Every year Forbes Travel Guide releases its list of Star Award Winners based on an intense 900-point inspection (read more about it here). The list features Five-Star, Four-Star and Recommended hotels, all of which are home to the world’s top level of service and facilities.
But this year, Forbes Travel Guide took it one step further and released their first Verified Lists, which recognize the World’s Most Luxurious Hotels (read: the top 6% of 2018’s Star-rated hotels) and World’s Most Luxurious Spas. These are the crème de la crème, the world’s best, the top tier’s top tier. Those properties recognized include 58 of 1,017 Star-rated hotels across 17 countries and just 30 of 269 Star-rated spas across six countries.
Of the 58 hotels and 30 spas to make the list, there were only eight — in the entire world — to double up that recognition and earn the title in both the hotel and spa categories. Of those eight, only three are in the U.S., and only one is in the Western U.S., and it’s in our very own backyard: The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain in Tucson.
The recognition for the desert gem comes on the heels of the resort’s property transformation which was unveiled this fall and includes a complete makeover of its guest rooms and meeting space. Inspired by the surrounding Sonoran Desert, the resort also introduced 14 new ground-level Fireside Mountain View Guest Rooms, each complete with its own outdoor fire-pit, lava rocks and a nightly s’mores turndown amenity.
“This dual Forbes honor for our hotel and spa acknowledges a stellar team effort, and we are thrilled to be included,” said Liam Doyle, Area General Manager, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. “Our newly-unveiled resort transformation should further elevate the Forbes Five Star experience, helping to raise the bar on authentic desert luxury in the United States. We are excited to share this stunning new resort experience with guests.”
Other aspects of the resort that received a fresh look include new furniture and design at Turquesa Pool, new cabanas and amenities at Aventura Pool, added fire-pit tables at Cayton’s Burger Bistro, a new Roadrunner Arcade, a makeover of Ritz Kids Rangers Headquarters and an update to amenities and equipment at the fitness center. Many common areas feature new flooring including the meeting and conference spaces which also scored new furnishings and added sound-deadening and soundproofing in air walls.
The makeover was completed by many Tucson-area contractors and crews, while the interiors were conceptualized by Studio Z of Scottsdale.
For more information or to book a stay, visit: ritzcarlton.com/dove-mountain
