Forbes Travel Guide Awards 5 Stars to 8 Massachusetts Hotels and a Restaurant in 2025 List
Eight hotels and one restaurant in Massachusetts earned top five-star ratings from Forbes Travel Guide. Among the winners: Chatham Bars Inn sits beautifully on Cape Cod’s shore, while Boston Harbor Hotel and Encore Boston stand out in the city.
Forbes Travel Guide reviewed 2,100 properties worldwide for their 67th annual rankings. Massachusetts grabbed 31 spots total – an impressive achievement given the guide’s tough standards.
Secret inspectors drop in unannounced to evaluate 900 different elements. The scoring heavily favors service – making up 75% of the total score. Facilities and amenities account for the remaining 25%.
In the Northeast, Massachusetts really shines. The state’s best-rated spots range from Boston’s bustling streets to Cape Cod’s peaceful shores, highlighting what makes the region unique.
Other Massachusetts hotels that received five-star accolades: the Boston Harbor Hotel, the Four Seasons Hotel on Boylston Street, the Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street, and the Mandarin Oriental in Boston. Down the Cape, the Chatham Inn, and the Wequassett Resort and Golf Club rounded out the honors.
The inspectors are incredibly thorough. They observe how staff interact with guests and check every detail of each property – from clean lobbies to well-made beds.
To get five stars? Staff need to remember guest names and respond to requests in minutes. Rooms must have perfect climate control. These high standards help travelers find truly exceptional places.
Boston’s impressive performance shows why tourists come here all year. History blends with luxury in this city where colonial sites neighbor top-tier hotels.
The tourism industry, valued at $1.7 trillion globally, pays close attention to these ratings. Luxury travelers rely on Forbes to guide them to tested, quality destinations.
This expanded list reflects the growth in high-end travel. More properties made the cut as wealthy travelers seek more options for luxury stays.
These Massachusetts winners join an exclusive group – less than 20% of rated properties worldwide get five stars. And maintaining that rating? It takes constant effort throughout the year.
