Including room rate, taxes and mandatory resort fees
What does ""We Paid"" mean?
Forbes Travel Guide performs independent, incognito inspections of all hotels we rate. This is what we paid when we stayed at this hotel.
Rates can vary widely by room type and season. "We Paid" is intended to give a general sense of price, but you might find considerably different rates for your trip.
When we book, we aim for the optimum season for the destination, but we avoid holidays and major public events, when prices are highest. We generally book a room at one category up from the most basic.
We take advantage of promotional rates, when possible. That means the rate you see above might have included other benefits, such as spa or meal credits.
We are the only independent, global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants, spas and ocean cruise ships.
Here are five things to know about us:
1. We verify luxury. Our highly trained inspectors visit every property we rate, evaluating based on up to 900 objective criteria. Our hotel stays span a minimum of two nights.
2. We pay our own way. No one can buy a rating; all ratings are earned through our objective inspection process.
3. Our global team of inspectors are anonymous at all times, so they have the same experience as a typical guest.
4. While we inspect both service and facility, our Star Rating system emphasizes service because your experience at a hotel, restaurant or spa goes beyond looks — how it makes you feel is what you will remember most.
5. We started in1958 as Mobil Travel Guide, and we created the original Five-Star rating system for hospitality.
Five-Star These properties deliver an outstanding experience and consistently offer a highly customized level of service.
Four-Star These are exceptional properties, offering high levels of service and quality of facility to match.
Recommended These are excellent properties with consistently good service and facilities.
Soon To Be Rated As our highly trained, incognito inspectors work to assess properties, our editors check them out ahead of time and provide a sneak preview of what to expect.
Combining ultra-exclusivity and the ease of cruising, VidantaWorld’s ELEGANT Ultra Mega Yacht is set to embark on her highly anticipated maiden voyage in February 2025. Built in 1990, the cruiser has undergone a complete transformation, evolving from a traditional passenger liner into a luxury mega-yacht. The stunning refurbishment, led by New York’s Rockwell Group and London-based SMC Design, aims to redefine cruising with a sleek, sophisticated look that elevates the experience far beyond the typical offerings.
With a capacity of just 298 passengers, this intimate cruise ship (or massive yacht, depending on how you see it) ensures a serene sense of privacy and plenty of ways to unwind. Tempt your palate at one of the 13 restaurants, bars and lounges; relax in a poolside cabana on the rooftop deck; or put your feet up at the spa. The standout feature? Its adults-only ambiance, offering a peaceful, refined escape at sea.
Combining ultra-exclusivity and the ease of cruising, VidantaWorld’s ELEGANT Ultra Mega Yacht is set to embark on her highly anticipated maiden voyage in February 2025. Built in 1990, the cruiser has undergone a complete transformation, evolving ...READ MORE about VidantaWorld’s ELEGANT Ultra Mega Yacht
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Our Inspector's Highlights
Refined and cozy, the staterooms pay homage to VidantaWorld’s Mexican roots with vibrant magenta and orange accents, statement headboards and macramé décor.
We can’t blame you for spending the majority of your time at the cabana-lined rooftop pool. Lush tropical greenery creates an oasis-like feel, while a poolside bar and attentive staff ensure you’re never without a refreshment.
After your fun in the sun, retreat to Nel Vento Spa for a cocoon-like ambiance and refreshing treatments to soothe and rehydrate tired skin.
Thanks to its smaller size, ELEGANT can access secluded gems, from lesser-known coastal towns to secluded beaches, that would be impossible on a larger vessel.
With a nearly 1-to-1 crew-to-guest ratio, you’ll want for nothing aboard VidantaWorld’s mega yacht.
The Restaurants
At signature fine-dining room Flor de Agave Haute Mexican Cuisine, moody interiors and bold, geometric-tiled floors set the scene for an exquisite meal.
For pan-Asian plates and cocktails, head for Guo Asian Fusion. Red velvet furnishings and bold jade-tiled walls create a lively atmosphere.
Flame-grilled fare and fresh mezze are the order of the day at Montelimar Mediterranean Cuisine. If the flavors don’t transport you to the restaurant’s namesake, the sleek wood dining room, encircling a live olive tree, just might.
Hivata Buffet serves a bountiful breakfast each day, while a handful of casual alfresco venues are on hand to satisfy your cravings throughout the day. Be sure to pop up to Pure Sky Deck after sundown for a cocktail beneath the stars.