Michelin Keys: Top-Rated Hotels are Beyond Stars
While the Michelin Guide is generally known for the stars it awards chefs and restaurants, its origins as a traveler’s guide (distributed by a certain tire company that wanted more people driving) means that hotels are another commodity that is rated, reviewed, and recommended by the Guide.
And while the Guide features over 5000 hotels, these aren’t your run-of-the-mill, place to hang your hat for the night, just as Michelin restaurants aren’t a place to grab a quick bite. To that end, Michelin awards KEYS to the best of the best hotels, in One, Two, and Three Key quantities, and they are judged on the following:
Architecture and interior design
Quality and consistency of service
Overall personality and character
Value for the price, and
A significant contribution to the guest experience in a particular setting
After a revamp to their hotel rating, this is the first year hotels have been awarded Keys, in the US there are 11 Three Key hotels, 33 Two Key hotels, and 80 One Key hotels.
As for what each Key indicates, Michelin states the following:
One Key: a very special stay.
Two Keys: an exceptional stay.
Three Keys: an extraordinary stay.
If you think those sound too similar, here’s what they say on Three Key hotels:
If you’re anywhere, anytime, and you can make it to a three Key hotel — do whatever you can to get there for a night. It’s one of the most outstanding experiences in the world.
And these aren’t all super-exclusive, super expensive places either! I just looked at a Two Keyer in Chicago, and it’s only about $250 per night. For a special occasion, that ain’t too shabby.
