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The Best Things Forbes Travel Guide Inspectors Ate And Drank In 2024
By Forbes Travel Guide

December 20, 2024

Our inspectors enjoyed the asado experience and more at Los Fuegos By Francis Mallmann. *Credit: Faena Hotel Miami Beach*

A big part of a Forbes Travel Guide inspector’s job is dining out. According to receipts that we’re still tabulating, our incognito inspectors visited more than 1,400 of the world’s top restaurants and bars over the past year. Among the many amuse-bouches, appetizers, main courses, desserts, petit fours, wines and other beverages consumed, a small number of menu items were so magnificent that they remained on our inspectors’ minds long after they returned home.

As we close out our dining bill for 2024, let’s look back at some of our team’s most memorable culinary and cocktail moments.

BEST DISHES

Ceviche sampler at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman’s Saint June
Grand Cayman
“The ceviche sampler was made for beachfront sunsets. The three varieties were fresh, herbaceous and flavorful. They arrived on a spinnable plate, making them a shareable appetizer. I dream of the first bite of the classic Peruvian snapper ceviche, but the Ecuadorian shrimp and the heart of palm ceviche are memorable in their own right.”

Hen with stuffed morels at Alila Napa Valley’s Violetto
Napa
“My standout dish of 2024 was a local hen paired with stuffed morels and green and white asparagus. At first glance, it seemed simple, but the balance of flavors and textures made it exceptional. The morels were stuffed with a housemade whipped feta infused with local herbs, which added a light, herbaceous note that complemented the earthy richness of the mushrooms. The tangy fino sherry jus finish provided a layer of acidity that tied everything together beautifully.”

Roasted cauliflower at Faena Hotel Miami Beach’s Los Fuegos By Francis Mallmann
Miami
“Chef Francis Mallmann only cooks with charcoal and wood, which gave both the main cauliflower course and the side of Brussels sprouts an irresistible smokiness. The delicate char injected another dimension of flavor to each deceptively delicious bite. Furthermore, the cauliflower was prepared three ways within the dish, which showcased Mallmann’s versatility and creative approach to South American live-fire cooking.”

Thai red curry duck at Capella Bangkok’s Phra Nakhon
Bangkok
“Gaeng phed ped yang, or Thai red curry, was accompanied by cherry tomatoes, pea eggplants and a crispy Thai basil leaf topping. The creamy, fruity curry had a hint of spiciness. A tender and juicy grilled duck breast was placed on top of it.”

Octopus at One&Only The Palm’s Zest
Dubai
“Zest offered an Italian-inspired menu in a luxurious setting with Arabic accents. Here, I enjoyed some of the best octopus I’ve ever had. It was incredibly tender, with a lightly grilled crust and juicy on the inside, and had interesting accompaniments: fresh Sardinian fregola seasoned with spicy tomato sauce. This dish blew me away with its expert cooking and the fresh, flavorful ingredients.”

Tomato tartare at White Barn Inn Restaurant
Kennebunk, Maine
“The vegetarian tomato tartare was better than it had any right to be. The tomatoes were fresh and vibrant, and there was a slight sweetness from balsamic vinegar. Mozzarella sat on top with a little olive oil. The restaurant emphasized lobster, but this dish was a sleeper hit.”

Ricotta madeleines at Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas‘s Sea
Maldives
“One dish that left a lasting impression this year was the ricotta madeleines. The cookies had a surprising twist: they were filled with caviar. The light, crumbly ricotta madeleines, with the rich imperial caviar hidden inside, created an unexpected but delightful mix of flavors.”

Macau's Robuchon au Dôme — Have exceptional baguettes and brioche at Robuchon au Dôme. *Credit: Robuchon au Dôme*

Bread service at Robuchon au Dôme
Macau
“The overall selection and presentation of the bread service were exceptional. The staff brought over the bread trolley and then plated a beautiful bread basket with samples of each variety, including mini baguettes, bacon baguettes, mini croissants, spinach bread, soft brioche, apricot walnut bread, focaccia, Comté cheese bread and sourdough. The trolleys also carried large butter cylinders and servers portioned helpings tableside.”

Breakfast buffet at Atlantis The Royal’s Gastronomy
Dubai
“The breakfast buffet impressed with its remarkable variety, presentation and creativity. Featuring both local and international dishes, it offered everything from Arabic mezze to Asian specialties to European pastries. What set this experience apart was the meticulous attention to presentation. Each station was thoughtfully curated with creative touches, like a whimsical cupcake display on miniature merry-go-rounds, a Giuseppe Arcimboldo-inspired fruit-and-vegetable art installation and an alchemist-style arrangement of sauces.”

Vichyssoise at De L’Europe Amsterdam’s Brasserie Marie
Amsterdam
“The starter had a base of velvety potato soup adorned with carefully placed ratte potatoes, thinly sliced crisp green grapes, plump barbecued mussels and sweet poached langoustine topped with chives. The range of textures, colors and flavors was like a culinary work of art.”

Dark chocolate soufflé at Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown’s CUT
New York
“The delightful dark chocolate soufflé had a warm, airy interior with a crisp top that was artfully dusted with powdered sugar on one side and cocoa powder on the other. Dark chocolate sauce, vanilla ice cream and housemade whipped cream accompanied it. This classic, well-executed soufflé is now the standard upon which I will judge all future soufflés.”

