Two Palm Beach resorts, spas earn top honors in Forbes travel rankings
M.M. Cloutier
- The Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach and its spa each earned five stars — the highest rating — in the 2025 Forbes Travel Guide
- The Breakers in Palm Beach and its spa each earned four stars, the second-highest rating.
- Four stars went to the Four Season’s signature Florie’s restaurant in partnership with internationally regarded chef Mauro Colagreco.
Two Palm Beach resorts and their spas were awarded top honors Wednesday when Forbes Travel Guide released its coveted annual star ratings for worldwide luxury hospitality properties.
The Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach and its spa each earned five stars — the guide’s highest rating — in the 2025 guide. The Breakers in Palm Beach and its spa each earned four stars, the second-highest rating.
Now in its 67th year evaluating luxe global properties based on anonymous visits and “rigorous” evaluations of amenities and services, the Atlanta-headquartered Forbes Travel Guide also rates ocean cruises, plus restaurants — a category in which the Four Seasons Palm Beach earned another kudo.
Four stars went to the resort’s signature Florie’s restaurant, opened in 2019 in partnership with internationally regarded chef Mauro Colagreco.
The Four Seasons is a six-acre property with 207 rooms and suites at 2800 S. Ocean Blvd., and The Breakers, a 140-acre property with 532 rooms and suites at 1 S. County Road (part of the resort’s amenities are located at 2 S. County Road or nearby). Both have received high Forbes star-honors for years.
“Travel is one of life’s most meaningful experiences, creating memories that last long after the journey ends,” Mazen Saleh, general manager of the Four Seasons Palm Beach told the Daily News.
Receiving five-star recognition for the resort and its spa, plus four stars for Florie’s, Saleh said, “is a testament to the dedication of our team, who take great pride in making every stay feel effortless, warm and truly special. We are deeply grateful for this recognition.”
For its part, The Breakers “is pleased to once again be recognized among the esteemed Forbes Travel Guide award-recipients,” said Sara Flight, the resort’s communications director.
“Our organization always strives to be one of the finest resorts, fueled by our dedicated family owners and unwavering commitment to employee and guest satisfaction, social impact and the continuous renewal and enhancement of our property,” Flight said.
Another Palm Beach property scored a 2025 Forbes Travel Guide rating: The Colony Hotel, with its 89 rooms, suites and villas. The Colony, a boutique hotel at 155 Hammon Ave., earned a “recommended” rating.
That reflects “the dedication of our team and the strong support of the Palm Beach community,” Colony co-owner and CEO Sarah Wetenhall told the Daily News. “Palm Beach is more than our location — it’s our foundation. It’s the energy and character that shapes everything we do … At the heart of it all is our talented team, whose expertise and passion create an unforgettable experience for every guest.”
According to Forbes Travel Guide, the only other Palm Beach County hospitality businesses to receive ratings were: The Beach Club at The Boca Raton (five stars); The Boca Raton Tower (four stars); The Boca Raton Yacht Club (four stars); Flybridge restaurant at The Boca Raton Yacht Club (four stars) and Spa Palmera (5 stars) at The Boca Raton.
For the past decade, Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa in Manalapan annually has received five stars from Forbes for its luxe amenities, service and 7-acre property.
It would have been rated again this year, but Jennifer Kester, vice president and executive editor at Forbes Travel Guide, told the Daily News: “According to our Standards & Ratings department, Eau Palm Beach is unrated because it submitted plans for extensive renovation work, which make it ineligible to be rated during this period.”
The resort was purchased in August 2024 by Oracle software co-founder Larry Ellison for more than $277 million.
“Due to a recent change in ownership and ongoing enhancements throughout the resort, we have made the strategic decision to pause our Forbes Five-Star evaluation for 2025,” Eau Palm Beach Resort officials said in a statement. “While there are no current plans for a renovation, this temporary pause allows us to focus on enhancing our guest experience and ensuring a seamless transition.”
This year’s Forbes Travel Guide global winners are from 90 countries.
They include 336 five-star, 645 four-star and 567 recommended hotels, as well as 79 five-star, 128 four-star and 64 recommended restaurants.
For spas, the travel guide named 24 five-star and 224 four-star winners.
In addition, there are seven four-star and seven recommended cruise ships; and three four-star and three recommended cruise-ship restaurants, among the guide’s mentions.
“Forbes Travel Guide’s star award-winners “exemplify excellence in hospitality,” Amanda Frasier, the guide’s president of standards and ratings, said. “This year’s list reflects the changing landscape of luxury with properties setting the standard for authentic experiences, unparalleled amenities, enhanced well-being and the delivery of unforgettable moments. We’re thrilled to recognize their dedication to creating world-class experiences for today’s discerning guest.”
For more information on the awards, visit. www.forbestravelguide.com.
(This story was updated to add new information.)
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