Michelin star for hotels: All we know about Michelin keys
In October 2023 Michelin annouced that it was introducing hotel equivalent of a Michelin star, designed to recognise high standards and unique destinations.
The newest award from the Michelin Guide is a special accolade specifically made for hotels. It's called the Michelin key, and it has been introduced to recognise hotels in the same way Michelin stars recognise top restaurants.
Here we give you the lowdown on what we know about the new award.
Which hotels have won a Michelin key?
None so far, but soon the first winners will be announced. Planning is currently underway for a ceremony to announce the lucky hotels – Michelin say it will take place in the first half of 2024.
From this we can surmise that, unlike the most-recently-added Michelin green star, the Michelin keys will be a separate part of the Michelin guide, with its own ceremony and its own winners. If a hotel restaurant has won a Michelin star previously, that's no indication as to whether or not its home will win a key.
How are Michelin keys judged?
Much like Michelin stars, the keys will be judged by anonymous inspectors visiting top hotels across the country.
The guide has set forth the following criteria for judgement:
- A destination unto itself: the hotel contributes to the local experience
- Excellence in architecture and interior design
- Quality and regularity of service, comfort and maintenance
- Singularity reflecting the personality of the establishment, its unique character
- Consistency between the quality of the experience and the price paid
There is no quota for the number of hotels that will win keys in a year – it's down to the inspectors to decide who is worthy. It could be just one establishment that takes home the award, or it could be 50.
Why is Michelin introducing a new award
This isn't the first new award that Michelin have released in recent years. In 2021 it released the names of the first UK restaurants to win the green Michelin star to recognise sustainable practice.
The Michelin key is the latest award, introduced for a number of reasons. Firstly Michelin has already started recommending hotels as part of its guide, but as of yet there has been no specific award.
"The Michelin key is a clear, reliable indication for travellers. Just as the Michelin star distinguishes those restaurants that are at the peak of their art, the Michelin key recognizes the most exceptional hotels throughout the world. It is also an acknowledgment of the teamwork of committed enthusiastic hospitality professionals," says Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guide.
Additionally the chosen hotels will be available to book through the Michelin Guide website.
One-Michelin-starred restaurants in London >>
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