Michelin Announces First Key Hotels in U.S.
Hotels in Atlanta, California, Chicago, Colorado, Florida, New York, and Washington D.C. are listed
Michelin, the tire company best known for its culinary guides that use one, two, and three stars to denote excellence in dining, has awarded its first group of Michelin Keys to hotels in the United States.
In total, 124 hotels received keys in Atlanta, California, Chicago, Colorado, Florida (Miami, Orlando, and Tampa), New York, and Washington D.C. — the same U.S. destinations where the Michelin Guide also recommends restaurants.
Michelin’s hotel Keys are similar to its restaurant Stars — anonymous inspectors visit or stay at hotels in the abovementioned cities and reward properties that have character, a warm welcome, and an extremely high level of service.
Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guide, said of the new Key distinctions, “The Michelin Guide has opened up a brand new chapter in the service it provides for travelers, which has been its lifeblood for the past 124 years.”
In the first U.S. Guide, more than 1,000 hotels were researched to find the 124 standouts. In total, 80 hotels received One Key, 33 received Two Keys, and 11 hotels achieved Three Key status.
Like Michelin’s Star ratings, each Key denotes a specific criteria. One Michelin Key is considered a “very special stay” with service that goes the extra mile and, “provides significantly more than similarly priced establishments”.
Two Michelin Keys are reserved for hotels providing “an exceptional stay” where a memorable experience is guaranteed. Two Key hotels have “character, personality, and charm” and are “operated with obvious pride and considerable care”.
Three Michelin Key hotels provide “an extraordinary stay” and offer, “the ultimate in comfort and service, style and elegance”. Michelin considers these properties, “remarkable and extraordinary hotels and a destination in itself for that trip of a lifetime”.
Only California and New York are home to the inaugural class of Three Key hotels with tony names like Canyon Ranch Woodside, the Hotel Bel-Air, and The Beverly Hills Hotel in California. New York One Key properties include Casa Cipriani and The Whitby Hotel.
Two Key hotels that exude charm include The Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood, Mayfair House Hotel & Garden in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood, The Jefferson in Washington D.C., The Langham in Chicago, and The Carlyle in New York City.
Finally, standout One Key Hotels include Holiday House in Palm Springs, The Little Nell in Aspen, The Hay-Adams Hotel in Washington, D.C., The Betsy in Miami Beach, The Candler Hotel in Atlanta, The Chicago Athletic Association in Chicago, and the iconic Hotel Chelsea in New York City.
The Guide will announce more Michelin Key hotels throughout the year. Find a complete list of Michelin Guide hotels in the U.S. here.
I'm glad I have family everywhere. Hotel prices have gone up a lot in the last two years. Michelin stars mean nothing to we older people who just like a simple place to stay.