Melco attains world’s most Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Awards in 2026 for any integrated resort operator
Rhea-AI Summary
Melco (NASDAQ:MLCO) attained the most Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Awards among integrated resort operators in 2026, earning 19 Five-Star Awards and a total of 107 FTG Stars across hotel, restaurant and spa categories. Properties cited include Morpheus, Nüwa, Studio City towers, Altira Macau and City of Dreams Manila.
This recognition underscores Melco's emphasis on luxury hospitality and guest experience leadership in the region for 2026.
Positive
- 19 Five-Star Awards — most for any integrated resort operator in 2026
- 107 FTG Stars across hotels, restaurants and spas, highlighting breadth of excellence
Negative
- None.
Market Reaction
Following this news, MLCO has declined 10.80%, reflecting a significant negative market reaction. Our momentum scanner has triggered 49 alerts so far, indicating elevated trading interest and price volatility. The stock is currently trading at $5.50. This price movement has removed approximately $260M from the company's valuation. Trading volume is elevated at 2.2x the average, suggesting increased selling activity.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus (15 min delayed). Upgrade to Silver for real-time data.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
MLCO fell 2.38% with multiple Resorts & Casinos peers also down: CZR -4.51%, PENN -3.68%, RRR -3.90%, MTN -2.21%, HGV -0.68%. The negative move occurred alongside broader sector softness.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 05 | Earnings date notice | Neutral | -1.6% | Announced Q4 and full-year 2025 earnings release and conference call schedule. |
| Nov 06 | Earnings release | Positive | +3.8% | Reported Q3 2025 revenue and EBITDA growth with positive net income metrics. |
| Oct 30 | Earnings date notice | Neutral | +1.4% | Set timing for Q3 2025 results and investor conference call webcast details. |
| Sep 16 | Debt offering pricing | Neutral | -0.8% | Priced US$500M 6.500% senior notes due 2033 to address 2026 notes. |
| Sep 15 | Debt deal announcement | Neutral | +1.3% | Proposed senior notes offering and conditional tender for 5.250% notes due 2026. |
Recent MLCO news—including earnings, financing, and earnings-date notices—has generally seen price moves that align directionally with the apparent tone of the announcements, with no clear pattern of consistent divergence.
Over the past six months, Melco’s news flow has centered on earnings, capital markets activity, and scheduling updates. In Nov 2025, Q3 2025 results highlighted rising revenues and EBITDA, and the stock reacted positively. In Sep 2025, senior notes offerings and a related tender for 2026 notes produced modest, mixed moves. Recent 6-K filings in late 2025 and Feb 2026 focused on upcoming earnings releases. Against this backdrop, the new Forbes Travel Guide recognition reinforces Melco’s luxury positioning rather than altering its financial trajectory.
Market Pulse Summary
The stock is dropping -10.8% following this news. A negative reaction despite prestigious Forbes Travel Guide recognition would fit a market focused more on fundamentals and sector conditions than on brand accolades. MLCO has previously shown aligned reactions around earnings and financing updates, so weakness around this type of news could reflect broader Resorts & Casinos pressures. Investors have also had to weigh recent debt transactions and macro sensitivity, any of which could overshadow luxury-hospitality awards.
Key Terms
integrated resort technical
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
MACAU, Feb. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Melco Resorts & Entertainment proudly announces it has achieved historic leadership position in the newly published 2026 Forbes Travel Guide (FTG) by garnering 19 Five-Star Awards, topping the competition as the world’s integrated resort operator with the most FTG Five-Star Awards and reinforcing its position as the region’s premier luxury hospitality provider. The achievement is anchored by the attainment of 107 FTG Stars across the Company’s Hotel, Restaurant and Spa categories for properties including City of Dreams, Studio City, Altira Macau, and City of Dreams Manila.
Mr. Lawrence Ho, Chairman & CEO, Melco, said, "We are deeply honored to have Melco recognized as the world’s leading integrated resort company by Forbes Travel Guide in 2026. Attaining the most Five-Star awards globally among integrated resort operators is a testament to our team’s unwavering commitment to excellence. We are thankful to our Colleagues as such achievements would not be possible without their incredible efforts. These results highlight our dedication to operating world-class integrated resorts that offer superlative design and guest experiences. We look forward to welcoming guests to our properties and further enhancing our portfolio of luxury entertainment and hospitality."
The 19 Five-Star awards presented to Melco properties and facilities in 2026 FTG are listed below:
| Hotels | Restaurants | Spas |
| Morpheus, City of Dreams Macau | Alain Ducasse at Morpheus, Morpheus, City of Dreams Macau | Morpheus Spa, City of Dreams Macau |
| Nüwa, City of Dreams Macau | Yí, Morpheus, City of Dreams Macau | Nüwa Spa, City of Dreams Macau |
| Star Tower, Studio City | Jade Dragon, Nüwa, City of Dreams Macau | The Spa at Epic Tower, Studio City |
| Epic Tower, Studio City | Pearl Dragon, Studio City | Zensa Spa, Studio City |
| Altira Macau | Aurora, Altira Macau | Altira Spa, Altira Macau |
| Nüwa, City of Dreams Manila | Tenmasa, Altira Macau | Nüwa Spa, City of Dreams Manila |
| Ying, Altira Macau |
About Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited
Melco, with its American depositary shares listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (Nasdaq: MLCO), is a developer, owner and operator of integrated resort facilities in Asia and Europe. The Company currently operates City of Dreams (www.cityofdreamsmacau.com) and Altira Macau (www.altiramacau.com), integrated resorts located in Cotai and Taipa, Macau, respectively. In addition, the Company operates Studio City (www.studiocity-macau.com), a cinematically-themed integrated resort in Cotai, Macau. In the Philippines, the Company operates and manages City of Dreams Manila (www.cityofdreamsmanila.com), an integrated resort in the Entertainment City complex in Manila. In Europe, the Company operates City of Dreams Mediterranean, an integrated resort in Limassol, in the Republic of Cyprus (www.cityofdreamsmed.com.cy). In South Asia, the Company manages the Nüwa hotel at City of Dreams Sri Lanka (www.cityofdreamssrilanka.com), an integrated resort in Colombo, Sri Lanka. For more information about the Company, please visit www.melco-resorts.com.
Melco is majority owned by Melco International Development Limited, a company listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, which is in turn majority owned and led by Mr. Lawrence Ho, who is the Chairman, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Chimmy Leung
Executive Director, Corporate Communications
Tel: +852 3151 3765
Email: chimmyleung@melco-resorts.com
About Forbes Travel Guide
Forbes Travel Guide is the only global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants, spas, cruises and their restaurants. Our anonymous professional inspectors evaluate based on hundreds of exacting standards, with an emphasis on exceptional service, to help discerning travelers select the world’s best experiences. The only way to get a Five-Star, Four-Star or Recommended rating is by earning it through our independent inspection process. For more information about Forbes Travel Guide, please visit ForbesTravelGuide.com.
Connect with Forbes Travel Guide
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ForbesTravelGuide
X: www.twitter.com/ForbesInspector
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ForbesTravelGuide
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/88ad86d1-368a-4f8e-a407-470110962e9f
FAQ
How many Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Awards did Melco (MLCO) receive in 2026?
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Which Melco properties earned Five-Star awards in the 2026 Forbes Travel Guide?
What does the 2026 Forbes Travel Guide recognition mean for Melco shareholders (MLCO)?
Did Melco (MLCO) receive Five-Star awards for restaurants and spas in 2026?
