Forbes Travel Guide (FTG), the global authority on luxury hospitality ratings, has unveiled its 2026 Hotel Star Bars list, recognizing 37 exceptional hotel bars across 18 countries for excellence in cocktails, service, atmosphere, and guest experience. The annual recognition highlights venues that have transformed the traditional hotel bar into a destination in its own right, attracting travelers and locals alike through innovative beverage programs and world-class hospitality.
Selected through Forbes Travel Guide’s rigorous incognito inspection process, the winning bars were evaluated on a range of criteria, including beverage quality, presentation, service standards, and the overall guest experience. Unlike many industry awards, FTG’s ratings are based on anonymous, in-person visits conducted by professional inspectors who assess properties against hundreds of objective standards.
This year’s collection of winners spans some of the world’s most influential hospitality destinations, from Miami and Los Cabos to Tokyo, Shanghai, Amsterdam, Paris, and Monte Carlo. Shanghai and Tokyo led the rankings with three recognized hotel bars each, underscoring Asia’s growing influence on global cocktail culture and luxury hospitality trends.
Among the repeat honorees were Le Bar at Capella Shanghai (feature image), Jian Ye Li; Le Bar Américain at Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo; Le Bar Botaniste at Shangri-La Paris; Library by the Sea at Kimpton Seafire Resort & Spa; and The St. Regis Bar at The St. Regis Macao. Their continued presence on the list reflects a sustained commitment to exceptional service and innovative beverage experiences.
Several newcomers also earned recognition for distinctive concepts and memorable guest experiences. These include The Champagne Bar at Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club in Miami, renowned for its extensive champagne collection; the Bvlgari Bar at Bvlgari Hotel Tokyo, which combines Mediterranean influences with panoramic city views; Vault Bar at Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam, housed within a former bank vault; and Don Manuel’s at Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, celebrated for cocktails inspired by Mexican ingredients and traditions.
Hermann Elger, Chief Executive Officer of Forbes Travel Guide offered this:
“The 2026 Hotel Star Bars showcase extraordinary hotel bar experiences that create lasting impressions with guests. From inventive cocktail programs to thoughtful hospitality and distinctive settings, these hotel bars deliver experiences that resonate long after the final sip.”
The growing prominence of hotel bars reflects a broader shift within luxury hospitality. Increasingly, travelers are seeking experiences that extend beyond accommodations alone, with food, beverage, design, and social interaction becoming central elements of the guest journey. In many cases, hotel bars have evolved into signature attractions that help define a property’s identity and strengthen its connection to the local destination.
Founded in 1958, Forbes Travel Guide remains the only independent global rating system dedicated to luxury hotels, restaurants, spas, and ocean cruises. Its annual ratings and specialty lists continue to serve as influential benchmarks for excellence across the hospitality industry.
SOURCE Forbes Travel Guide
