Michelin keys will ‘move away' from existing hotel rating systems

The new Michelin key award for hotels will move away from “existing ratings, existing criteria and hotel brand names”, the international director of the Michelin Guides has revealed.

Gwendal Poullennec said the distinction would stand apart from other accreditation schemes.

Michelin announced plans to launch the keys as a hotel equivalent of a Michelin star in October last year.

Plans are under way for a ceremony to announce the keys that will likely take place in the first half of 2024, Michelin said.

Poullennec told The Caterer: “Hospitality has been a part of the Michelin Guide for more than one century and later this year we will release all distinctions for the hotels.

"The keys are aimed at putting the spotlight on the most memorable stays based on a different set of criteria, [such as] the restaurants, the architecture and design, the maintenance, the welcome and service.”

He said the chosen hotels would be those providing “gateways to local experience” where guests feel “connected to the destination”, instead of being “a resort you live inside”.

“The main point for the key hotels is that they have to stand out because they are authentic and quite singular, so that should really make the difference.”

Poullennec added: “We are really willing to put a spotlight on the best places to stay all around the world with a unified set of criteria to make sure we can have a consistent approach in the field of hospitality as we do have for the restaurants.”

To view all the new Michelin stars awarded in the 2024 guide, click here.