US hotel rating program Forbes has launched a new website which allows visitors to browse the hotels and experiences it rates online.

Announcing the launch with its 54th annual listing of five and four star hotels, restaurants and spas, Forbes said that the site would provide a new, interactive way for users to access its content and plan journeys.

Travelers using Startle.com are able to access Forbes reviews, along with content uploaded by the hotels themselves and a Quora-style question-and-answer platform where users can ask questions and request answers from industry experts.

In a nod to the rapidly-growing number of Asian hotels, the company also announced that it will add Shanghai and several other Asian cities to its listings in 2012.

Hong Kong, Macau and Beijing were added to the all-US program in 2008, followed by Singapore earlier this year.

Forbes’ list of luxury travel experiences includes 539 establishments for the 2012 edition — the destination with the most five-star hotels was California, with a total of nine out of 57 properties in the US and Asia.

Nine new hotels, nine new restaurants and five new spas made the list this year, according to the firm, including three new five-star hotel ratings for Mandarin Oriental’s properties in Boston, Las Vegas and Singapore.

Source: AFPrelaxnews