Forbes Travel Guide Grants Five-Star Rating to Four PH Hotels, Two Spas
The 2025 Forbes Travel Guide (FTG) Star Awards recognized 14 hotels and tourism establishments in Metro Manila, with five-star ratings awarded to Okada Manila, Nüwa Manila at City of Dreams Manila, Skytower at Solaire Resort Entertainment City in Parañaque City, and The Peninsula Manila in Makati City.
For wellness facilities, Nüwa Spa at City of Dreams Manila and The Retreat Spa at Okada Manila also received five-star distinctions.
Hotels awarded four-star ratings include Fairmont Makati, Hyatt Regency City of Dreams Manila, Marco Polo Ortigas Manila in Pasig City, Nobu Hotel at City of Dreams Manila, Raffles Makati, and Shangri-La at the Fort in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.
Meanwhile, "recommended" ratings were given to Conrad Manila in Pasay City and Makati Shangri-La Manila.
Sofitel Philippines Plaza was part of Forbes' list last year, before the hotel closed on June 30, 2024. Fairmont Makati is this year's newcomer.
Okada Manila
Forbes Travel Guide 2025
"We are deeply honored by these recognitions from the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide, marking another milestone in our journey as we celebrate our 10th year of delivering exemplary service. These awards, made possible by our hardworking and passionate team, inspire us further to set the bar high for hospitality and meaningful and sustainable luxury," City of Dreams Manila Property President Geoff Andres said in a statement.
"Every single member of our hotel team dedicates themselves to providing our guests with luxury service, authentic experiences, and unforgettable moments, and to be bestowed with such a prestigious award six years in a row is a testament to their commitment and hard work," said The Peninsula Manila Managing Director Kevin Tsang. "It’s a milestone event in our 49-year-old history and we are truly humbled and honored that their dedication to creating world-class experiences for our discerning guests has been recognized by Forbes Travel Guide with a Five-Star rating, the only one in the Makati Central Business District and Bonifacio Global City. We promise to pursue our mission to be Manila’s foremost five-star luxury hotel by creating memorable experiences and delivering innovative, personalized, elegant, and consistent service for our guests coupled with warm Filipino hospitality."
Hospitality properties that aim to be rated by Forbes Travel Guide subscribe to a partnership program that "provides transparency into the Star Rating process and access to our exclusive Partnership community," according to FTG's website. Subscription also gives them the benefit of getting a full report of their annual inspection results, as well as a remedy period.
FTG inspectors, however, remain anonymous, and hotel properties have no idea when they will be audited for the awards.
"FTG’s ratings are objective, independent, and data-driven. Incognito inspectors pose as everyday guests—checking in at hotels, embarking on cruises, taking in spa treatments, and dining at fine restaurants. They test hundreds of exacting standards that emphasize exceptional service, which accounts for 70 percent of a property’s rating. The quality and condition of the facilities account for the remaining 30 percent," FTG Editor Jennifer Kester explained in a statement.
This year's FTG is also the "most geographically diverse" yet, with 2,187 recipients from 90 countries. Macau has the most five-star hotels with 24 properties, while London placed second with 20. Forbes Travel Guide’s luxury travel ratings have been the gold standard in the hospitality industry since 1958.
