Marriott Luxury Group Claims 30% of 2026 Forbes Travel Guide Five‑Star Awards

Marriott Luxury Group Tops 2026 Forbes Five‑Star Awards

Marriott International’s Luxury Group claims a leading share of the 2026 Forbes Travel Guide Five‑Star awards, taking 30% of newly announced distinctions and adding 11 new Five‑Star recognitions to its portfolio. The company says the honors lift its total to 397 Five‑Star ratings across hotels, resorts, yachts, spas and restaurants, reflecting independent assessments that emphasize service excellence and rigorous operational standards.

The awards include several firsts for Marriott’s upper‑end brands. Ilma, the second ship in The Ritz‑Carlton Yacht Collection, earns its inaugural Five‑Star and becomes the world’s first Five‑Star cruise ship. Nujuma, the Ritz‑Carlton Reserve development in Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea project, secures the Reserve brand’s first Five‑Star, underscoring the group’s move into eco‑friendly island sanctuaries. New Five‑Star properties also span Tokyo, Dubai, Nikko and Orlando, illustrating Marriott’s geographic breadth and push into curated offerings such as yachts, tented lodges, rare estates and experiential products.

Industry observers say the cluster of awards spotlights Marriott’s strategy to redefine luxury around bespoke experiences and service rather than only physical assets. The Luxury Group — encompassing The Ritz‑Carlton, Ritz‑Carlton Reserve, The Ritz‑Carlton Yacht Collection, Bvlgari, St. Regis, EDITION, The Luxury Collection, JW Marriott and W Hotels — leverages brand breadth, staff training and elevated guest programming to capture rising demand for ultra‑luxury travel and to cement leadership across multiple luxury categories.

Ritz‑Carlton and Kilometre Paris Launch Coastal Capsule

The Ritz‑Carlton is rolling out a limited‑edition collaboration with Kilometre Paris that translates four coastal resorts — Laguna Niguel, Bacara Santa Barbara, Amelia Island and Key Biscayne — into a capsule of beach totes, bucket bags and bandanas. Announced Feb. 11, the range is hand‑embroidered and designed to reflect resort iconography.

Collectible Keepsakes Fund Community Programs

A portion of proceeds from the capsule supports Community Footprints, The Ritz‑Carlton’s global social and environmental platform, with funds directed to initiatives in participating resort communities. The pieces are pitched as collectible, numbered items for guests and collectors and are available at participating resort boutiques, blending artisanal design with philanthropic aims.