Gamberoni, saffron and caviar at Hôtel de Paris – Monte-Carlo’s Le Louis XV – Alain Ducasse
Monaco
“The gamberoni [or shrimp], saffron and caviar starter is the kind of dish for which I’d return. Arriving in a carved metal bowl, with a layer of gold caviar in the center atop tender marinated shrimp from San Remo, surrounded by translucent petals of amber-colored rockfish and saffron gelée, it resembled a sunflower. However, the harmonious combination of flavors and textures was the most notable feature. The delicate, slightly sweet flavor of the succulent gamberoni was complemented by the fragrant, tangy gelée and the creamy, saline caviar. It managed to be decadent and refreshing.”

Dungeness crab at The Restaurant at JUSTIN
Paso Robles, California
“My favorite bite of 2024 was the Dungeness crab, blood orange, avocado and buttermilk with green goddess dressing. The visual impact was stunning. The crab shell held an array of colors: pink from the radish, purple from the borage flower, orange from the blood orange fluid gel and green from avocado and herb oil. The flavors were familiar and comfortable together and also representative of the shoulder between winter and spring when citrus is still ripe, but plants are starting to flower and herbs are new again. The staff described how one person is responsible for cutting each shell, and that added to the luxuriousness of the dish, that such effort went into a single-use shell.”

BEST DRINKS

Howler Daiquiri at Four Seasons Resort Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo’s Añejo
Costa Rica
“At the lively bar, I fell for the Howler Daiquiri, a cocktail that combined banana-infused Bacardi Carta Blanca, banana liqueur, lime juice and simple syrup. Unlike some banana drinks that are cloyingly sweet, this one was light and bright, with a strong lime kick. I liked it so much I bought a bottle of banana liqueur when I got back home so I could re-create it.”

Le Tour Du Monde at The Ritz-Carlton, Doha’s Sel & Miel
Doha
“According to the server, Le Tour Du Monde was created as an entry for the Beefeater gin competition in London by one of the restaurant’s managers, showcasing both creativity and global inspiration. The drink’s unique presentation — mounted on a whimsical stand shaped like a hot-air balloon — symbolized the journey its ingredients took to come together. The cocktail’s radiant red hue was capped with a light foam. A lemon peel twist brought a zesty aroma and balanced the flavors.”

Voyager Guide at Grand Lisboa Palace Macau’s Mesa by José Avillez
Macau
“The light Voyager Guide cocktail features wasabi-infused gin, which extracted the taste of wasabi without being too spicy. The soda base made it a refreshing option. Poured into a quality fluted tumbler, it was topped with delicate, frothy foam and garnished with an edible yellow flower that matched the drink’s color.”

Meiji Manhattan at The Ritz-Carlton, Boston’s Avery Bar
Boston
“I ordered the Meiji Manhattan because I couldn’t fathom what Hayashi Koyo, Cynar apéritif, Bigallet China-China liqueur, soy sauce and Angostura bitters tasted like together. The bartender said it was a Manhattan-style cocktail that surprisingly resembled chocolate, hence the name — Meiji is a brand of Japanese chocolates. And he was right. The soy sauce imparts a slightly savory note but is subtle and the drink had strong cocoa notes.”

Cha Zu Ke at Dusit Thani Kyoto’s Den Kyoto
Kyoto
“Cha Zu Ke is a creative take on ochazuke, a traditional Japanese comfort food of rice in a broth made with dashi and tea. The cocktail was served with the main ingredients split into two handcrafted, ceramic pieces — a rice bowl containing vodka and ice, and a pourer with mugi tea. I was instructed to pour the tea into the vodka mixture to my desired strength, muddle the remaining ingredients, umeboshi [pickled plum] and tenkasu [tempura bits], with a spoon and enjoy.”

Chanel’s Influence at Capella Hanoi’s Diva’s Lounge
Hanoi, Vietnam
“Chanel’s Influence was served in a delicate leather holder shaped like a rose, accompanied by a bottle of Chanel No. 5 perfume. To complete the opulent presentation, caviar pearls elegantly arrived on a gold platter with a gold straw. The experience was sophisticated and distinctive, exuding refined luxury.”

Lutyens Blue at The Berkeley’s Blue Bar
London
“Blue Bar’s innovative cocktail menu is a color wheel of myriad blue shades. The Lutyens Blue, named after the signature tone used to decorate the walls of the bar, combines favorite spirits and ingredients from each of the bar’s staff members. Served inside a miniature, 3D diorama of the bar, complete with working lights, it’s the most dynamically interesting cocktail presentation I’ve seen this year.”

Jalisco Garden Party at The Chateau at Nemacolin’s Lobby Bar
Farmington, Pennsylvania
“The Jalisco Garden Party cocktail was a refreshing summer sipper with a sprig of fresh mint, kiwi slices and lime juice accompanying St-Germain elderflower liqueur and, in my case, gin — substituted for the tequila. Large globe-shaped ice cubes added visual interest to the light green drink.”

Patuá at Skylofts at MGM COTAI’s Bar Patuá
Macau
“The server shared that the traditional ingredients used in the signature Patuá cocktail were steeped in the history of the city, which was fascinating to learn. The cocktail’s intriguing mix includes local white wine, Mandarin gin, 10-year-old port and herbal Chinese natural cough syrup. It was served in a bowl on a long stand bearing traditional Chinese symbols, and a contraption by the side helped flow the drink into a rectangular pourer to refill my tiny tea cup, all with a matching design.”

