BOSTON, MA – Mandarin Oriental, Boston and The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Boston have been honored with the prestigious 2012 Forbes Five-Star Award by Forbes Travel Guide. In addition, Asana has been awarded one of five restaurants in Boston with the 2012 Forbes Four-Star Award. For over 50 years, this list has defined the industry’s highest standard for excellence in hospitality with only 57 hotels and 30 spas achieving the Five-Star status globally.

Forbes Travel Guide’s Star Awards ratings process is based on more than 750 standardized criteria for hotels, restaurants and spas in the United States and in some parts of Europe and Asia, making it the most rigorous and comprehensive in the industry. To achieve Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star status, properties must exceed the bar-setting service standards, which are determined through an unannounced, undercover service evaluation conducted by Forbes Travel Guide’s expert inspectors. There are currently seven Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group properties in the United States and 26 throughout the world. Out of the 57 hotels that received the prestigious 2012 Five-Star Award, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group proudly has six hotels that were honored. In addition, out of only 30 Forbes Five-Star spas worldwide, eight are Spas at Mandarin Oriental, including the Boston property, which is more than any other hotel company in the world.

Mandarin Oriental, Boston has also been awarded the prestigious American Automobile Association’s (AAA) Five Diamond Award for the second consecutive year.  To be considered for AAA approval and rating, lodgings and restaurants must undergo a thorough inspection by one of AAA’s 65 full-time, trained, professional evaluators. Five Diamond establishments go through a more extensive review.

“The Five-Star and Five Diamond Awards are a direct reflection of the devotion and exceptional service provided by each of our employees at Mandarin Oriental, Boston,” said General Manager Susanne Hatje. “These esteemed accolades speak volumes about the extraordinary commitment our hotel has towards ensuring each and every guest receives an exemplary experience. We look forward to celebrating these highly regarded achievements with our guests, colleagues and the city of Boston in the coming year.”

For more information or reservations at Mandarin Oriental, Boston, please contact the hotel directly on +1 (617) 535 8880, toll free reservations in the United States at +1 (866) 796-5475; or Mandarin Oriental’s direct on-line reservations service at www.mandarinoriental.com.