Meadowood Spa reception Courtesy of Meadowood Napa Valley

Forbes Travel Guide revealed its 2017 Star Award winners, a selection of the world’s best hotels, restaurants and spas.

Who’s new to the list? This year’s additions include 181 hotels, 32 restaurants and 40 spas.

Forbes Travel Guide used boots-on-the-ground research and a “proprietary algorithm” to ferret out the best properties, bestowing on winners a Five-Star, Four-Star or Recommended award.

Five Stars represents the best of the best. Among the newbies, 22 hotels nabbed top honors, 76 landed a Four-Star award, and 83 hopped on the Recommended list.

America Scores with Five-Star Award Winners

The United States didn’t outshine the world, but it cracked double digits. Ten U.S. hotels, restaurants and spas joined the Five-Star club.

Among hotels, California edged out Florida, 2-1.

* Faena Hotel Miami Beach

Fairmont Grand Del Mar in San Diego

* Solage, An Auberge Resort in Calistoga, California

In the restaurant category, Las Vegas grabbed all three spots.

* Le Cirque Las Vegas

* Picasso

* Wing Lei

Four spas spread the bliss across three states.

* ESPA at Vdara in Las Vegas

* Meadowood Spa in St. Helena, California

* Palm Beach Spa at Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach

* The Spa at Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills, California

Meet the Superstars of Five Stars

Forbes Travel Guide has no plans to introduce a sixth star in its rating system, but certain U.S. properties deserve special recognition. Here are the eight hotels that won the luxury trifecta—Five-Star ratings for their hotel, restaurant and spa.

* The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs

* The Cloister in Sea Island, Georgia

* Fairmont Grand Del Mar in San Diego

* Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas

* Mandarin Oriental, Miami

* Montage Laguna Beach

* Ocean House in Watch Hill, Rhode Island

* Wynn Las Vegas.

It doesn’t get better than that anywhere in the world. That is, unless you’re staying at Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong or Wynn Macau. Each tallied six Five-Star awards for its hotel, spa and four restaurants, a new record.

advertisement