NEW YORK CITY — Forbes Travel Guide, formerly Mobil Travel Guide, today unveiled its 54th annual listing of 539 Five-Star and Four-Star hospitality establishments worldwide. MGM Grand Detroit, the only Michigan establishment acknowledged by Forbes this year, has received three four-star awards for its hotel, IMMERSE spa, and Bourbon Steak, one of the property’s three signature restaurants. While IMMERSE is nestled in the luxurious 400 room hotel.
All will be showcased on Startle.com, the new interactive website of Forbes Travel Guide, which was launched today. The site features exclusive offers, or “Star Experiences,” thousands of unique photos and videos on award-winning properties and destinations, social activity and access to some of the world’s leading luxury hospitality brands and tastemakers, and original expert answers to the questions of travel from Forbes Travel Guide inspectors. With its expert content, social connections, curated lists, and exclusive offers and experiences, Startle.com delivers a one-of-a-kind destination online for the most discerning travelers.
This is the fourth consecutive year that MGM Grand Detroit Hotel received four stars. As Detroit’s first and only downtown hotel, gaming, and entertainment destination built from the ground up, it features 400 chic and stylish guest rooms, including nine rooftop VIP suites and 56 opulent corner suites.
Bourbon Steak is one of two on-site signature restaurants by celebrity chef Michael Mina. It features his modern twist on a classic menu, with the finest meats and freshest seafood available worldwide. A lively, inviting bar and sophisticated, contemporary atmosphere welcome diners who are treated to “Modern American Classics,” and a selection of signature dishes, including: whole-fried organic chicken accompanied by truffled mac and cheese, olive oil-poached Colorado lamb with morels and asparagus, and broad selections of fine wines and modern cocktails.
The 20,000-square-foot IMMERSE spa is the only resort-style, full-service spa in southeast Michigan. With nine treatment rooms, indoor infinity-edge pool and a full menu of services using natural ingredients, IMMERSE spa offers a total sensory experience wrapped in urban luxury.
“We are extremely proud and honored to receive three four-star ratings from Forbes Travel Guide,” said MGM Grand Detroit General Manager Steve Zanella. “This is truly a testament to the hard work of our hundreds of team members.”
MGM Grand Detroit also features a 100,000-square-foot casino, five unique lounges, and 30,000- square-feet of meeting and event space.
“Our annual ratings represent the best of the best in hotels, restaurants and spas. They serve as guideposts for consumers who are looking for exceptional travel experiences,” said Shane O’Flaherty, President, Inspections & Ratings, Forbes Travel Guide. “This year, we are thrilled to be able to provide rich new content for each of our Five-Star and Four-Star honorees on our just-launched travel planning platform, Startle. It’s a whole new way to explore which of these select properties is right for you.”
For a detailed explanation of how Forbes Travel Guide compiles its Star ratings, visit www.startle.com.
Follow Forbes Travel Guide on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ForbesInspector.
About Forbes Travel Guide
Forbes Travel Guide, originator of the prestigious Mobil Travel Guide Star ratings and certifications, has provided the most comprehensive ratings and reviews of hotels, restaurants and spas since 1958. In October 2009, Mobil Travel Guide announced a strategic partnership with Forbes Media LLC. This exclusive licensing agreement between two industry leaders with more than 140 years of combined experience transfers the hospitality industry’s premier star rating and travel guide brand from ExxonMobil to Forbes. Forbes Travel Guide has a team of expert inspectors who anonymously evaluate properties against rigorous and objective proprietary standards, providing consumers the insight to make better-informed travel and leisure decisions.
About Forbes Media LLC
Forbes Media encompasses Forbes and Forbes.com, the #1 business site on the Web that reaches on average more than 17 million people monthly. The company publishes Forbes and Forbes Asia, which together reach a worldwide audience of more than 6 million readers. It also publishes ForbesLife magazine, in addition to licensee editions in China, Croatia, India, Indonesia, Israel, Korea, Poland, Romania, Russia and Turkey.
Other Forbes Media Web sites are: Investopedia.com; RealClearPolitics.com; RealClearMarkets.com; RealClearSports.com; and the Forbes.com Business and
Finance Blog Network. Together with Forbes.com, these sites reach on average nearly 40 million business decision makers each month.
About MGM Grand Detroit
A Forbes Four Star and AAA Four Diamond Award-winning hotel, MGM Grand Detroit is the city’s first and only downtown hotel, gaming, and entertainment destination built from the ground up. The hotel features 400 chic and stylish guest rooms, including nine rooftop VIP suites and 56 opulent corner suites. Guests can enjoy three signature restaurants by two of the world’s preeminent celebrity chefs: Wolfgang Puck and Michael Mina; in-room dining by Puck in addition to casual restaurants; lounges, including a relaxed piano-style bar; high-energy nightlife; the only resort-style spa in southeast Michigan; and 30,000 square feet of meeting space capable of hosting everything from large corporate events to intimate black-tie engagements. For more information, visit www.mgmgranddetroit.com or call toll free at (888) 646-3387.
