The Hotels Just Handed Michelin Keys

The Michelin Guide, a.k.a the hospitality bible, has today announced which hotels have received Michelin Keys. Following months of anonymous visits, some 470 hotels join the list across 79 destinations.

Now spanning almost 3,000 hotels, The Michelin Guide’s global hotel selection focuses on very special stays (one key), exceptional stays (two keys) and extraordinary stays (three stars).

The criteria for selection are not based on numerical quotas nor a specific style of hotel, but instead on five universal pillars: the hotel is an open door to the destination; excellence in interior design and architecture; quality and consistency in service, comfort and maintenance; consistency between the level of experience and the price paid; and individuality, reflecting personality and authenticity. 

Notable appointees include three key winners – the highest award available – such as Borgo Santandrea on Italy’s Amalfi Coast and Southern Ocean Lodge in Australia, both recognised for offering an extraordinary level of hospitality. 

Four special awards were also handed out. The first for Architecture & Design went to Desert Rock Resort in Umluj, Saudi Arabia, a striking property carved into the landscape of the Hijaz Mountains. The Wellness Award went to Schloss Elmau Luxury Spa Retreat & Cultural Hideaway, recognised for its rich and varied approach to wellness. As for Opening of the Year, Arielles Palladio Venice, which overlooks the Giudecca Canal, took home the gong. Finally, the Local Gateway Award went to Londolozi Game Reserve in Kruger, South Africa, a pioneering safari property celebrated for connecting guests to the region's culture. 

Speaking to the anointing, Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guide, says: “We are witnessing a continuous upscaling of the offering, driven by even more creative and ambitious projects. All around the world, hoteliers are reinventing the stay experience through more immersive, personalised, and experiential concepts.” 

While the greatest number of keys remains in Europe – Michelin has long been accused of being too Eurocentric – much growth was seen this year in Asia, the Middle East, North and Central America. As of this year, Africa is now home to 113 key hotels, with the likes of Delaire Graff Estate in Stellenbosch becoming the continent’s newest Three-Key hotel, while One&Only Gorilla’s Nest joins Rwanda’s growing Key selection, offering access to gorilla trekking in the Virunga Mountains. In South America, there are now 94 key hotels, with Peru’s Las Casitas retaining its Three-Key distinction for a second consecutive year, offering an exceptional setting from which offers views of the Andes and the Colca Valley.

Of course, along their travels, the Michelin inspectors noted a shifting hospitality landscape, defined by changing travel habits and guest expectations. The latest trends they observed include: 

• Slow and more immersive travel – people are spending longer in fewer places and increasingly favour less crowded destinations
• More fluid travel – be it outdoor experiences or private villas, travellers are seeking out authenticity and a stronger connection to the places they visit
• Wellness beyond the spa – as wellness seeps into every aspect of our lives, hotels are responding in kind through more sophisticated offerings that prioritise both physical and mental wellbeing
• Discovery through design – bold, visual interiors are increasingly used to capture attention
• Water experiences – with yacht concepts from Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton and Aman, luxury hotels are allowing guests to experience their signature offerings at sea