Forbes Travel Guide 2026 Star Awards: New Five-Star Hotels, Cruise Firsts and Regional Winners

Forbes Travel Guide’s 2026 Star Awards recognize 2,422 properties worldwide, including 343 Five‑Star hotels and the first-ever Five‑Star cruise ship, with coverage now spanning more than 100 countries and new awardees in Bhutan, Croatia, Georgia, Grenada, Laos, Poland, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Uzbekistan.

2026 at a glance

The 68th Forbes Travel Guide rankings include: 343 Five‑Star hotels, 708 Four‑Star hotelsen 679 Recommended hotels, plus restaurants, spas and cruise ships across multiple regions. Notable statistics:

Notable firsts and headline winners

• Ilma, part of The Ritz‑Carlton Yacht Collection, is the first Five‑Star cruise ship in Forbes Travel Guide history.
• Le Voyage on Celebrity Xcel, led by chef Daniel Boulud, is named the first Five‑Star cruise ship restaurant.
• New Five‑Star hotel winners in smaller or emerging destinations include Wymara Villas (Turks and Caicos), The Ritz‑Carlton, Nikko (Japan), and One&Only Portonovi (Montenegro).
• In the U.S., newly awarded Five‑Star hotels include The Chateau at Nemacolin, Mii amo in Sedona, The Ritz‑Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, The St. Regis Atlantaen Yacht Club at The Boca Raton.

Regional highlights

Macau remains the leader in Five‑Star hotel density with 28 Five‑Star properties; recent winners include Capella at Galaxy Macau, Paiza Granden Palazzo Versace Macau. Europe saw additions such as The Maybourne Riviera (France) and Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona (Spain). The Middle East added Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental (Abu Dhabi) and Nujuma, a Ritz‑Carlton Reserve (Red Sea, Saudi Arabia).

How these awards matter for transfers and taxis

Luxury property recognition tends to concentrate demand for precise, premium transfer services: airport pickups timed to schedule, chauffeur‑driven limousines for guests at Five‑Star hotels, and discreet van transfers for spa and restaurant bookings. For taxi and transfer operators, new Five‑Star entries in previously low‑traffic destinations translate into seasonal peaks, requirements for larger vehicles (private seater and multi‑seater options), and higher expectations around driver conduct, punctuality, and license verification.

Operational implications at a glance

• Peak times shift with new resort openings — plan driver rosters and fares accordingly.
• Exact arrival times and well‑coordinated meet‑and‑greet services become a differentiator for transfers serving Five‑Star guests.
• Vehicle choice matters: clients increasingly want to see make, model and driver ratings before booking.

What travelers and operators should note

For passengers, the trick is to book transfers that match the hotel’s standard — a cheap cab may not meet expectations after a Five‑Star stay. For operators, transparency in pricing, clear fare structures, and the ability to offer limousine or private car options are key to capturing high‑value transfers linked to award‑winning hotels and cruise experiences.

Practical takeaways for planning

When visiting a newly awarded destination, consider these steps to ensure smooth transfers:

1. Confirm exact pickup location and flight details with the driver in advance.
2. Choose the correct vehicle type and seat capacity for luggage and guest comfort.
3. Check driver license and provider ratings when possible.
4. Factor in higher fares for airport meet‑and‑greet and premium services during peak season.

The expansion of Forbes Travel Guide’s Star Awards signals modest but meaningful shifts on the global tourism map: luxury tourism disperses into more countries, which is significant regionally even if not game‑changing globally. GetTransfer aims to stay abreast of such changes and keep pace with traveler needs. Start planning your next adventure and secure your worldwide transfer with GetTransfer. Book your Ride GetTransfer.com

Highlights: the 2026 list brings more Five‑Star hotels to smaller markets, records the first Five‑Star cruise ship and restaurant, and underscores growing demand for precise, quality transfers tied to luxury stays. Even the best reviews and the most honest feedback can’t compare to personal experience. On GetTransfer, you can hire a car with driver from verified providers at reasonable prices. This empowers you to make the most informed decision without unnecessary expenses or disappointments. Readers benefit from convenience, affordability, and extensive vehicle choices and a wide range of additional options provided by GetTransfer.com, reinforcing transparency and convenience. Book your Ride GetTransfer.com

In summary, the 2026 Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards broaden the high‑end hospitality map with new Five‑Star hotels, the first Five‑Star cruise recognition, and hundreds more certified properties. Travelers should align transfer choices — taxi, private car, limousine or seater vans — with destination standards, pick verified drivers and check fares and prices in advance to avoid surprises. GetTransfer.com supports this approach by letting users view exact car makes, models, driver ratings, and transparent fares so you can book the best service for airport-to-hotel transfers or city rides with confidence, matching service level, time and location needs while keeping an eye on price and convenience.