Hong Kong and Macau Prominent on Forbes Travel Guide's 52nd List of World's 4 and 5-Star Hotels & Spas

(Hong Kong, November 10, 2009) — The 2010 Forbes Travel Guide hotel and spa award winners were unveiled today, with four familiar candidates retaining their 5-star status among Hong Kong hotels -- Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Mandarin Oriental, The Four Seasons and The Peninsula.



This year is the first edition of the former Mobil Travel Guide awards since the brand's transfer from Mobil to Forbes was recently announced. The list has defined the industry’s highest standard for excellence in hospitality for over 50 years.



Hong Kong hotels retaining a 4-star status year-on-year were Conrad Hong Kong, Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, InterContinental Hong Kong, Kowloon Shangri-La and The Island Shangri-La.



In Macau, Wynn Macau retained its 5-star ranking while Altira Macau was elevated from 4 to 5-stars. Four-star status was earned by the new Four Seasons Hotel Macau, with the same ranking retained by Grand Lapa Hotel Macau (previously Mandarin Oriental Macau), MGM Grand Macau and Sands Macau.



Among spas, The Mandarin Spa and The Peninsula Spa by ESPA retained 5-stars in Hong Kong, with The Oriental Spa at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental elevated from 4 to 5 stars. Four stars were retained by Plateau Spa and The Spa at Four Seasons Hong Kong.



For pampering in Macau, Spa at Wynn Macau retained its 5 stars with The Spa at Altira promoted from 4 to 5 stars. The Spa at The Four Seasons Macau earned its first 4 stars, a ranking also retained by Six Senses Spa at MGM Grand Macau and V Spa at The Venetian Macao.



Hong Kong and Macau accounted for five out of a total 18 spas awarded 5-star status worldwide.



In Beijing, Aman at Summer Palace and The Regent, Beijing were newly credited with 4-stars, with the same ranking retained by Grand Hyatt, Raffles, St. Regis, Shangri-La and The Peninsula.



Among spas in the Chinese capital, The Spa at Ritz-Carlton, Spa at Aman Resort at Summer Palace and The Peninsula Spa by ESPA all earned their first 4-stars.



Shane O’Flaherty, President and CEO of Forbes Travel Guide, noted that while the hospitality industry has been challenged this year, it has risen to the occasion. “With an unprecedented downturn in the economy this year, properties have taken steps to refine their processes to become more efficient," he said.



"The employees of these same properties have remained as engaged and passionate as ever about providing the best guest experience that they can.”



Forbes President of Television and Licensing Miguel Forbes said: “It is a privilege to have these esteemed rankings under the Forbes umbrella. We are excited to honor these outstanding properties, and look forward to being a part of these influential awards.”



The complete list of Forbes Travel Guide Star award winners and updated comprehensive reviews written by Forbes Travel Guide’s experts are available at www.forbestravelguide.com.



Forbes Travel Guide uses stars to represent levels of quality, including its famous FIVE-STAR AWARD certification. To ensure consistency, the Forbes Travel Guide inspectors make unannounced visits to every rated property. The first visit is the facility inspection which uses a checklist to evaluate cleanliness, physical condition and location. The second visit is for service evaluation based on more than 500 service standar­ds. Standards for Forbes Five Star Award certifications are exact, and few properties meet them. Within the industry, these awards are highly coveted and highly respected.


For a detailed explanation of how Forbes Travel Guide compiles its Star ratings, visit www.forbestravelguide.com. Follow Forbes Travel Guide on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ForbesInspector