Forbes Travel Guide

At Forbes Travel Guide, we are the global authority on luxury hospitality, dedicated to verifying and celebrating the world's finest travel experiences. For 66 years, we have been traveling the world to give guests the most reliable information on where to stay, dine, and relax. Our mission is to empower discerning travelers to book with confidence, knowing that our expert inspectors have validated the properties, restaurants, and spas we rate.

Our History

Our journey began in 1958 as Mobil Travel Guide, a guidebook for U.S. motorists. We pioneered the first Five-Star rating system for hospitality in the United States, setting the standard for excellence in luxury hospitality. Since then, we have continuously evolved to reflect the changing landscape of the industry, adapting to new trends and innovations while maintaining our commitment to objective, independent inspection processes.

Our Inspectors

Our highly trained and anonymous inspectors are the heart of our operation. They visit every property we rate, evaluating based on up to 900 objective criteria. Our inspectors are passionate about luxury hospitality and devoted to providing accurate and detailed ratings. They undergo rigorous training to ensure consistency and objectivity in their assessments.

Our Approach

We inspect every hotel, restaurant, spa, and ocean cruise ship in person, visiting anonymously as a typical guest. We do not accept any compensation from the properties we rate, ensuring that our ratings remain unbiased and transparent. Our inspectors spend a minimum of two nights at each property, ensuring that they experience the full range of amenities and services offered.

Our Star Rating System

Our Star Rating system emphasizes service because a great experience goes beyond how the surroundings look - how the visit makes you feel is what you will remember most. We categorize properties into four categories: Five-Star, Four-Star, Recommended, and Soon to Be Rated. Five-Star properties deliver an outstanding experience and consistently offer a highly customized level of service. Four-Star properties are exceptional, offering high levels of service and quality of facility to match. Recommended properties are excellent, with consistently good service and facilities.

Our Services

We offer a range of services, including:

• Hotel and restaurant reviews: Our expert inspectors provide comprehensive and unbiased ratings of properties, restaurants, and spas.
• Travel planning: Our team of experts helps discerning travelers plan their next trip, recommending the finest properties, restaurants, and experiences.
• Industry insights: We provide valuable insights and analysis of the luxury travel industry, highlighting trends, innovations, and best practices.

At Forbes Travel Guide, we pride ourselves on being the global authority on luxury hospitality. Our commitment to objective, independent inspections ensures that our ratings remain trusted and respected by travelers, properties, and the hospitality industry as a whole.