Forbes announces annual star rating recipients

Forbes Travel Guide announced its 56th annual Star Rating recipients on Jan 22, naming 97 five-star hotels worldwide, the most in the guide's history. The list included 15 new five-star hotels, 16 new five-star restaurants and five new five-star spas.

The guide recognized 296 four-star hotels, 186 four-star restaurants, 149 four-star spas, 82 recommended hotels and 42 recommended restaurants in the United States, Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Macao, Singapore, London and Canada.

China now has 19 five-star hotels as rated by the guide, with four newly joining the elite group. They are Banyan Tree Macao; Four Seasons Hotel Macao, Cotai Strip; Four Seasons Hotel Pudong, Shanghai; and Mandarin Oriental Pudong, Shanghai.

Wynn Macao, Encore Macao, Altira Macao and The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, won "Triple Five-Star" designation for receiving five-star ratings in the categories of hotel, restaurant and spa. The Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong; Crown Towers Macao; and Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong earned "Quadruple Five-Star" titles in categories of hotel, spa and two restaurants.

Forbes Travel Guide also unveiled its first restaurant ratings in Asia, with 11 winning five-star designation, including Amber in the Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong; and Caprice in the Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong.

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts became the brand with the most five-star recipients for 2014, with 18 hotels in 11 destinations winning five stars.

Michael Cascone, president of Forbes Travel Guide, said the core of what it does is to recognize and advocate for properties delivering the best in guest service. He said the guide is delighted to recognize the splendid commitment to service and guest experience offered by the 2014 Star Rating recipients.