The friendly Blanca López Giménez was named employee of the year.
Forbes Travel Guide
After recently unveiling its 2026 Star Awards, Forbes Travel Guide descended on Monaco for its Summit, a conference that draws the best hospitality companies, influential travel professionals and exceptional luxury brands. During the three-day event, FTG recognized the essential contributions of hotel staff and the innovators who continuously elevate the luxury hospitality sector.
From creative collaborations to boundary-pushing Edge List honorees, Forbes Travel Guide commends those who are propelling the industry forward.
Employee of the Year presented by Château Angélus: Blanca López Giménez, Reservation Agent, Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor
In just eight months as a reservation agent at Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor, Blanca López Giménez, with her warmth, diligent work ethic and infectious smile, has made a significant impact at the hotel.
After joining the Four Seasons Resort Mallorca team as a communications agent in February 2025, López Giménez demonstrated dedication and an ability to easily connect with guests, which quickly led to a promotion by June. Guests often cite their interactions with López Giménez as a highlight of their visit, thanks to her willingness to go above and beyond to ensure their stay is seamless.
“Most of the time, we are the very first voice a guest hears when they choose to trust our brand,” she said. “In that moment, we are not simply confirming a reservation; we are building anticipation, confidence and connection. We are setting the tone for an experience that has not even begun.”
Finalists: Fernando Ceron, doorman, Regent Santa Monica Beach; Martin Gibbons, maitre d’ at George V Dining Room, Ashford Castle; Ndamira Murema Guide, HVAC technician, One&Only Gorilla’s Nest; Maki Nojo, supervisor, Takanawa Hanakohro; Mariyam Shaghaf, butler, The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands; Husnija Velibasic, duty technician, Mandarin Oriental Palace, Luzern.
Bali’s magical Mandapa, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve was honored.
Forbes Travel Guide
The Edge List Property of the Year 2026: Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Five-Star Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve exemplifies everything about the Edge List. Tucked in Bali’s rainforest along the banks of the Ayung River, the resort demonstrates a strong commitment to cultural and ecological conservation while its rooms are designed using traditional, sustainable materials. The resort also actively promotes local culture through community engagement.
But even with its strong environmental ethos, the boutique resort does not compromise on luxury, offering guests an elevated experience filled with Four-Star Mandapa Spa’s tailored spiritual, health and wellness programs and world-class dining—all with rolling hills, a thick forest and a flowing river as your dramatic backdrop.
Colony Hotel owner Sarah Wetenhall accepting her award.
Forbes Travel Guide
Forbes Travel Guide Recommended The Colony Hotel showcases its impeccable taste through thoughtful and creative collaborations with cult-favorite and iconic brands.
From the resident Dolce & Gabbana boutique and the Poolside Press partnership with Hearst Magazines — guests receive the latest issues of popular glossies at a chic newsstand designed by Matthew Carter — to collaborations with viral sensation PopUp Bagels and beloved New York City beauty and skincare store Madison Apothecary, the Palm Beach institution continuously keeps experiences fresh for guests through smart alliances.
Best Private Airport Experience: P/S Los Angeles
For the second annual Forbes Travel Guide Verified Air Travel Awards, more than 9,000 highly traveled hospitality professionals, including luxury travel advisors and FTG’s incognito inspectors and training teams, participated in an invitation-only survey. Their feedback determined the winners of this year’s awards across 18 categories. The results, highlighted at the February 26 Symposium by CBS News travel editor Peter Greenberg, were validated using the same exacting standards that define Forbes Travel Guide’s other categories.
P/S Los Angeles opened in 2017 as the first private terminal for commercial travel in the United States, setting a new standard for luxury domestic travel. It features a separate TSA security and customs areas, a public lounge designed like a members-only club, private suites for pre-flight use and luxury vehicle escorts to the tarmac.
P/S, which also operates at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, continues to innovate the airport experience, recently launching PS Direct. This domestic arrival service provides chauffeur-driven transportation for passengers right from the airplane door to their homes or hotels, eliminating the need to set foot inside the airport.
The iconic chef is helping to redefine airline food’s image.
Forbes Travel Guide
Best In-Flight Culinary Collaboration: Air France and Daniel Boulud
This delicious collaboration also received a Verified Air Travel Award. Air France and esteemed Five-Star chef Daniel Boulud proved that airplane food could be elevated in more ways than one.
Passengers traveling in Air France’s La Première and Business cabins from the United States can enjoy Boulud’s menu, which features a rotating selection of seasonally inspired dishes that celebrate French gastronomy. With options like braised lamb shoulder with root vegetables and Provençal-style chicken, travelers are offered a sensory experience that rivals many fine-dining restaurants 30,000 feet below.
Forte was celebrated for his remarkable hospitality career.
Forbes Travel Guide
Award of Excellence by Baccarat: Rocco Forte
Rocco Forte has had an illustrious hospitality career, working in hotels since he was 14. In 1996, he and his sister Olga Polizzi founded Rocco Forte Hotels, a collection of 15 landmark European hotels, resorts, residences and villas in exceptional locations. It includes Five-Star winners The Balmoral in Edinburgh and Brown’s Hotel in London and forthcoming hotels in Sardinia, Naples and Noto, Italy.
The Award of Excellence is a lifetime achievement recognition that celebrates individuals who have made a significant economic or social impact.
Hotel Ownership Group of the Year: Ohana Real Estate Investors
Ohana Real Estate Investors’ portfolio of properties in sought-after locations, including Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star escapes such as the Montage Los Cabos and Montage Deer Valley, demonstrates the group’s expertise in developing world-class luxury properties.
Founded and led by G. Christopher Smith in 2009, this vertically integrated group has established itself as one of the leading investment firms in the hospitality and residential sectors. Ohana Real Estate Investors is distinguished by its in-house expertise, strong relationships, collaborative approach and unwavering vision. The company manages more than $4 billion in assets on behalf of its global investors.
Malakie is disrupting the typical travel agency model.
Forbes Travel Guide
Travel Professional of the Year: Stephanie Malakie of Empress Travel Club
Stephanie Malakie, who has two decades of experience in the luxury travel sector, founded Empress Travel Club and disrupted the typical travel agency model in the process. The Hawaii-based, membership-centered agency functions as a global private concierge, fastidiously attending to every detail to curate tailored once-in-a-lifetime itineraries.
Les Clef d’Or Young Concierge of the Year presented by Frette: Gregor Köck, concierge supervisor
Gregor Köck, a 27-year-old concierge supervisor at Four-Star Rosewood Vienna, has achieved the honor of winning the Les Clef d’Or Young Concierge of the Year award, given to a promising early-career concierge who’s excelled in real-world hotel situations and with rigorous written and oral assessments associated with this honor.
Köck, the first Austrian to receive this prestigious recognition, distinguished himself with his passion, dedication and unwavering commitment to excellence.
