Jeri Clausing
While the pandemic forced many hotels to close for much or part of 2021, it didn t stop the Forbes Travel Guide from moving ahead with its annual Star Awards that recognize what it considers the best of the best in luxury hotels.
It also prompted them to add some categories of recognition for luxury hotels, including one for outstanding pandemic-related health and safety responses and one for philanthropy. In this unprecedented time for the travel industry, every persisting staff member at a hotel, restaurant and spa is a winner, said Filip Boyen, CEO of Forbes Travel Guide. But we also wanted to honor those hospitality workers who went above and beyond during the pandemic to aid their guests and colleagues.
Forbes Travel Guide Announces 2021 Star Awards
February 17, 2021
Forbes Travel Guide (“FTG”), the only global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants and spas, has unveiled its 2021 Star Awards, including a number of special accolades for individual workers and brands in the hospitality industry. All honorees are showcased on ForbesTravelGuide.com.
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. These winners were inspected before the pandemic and when regional restrictions allowed the safe welcoming of guests. Here are some highlights from the 2021 honorees:
Tokyo added four hotels to its Five-Star roster: The Capitol Hotel Tokyu; The Prince Gallery Tokyo Kioicho, A Luxury Collection Hotel; The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo; and Takanawa Hanakohro. The city now boasts nine Five-Star hotels.