What Soon To Be Rated means at Forbes Travel Guide
Forbes Travel Guide is an independent, global rating system for luxury hospitality. It began in 1958 as Mobil Travel Guide and created the original Five-Star rating system. Today it inspects every hotel, restaurant, spa and cruise ship in person, anonymously, as a typical guest.
Soon To Be Rated is Forbes Travel Guide’s status for a hotel that has been approved for inspection and is eligible to earn a Star Rating. While the incognito inspectors work to assess a property, the editors provide a preview ahead of time. Makanda’s page went live on ForbesTravelGuide.com in November 2026.
Soon To Be Rated is not a Star Rating. The three ratings, Five-Star, Four-Star and Recommended, are assigned only after the inspection and announced once a year.
Makanda by the Sea · Manuel Antonio How Forbes Travel Guide inspects
Every hotel goes through the same process, wherever it is. In brief, and in Forbes Travel Guide’s own words where we quote it.
Anonymous and in person
Inspectors visit every property as a typical guest, without announcing themselves, and a hotel stay spans a minimum of two nights. The inspectors pay their own way.
Up to 900 criteria
The stay is evaluated against up to 900 objective criteria. Both service and facility are assessed, and the Star Rating system emphasizes service.
Three ratings
Five-Star properties deliver an outstanding experience and consistently offer a highly customized level of service. Four-Star properties are exceptional, offering high levels of service and quality of facility to match. Recommended properties are excellent, with consistently good service and facilities.
Earned, never bought
In Forbes Travel Guide’s words, no one can buy a rating under any circumstance. Every Star Rating is earned through its objective, independent process.
At Makanda
Thirty-three suites and villas on a rainforest hillside above the Pacific in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, one small team, and the same criteria that apply to the best-known hotels in the world. The inspection is anonymous, so the only preparation is to work this way every day.
Makanda on ForbesTravelGuide.com
Forbes Travel Guide publishes a page for every hotel it features, with photographs and the current status. Makanda is listed among the Costa Rica hotels on ForbesTravelGuide.com. You can see our page on its website.
See our Forbes Travel Guide page (opens in a new tab)Makanda is also selected in the MICHELIN Guide 2026.
Forbes is a registered trademark of Forbes LLC, used under license by The Five Star Travel Corporation. The Soon To Be Rated mark is used with the permission of Forbes Travel Guide.
Thirty-three suites and villas above the Pacific, minutes from Manuel Antonio National Park.
Questions? Write to reception@makanda.com