Hotels, Interviews

Meet The Visionary Behind Orlando’s Boldest Resort In Years
By Forbes Travel Guide Editor DeMarco Williams

December 19, 2024

If Walt Disney World is the most magical place on Earth, Evermore Orlando Resort must be in the conversation for its most multifaceted. A $1.5 billion endeavor that debuted in January 2024, Evermore is an industry-rattling project in Mickey Mouse’s backyard consisting of vacation rentals, the Conrad Orlando hotel, a dozen dining outlets, a golf course and the jaw-dropping Evermore Bay lagoon that’s larger than six football fields.

But where the average person sees a pristine 1,100-acre playground catering to every type of traveler, Chris Kelsey, president of the Dart Interests real estate firm behind Evermore, focuses on what needs improving. He’ll tell you that the versatile Central Florida property he conceived could use more pools and that its check-in process can be tinkered with. Sit down with Kelsey long enough, though, and he’ll also talk about his beginnings in the real estate industry and what the future for more Evermores looks like.

Kelsey’s dream has finally become a Central Florida reality. *Credit: Evermore Orlando Resort*

How did you start your real estate journey?

I was pretty much the luckiest kid in the universe. I graduated from architecture school in 1994, and that was a lousy time to go try to get a job as an architect. I was dumb in college, and I didn’t really think through what all those choices meant.

I did go find a job in a firm. But it was a slow time so I ended up, just through a friend, having the accidental opportunity to go work for Hines, the developer out of Houston. Not only did I get to go to work for Hines, but I got to go to work for Hines in Aspen, Colorado. So, here I am, like 27 years old, and I’ve got this amazing job that came with a ski pass and a company that was willing to take a knucklehead architect and teach him how to be a developer. It was just crazy good luck.

I’m assuming you learned a lot putting Evermore together.

We sure did. We were just really lucky to have an incredible piece of dirt. [We had] 1,100 acres across the street from Disney World with this incredible set of 50-year-old entitlements that basically allowed us to do anything.

I grew up working on a farm in Kansas, and my grandfather always used to say the expression, “a blind dog in a meat house.” That was what it was like. We could do [anything] because our entitlements were so flexible. Anything that we would have done on that piece of property would have worked because of its location and its characteristics. Trying to sort through what the optimum use for it was sometimes frustrating. But at the end of the day, it was a joyful, interesting journey. And for us, we decided ultimately the highest and best end for it would be in the form of a resort.

Conrad Orlando is a big part of Evermore’s charm. *Credit: Evermore Orlando Resort*

As we really started digging through that, we came up with this idea that we could generate a new type of accommodation, a new form of hospitality that blended the best of renting a private home with the right hotel services for a much better overall experience.

Our general goal when we go and develop properties is to create long-term cash flow-producing assets. We’re not a merchant builder. We’re not going to go build it, stabilize it and sell it to somebody else. We want to own it for a very, very long time.

That alone changes your perspective. You’re going to do things that have to do with longevity and quality. As an example, our houses are made out of CMU [concrete masonry unit] block for a full two stories because we’re going to own them forever. We want them to last. So, that’s one part of it.

But the other part of it is that the whole ownership model gave us a ton of flexibility. And it changed when we thought about what we wanted. We believe strongly that there was a big demand for multi-family, multi-generational travel going to the theme parks. We knew that because, at the time, we’d been talking to Disney for a bunch of other reasons, and they were giving us some intelligence. We wanted to do these larger-format four-bedroom flats all the way up to the 11-bedroom houses. Given our financial model and given that our entitlements allowed us to do short-term rentals in Orange County, where they’re generally prohibited, it created this opportunity to do something unique.

We were going to do something that nobody had done before at this kind of scale. That part was really exciting. If you say, “I’m going to go design a house that’s specifically for a week-long vacation as opposed to a house that I’m going to sell to the Jones family,” it’s a different house, right? That design process was super cool. And that’s how we ended up with multiple identical primary bedrooms. You wouldn’t do that when you’re selling to the Jones family because the Joneses are going to need a mack-daddy primary room. But in this case, we’re thinking, “Okay, we got three families staying together. We’re going to mitigate that problem of who gets the better bedroom. We’ll give everybody a great bedroom.”

Why was Conrad the perfect hotel partner for Evermore?

I think the decision we made to have Hilton and Conrad ultimately was a great one. While we have this really innovative residential component and we have this incredible resort oasis experience with Evermore Bay, we also have this really wonderful anchor [in Conrad Orlando], which is a good co-branding exercise. We’ve got a luxury product that lines up with the rest of the resort. We’ve got a hotel that’s going to generate a ton of flow with guests who are going to come for a meeting and are going to be like, “Hey, those [amenities] are pretty cool. Maybe I’ll bring my family back.”

Across the resort, we’ve got 12 food and beverage venues. It goes all the way from a food hall to the signature restaurant on top of the Conrad. It all kind of flows together.

The resort is also filled with amazing vacation rentals. *Credit: Evermore Orlando Resort*

Can families in the vacation rentals freely visit the hotel restaurants and use its amenities?

The only thing that is exclusive to a Conrad guest is a special beach for them, which is adjacent to the hotel. Conrad’s pool and gym [are also exclusive]. But there’s a really nice gym that’s part of the Landing at the other end of the lagoon. The restaurants, the spa and all that stuff are fully available to everyone at Evermore. The Conrad guests have access to everything, but Conrad guests are probably not going to schlep a third of a mile to the [Landing] gym; they’re probably going to go to their own gym.

