MICHELIN KEYS: what, why and who of the newest hotel accreditation
For years, Michelin have recommended hotels as part of their guide. Now they have an official rating system for the world’s most spectacular properties.
Michelin Guide have officially announced the inaugural selection of hotels that have been adorned with their new distinction – the Michelin Key.
Akin to the acclaimed and highly sought after Stars that they attribute to restaurants across the world, Michelin have now created their official rating for the world’s most outstanding hotels. Introduced in April of this year, the Keys, like the Stars, are awarded to the properties that would be considered the crème de la crème by the selection team of passionate, independent experts.
With over 5,000 hotels included in the collection, the Michelin Key offers a new qualifier for those planning their next event, distinguishing the most exceptional properties by more than just their star-rating, through one of their esteemed Keys.
A Brief History of the Michelin Guide
Now everyone knows the Michelin Star, and of course the Michelin tyre, but the Michelin Guide’s origin story is that of a genius marketing strategy by the brothers, Andre and Edouard.
In an effort to ultimately increase tyre sales across France, the Michelin brothers developed a free, small red guide book (included at many of the petrol stations dotted across the French landscape, and with every sale of their famed tyres) that would offer insights into travel options in and around the country – quietly hoping the increased travel in their vehicle would in-turn lead to more car and tyre sales.
Fast forward 100 years and the Michelin Guide offers foodies and travellers alike the perfect insight into over 40,000 establishments across three continents.
What does the Michelin Key indicate?
- 🔑 One Key: a very special stay.
- 🔑🔑 Two Keys: an exceptional stay.
- 🔑🔑🔑 Three Keys: an extraordinary stay.
What is the criteria for a Michelin Key?
In their own words, “the MICHELIN Key recognizes hotels for outstanding stays”.
Determining this is based on five key principles:
1. Excellence in architecture and interior design
2. The quality and consistency of service
3. Overall personality and character of the hotel
4. Value for the price charged
5. The presence of significant contribution(s) to the neighbourhood or setting.
Having been an industry leader for luxury incentives over the last 10 years, we wanted to recognise and of course congratulate some of our favourite properties that have been deemed worthy to have at least one (or in many cases, more) Michelin Key across the UK, France, Spain and Italy.
United Kingdom & Ireland
The Connaught, London 🔑🔑🔑
Bvlgari Hotel London 🔑🔑🔑
Claridge's, London 🔑🔑🔑
The Savoy, London 🔑🔑🔑
Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, A Belmond Hotel, Oxfordshire 🔑🔑🔑
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park 🔑🔑🔑
Raffles London at The OWO 🔑🔑🔑
The Gleneagles Hotel 🔑🔑🔑
Coworth Park, Dorchester Collection 🔑🔑
45 Park Lane, Dorchester Collection 🔑🔑
Corinthia Hotel London 🔑🔑
Hotel Café Royal 🔑🔑
Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, London 🔑🔑
Rosewood London 🔑🔑
The Berkeley 🔑🔑
The Cadogan, A Belmond Hotel, London 🔑🔑
The Dorchester, Dorchester Collection 🔑🔑
The Langham, London 🔑🔑
Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire 🔑
1 Hotel Mayfair 🔑
Four Seasons Hotel London at Tower Bridge 🔑
NoMad London 🔑
Shangri-La The Shard London 🔑
Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid - awarded 3 Michelin Keys
Spain
Bahia del Duque 🔑
Hotel Arts Barcelona 🔑
Soho House Barcelona 🔑
Bless Hotel Ibiza 🔑
Santa Catalina, a Royal Hideaway Hotel 🔑
Cap Vermell Grand Hotel 🔑
Anantara Villa Padierna 🔑
La Zambra 🔑
Castillo Hotel Son Vida 🔑
La Bobadilla 🔑
Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid 🔑🔑🔑
Mandarin Oriental Barcelona 🔑🔑
La Residencia, A Belmond Hotel, Mallorca 🔑🔑
Four Seasons Hotel Madrid 🔑🔑
Rosewood Villa Magna 🔑🔑
Marbella Club Hotel 🔑🔑
Rosewood Castigilion Del Bosco - awarded 3 Michelin Keys
ITALY
Rosewood Castiglion Del Bosco 🔑🔑🔑
Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel, Venice 🔑🔑
Four Seasons Hotel Firenze 🔑🔑
Grand Hotel et de Milan 🔑🔑
Portrait Milano 🔑🔑
Castelfalfin 🔑🔑
Castello di Casole, A Belmond Hotel, Tuscany 🔑🔑
Grand Hotel Timeo, A Belmond Hotel, Taormina 🔑🔑
San Domenico Palace, Taormina, A Four Seasons Hotel 🔑🔑
Hotel Gritti Palace 🔑🔑
Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel, Florence 🔑
Hotel Principe di Savoia, Dorchester Collection 🔑
Mandarin Oriental Milan 🔑
Caruso, A Belmond Hotel, Amalfi Coast 🔑
Hotel Eden, Dorchester Collection 🔑
Rocco Forte Hotel De La Ville 🔑
Rocco Forte Hotel de Russie 🔑
Six Senses Rome 🔑
The St. Regis Rome 🔑
Borgo Egnazia 🔑
FRANCE
Domaine des Etangs, Auberge Resorts Collection 🔑🔑
Hotel Chais Monnet 🔑🔑
Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel 🔑🔑
Lutetia 🔑🔑
Le Royal Monceau 🔑🔑
Shangri-La Paris 🔑🔑
The Maybourne Riviera 🔑🔑
InterContinental Grand Hôtel Bordeaux 🔑
Terre Blanche 🔑