How Sir Rocco Forte Built His Luxury Hotel Empire

At 14 years old, Rocco Forte went to work at the family business, Trusthouse Forte—the world’s largest hospitality group at that time. By 1992, the then-51-year-old Forte had ascended to chairman, only to be forced out by a hostile takeover. Undeterred, he launched a new hospitality brand five years later, anchoring the new company with Edinburgh’s Five-Star landmark The Balmoral. Last month, the 81-year-old founder of Rocco Forte Hotels received a lifetime achievement award at the Forbes Travel Guide Summit in Monaco and reflected on his decades in the business. “I don’t know if there is the perfect hotel,” he says. “My job is to create the right atmosphere in the hotel, wherever it is.”

First Four Seasons Yacht Makes Its Maiden Voyage

Earlier this month, Four Seasons made waves with the maiden voyage of its first yacht, Four Seasons I, from Málaga, Spain. The 200-passenger vessel is closer to a private yacht than the Love Boat. The 95 suites are 50% more spacious than any competitor at sea, and the ship’s public spaces include 11 restaurants and lounges, the luxurious L’Oceana Spa and a 66-foot pool that transforms into a dance floor at night.

How This Caribbean Resort Went Mosquito-Free

Say goodbye to bugs on your next Caribbean vacation—Oil Nut Bay in the British Virgin Islands has ended its mosquito problem with the innovative, Google-backed BugOut Program, the first of its kind in the region. Set on 400 acres in Virgin Gorda, Oil Nut Bay is only accessible by helicopter or private boat charter, and has more than 30 villas available for rent with plans for a total of 140—with no room for mosquitos.

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From sophisticated skimming operations to “accidental” overcharges, your credit cards are not as safe as you think when you travel. Here’s how to protect yourself on vacation, according to the experts.

The Happiest Countries In The World 2026

Want to travel to your happiest place on earth? For the ninth year in a row, Finland earned the No. 1 spot on the World Happiness Report, which ranks 140 countries based on data from citizens self-evaluating their own bliss. Once again, the other Nordic countries ranked high—with Iceland at No. 2, Denmark ranked third and Sweden ranked fifth. Costa Rica managed to break through in 2026 to come in fourth. Presumably, happily.

© Forbes