its Michelin 2 Keys and Forbes 5-Star recognition make the splurge easier to defend, especially for families or multigenerational groups planning to use the resort heavily.

Book Mandarin Oriental Palace, Luzern for a polished lakefront celebration stay where the room category matters. Its Michelin 2 Keys, Forbes 5-Star recognition, La Liste Top Hotels score make it a lower-risk luxury choice, but value comes from choosing the right view and room features rather than automatically taking the largest category.

Le Meurice is worth booking when central Paris location and formal luxury matter more than rate value. The Rue de Rivoli address is the main draw, especially for repeat guests with meetings, museums, shopping, or dinners clustered around the 1st arrondissement. If you want a lower-key or more price-sensitive stay, compare nearby alternatives first.

Wing Lei at Wynn Las Vegas is one of the few Chinese fine dining rooms in the US with a La Liste global ranking (79 pts in 2025), and it earns that placement. The Imperial Peking duck tasting at $88 per person is the anchor order; a second visit built around Chef Ming Yu's signature dinner covers a different register entirely. Book for dinner, request a window table, use the sommelier.

Hotel Plaza Athénée is worth booking when the trip calls for a full Paris palace-hotel stay on Avenue Montaigne, not just a place to sleep. Its 2024–2026 recognition across Michelin, Forbes, La Liste, World's 50 Best Hotels supports the premium, but value-focused travelers should compare nearby Right Bank alternatives before committing.

Le Cirque Las Vegas is the Bellagio's flagship French dining room: a formal, occasion-ready address with a 3,200-bottle wine cellar, La Liste recognition (80pts, 2026), and kitchen signatures including potato-crusted sea bass and wagyu strip loin. At $66+ per head for dinner, it delivers structured French service that most Strip restaurants cannot match. Book one to three weeks ahead.

Saison is a restaurant at 178 Townsend Street in San Francisco.

A strong Beijing luxury-hotel choice for travelers who will use the room, not just the address. The Peninsula Beijing is easiest to justify for suite-level stays, central Dongcheng plans, guests who value heavily credentialed hotel operations over boutique character.

Plan One&Only Nyungwe House for the forest portion of a Rwanda trip, not as a casual add-on. Its 95.5-point La Liste Top Hotels score, Forbes 5-Star recognition, hard booking profile make it a strong choice when Nyungwe is the point of the itinerary; compare northern alternatives if gorilla trekking is the priority.

Lung King Heen is a restaurant at Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong.

Mandarin Oriental Barcelona is the right splurge if you want a polished luxury base in Eixample and will use the Passeig de Gràcia location every day. The case is strongest for business travelers, couples, brand-loyal guests; value-seekers should compare it with nearby luxury and boutique options before paying the location premium.

Book Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa for a quiet luxury reset near San Diego, not for a city-center base. Its 2026 Forbes 5-Star, La Liste Top Hotels 97-point score, Relais & Châteaux recognition, Star Wine List nod, MICHELIN hotel selection make the splurge credible if the plan is spa, pool, privacy, time on property.

Tin Lung Heen is a Cantonese restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong in the International Commerce Centre.

Amber serves modern French cuisine at Mandarin Oriental The Landmark in Hong Kong.

A strong JBR choice for travelers who want a polished Dubai beach stay with a service-first hotel feel. Book it for anniversaries, family trips, business-leisure stays where reliability matters; cross-shop livelier nearby hotels if nightlife is the priority.

Book Four Seasons Hotel Boston if you want a calm, full-service luxury base by Boston Common and will use the wellness amenities enough to justify the splurge. Cross-shop The Newbury Boston for a more design-forward stay, Revere Hotel Boston Common for lower spend nearby, Boston Harbor Hotel if the waterfront matters more than the park-side location.

Meadowood Napa Valley is a hotel on Meadowood Lane in St. Helena.

The Peninsula Manila is the right pick for a first Manila stay when calm Makati access and brand reassurance matter more than a new-design hotel. Its Forbes 5-Star and MICHELIN-selected credentials support the luxury case, but room value should be judged against live Makati rates. Start with a practical room tier, then upgrade only for longer stays, in-room work, or hosting.

Don Alfonso 1890 brings Neapolitan cuisine and Amalfi Coast provenance to a Donatella Versace-designed room on the Cotai Strip. A Michelin Plate holder (2025) at $$$, it sits below the $$$$ tier of Macau's top fine dining but delivers genuinely sourced Italian; farm-imported produce, a 35,000-bottle wine list, a white truffle tasting menu that earns its place. Book ahead for private dining and the seasonal truffle menu.

NAOE is Miami's most intimate omakase experience: five seats, a daily-changing menu sourced from Japan and local harbours, a guest-tracking system that guarantees no repeat dishes on return visits. AAA 5 Diamond-rated and ranked on La Liste and Opinionated About Dining, it's a hard booking with only 10 seatings per week; plan four to six weeks ahead.

The Chanler at Cliff Walk is a splurge Newport hotel for travelers who want the room and coastal setting to drive the trip. It suits couples and return visitors better than packed first-timers. Book it for a quieter, occasion-led stay; cross-shop downtown hotels if access, nightlife, or value matter more.

A strong choice if you want a full-service Anguilla resort with major luxury recognition rather than a smaller boutique stay. The suite or residence-style categories are the ones to study if the trip is resort-first, especially for families or longer stays; couples planning to explore more can be more cautious about over-upgrading.

A strong choice for a polished Rome celebration stay near Via del Babuino, especially when location and full-service confidence matter. Suite-level spend works for families and milestone trips; shorter city breaks may be better served by a standard room or a smaller nearby peer.

A strong Osaka pick for families and special occasions when Umeda convenience matters. Choose The Ritz-Carlton, Osaka for established luxury and a polished central base; cross-shop Four Seasons Hotel Osaka or Waldorf Astoria Osaka if a newer luxury feel matters more, Zentis Osaka or Aloft Osaka Dojima for lighter-budget stays.

Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino is the spend-up pick in the Pylos resort set: better for couples, spa time, a stay where the hotel carries the trip. Cross-shop W Costa Navarino for a more social feel and Filoxenia Kalamata if the itinerary is more about access than resort polish.

Casa Angelina is a hotel on Via Gennaro Capriglione in Praiano.

Emerald Tower at MGM COTAI is a strong choice for travelers who want a luxury Cotai resort base with easy access to Macau's casino, dining, entertainment circuit. It makes the most sense when rates sit below comparable high-end peers; compare carefully around weekends and holidays, when Macau pricing can shift quickly.

Hotel Okura Macau is worth booking if you want a polished Galaxy Macau base for a celebration, business stay, or family trip without making the hotel feel overly showy. The draw is location and resort access more than a single destination restaurant. Compare Raffles at Galaxy Macau or The Ritz-Carlton, Macau if the stay needs to feel more splurge-led.

Eden Rock is one of St Barths' most distinctive properties; individually designed rooms, an enviable position above St Jean Bay, staff known for attentive, personal service. It suits special occasion travellers who want character over amenity lists. Peak season availability is tight; book suites several months ahead.

Book Hotel de Russie if this is a first Rome trip where location, calm, luxury-hotel polish matter more than chasing value. Forbes 5-Star and Virtuoso recognition make it a safer splurge than many boutique alternatives, while Star Wine List recognition adds confidence for wine-minded guests.

The Brando is a private-island resort in French Polynesia.

The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park is a hotel on Central Park South in New York City.