This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily on February 25, 2019

GENTING HIGHLANDS: The Forbes Travel Guide, the only independent, global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants and spas, announced in New York that Resorts World Genting’s (RWG) Crockfords Hotel here, has been chosen as one of its Star Award winners to receive a five-star rating for 2019.

The award was announced in New York last Wednesday and Crockfords is the only hotel in Malaysia to receive such an honour.

“We at Resorts World Genting are thrilled that Crockfords has been recognised by the Forbes Travel Guide in their recent announcement of the 2019 award,” says Datuk Edward Holloway, RWG executive vice-president of leisure and hospitality.

“From the outset, we have strived to create a space worthy of the prestigious name of Crockfords, sparing no expense to deliver an unparalleled experience. To be rewarded with the five-star rating is a confirmation that our vision for luxury at RWG works.

“But more than that, this award is great, not just for us, but for Malaysia as well. It is an affirmation that Malaysia, as a destination, has luxury services on par with the world’s best, with services and standards that meet the highest level of demands.”

Entering its 61st Edition, the Forbes Travel Guide is the oldest travel guide in the US and is now globally considered as of the foremost benchmark of the world’s finest luxury hotels, spas and restaurants. Scored by anonymous and unannounced auditors using a proprietary algorithm that weighs service at 75% and quality of the property at 25%, the Forbes Travel Guide’s Star Rating system inspects both service and facility with the emphasises on service because one’s experience at a hotel, restaurant or spa goes beyond looks.

To qualify for a five-star Forbes Travel Guide rating, a hotel must receive a rating of at least 90% in all aspects, including the smallest details. The Forbes Travel Guide five-star rating is the hospitality equivalent of a three-star Michelin rating for a restaurant — a guarantee of a top-of-the-line experience that shatters all expectations.

With this award, Crockfords joins an elite group of prestigious hotels, including Hong Kongs’ Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons, Langham, Mandarin Oriental, Peninsula and the Island Shangri-la. In Bangkok, the Peninsula, St Regis and Mandarin Oriental were once again in the five-star list. Closer to home in Singapore, the Capella, the Mandarin Oriental and the Fullerton Bay maintain their Forbes five-star status.

“It is fairly easy in this day and age to build the finest assets, however, it is the ‘software’ that makes the difference. Our team has worked tirelessly on the finest details of luxury service, and they will continue to look at new ways in providing a unique and memorable experience so that each time a guest returns it is always special,” says David Leung, Crockfords general manager.

On winning the award, Leung added, “We are very proud that the entire opening team are Malaysians and most importantly, they have great potential and are eager to provide exemplary service. They are all very passionate young people and we hope with this award they are motivated to go beyond expectations. It is a service ethos that we hope to inculcate in each of our team member to meet world-class service standards.”