Inthe luxury set of hotels, Conrad’s a good choice these days because they offer the same kind of quality of service that a Waldorf does, but they do it in a more contemporary environment. There’s a whole design and art aesthetic associated with it that’s quite a bit more modern. Our overall look and feel for the architecture at Evermore was tropical modern. Conrad was a very, very good fit.

The other thing that Hilton and Conrad are really good at is driving meeting business and generating an excellent conference experience. You’ll notice that the hotel has an absolutely awesome meeting facility. It’s got 45,000 square feet inside the ballrooms. It also has the part you probably won’t see — the best back of house in the world, in terms of kitchen facilities, tons of storage, great places for their employees. That’s another example of Dart spending a little bit of extra money on the front end because we’re going to be that long-term owner.

Evermore is making a huge splash in the Orlando resort scene. *Credit: Evermore Orlando Resort*

What are a few things that make a hotel stay memorable in your eyes?

I suppose the answers are different based upon whether you’re traveling by yourself for business or family. Let’s talk from a family standpoint. We do travel a lot. We only have one child, so she’s lucky. When we buy plane tickets, we buy three. That’s afforded us a little more flexibility. We’ve gotten to go to a lot of places. But our default [for accommodations] is to first try to rent a home. I do that, in part, because I can get my wife to pack in a carry-on. We have a washer and dryer.

But we found out, when you’re traveling and your kids are really little, having them in your hotel room is fine. But as they get older, it’s not as fine. Having the advantages of a separate place to sleep and a little bit of a common space to gather [is important]. Even if it’s not very big, [individual space] makes such a world of difference in the overall quality of your experience together.

Any other resorts on the horizon?

Yeah, but we are a company that does not announce new projects until we are capital committed. So many developers do that. You see the rendering and then the project never happens. But I will tell you that we are avidly working toward a second iteration of Evermore. We strongly believe that this resort-residential product we’ve created has legs and makes a lot of sense. We’re getting great feedback on it. We think the economics of it work.

What we want ultimately is to have multiple Evermores in diverse locations with different kinds of recreational activities and attractions. We’re focused right now on a mountain environment, which is comfortable to me because that’s where I started my career. I’d love to be actively working on a ski-in, ski-out location. That’s next. We’ll see. Knock on wood.

Holidays, Lists

7 Stunning Gingerbread Displays
By Forbes Travel Guide Editor Spencer Whaley

December 18, 2024

Four Seasons Resort Orlando’s sweet structure. *Credit: Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort*

Hotels often go all out to celebrate the holiday season. However, these seven properties have taken the charge one step further and created unique gingerbread masterpieces. The pastry chefs were like Santa’s elves, putting in endless hours of labor and hundreds of pounds of sugar and spices to deliver whimsical confectionary constructions guaranteed to provide a massive dose of seasonal cheer.

From life-size streetcars to lobby bars, these imaginative gingerbread displays are a festive feast for your eyes.

Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort

It’s only fitting that the most magical place on Earth should experience an extra dose of holiday enchantment. The Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star hotel’s executive pastry chef, Rabii Saber, rose to the challenge with a Candyland-inspired confection. This charming creation features a host of whimsical design elements, including an abundance of pastel icing, a snow-capped roof made of sugar, a ground covered in crushed M&Ms, chocolate doughnut detailing and a nutcracker guard dressed in pink and blue regalia.

The Broadmoor

Over-the-top gingerbread displays are par for the course at this Five-Star hotel. This year’s centerpiece honors the 2025 U.S. Senior Open golf tournament, set to take place at the Colorado Springs resort this summer. The hotel’s culinary team used an impressive amount of ingredients — 958 pounds of powdered sugar, 475 pounds of flour, 1,801 eggs and 19 pounds of holiday spices — to create a life-size, motorized gingerbread golf cart. The vehicle features Santa Claus, ready to tee off, seated alongside an elfin caddy.

The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans

Four-Star The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans’ annual life-size gingerbread streetcar pulls into the station with Big Easy legends aboard. Look for painted cookie caricatures of singer/songwriter Jon Batiste, writer Truman Capote, chef Emeril Lagasse, musician Allen Toussaint, singer Irma Thomas and jazz artist Jeremy Davenport, who inspired the hotel’s Davenport Lounge. The hotel’s in-house pastry team utilized 445 pounds of flour, 475 pounds of sugar, 400 eggs and 80 pounds of butter to craft this incredible, edible, star-studded structure.

Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago

Experience a winter wonderland as you board this Five-Star hotel’s enchanting gingerbread elevator. Executive pastry chef Keaton Vasek and his team dedicated more than 450 hours and used more than 1,300 cookie bricks to create the whimsical interior of this working machine. As you ride, enjoy holiday music, twinkling lights and the delightful distinct aroma of the season. The joyful journey takes you to the hotel’s restaurant, Terrace 16, where even more holiday treats and breathtaking Chicago views await.

The Lodge at Turning Stone Resort Casino

This Four-Star property in Upstate New York has created a real-life holiday escape in the form of a gingerbread village inspired by holiday classics. Prepare to find the season’s spirit at every turn, including The Polar Express-inspired train station, A Christmas Story-like colonial home and Home Alone-influenced log cabin. The stunning village was constructed with 1,000 pounds of frosting, 210 pounds of yellow Starburst, 178 pounds of fondant, 100 pounds of sugar, 1,520 Andes candies, 1,360 Hershey’s Kisses, 1,008 mini candy bars, 504 red and white ribbon candies, 360 watermelon Airheads and eight pounds of black licorice.

