A downtown San Antonio hotel and spa was awarded a four-star ranking from Forbes, gaining global recognition as a stellar place to stay.

The Mokara Hotel & Spa earned two Forbes Travel Guide’s 2026 Star Awards – one for its hotel and another for its spa. It is the 68th year of Forbes’ prestigious list that covers 100 countries as the only global ranking metric for luxury hotels, restaurants, spas and cruises.

Amanda Frasier, president of standards & ratings for Forbes Travel Guide, said the list exemplifies excellence in hospitality, while also being indicative of trends travelers are following.

“This year’s list reflects the changing landscape of luxury with properties setting the standard for authentic experiences while offering unparalleled amenities, enhanced well-being, and delivering unforgettable moments,” Frasier said in a statement. “We are thrilled to recognize their dedication to creating truly world-class travel options for today’s discerning guests.”

Forbes ranks the businesses after visiting them anonymously, posing as a typical guest. Evaluations are made based on up to 900 objective criteria. For hotels, this requires at least a two-night stay.

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The four-star ranking indicates “exceptional properties, offering high levels of service and quality of facility to match,” according to Forbes. There is a higher five-star tier awarded for highly customized service deemed outstanding.

The Mokara Hotel & Spa is only steps away from the River Walk, offering a luxurious experience for tourists that is embedded in San Antonio culture and engrained with Texas hospitality. The building used to be a saddlery, though it’s since been transformed to create a modern and relaxing experience for visitors.

The hotel recently underwent a comprehensive room and spa renovation, which was completed in October 2025. Its spa offers massages, body treatments and facials. The hotel also features an outdoor pool, hot tub and sauna.

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While general manager Rusty Wallace said the awards are “esteemed accolades” for the hotel and spa, it wasn’t a new accomplishment as it was featured on the prestigious list in 2024. The hotel’s restaurant Ostra also placed on the Express-New’s Top Restaurants in San Antonio for 2025.

“Continuing to be recognized as a Forbes Four-Star property and spa by Forbes Travel Guide is a testament to the level of service we strive to uphold, the shared passion of our staff, and our mission to provide the ultimate guest experience at Mokara Hotel & Spa,” Wallace said in a statement.

This article originally published at San Antonio’s Mokara earns two four-star rankings from Forbes Travel Guide.