Michelin star for hotels: All we know about Michelin keys

In October 2023 Michelin announced 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.

 

What are Michelin keys?

 

Michelin keys are intended to reward hotels for excellence in the same way Michelin stars do for hotels. They are a new award that the Michelin guide announced late last year, with the first set of accolades due to be handed out in autumn of 2024.

 

The keys will follow the same three-tiered system as Michelin stars, with one key being a special place to stay, two keys as an exceptional stay, or three keys as an extraordinary stay.

 

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.

 

Which hotels have won a Michelin key?

 

On 1 October 2024, 123 hotels in the UK won Michelin keys, with 37 taking home one key, and 14 gaining the top accolade of three Michelin keys.

 

Le Manoir, Gleneagles and the Connaught all received three Michelin keys. Find the full list of hotels that won Michelin keys for 2024 here.

 

The guide says these awards are the results of four years of planning.

 

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 >>

 

One-Michelin-starred restaurants in England & the Channel Islands >>

 

Two-Michelin-starred restaurants in the UK & Ireland >>

 

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