Montage Laguna Beach

Cruise into the holiday spirit aboard the Five-Star hotel’s eight-foot-tall gingerbread Hobie Cat sailboat. This unique creation, a tribute to Orange County’s watersports, replicates late sailing legend Hobie Alter’s revolutionary sailboat, introduced in the 1960s. Crafted by executive pastry chef Lee Smith and his crew at the Laguna Beach hotel, this exceptionally sweet ride is made from 308 pounds of gingerbread and 44 pounds of icing.

Terranea Resort

This Four-Star oceanfront getaway’s lobby lounge has never felt so festive, thanks to a seven-by-seven-foot gingerbread village and a working bar. Guests can order a holiday cocktail or a cup of hot chocolate from the dazzling space before settling into a cozy spot for live music and complimentary cookies. The Rancho Palos Verdes, California, hotel’s talented chef, Pierino Jermonti, and his group created this delightful structure using more than 1,000 pounds of housemade gingerbread.

Holidays, Lists

17 Top Hotel Christmas Trees
By Forbes Travel Guide Editor Jennifer Kester

December 17, 2024

Thanks to Bellagio’s brilliant tree, Vegas is extra bright. *Credit: Trevor Oshana MGM Resorts International*

If you need a dose of holiday cheer, step into a luxury hotel. No matter where they are in the world, posh properties tend to decorate for the season in grand fashion, whether it’s an avant-garde aesthetic or a traditional look.

We peeked inside hotels from Atlanta to Tokyo and found stunning Christmas trees that will make your holidays a bit brighter.

Bellagio Las Vegas

The Vegas hotel transformed its 14,000-square-foot botanical gardens into A Visit from St. Nicholas by Clement Clarke Moore (it famously begins, “’Twas the night before Christmas…”). A 45-foot fir crowned with a Swarovski star and covered in 35,000-plus mini-LED lights and 8,700 ornaments is flanked by a vintage carousel and a life-sized gingerbread house.

London's Claridge's — Claridge’s Christmas showstopper. *Credit: Claridge’s*

Claridge’s, London

British designer Paul Smith decked the Mayfair hotel’s 19-foot tree with 100 mechanical birdhouses. “When designing this year’s tree, I automatically thought of a birdhouse, friendly and optimistic, a symbol of home which reflects the welcoming spirit of Claridge’s,” Smith said. The tree’s chirping soundtrack also will greet you.

One&Only The Palm, Dubai

The Tannenbaum gets a modern makeover with fashion brand Elie Saab’s trio of metallic trees. The eye-catching sculptures are crafted from polished mirrors and brushed steel. After admiring the designer trees, enjoy the Elie Saab holiday tea, featuring treats like chocolate caviar tarts, through Jan. 10.

New Orleans' Windsor Court — The Windsor Court’s winter scene. *Credit: Jennifer Kester*

The Windsor Court, New Orleans

Surrounded by white reindeer and polar bears, the New Orleans hideaway’s classic tree stretches two stories with the sparkling chandelier as its star. While the 19.5-foot Michigan Fraser fir is the showstopper, The Windsor Court also sprinkles seven North Carolina trees throughout its halls to support hurricane recovery efforts in the region.

The St. Regis New York

The Five-Star hotel’s Christmas centerpiece looks deliciously decadent: it’s a 12-foot tree made of oversized Ladurée macarons in gold, cream and teal along with dried florals, bright baubles and St. Regis ornaments. A teal velvet bow on top ties it all together. If it leaves you craving sweets, visit the nearby Ladurée macaron cart.

Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills

Enter a shiny winter wonderland from designer Jeff Leatham. A large red geometric bear guards the main tree festooned with red bows and multi-colored twinkle lights. Elsewhere in the lobby, larger-than-life green and red balls are carefully piled, two smaller trees light up and a giant gold geometric deer watches over the festivities.

The Tokyo EDITION, Ginza and The Tokyo EDITION, Toranomon

These sister properties make a sustainable statement with their wooden trees — Ginza showcases a woven design and Toranomon uses circular pieces. They enlisted Kengo Kuma, the architect of both hotels, to devise trees that could transform into tables after the holiday. The furniture will be auctioned off with some proceeds supporting Make-A-Wish.

Mandarin Oriental, Geneva

A flock of 1,450 gold origami doves pauses midflight in the lobby of this Geneva hotel. Hanging from the ceiling, the gleaming birds form an aerial Christmas tree shape. Belgian artist Charles Kaisin envisioned the installation as an homage to Mandarin Oriental’s Asian heritage, and doves represent peace and harmony.

Ritz Paris

Standing at 19.7 feet, the Paris hotel’s enchanting Nordmann fir sparkles with golden glitter. But take a closer look and you’ll discover offbeat surrealist accents, like eye ornaments and feathers. Ritz Paris celebrates surrealism’s 100th anniversary — and a legacy hosting surrealists such as Dalí, Picabia and Cocteau — through its holiday offerings.

Mandarin Oriental, Singapore

To mark Baccarat’s 260th anniversary, the famed crystal company built this unusual tree with two Baccarat x Marcel Wanders 24L and 40L Le Roi Soleil spherical chandeliers and red gift boxes at the base. You also will encounter Baccarat’s glassware in MO BAR holding holiday cocktails and at the Christmas tea.

