Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas is the only triple five-star property in Las Vegas. Winners Showcased on Newly Launched Forbes Travel Guide Website Startle.com

NEW YORK CITY — (November 15, 2011) — Forbes Travel Guide, formerly Mobil Travel Guide, today unveiled its 54th annual listing of Five-Star and Four-Star hospitality establishments worldwide, and named Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas as part of this list. Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas, The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas and Twist by Pierre Gagnaire will be showcased with all of the 2012 award winners on Startle.com, the new interactive website of Forbes Travel Guide.  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.

Opened in December 2009, Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas is a Forbes Five-Star luxury hotel and residences prominently located at the entrance of CityCenter, a magnificent urban resort destination at the heart of the Las Vegas Strip. Recognized as the only hotel in Las Vegas to be a triple Five-Star winner with an award-winning hotel, Spa and the fine-dining restaurant Twist by Pierre Gagnaire, Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas offers the legendary service of the international hotel group just steps away from some of the city’s most celebrated casinos, shopping and entertainment.

Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas hotel, The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas and Twist by Pierre Gagnaire are the latest installment to the travel ratings system that has been the gold standard in the industry since 1958. 

“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 Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas
Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas is a sophisticated sanctuary of modern elegance prominently situated at the entrance of CityCenter, a magnificent urban resort destination in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip.  Awarded the coveted Forbes Five-Star award for the hotel, The Spa and Twist by Pierre Gagnaire, the non-gaming hotel and residences brings the personalized service of the world-renowned hotel group to Las Vegas. Designed entirely by interior designer Adam D. Tihany and architecture firm Kohn Pedersen Fox, Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas sets a new standard of style with stunning suites, amenities and architectural design.