Forbes has been traveling the globe to certify more hotels for 2025. While the total number of hotels has continued to increase, the number of 5-Star hotels has fallen slightly to 334. There are now an additional 642 4-Star hotels and 564 Recommended hotels.

From the Forbes Press Release:

FTG’s ratings are objective, independent and data-driven. Incognito inspectors pose as everyday guests—checking in at hotels, embarking on cruises, taking in spa treatments and dining at fine restaurants. They test hundreds of exacting standards that emphasize exceptional service, which accounts for 70% of a property’s rating. The quality and condition of the facilities account for the remaining 30%. Beyond these metrics, inspectors assess the intangibles behind a truly remarkable guest experience: whether a property allows you to continue a health-conscious lifestyle and enhance your well-being; whether the location, design or other elements conjured a strong sense of place; and whether all that added up to a stay that was unforgettable.

List of 5-Star hotels for 2025:

Forbes seems to be pushing hard again to certify 5 Star Hotels as the pandemic slows.  There are now 323 Five Star Hotels, up from just 76 a few years ago and just 283 last year!  From the press release:

The 64th annual list features 323 Five-Star, 558 Four-Star, and 401 Recommended hotels; 74 Five-Star, 112 Four-Star, and 67 Recommended restaurants; and 102 Five-Star and 193 Four-Star spas worldwide.

To find the best of the best, Forbes Travel Guide’s incognito inspectors stay at each hotel for three days and two nights, posing as ordinary guests. They test up to 900 objective, rigorous standards, from modern-day luxuries—such as whether a room is set up to enhance sleep or whether the food-and-beverage choices are health-conscious—to more traditional amenities, such as the quality of the décor and the courtesy of the staff. Seventy-five percent of a hotel’s rating relies on service, while the remaining 25 percent is determined by the quality of its facilities.

The full list of 2022 Five Star winners is as follows:

Forbes has continued to inspect and add hotels to their last at a rapid speed.  They have added 15 new Five-Star hotels this year, despite the pandamic! There are now 283 Five Star Hotels, up from just 76 a few years ago!  From the press release:

The 63rd annual list features 283 Five-Star, 576 Four-Star and 438 Recommended hotels; 73 Five-Star, 136 Four-Star and 77 Recommended restaurants; and 90 Five-Star and 200 Four-Star spas worldwide. (The winners were surveyed both before the pandemic and once regional restrictions allowed FTG’s incognito evaluators to visit.)

To rate properties, Forbes Travel Guide inspectors stay at each hotel for three days and two nights, posing as regular guests and paying their own way. They test up to 900 objective, stringent standards, from modern-day luxuries—such as whether a room is set up to enhance sleep, and the food-and-beverage choices are health-conscious—to more traditional luxuries, like the quality of the interior décor and design of the staff’s uniforms.

Even in the midst of a global pandemic, service remains paramount. It’s more important than ever before that properties demonstrate the utmost regard for their guests’ wellbeing: 75% of a hotel’s rating is based on its service and genuine care and concern shown by the staff, while 25% is determined by the quality of its facilities.

There were 5 new cities in North America who welcomed their first Five-Star Hotel. They are: