Who is Michelin and Why It Matters
Michelin, renowned for its prestigious restaurant ratings through the coveted Michelin Stars, is set to make waves in the luxury travel industry. On October 8, 2025, in a ceremony held in Paris, the Michelin Guide will unveil its first global selection of hotels awarded with Michelin Keys, a new distinction poised to become the international benchmark for hospitality.
This announcement marks a significant milestone for the French brand, which has been synonymous with gastronomic excellence for over a century. Now, Michelin aims to establish itself as an indispensable guide for discerning travelers seeking unique accommodations worldwide.
Beyond Luxury: A Holistic Approach to Hotel Excellence
The Michelin Keys system goes beyond mere luxury, considering emotional connection, distinctive design, and local authenticity. This new approach offers travelers a reliable tool to make informed decisions about their lodging.
Three Tiers of Hotel Excellence
Michelin Keys are awarded across three categories:
- One Michelin Key: recognizes a stay with a strong sense of identity, creativity, or exceptional value for money.
- Two Michelin Keys: distinguishes an exceptional stay with distinctive architecture, local character, and memorable services.
- Three Michelin Keys: rewards an extraordinary stay where luxury, service, and attention to detail place the hotel among the world’s best.
In its initial selections during 2024 and early 2025, the guide has already bestowed keys upon over 1,500 hotels in 15 key destinations, demonstrating the initiative’s robust foundation.
Special Michelin Awards 2025
Alongside the Michelin Keys, Michelin will introduce four Special Awards celebrating unique hospitality attributes:
- Architecture and Design Award: for hotels with aesthetics that inspire and enrich the guest experience.
- Well-being Award: for properties with comprehensive health and relaxation programs.
- Local Entrance Award: highlighting hotels that connect travelers with a destination’s cultural essence.
- Breakthrough Hotel of the Year Award: for new openings that have set trends in their first year of operation.
Nominations will be published between August and September, with winners announced during the October 8 ceremony.
Paris Ceremony
The official event will take place at the esteemed Musée des Arts Décoratifs, facing the Louvre. Over 300 hotelier attendees, international journalists, opinion leaders, and industry experts will gather to honor excellence, diversity, and creativity in the global hospitality industry.
Renewed Guide for Global Travelers
With over 7,000 hotels in 125 countries included in its selection, the Michelin Guide not only recommends exceptional stays but now also enables integrated reservations through its digital platforms, providing a more seamless and trustworthy user experience.
Experts believe the introduction of Michelin Keys marks a turning point for the premium travel industry, placing the guide at the heart of crucial travel decisions.
Key Questions and Answers
- What are Michelin Keys? Michelin Keys are a new hotel rating system introduced by the Michelin Guide, recognizing exceptional accommodations based on factors like emotional connection, design, and local authenticity.
- When will the first Michelin Keys be awarded? The first global selection of hotels with Michelin Keys will be announced on October 8, 2025.
- How many hotels will receive Michelin Keys initially? Over 1,500 hotels in 15 key destinations have already been awarded Michelin Keys during the initial selections in 2024 and early 2025.
- What are the Special Michelin Awards 2025? These awards celebrate unique hospitality attributes, including Architecture and Design, Well-being, Local Entrance, and Breakthrough Hotel of the Year.
- Where and when will the ceremony take place? The official event will be held at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris on October 8, 2025.
