It’s not easy to earn a Five-Star rating from Forbes Travel Guide. It requires consistently exceptional service, thoughtfully designed spaces, exacting details and a sense of ultimate comfort.
A coveted Five-Star distinction requires hotels to meet more than 900 objective criteria, all assessed by incognito inspectors. Those that succeed rank among the top 0.002% of properties worldwide.
That makes Sands China’s latest milestone all the more significant. At the 2026 Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards, announced on 11 February, the Macao resort operator secured an incredible seven Five-Star hotel awards under one roof.
“We are thrilled to be recognised with a total of ten Forbes Five-Star accolades, including seven Forbes Five-Star Hotels, an unprecedented achievement for a single integrated resort destination,” said Grant Chum, President and CEO of Sands China Ltd., noting that Forbes Travel Guide is widely regarded as a global authority in hospitality.
Here’s a closer look at how this landmark moment has unfolded, and the Sands China properties that have risen to meet one of the industry’s most rigorous rating systems.
First-time honourees make their mark
Two Sands China properties made their Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star debut this year: Paiza Grand and The St. Regis Macao.
The former is among the newest additions to the company’s portfolio. The 313-suite hotel-within-a-hotel sits atop Londoner Grand, drawing inspiration from the opulent yet lived-in elegance of London’s Mayfair townhouses. As a result, Paiza Grand’s atmosphere is residential and homey, albeit in a distinctly VVIP way.
Suites are generously proportioned for families and groups, while the most coveted penthouses take things a step further with private gyms, media rooms and rooftop pools complete with shaded terraces and barbecues.
What particularly impressed Forbes Travel Guide inspectors, however, were the personalised touches. A dedicated Grand Butler team can arrange everything from a flawlessly brewed espresso to a perfectly mixed G&T, and even a “chopstick concierge” experience. Guests also enjoy discreet, residents-only privileges across the wider complex, including access to the private, three-floor dining club, Hampton Court.
Also earning Five-Star status for the first time this year is The St. Regis Macao, one of only two St. Regis properties in Greater China to receive the accolade. Forbes Travel Guide highlighted the hotel’s stately design, which favours refinement over flash, and its relatively small scale – just 400 rooms – allowing service to feel especially attentive and personal.
For those who appreciate a great hotel bar, The St. Regis Bar is widely regarded as one of Asia’s best, echoing the brand’s legendary New York original. Expect rich wood interiors, an effortlessly glamorous atmosphere, and a cocktail menu anchored by one of the finest Bloody Mary’s in town.
A Five-Star streak continues for three properties
Next up are the properties that are no strangers to the spotlight, having quietly maintained their Five-Star status over the past few years.
Located within The Londoner Macao, Londoner Court and The Londoner Hotel both secured Five-Star ratings in 2023, their debut year, and have held steady ever since.
Part of that consistency comes down to the details. Londoner Court stands out for its generous, all-suite layout, with accommodations starting at 1,300 square feet and reaching an impressive 2,800 square feet at the top end – a rarity even among luxury hotels. Jacuzzi tubs, Penhaligon’s bath amenities and exclusive club access come as standard, while a tailored sleep programme provides guests with foot spa massagers, essential oils, and cooling eye masks.
The Londoner Hotel takes a playful approach, leaning into a colourful, Cool Britannia spirit. Handpicked art pieces, British-inspired design touches and celebrity suites by David Beckham give the property personality, while access to The Residence – a sprawling club complete with multiple dining rooms, a bar and a pool table – reinforces its exclusive appeal.
Meanwhile, the all-suite Paiza Lofts at The Parisian Macao welcomes guests through the grandeur of a French palace-style lobby. Up on the 30th to 37th floors, you’ll find four spacious suite types – each overlooking the replica Eiffel Tower – crowned by the showstopping Versailles Suite. Spanning 396 square metres, the expansive retreat features its own in-suite cedar sauna and unfolds in palatial proportions, with fine finishes and a sense of privacy befitting its name.
It’s no surprise, then, that for the past three consecutive years, Forbes Travel Guide inspectors have awarded the hotel Five Stars in recognition of its sophisticated French design, excellent views, and VIP extras, such as complimentary limousine transfers, 24-hour personal concierge assistance, access to a private elevator bank and Balmain bath products.
Luxury with staying power
A longtime leader in luxury that helped pave the way for high-end hospitality on the Cotai Strip, Four Seasons Hotel Macao has been a steady presence on Forbes Travel Guide’s list for more than a decade.
That experience shows in a quiet confidence. From its French Riviera-inspired grounds to the ultra-luxe Shoppes at Four Seasons just steps away, the property possesses an easy sense of refinement. Dining here always delivers, from polished Cantonese fare at Zi Yat Heen (another Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star honouree) to Portuguese and Macanese classics at Belcanção – all executed with a consistency that has kept inspectors satisfied year after year.
Its sister property, The Grand Suites at Four Seasons, has built a similar reputation. Set within a 40-storey tower, the 289 residence-style suites feel more like a collection of private apartments than traditional hotel rooms. Multi-level layouts, Italian Calacatta Gold marble and expansive living areas have long reinforced their standing among the most lavish accommodations in the city.
Raising the bar for Macao
Also recognised in this year’s Star Awards are two Sands China restaurants – Zi Yat Heen at Four Seasons Hotel Macao and The Huaiyang Garden at The Londoner Macao – along with The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Macao. Their inclusion makes clear that Sands China’s ambitions and excellence in hospitality extend well beyond suites alone.
“These awards attest to the passion, professionalism and dedication of our team members, who deliver exceptional services and experiences to every guest,” said Tane Picken, Chief Hospitality Officer – Asia, Las Vegas Sands Corp., adding: “We view each Five-Star rating as an honour and a responsibility, and we remain determined to consistently exceed guest expectations.”
Taken together, the accolades signal more than just a banner year for the operator. They reflect a long-term strategy that is steadily taking shape, one that invests across hospitality, dining and wellness to build a fully integrated luxury experience. In doing so, Sands China isn’t simply collecting awards; it’s reinforcing Macao’s reputation as a destination defined by sustained, world-class standards.