The St. Regis Atlanta

Towering at 20 feet, the Atlanta hotel’s “A Partridge in a Plum Tree” riffs on the famous Christmas carol. Fashion and accessory brand MME.Mink and designer Jan Haedrich brought the song to life with more than 100 feathered white partridges, deep sugar plum velvet ribbon and 564 hand-painted ornaments.

Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island

For gift inspiration, stop by this bejeweled Tiffany & Co. tree, which consists of glass baubles holding the brand’s most popular pieces from the Lock, HardWear, T and Knot collections. Follow it up with the Tiffany-themed tea, which ends with a snowball dessert with pear winter berry marmalade and maple mousse.

Solaz, A Luxury Collection Resort, Los Cabos

This Los Cabos hotel embraces nature, and it even does so with its outdoor Christmas tree. Composed of delicate pampas grass, the distinctive tree embodies Solaz’s blend of organic elegance and architectural harmony. Its soft, earthy tones evoke the surrounding desert landscape, and it’s topped with a large dark gold star.

London's The Connaught — The Connaught’s 30-foot dream. *Credit: The Connaught*

The Connaught, London

The 30-foot Nordmann fir from Denmark outside The Connaught lights up thanks to British artist Conrad Shawcross, who plays with science and geometry in his artwork. He fashioned 90 lanterns from aluminum and hand-painted them with a silver coating. The bright star at the apex symbolizes hope for the holiday.

Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai

For an “Enchanted Night” theme, London company Garrard — which was appointed the first official crown jeweler in 1843 — adorned the Five-Star hotel’s gold tree branches with midnight-blue baubles. A glowing ribbon woven throughout adds a celestial touch. Near the tree, peruse Garrard’s prized jewels at its pop-up through Jan. 10.

The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach

In the Miami hotel’s art deco lobby, Neiman Marcus Bal Harbour trims the tree with ornaments from Jim Marvin, who created holiday displays for Jackie Kennedy and Andy Warhol. The tree dons a soft palette of pinks, golds and blues, and the large balls echo the circular lights lining the curved lobby wall.

Destinations, Lists

Forbes Travel Guide’s Top 12 Destinations For 2025
By Forbes Travel Guide Editor Jennifer Kester

December 16, 2024

Amsterdam — Celebrate a milestone birthday in the Netherlands. *Credit: Adobe Stock-Aerial Film Studio*

While 2025’s calendar will be full of big events and noteworthy openings in alpha cities, Forbes Travel Guide is seeing travelers gravitate to more remote locales and a continued focus on wellness getaways.

These trends reflect a growing desire for unique, enriching travel experiences that prioritize personal well-being and connection with nature. From the tranquil beaches of the Maldives to the vibrant cultural landscape of Bhutan, these destinations offer a diverse range of experiences that go beyond a typical vacation.

Yet, no matter your travel motivation—from Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans to Amsterdam’s 750th birthday—you will find a place to visit on Forbes Travel Guide’s list of the top destinations for 2025. Start planning your next adventure:

Amsterdam

When the Netherlands’ capital reaches its 750th anniversary on October 27, it will kick off a year of parties, festivals, concerts and art exhibits. One of Amsterdam’s largest events is Sail in August, when crowds watch hundreds of ships sail into the city center and partake in maritime-themed activities. Prepare for a big celebration on June 21, when the A10 road that encircles the city will close to traffic to allow for a nine-mile parade with music, dance and theater.

In addition, Rosewood will debut its first hotel in the country in the historic Palace of Justice building along the scenic Prinsengracht (“Prince’s Canal”), and Mandarin Oriental plans to take over the contemporary Four-Star Conservatorium in the Museum Quarter and give it a makeover.

New Orleans

As the city gears up to host February’s Super Bowl LIX, the Superdome (which marks its 50th anniversary in 2025) was updated and Caesars New Orleans (a $435 million renovation transformed the former Harrah’s casino complex and brought a Nobu restaurant and hotel) and a new Four Seasons (a contemporary respite with standout restaurants) opened across the street just a few years ago. Plus, the storied Hotel Monteleone in the heart of the French Quarter was recently renovated and The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans will celebrate its 25th anniversary.

After the game, stay for the rich food scene. While classics like Commander’s Palace and Antoine’s are enduring favorites, newer additions like Acamaya (Mexican seafood), Dakar NOLA (Senegalese-Creole) and 34 Restaurant and Bar (Emeril Lagasse and his son E.J.’s ode to their Portuguese roots) add even more flavor to one of the country’s best culinary cities.

Bhutan

This South Asian country may be tiny—it’s a little larger than Maryland—but it’s making big strides in wellness and conservation. The tiny kingdom, which sits in the eastern Himalayas, prioritizes gross domestic happiness over gross domestic product as a matter of government policy—it’s the world’s first carbon-negative country, its constitution requires at least 60% of forest cover in the country and it’s building a “mindfulness city.”

So Bhutan is just the place for eco-conscious travelers who want to explore natural mountainous wonders and a vibrant culture. For example, &Beyond Punakha River Lodge opened in 2023 with luxury tents; hiking, biking and whitewater rafting adventures; and excursions to sacred sites such as Khamsum Yulley Namgyal Chorten.

