Forbes Travel Guide (“FTG”), the world-renowned and only global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants and spas, today unveiled its Verified List for 2019’s World’s Best Hotel Bars, naming two of The Peninsula Hotels’ United States properties – Z Bar at The Peninsula Chicago and The Club Bar at The Peninsula Beverly Hills – among only 44 bars around the world to earn the accolade. This comes on the heels of the Forbes Five-Star Awards announcement in February 2019, in which The Peninsula achieved Forbes Five-Star status across all ten of its hotels, resulting in The Peninsula Hotels being the first and only hotel brand to achieve the highest possible FTG rating for all its hotels.
“We are honored for two of our US bars to be recognized amongst this elite group of establishments around the world,” said Maria Razumich-Zec, Regional Vice President and General Manager of The Peninsula Chicago. “Our teams delight in creating bespoke atmospheres for guests that are unique to each destination. Both bars in Chicago and Beverly Hills deliver unforgettable experiences through curated music, intuitive service, cocktails and wine, plus exceptional cuisine.”
Z Bar at The Peninsula Chicago
Located above Chicago’s iconic Michigan Avenue, The Peninsula Chicago’s recently-opened rooftop lounge, Z Bar, boasts expansive city views, an array of distinctive, globally-inspired cocktails, boldly-flavored food and the latest tunes from around the world. After being transported to The Peninsula Chicago’s rooftop terrace via dedicated elevators cloaked in lush forest artistry, guests can enjoy an expansive indoor-outdoor space including a rooftop terrace, the perfect place to experience a sophisticated take on Chicago’s rooftop scene.
The Club Bar at The Peninsula Beverly Hills
Reminiscent of an elegant gentleman’s club, with beautiful California birch-paneled walls and gleaming brass details and sconces, The Club Bar offers guests premium drinks and gourmet small bites. Luxury leather chairs surround the crackling fireplace, creating an authentic yet timeless atmosphere. The Club Bar's drink list includes rare single-malt whiskies, scotches, tequilas and cognacs, as well as a comprehensive selection of wines by the glass, along with the hotel's private-label Keller The Peninsula Sonoma Pinot Noir.
The Verified List for 2019’s World’s Best Hotel Bars recognizes 45 distinguished bars, across 13 countries, and represents hotel bars that performed exceptionally on standards related to the quality of their beverage programme, their presentation and their luxurious service.
Each hotel bar was meticulously inspected and scored using criteria such as elements of luxury standards, which reflect sumptuous comfort, choices and conveniences, including a special level of attention to details, and also food and beverage quality standards, which play an important part in the guest experience. Bars must also demonstrate the technical aptitude of their staff, such as their ability to listen to guests’ individual preferences and to deliver beverages at correct temperatures.
“We’ve seen hotel bars evolve enormously in our 60-plus years of operating Forbes Travel Guide, hence the focus of our fourth Verified List,” said Filip Boyen, CEO of Forbes Travel Guide. “Hotel bars are now destinations in their own right and have the ability to transform a hotel experience. We congratulate all of the bars on the list, which were vetted and verified based on the most rigorous standards. They not only scored highly, but also provided the most luxurious experience for hotel and local guests alike.”
The Verified List throws a spotlight on amazing hotel bars in China, France, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Morocco, the Philippines, Portugal, Singapore, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States.