Forbes Travel Guide’s 2025 awards: Meet the newest five-star U.S. hotels

Arizona, California, and Montana properties all scored a spot on the list

By Amanda Teague Published February 13, 2025 4:32 PM

The Canyon Suites at The Phoenician — The Canyon Suites at The Phoenician, A Luxury Collection Resort / The Canyon Suites at The Phoenician, A Luxury Collection Resort

Forbes Travel Guide has unveiled its highly anticipated 2025 Star Awards, recognizing the best in luxury hospitality worldwide. Now in its 67th year, the prestigious list spans over 2,100 properties across 90 countries, honoring excellence in hotels, restaurants, spas, and even cruise experiences.

This year, three new U.S. hotels have joined the elite ranks of five-star properties. The Canyon Suites at The Phoenician in Scottsdale, Arizona, stands out with its sprawling 250-acre setting at the foot of Camelback Mountain, offering guests a palatial retreat in the desert. In Los Angeles, The Maybourne Beverly Hills delivers classic elegance with stunning views of the Hollywood Hills and the iconic Hollywood sign. Rounding out the list is RiverView Ranch in Alberton, Montana, a secluded luxury escape set on more than 1,000 acres along the Clark Fork River, offering rustic Western charm with refined modern comforts.

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Other key findings from this year’s awards

The Maybourne Beverly Hills

Forbes Travel Guide’s 2025 Star Awards highlight not only the newest five-star properties, but also notable trends in hospitality worldwide. For the third consecutive year, Macau retains its title as the city with the most Five-Star hotels, now boasting 24. This year, Epic Tower at Studio City Macau and Raffles at Galaxy Macau joined the prestigious list, along with seven new Five-Star restaurants.

The 2025 awards also saw an expansion into new destinations, recognizing top-tier properties in Brunei; Costa Navarino, Greece; Finland; multiple cities in China (Haikou, Xiamen, and Xi’an); Kazakhstan; Malaga, Spain; Montenegro; Oualidia and Tamuda Bay, Morocco; Phu Quoc, Vietnam; Romania; and Salzburg, Austria.

Forbes Travel Guide also introduced its first-ever cruise restaurant ratings, spotlighting fine dining at sea. Among the inaugural honorees are Fine Cut Steakhouse aboard Celebrity Apex and Ascent, S.E.A. on The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s Evrima, The Dining Room on SeaDream II, The Grill on Silversea’s Silver Origin, and Candles on Windstar’s Star Pride.

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Amanda, an accomplished freelance writer featured in several online publications, is a dedicated explorer of both the world…

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Phoenix travel guide: Where to stay, what to eat, and more

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Phoenix, officially recognized on May 4, 1868, has blossomed into one of the most dynamic destinations in the American Southwest. Known as the Valley of the Sun, this desert city basks in nearly 300 days of sunshine each year, making it a perfect year-round escape.

With its warm desert breezes, iconic palm trees, and a culinary scene that draws inspiration from neighboring Santa Fe and beyond, Phoenix offers something for everyone. Whether you're seeking adventure in its landscapes, savoring Southwestern cuisine, or lounging at one of the area's best hotels, this Phoenix travel guide has you covered with the best things to do, places to stay, and where to eat in the Valley of Sun.
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Don your best seaman’s cap and head to the most incredible lighthouse hotels in the U.S.

For ocean lovers and salty maritime souls, it hardly gets better than a stay at a genuine lighthouse hotel

View from the water of Maine's Portland Head Lighthouse at sunset

Beginning in the 17th century, as seafaring travel grew, lighthouses became vital beacons of safety, guiding mariners away from dangerous rocks, reefs, and powerful currents. By 1900, the U.S. had built nearly 1,000 lighthouses along its coasts and harbors. While modern navigation technology has since automated or rendered many obsolete, these iconic structures remain captivating landmarks.

Some have been restored as museums of playgrounds, but the most intriguing are those converted into lighthouse hotels. If you're looking for unique destinations far from ordinary luxury hotel chains, spend a night in a charming, rustic lighthouse. Here are the best lighthouse hotels in the U.S. for your next getaway.
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