When it comes to Star Ratings, Forbes doesn’t mess around.

The Forbes Travel Guide sends out highly trained inspectors to visit every hotel that they rate, based on 900 objective criteria.

The team is anonymous at all times, so the hotels don’t do anything differently while they’re there, giving them the ‘typical guest’ experience.

Once they’ve completed their stay, the hotels are categorised as Five-Star, Four-Star, or Recommended, and listed as Star Award Winners.

The 2020 Star Award Winners, an elite group of the world’s most luxurious hotels, restaurants and spas, has been released, and it features some familiar names.

Four top South African hotels made the Five-Star cut this year, for the first time.

Here’s IOL:

No establishment from Durban made the list. Filip Boyen, CEO of Forbes Travel Guide, said it was their role at Forbes Travel Guide to establish their annual star ratings with independence and integrity, and champion those at the very top of their game.

“It’s a privilege for Forbes Travel Guide to honour such magnificent hotels, restaurants and spas from all corners of the globe. Each deserving recipient excels at enriching people’s lives through the power of exceptional service.”

Joburg and the Western Cape dominated the local rankings:

Delaire Graff Estate, Stellenbosch

This hotel, located in Stellenbosch, is fondly known as the Jewel of the Cape Winelands.

The estate has six lodge offerings. Each lodge has a private sundeck with a heated plunge pool. Delaire also prides itself in fine dining and wine experiences. Their focus is to produce beautifully crafted food that reflects the best seasonal, ethically locally sourced ingredients.

Werner Wentzel, General Hospitality Manager of Delaire Graff Estate, expressed his pride at being included as part of the luxury international Forbes Travel Guide family in the inaugural year of South Africa’s inclusion on the list.

Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, Johannesburg

The Westcliff is located in one of South Africa’s busiest cities, but still manages to feel like a retreat from the bustle of city life.

Located high up the Witswatersrand surrounded by lush greenery, the hotel is tastefully decorated with chic furniture and art.

The hotel prides itself on personalisation as each of its 250 embroidered accent bed pillows were hand-dyed and embroidered by local artisans.

It’s the height of high-end luxury.

One&Only, Cape Town

Cape Town is home to “one of the most mesmerising luxury hotels” in South Africa.

The accommodation exudes sophistication, and the views of Table Mountain or Marina are bound to leave you spellbound.

The hotel also tempts with its dining and range of activities. Philippe Zuber, Kerzner International, Chief Operations Officer, said: “We are delighted to receive this global industry recognition for One&Only Resorts.

I highly recommend a massage at one of their spas.

Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa, Johannesburg 

The Saxon is one of the most exclusive private retreats in the country.

[It] offers a sweeping feature staircase, chandelier dangling from the ceiling, a piano and cigar lounge and a celebration of Africa through its decor.

Besides its spa facilities, the hotel has a vast number of dining experiences to cater for all types of travellers. In terms of suites, they offer Luxury Suites, Presidential Suites, and the famous Nelson Mandela Platinum Suite.

If you’re travelling abroad, and want to stay in style, you can check out the full list of hotels here.

If you’re looking for somewhere local to be fancy, the four Five-Star hotels above have everything that you need for an internationally recognised, luxury holiday.

Cue the inevitable feud between Jozi and Cape Town about which hotels are actually better.

[sources:iol&forbes]