The Michelin Key is a new rating system for the most exceptional hotels worldwide. It evaluates Michelin Guide hotels for providing guests with an experience beyond accommodation, dining and a booking and review process.
In other words, the Michelin Key is to hotels what Michelin Stars is to restaurants. Similarly, there are one, two and three Michelin Keys.
How does this recent annual listing benefit hotels and influence guests’ perceptions? This blog has the answers.
Rating | Significance | Experience |
Michelin One Key | Very special stay | A high level of comfortGreat personalityStands out within the category |
Michelin Two Key | Exceptional stay | Premier service, design, and location |
Michelin Three Key | Extraordinary stay | Pinnacle of hospitalityUnparalleled service, design, and locationA unique and unforgettable experience |
Michelin Key sets a new standard of excellence in hospitality. This distinction:
The Michelin brand is trusted the world over for its rigorous standards. So, naturally, when a hotel receives the Michelin Key, its visibility and appeal go up instantaneously. It becomes easier for the hotel to land more bookings and do more impressive business.
Though Michelin Guide hotels are already world-class, the Michelin Key pushes them to consistently make improvements in:
The Michelin Key motivates hotels to stay ahead of design trends, and not succumb to the hyper-standardisation of accommodation. It invokes the hotels to bring out their unique personality in design to enhance guest experience.
For example: A hotel’s design and décor may feature locally sourced materials and artwork to reflect the surrounding culture and environment. Such thought in design can easily differentiate the hotel and also make guests curious about the region’s heritage.
The rating expects the hotel staff to stay updated with the hospitality management practices and technologies.
For example: A hotel can implement booking systems that personalise guest experiences, like remembering guest preferences or offering tailored recommendations for activities and dining.
The hotel ensures that the staff consistently follows the best practices.
For example: Hotels can conduct regular workshops on cultural sensitivity or updates on new service technologies.
Earlier, travellers relied on online reviews and recommendations. Often these could be overwhelming, inconsistent and unreliable. And, travellers would be disappointed when hotels did not meet expectations.
Over decades, people have trusted the Michelin Guide for its culinary accolades. This trust extends to its hotel ratings intuitively. A Michelin Key naturally becomes a dependable marker of high quality.
The Michelin Guide team anonymously stays in hotels so that it can evaluate them objectively. It has three goals:
The Michelin inspectors assess hotels based on the following five criteria:
The team also keeps up with industry trends and publications. It also takes suggestions from Michelin Guide restaurant inspectors and users.
The Michelin Guide introduced Michelin Key in April 2024
The team consists of experienced travellers and experts in international design, architecture, service standards, and global hospitality cultures.
Not necessarily. The Michelin inspectors choose Michelin Guide hotels across different styles and budget. The selection includes internationally reputed hotels, recent discoveries and new openings. Hotels that offer exceptional food experiences or follow sustainable practices receive special attention.
The Michelin Guide has an integrated platform to view room options, check availability, and make reservations. You can also leave a review and help others make informed decisions.
The guide features more than 5,000 accommodations around the world and offer options for every budget — from luxurious resorts to budget-friendly hotels.
It’s possible for Michelin Key hotels to also have Michelin Rated Restaurants. But the Michelin Guide selects hotels and restaurants independently of each other.