Six new five-star properties debut on Forbes Travel Guide

Macau earned 72 five-star ratings across hotels, restaurants, and spas, and 15 four-star honors, according to the 2026 Forbes Travel Guide (FTG). Several newcomers from Wynn, Galaxy, SJM, and Sands China joined the FTG ranks this year.

According to FTG, Five-Star properties “deliver an outstanding experience and consistently offer a highly personalized level of service.”

In the hotel category, the all-suite Capella at Galaxy Macau notably secured five stars in its opening year. At Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau, Palazzo Versace Macau also earned five stars. For Sands China, Paiza Grand at The Londoner Macao and The St. Regis Macao added to the resorts’ record of seven five-star hotels under one roof.

In the restaurant category, two new entries earned five stars in Macau: Lai Heen, a Cantonese restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton Macau, and Sushi Kissho by Miyakawa at Raffles at Galaxy Macau, featuring Edomae omakase by three-Michelin-starred chef Masaaki Miyakawa.

Several Macau restaurants received four-star ratings in the 2026 Guide, “offering high levels of service and quality of facilities to match,” notes FTG. Three newcomers debuted with four stars within Sands China’s properties. At Wynn Macau, Drunken Fish and Lakeview Palace at Wynn Palace secured four stars, while Teppanyaki Shou at Raffles at Galaxy Macau also received a four-star rating.

Judging criteria

FTG determines its star ratings through rigorous, unannounced inspections by highly trained experts who evaluate properties against up to 900 objective standards. The methodology places strong emphasis on service as the key differentiator for top-tier hospitality.

“While we assess both service and facility, our system emphasizes service, because exceptional service is what sets the best hospitality experiences apart,” the guide states. Criteria span the full guest journey – from reservations and arrival to departure – covering cleanliness, staff efficiency and knowledge, gracious interactions, luxury ambiance, comfort, wellness initiatives, and sustainability efforts. It adds, “Properties are regularly reassessed and must maintain their scores to retain their Star Rating.”

Operator highlights

Wynn Resorts Macau secured 63 stars across its flagship properties, Wynn Macau and Wynn Palace. This year’s FTG ratings spotlight five-star accolades for Wynn Palace, its spa, Chef Tam’s Seasons, Mizumi, Sushi Mizumi, and SW Steakhouse. At Wynn Macau, five-star ratings were given to the resort, Wynn Encore, its spas, and Wing Lei. New to the 2026 ratings, Drunken Fish earned a four-star rating.

“The remarkable accomplishments of Wynn Macau and Wynn Palace in the 2026 Forbes Travel Guide Awards underscore our unwavering dedication to excellence – continually raising the bar, refining our service standards, and fostering innovation,” said Frederic Luvisutto, chief operating officer of Wynn Macau, Limited.

Meanwhile, Galaxy Macau amassed 12 five-star awards, including new entries for Capella, Sushi Kissho, and Lai Heen, alongside returning standouts like Raffles at Galaxy Macau, Galaxy Hotel, and Banyan Tree Macau.

Melco earned 19 five-star awards across City of Dreams, Studio City, and Altira Macau, highlighting Morpheus, Nüwa, Alain Ducasse at Morpheus, and multiple spas.

Sands China totaled seven five-star ratings for its hotels, including newcomers Paiza Grand and The St. Regis Macao, while Four Seasons Hotel Macao retained its five-star rating for the 13th consecutive year.

MGM secured seven five-star awards, with MGM Macau marking its 11th consecutive rating and Tria Spas at both its Macau and Cotai properties earning their seventh consecutive year.

SJM Resorts achieved 14 five-star ratings at its flagship Grand Lisboa Palace Resort Macau, where every evaluated hotel, restaurant, and spa was awarded five stars.