Ashford Castle, the 800-year-old luxury hotel in western Ireland, has been awarded the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide (“FTG”) Five-Star rating in the annual Forbes Travel Guide Star Awards for 2021 for the second year in a row. And, for the second year running, Ashford Castle is the only Irish hotel awarded with the five-star rating from FTG this year, or any year.

Forbes’ team of inspectors travels the world to assess hotels, restaurants and spas based on 900 objective standards that determine its coveted annual Star Ratings, paying particular attention to the provision of exceptional service.

The top award from Forbes is given only to properties that meet more than 500 service and physical criteria during anonymous inspections, showing “an impeccable standard of excellence in hospitality.”

The castle was also designated with the “Sharecare Health Security Verified,” a comprehensive facility verification that ensures guests and travel planners that they can book with confidence at properties that have appropriate health measures in place. In addition to the castle’s amazing facilities, service and health protocols, FTG particularly noted the hotel staff’s dedication to their positions and to every guest experience.

Niall Rochford, General Manager of Ashford Castle, remarked, “After the year we have just had, this is a particularly welcome award and recognition. We hope this internationally recognized hotel rating system that highlights our loyal and long-serving team for delivering such consistently warm and polished service and generous hospitality will encourage our guests to return once the Covid crisis is over. In addition to praising our extremely dedicated staff, the award also recognizes the passion and values instilled by our President and Founder Mrs. Beatrice Tollman. We are thrilled.”

The Forbes Travel Guide team visits every property that it rates, anonymously as paying guests. Every Star Rating is earned through an objective, independent process and no one can buy or solicit a rating under any circumstance.

“We have been committed to championing genuine Five-Star service for more than 60 years, and this year’s winners exemplify the very highest standards in hospitality,” said Filip Boyen, CEO of Forbes Travel Guide.