Monaco

Monaco may be known for its glamorous casino and exhilarating Grand Prix, but the world’s second-smallest country (after Vatican City) offers other reasons to visit. It’s home to one of the world’s oldest aquariums, an annual jazz festival and a glamorous beach scene. The principality also is a culinary destination with restaurants from legendary chefs, including Alain Ducasse’s Le Louis XV and Yannick Alléno’s Pavyllon Monte-Carlo. One of the hottest dining spots is newcomer Amazónico, whose rooftop overlooks the casino.

If you do want to catch the prestigious F1 race, try it aboard Explora II—the luxury ship will dock less than 500 feet from the track.

Greece's One&Only Aesthesis — Explore the next popular Greek beach haven. *Credit: One&Only Aesthesis*

Athens Riviera, Greece

Travel has been booming among the Greek Islands, where crowds flock to both the well- (Santorini and Mykonos) and lesser-known (Naxos and Ios) spots. The next big Greek beach haven lies just 10 miles south of Athens. In its 1950s heyday, the Athens Riviera drew illustrious names like Frank Sinatra and Jackie Onassis to its famed beach clubs and sun-splashed shores.

Today, the area is poised for a resurgence among a new generation as luxurious properties like Five-Star Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens (the brand’s first in Greece) and One&Only Aesthesis (complete with bungalows and three pools) have opened there.

Asheville's Biltmore Estate — Biltmore Estate and the city of Asheville are open for business. *Credit: The Inn on Biltmore Estate*

Asheville, North Carolina

Hurricane Helene battered North Carolina in September, causing at least $53 billion in damages. It will take years for the state to recover, but tourists can help the efforts.

Most of downtown Asheville is open for business, including shops, restaurants, galleries and art studios. Tourists can also enjoy the mountain town’s bountiful breweries, including Highland Brewing Company and Archetype Brewing. Ashville’s most famous attraction, the 8,000-acre, castle-like Biltmore Estate, and its Four-Star inn are welcoming visitors.

Those who want to explore the Blue Ridge Parkway’s picturesque nature by car, hiking or biking, should note that access has been restored, but double-check what’s open.

Florida's St. Regis Longboat Key Resort — Visit the only St. Regis to debut in the U.S. in 2024. *Credit: The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort*

Longboat Key, Florida

Unless you are a local, you might not know about this tranquil barrier island off the coast of Sarasota. Here, visitors will discover 12 miles of soft white-sand beaches, turquoise waters and nature preserves. But the secret is out with the opening of The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort, the only hotel from the brand to debut in the U.S. in 2024 and the largest development on the island in 50 years.

The beachfront hotel features more than a half dozen restaurants, a 20,000-square-foot spa and a 500,000-gallon lagoon for snorkelers with 40 rays and 2,800 local reef fish.

Have an unforgettable Five-Star stay in Marrakech. Credit: Royal Mansour Marrakech

Morocco

As Morocco prepares for the FIFA World Cup in 2030, the North African nation is experiencing a hotel growth spurt.

The opulent Five-Star Royal Mansour Marrakech expanded and added properties in Casablanca and Tamuda Bay in 2024. Other recent openings include The Ritz-Carlton Rabat, Dar Es Salam and Four Seasons Hotel Rabat at Kasr Al Bahr both in the capital city, Park Hyatt Marrakech and The St. Regis La Bahia Blanca Resort, Tamuda Bay. And more luxury properties are coming in 2025: Waldorf Astoria will land in Rabat, and an LXR Hotels & Resorts property will arrive in Casablanca.

Santa Monica, California

This SoCal beach town is enjoying its moment in the sun. Santa Monica may be most known for its pier and Ferris wheel (the world’s first to be powered by solar energy), but as the city reaches its 150th anniversary in 2025, it’s experiencing another renaissance.

The luxurious Regent Santa Monica Beach recently debuted with chef Michael Mina’s Egyptian-Mediterranean restaurant Orla and Guerlain’s first West Coast spa. The new Sandbourne Santa Monica, Autograph Collection brings chic design from architect Gulla Jónsdóttir and complimentary ceramics classes. And downtown Santa Monica now has its first tasting room, the family-owned AJA Vineyards with a winery along the Malibu Coast.

Indonesia's NIHI Sumba — Go on a wellness journey in Indonesia. *Credit: NIHI Sumba*

Sumba, Indonesia

The search for wellness continues to motivate people to travel. According to the Global Wellness Institute, wellness tourism grows 16.6% annually. One place to find it is Sumba, an Indonesian island that’s a 50-minute flight from Bali but feels worlds apart with untouched land and no crowds.

NIHI Sumba uses the backdrop of savannahs, limestone hills, rice paddies and jungle for its new Wild Wellness program that connects guests with the surrounding nature. The boutique hotel uses its herd of horses (that famously swims with guests in the ocean) for equine therapy and a Spa Safari that includes a hike to a clifftop bale for indulgent treatments while overlooking the water.

The Maldives

An archipelago with 1,192 coral islands in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives makes for the ultimate faraway dream vacation with overwater villas, crystalline waters and remote locales. It will be easier to make the long trek once Velana International Airport in Malé, the gateway to paradise, completes a much-needed renovation in 2025 that will include a new passenger terminal, runway and seaplane terminal.

The Maldives is another wellness tourism hot spot. Five-Star Joali Being is a leader in transformative getaways with an all-encompassing program that covers everything from meals to sleep. Five-Star Velaa Private Island recently unveiled the Velaa Wellbeing Village, which has a center for ayurvedic, osteopathy and medical services; a Pilates and yoga studio; and a healthy restaurant.

