The 2026 Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards have now been revealed, marking a historic year for global luxury tourism. From five-star hotels and award-winning spas to the world’s first five-star cruise, Portugal is also in the spotlight.
The Six Senses Douro Valley, located in the north of the country, is among the properties recognized by this prestigious international publication.
In an edition covering more than 100 countries, Portugal remains firmly on the global luxury map. And the Douro continues to establish itself as one of Europe’s most exclusive destinations.
What are the Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards?
Six Senses Douro Valley represents Portugal
Privileged location in the Douro (World Heritage Site)
Historic building
Exclusive wine experiences
The world’s first five-star cruise
Winners of the 2026 Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards
Five-star hotels
Four-star hotels
Recommended hotels
Cruises
Cruise restaurant
Five-star spas
Five-star restaurants
What are the Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards?
Evrima Cruise
Credits: image taken from the official website of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection cruises
Created 68 years ago, the Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards are considered one of the most demanding rating systems in luxury hospitality. Evaluations are carried out by anonymous inspectors who pose as regular guests and pay for their stays in full.
The criteria include:
  • Quality of facilities;
  • Excellence of service (accounts for 70% of the evaluation);
  • Overall guest experience;
  • Well-being and authenticity of the destination.
The classification is divided into five stars, four stars, and recommended, reflecting different levels of excellence.
Six Senses Douro Valley represents Portugal
Credits: image taken from the official website of the Six Senses Douro Valley hotel
Among the properties recognized in 2026 is the Six Senses Douro Valley, located in Lamego, in a region classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The property appears in the Recommended category, reinforcing the Douro’s position in the luxury and wellness tourism segment.
The hotel stands out for:
  • Integration into the Douro wine landscape;
  • Personalized wellness programs;
  • A spa focused on sustainability;
  • Local wine and gastronomic experiences.
One of the experiences includes the opportunity to create natural products at the so-called “Alchemy Bar,” using ingredients from the hotel’s organic garden. Guests can also enjoy wine tastings on the Douro River aboard traditional boats.
Privileged location in the Douro (World Heritage Site)
Credits: image taken from the official website of the Six Senses Douro Valley hotel
The Six Senses Douro Valley is located in Samodães, Lamego, in the heart of the Alto Douro Wine Region, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001.
This hotel is:
  • About 1 hour and 30 minutes from Porto;
  • Surrounded by terraced vineyards;
  • With direct views over the Douro River.
Historic building
Credits: image taken from the official website of the Six Senses Douro Valley hotel
The hotel occupies a 19th-century manor house that has been fully renovated. It combines:
  • Classic Portuguese architecture;
  • Contemporary design;
  • Natural materials;
  • Integration with the surrounding landscape.
Exclusive wine experiences
Credits: image taken from the official website of the Six Senses Douro Valley hotel
Being in the Douro, wine is central to the experience.
The hotel offers:
  • Private tastings of Douro and Port wines;
  • Wine-paired dinners;
  • Boat trips along the Douro;
  • Visits to historic wine estates.
The world’s first five-star cruise
Ilma Cruise
Credits: image taken from the official website of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection cruises
The 2026 edition was marked by an unprecedented achievement: the first cruise in the world to receive a five-star rating. The recognition was awarded to Ilma, from The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection.
The 790-foot superyacht includes:
  • 224 suites with private terraces;
  • A spa with 11 treatment rooms;
  • Two infinity pools;
  • Restaurants led by award-winning chefs.
In addition, the restaurant Le Voyage, aboard the Celebrity Xcel, became the first restaurant at sea to receive five stars.
Winners of the 2026 Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards
The 2026 edition of the Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards was marked by historic milestones and the recognition of hotels, restaurants, spas, and cruises across more than 100 countries.
Here are some of the most relevant winners, organized by category:
Five-star hotels
Wymara Villas, Sunset Cove – Turks and Caicos Islands;
The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko – Japan;
One&Only Portonovi – Montenegro;
Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental – Abu Dhabi;
Nujuma, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve – Saudi Arabia;
Mandarin Oriental Qianmen – Beijing, China;
Mandarin Oriental Savoy – Zurich, Switzerland;
Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona – Spain.
Four-star hotels
The Charleston Place – Charleston, South Carolina, United States;
100 Princes Street – Edinburgh, Scotland.
Recommended hotels
Six Senses Douro Valley – Douro, Portugal;
The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland – USA.
Cruises
Ilma, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection (first cruise in the world to receive five stars);
Evrima, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection (four-star cruise).
Cruise restaurant
Le Voyage (Celebrity Xcel) (first Five-Star restaurant at sea).
Five-star spas
The Pearl Spa and Wellness – Four Seasons Abu Dhabi;
Thermal Spring Spa – Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto;
Awaken Wellness – Atlantis The Royal, Dubai;
Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino – Greece.
Five-star restaurants
Atlas Buckhead – Atlanta, USA;
Aurelia – Newport, Rhode Island, USA;
Flybridge – The Boca Raton, USA;
FZN by Björn Frantzén – Dubai;
Lai Heen – The Ritz-Carlton, Macau;
Sushi Kissho by Miyakawa – Raffles at Galaxy Macau.