PARIS—The MICHELIN Guide has launched its first-ever Global MICHELIN Key distinctions, marking a new milestone in the publication’s 125-year history and establishing what it calls “a new global standard for hotel excellence.”
Unveiled recently at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, the inaugural Global MICHELIN Keys Selection honors 2,457 hotels across the world with One, Two, or Three Keys, chosen from among more than 7,000 properties in the MICHELIN Guide’s hotel portfolio.
In total, 1,742 hotels received one Key, 572 earned two Keys, and 143 were awarded three Keys. All recognized properties are now bookable through the MICHELIN Guide’s website and mobile apps, which offer integrated concierge services and VIP perks.
“125 years after its creation as a guide for discerning travelers, The MICHELIN Guide is once again redefining excellence—this time in the world of hospitality,” said Gwendal Poullennec, international director of The MICHELIN Guide. “Just as MICHELIN Stars celebrate the world’s most exceptional restaurants, MICHELIN Keys now honor hotels that offer truly remarkable stays, where design, service, and location come together to create unforgettable moments. With the introduction of the MICHELIN Keys, the Guide establishes a new, global, and independent benchmark for outstanding hotel experiences.”
Poullennec adds, “With their unique field expertise, MICHELIN Guide Inspectors have selected the finest properties from across the globe, reflecting the diversity and excellence of today’s hospitality landscape. Whether travelers seek iconic resorts, historic city hotels, or hidden gems off the beaten path, the MICHELIN Keys provide a trusted guide to discover, explore, and book truly memorable stays that inspire and delight.”
The MICHELIN Guide said the Key distinctions were developed using five universal criteria to assess each hotel’s overall hospitality experience. Like the Guide’s famous restaurant Stars, the Keys aim to identify the most exceptional stays within its hotel selection.
According to the MICHELIN Guide, one Key indicates “a very special stay,” two Keys signify “an exceptional stay,” and three Keys represent “an extraordinary stay.”
After recognizing more than 1,500 hotels in its initial Key selections in 2024 and early 2025, the organization said this global rollout “showcases and makes bookable the world’s very best hotels.”
