The Michelin Guide has expanded the list of hotels to which it awards its one, two, and three-key designations around the United States; the guide debuted the Michelin Key rating system for hotels in April this year and released an expanded list for the entire U.S., Canada, and Mexico in September. Just like the Michelin Star system recognizes the most outstanding restaurants in the world, the Michelin Key designation provides similar ratings for hotels by recognizing those that offer varying levels of outstanding stays.
According to the chief hotel inspector for the Michelin Guide North America, the guide previously featured hotels only in locations where a restaurant selection was established, simply so visitors to the restaurants could find a place to sleep nearby.
In 2018, Michelin acquired Tablet Hotels, a curation-based hotel-booking platform that allowed for the restructuring and prioritization of hotels in the guides. With this technology, the company was able to recommend hotels on a global scale, regardless if there were already restaurant selections in the area.
Now, the chief hotel inspector notes that just as Michelin stars recognize restaurants offering outstanding culinary experiences, the Michelin keys highlight the very best hotels within the guide’s selection offering the most outstanding stays.
Five criteria get taken into account when Michelin’s hotel inspectors are evaluating a lodging establishment: excellence in architecture and interior design, quality and consistency of service, overall personality and character, value for money, and level of contribution to the neighborhood or setting. A one-key rating means a property offers a very special stay, two-key ratings signify an exceptional visit, and three-key ratings represent an extraordinary experience.
Properties newly awarded three-key recognition include Sage Lodge in Pray, Montana; Amangiri in Canyon Point, Utah; Canyon Ranch Tucson in Arizona; Little Palm Island Resort & Spa in Little Torch Key, Florida; and Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Two-key ratings went to 36 U.S. hotels. In total, the 2024 Michelin Guide hotel selection for the U.S. now includes 16 three-key hotels, 70 two-key hotels, and 207 one-key properties.
According to the chief hotel inspector, the Michelin Guide will update the selection on an annual basis, similar to the restaurant guide.
