Raffles Hotel Le Royal, the luxury heritage hotel in the Cambodian capital, has earned a prestigious Four-Star rating from Forbes Travel Guide, whose designations are among the most highly sought after in the global luxury hospitality industry. “Raffles Hotel Le Royal has been Phnom Penh’s defining word in opulence ever since its doors first swung open in 1929,” the guide’s inspectors wrote in their review of the hotel. “It’s still the go-to for Cambodian high society looking to host wedding banquets and celebratory balls, while the colonial wood-paneled Elephant Bar is a must for post-event drinks. This is also the best place in Phnom Penh to enjoy afternoon tea; the refined airs and immaculately attired staff practically transport you back in time,” it added. Raffles Hotel Le Royal was one of only two hotels in Phnom Penh to be recognized by Forbes Travel Guide last month. The Four-Star rating denotes “exceptional properties, offering high levels of service and quality of facility to match.” Forbes Travel Guide, originally launched in 1958 (then as Mobil Travel Guide), is the oldest travel guide in the United States and the creator of the original Five-Star rating system for hotels. The guide’s inspectors further praised Raffles Hotel Le Royal’s timeless elegance, saying, “While all accommodations [at the hotel] offer Old World luxury, the Landmark Rooms serve as a beautiful time capsule. The high-ceilinged rooms appear much as they did in 1929, including their enticing claw-foot baths.” They also gave their highest approval to Restaurant Le Royal, the hotel’s signature Khmer fine-dining venue, calling it “one of the best meals in town.” Raffles Hotel Le Royal features 175 rooms and suites that underwent a full refurbishment as part of a meticulous one-year restoration project in 2019. “There is no greater honour for a hotel than to be recognized by Forbes Travel Guide. Our staff understand we are all caretakers of an incredible legacy in the Grand Dame of Cambodian hospitality, and we look forward each day to providing warm and attentive service to all of our cherished guests,” said Raffles Hotel Le Royal’s General Manager Dennis de Groot. The Forbes Travel Guide designation adds to a growing list of awards for the historic property. In January, the UK-based Luxury Lifestyle Magazine named Raffles Hotel Le Royal one of the world’s best city hotels (No. 24 overall). Travel + Leisure named it one of the top city hotels in Cambodia last year. And it was voted the No. 1 hotel in Cambodia by readers of Condé Nast Traveler in its annual Readers’ Choice Awards the previous year. For more information on Raffles Hotel Le Royal, or to make a booking, please contact +855 23 981 888 or visit www.raffles.com/phnom-penh.

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evian SPA TOKYO®, the Alpine-inspired spa at Palace Hotel Tokyo, has been awarded a prestigious Five-Star rating by Forbes Travel Guide, the global travel industry’s most highly respected authority on excellence in hospitality. With a Five-Star rating for both its hotel and spa, Palace Hotel Tokyo has now become the very first Japanese-brand hotel to achieve such an enviable distinction. The hotel has held a Five-Star rating for nine consecutive years and was recently described as a “legendary property” that exudes “consummate poise” and “polish” by Condé Nast Traveler magazine. Designed “to help discerning travelers select the world’s best experiences,” Forbes Travel Guide’s illustrious Star Rating system is based on anonymous inspections by experienced professionals who conduct evaluations “based on hundreds of exacting standards.” Its Five-Star rating – the highest designation possible – is reserved for truly exceptional hotels, spas, restaurants and ocean cruise ships that “deliver an outstanding experience and consistently offer a highly customized level of service.” Evian SPA TOKYO now stands as one of only 126 spas inspected worldwide to receive five stars from Forbes Travel Guide for 2024. Only four properties in Japan have earned Five-Star ratings for both their hotel and spa. Situated on the fifth floor of Palace Hotel Tokyo, the spa occupies 1,200 square meters of space and features views of the picturesque Imperial Palace gardens just opposite. As the only evian® branded spa in the country and one of only three outside of France, it presents one of Japan’s most refined wellness experiences. Beautifully complemented by its natural setting, the spa’s minimalist aesthetic is at once remarkably zen and very Japanese. Though an Alpine-inspired concept guides the wellness experience, face and body treatments incorporating Japanese botanical beauty brand warew and Asian massage techniques are also on offer to complement the French sensibilities. The spa also features specific treatments tailored to men, expectant mothers and brides-to-be. For more information, please visit: www.en.palacehoteltokyo.com/evian-spa-tokyo About Forbes Travel Guide Forbes Travel Guide is the only global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants and spas. Its anonymous professional inspectors evaluate based on hundreds of exacting standards, with an emphasis on exceptional service, to help discerning travelers select the world’s best experiences. The only way to get a Five-Star, Four-Star or Recommended rating is by earning it through its independent inspection process. About Palace Hotel Tokyo As the anchor to a billion dollar, mixed-use development built entirely from the ground-up, the Forbes Five-Star Palace Hotel Tokyo commands some of the city’s most exclusive real estate and incomparable views of the much-loved Imperial Palace gardens and the surrounding skyline. Located in the capital’s prestigious Marunouchi district, the property features 284 rooms & suites, an evian SPA, and 10 distinctive restaurants and bars presenting an impressive array of dining experiences – including exquisite Japanese and Michelin-starred contemporary French haute cuisine. As heir to a legacy going back more than half a century as one of the city’s most iconic properties, the hotel remains firmly rooted in its commitment to offering Japanese hospitality at its finest. Drawing deeply from the country’s history, culture and art, the award-winning hotel continues to redefine luxury in Japan with sophistication and authenticity.