Brisbane, Australia

Australia’s third-largest city checks the boxes for travelers seeking a destination with burgeoning cultural and culinary scenes. But Queensland’s capital also serves as the country’s sports capital, and it will play host to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

While you can catch rugby and cricket games and other sporting events here, the subtropical climate and natural beauty make Brisbane a great place to partake in your own outdoor adventures. See the city skyline while kayaking down the Brisbane River. Hike through D’Aguilar National Park’s rainforest. Or rappel down 20-million-year-old cliffs in Kangaroo Point.

Celebrities, Interviews

Miami Heat Star Jimmy Butler Talks Coffee, Miami Art And His Travel Bucket List
By Correspondent Jesse Scott

December 13, 2024

On and off the court, what a 2024 Miami Art Week it was for Jimmy Butler. The six-time NBA all-star and Miami Heat fan favorite opened his first coffee shop, BigFace Coffee, in the city’s burgeoning and ultra-luxe Design District. He had three home games and his Heat won all of them, including a 41-point thumping of the L.A. Lakers. And even after all of that, he was everywhere around town, from catching a Lil Wayne gig at E11EVEN to attending an immersive installation-meets-dinner with artist Hassan Hajjaj and top chef Rose Previte.

Forbes Travel Guide sat down with Butler at the latter affair, which was presented by Capital One and The Cultivist and dubbed DAR MIAMI 1446. His energy — for Miami, coffee, art and travel — was on full display and infectious.

Artist Hassan Hajjaj and Jimmy Butler — Artist Hassan Hajjaj and Butler bond over creativity and culture. *Credit: Bre Johnson/Diana Zapata*

Would you say Miami Art Week is one of your favorite times in the city?

Oh, yeah. All the people are here. All the people are showing a common interest in one thing and that’s art. You’re building so many relationships. You get to see so many fire pieces of art, some from people you didn’t even know, and you get to learn a lot. I think that’s what this life should be about anyways — learning.

And you can never know everything about art. You can never know every single artist, but you can learn a lot from what each artist does and their style. And I’m glad to be able to be home this entire week with basketball games. Hopefully, we get to win those, too.

Zooming in on this DAR Miami 1446 experience, how has this been a unique evening for you?

It is fun. I’m thankful for Capital One having me here. The first thing that I sat down and talked to Hassan about was my trip to Morocco in 2018. As I’m looking at the individuals on the wall, there was one where I was like, “Oh, that must be the square that’s right around the corner from that Four Seasons.” He was like, “Yeah, it is. This is the henna artist.” And I was like, “Oh my God. I might’ve just saw her the last time I was there.” And that just goes to show the reason that I travel is to be able to be a little bit relatable.

The food that we had [at the DAR Miami 1446 event] was off the charts and I like the fact that I got to use my hands. It made me feel like I was a kid here and just the way that they made this feel like you are at home.

You mentioned enjoying Morocco. What are some of your other favorite destinations or trips in recent memory?

I’ve been a little bit of everywhere. I’ve got to say any place in South America that I get to do coffee at a high level, I just love it. And how they do football, or soccer, at a high level. Europe is great. Africa, phenomenal. There’s just so many places.

But no matter where I go, I’m just so grateful to be able to experience these cultures and these wonderful people and learn, pay attention, ask the questions, experience it all. Because I now realize that America, the United States, is not the only place on this globe.

You’re a pretty big coffee lover. What really gets you excited in the coffee space these days?

There’s just so much going on. You can never know enough. There’s so many different types of coffee, cappuccino, long black espresso, latte. You name it. And it’s like art. To sit down and learn about it, talk to people about it, learn what they all got in common, how you can relate to it, it’s all fun.

As with everything in this world, you can relate to coffee if you want to, you can relate to art. You just have to want to do it. So, I just think the one thing that draws me to coffee is there’s just so much of it. There’s so many different types and you’ve always got an opportunity to learn.

Tell me about your travel essentials. What are the musts?

Well, I travel the majority of the time with a full-blown expresso machine. It’s a Linea Mini from La Marzocco. I travel with my own barista and coffee beans. I definitely travel with a soccer ball. I think I got some earrings here and there. But more than anything, I travel with my people. I want my people to be able to experience everything that I get the opportunity to experience.

And I travel with an open mind. I think that’s the most important thing. You got to be able to step into somebody else’s shoes. You got to be able to be able to relate and then you got to be able to accept who they are and how they do things.

Prague, Czech Republic — Prague sits atop Butler’s must-visit list. *Credit: iStock-narvikk*

If you had to pick a bucket-list destination you haven’t been to, where is No. 1 for you?

Numero uno is the Czech Republic. I just know that it is so peaceful. It’s very kid-friendly. I know their schooling system is near the top of the list. I want to go and see how the kids are there, take my kids and see them get to play with other kids and experience that culture. I think that’d be special.

Let’s bring it back home. What is it about your city that keeps you excited to call it home?

There’s so many reasons. You can talk about the weather. You can talk about the fans of all sports. You can talk about the multiple different types of people here. You can talk about the number of dominoes that they play. But more than anything, what I will say is I love fútbol and I’m starting to really think that I’m good at it — and I’m not. The love for soccer here is unmatched more than anything.

My first coffee shop is opening up here, too, so that’s going to always bring me back here.