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Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi has earned a prestigious Five-Star rating from Forbes Travel Guide for a fourth consecutive year, garnering praise as a “supremely beautiful hotel” that “draws deeply from a century of stories to weave a rich, nostalgic guest experience.” Forbes Travel Guide, established in 1958, then known as Mobil Travel Guide, is the oldest travel guide in the United States and the creator of the original Five-Star rating system for hotels. The ratings are among the most highly respected in the global hotel industry. The Five-Star rating—the top level of recognition— is meant to designate “outstanding, often iconic properties with virtually flawless service and amazing facilities.” Metropole Hanoi is one of only two hotels in Vietnam to earn the Five-Star rating—and the only hotel in Hanoi to receive the highest-level distinction. Three other hotels in Vietnam were awarded Four-Star ratings. The Metropole’s luxurious accommodation and historic facilities drew much praise in the 2023 guide, while its warm, personalized and attentive service—top determinants in the Forbes Travel Guide ratings—helped secure the Five-Star mark. “The Metropole ambassadors know they are caretakers of an historic Grand Dame and that the service provided must in many ways exceed expectations,” said General Manager William Haandrikman. “This Five-Star rating from Forbes affirms that we are all working hard on service delivery.” Forbes Travel Guide’s inspectors wrote in their review of the hotel: “Every corner is a compelling photo opportunity, especially in the gleaming historic wing and all-white inner courtyard.” Metropole Hanoi’s Path of History (and wartime bunker) tour are also spotlighted in Forbes Travel Guide’s review, while afternoon tea at Le Club Bar, coffee at La Terrasse and cocktails at Bamboo Bar are described as experiences that have evolved into “must-do Hanoi traditions.” Le Spa du Metropole drew further accolades as “a sublime urban retreat … ensconced in what feels more like an elegant residence than a wellness center.” For their evaluations, inspectors pay their own way and stay anonymously as typical guests for at least two nights. Forbes Travel Guide bills itself as the only independent, global rating agency for luxury hospitality, and says that only 20% of all hotels it rates earn a Five-Star rating. For booking or other information, please visit www.sofitel-legend-metropole-hanoi.com, email h1555-re3@sofitel.com, or call +84 24 3826 6919.

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Forbes Travel Guide (“FTG”), the only global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants, spas and ocean cruises, today announced its 2023 Star Awards. The Murray, Hong Kong, a Niccolo Hotel earned its second Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star award and is showcased with other honorees on ForbesTravelGuide.com. Including the latest acknowledgement by Forbes Travel Guide, The Murray, Hong Kong has garnered nearly 40 valuable awards and accolades in total since its grand opening in 2017. This honour is the icing on the cake during the hotel’s 5th anniversary celebration, as well as the best affirmation of the highest service standards by hotel associates. Originally built in 1969 as a government office complex, the Murray Building was designed by British architect, Ron Philips. Considered innovative during that era, with the introduction of recessed windows that shelter the interior from the sun, thus moderating the use of air-conditioning, this pioneering sustainable and energy-saving solution has won the building numerous energy-efficient design awards. Philips was invited by Foster+Partners to transform his art piece into a luxury “We are proud to receive this honour for the second consecutive year, awarded by Forbes Travel Guide, one of the most prestigious global authorities on luxury travel,” said Mr. Adriano Vences, General Manager of The Murray, Hong Kong. “Our consistent commitment to service excellence has gained the continuous support of global travellers and business partners. Our dedicated team is determined to go above and beyond to take care of guests and to create unrivalled experiences. With the reopening of the mainland border, we are ready to welcome the world’s business and leisure travellers anytime.” “Travel is in an incredible position for continued growth, as people prioritise authentic, in-person experiences,” says Amanda Frasier, President of Ratings for Forbes Travel Guide. “The hotels, ocean cruises, restaurants and spas on our 2023 Star Rating list demonstrate an impressive commitment to creating memorable environments that nurture connection, joy and sense of place as we experience the world to its fullest.” The Murray, Hong Kong will continue to embrace Niccolo spirits by delivering “New Encounters. Timeless Pleasures” and providing contemporary chic hospitality and memorable experience to all guests. Forbes Travel Guide is the world-renowned authority on excellence in hospitality, and The Murray, Hong Kong is included again in its illustrious annual Star Rating list.

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