What Is the MICHELIN Key?
For over a century, the MICHELIN Guide has been synonymous with excellence in dining. But the brand’s legacy extends beyond restaurants — in the 1920s, it began recommending hotels, setting a foundation for what would become a global travel benchmark.
Today, the MICHELIN Guide has evolved into a comprehensive travel resource, offering curated recommendations for over 7,000 hotels worldwide — from urban design icons to remote hideaways. And now, with the introduction of the MICHELIN Key, it aims to celebrate the most outstanding hotel experiences around the world.
The MICHELIN Key: The Hotel Equivalent of the MICHELIN Star
Much like the MICHELIN Star honours restaurants for exceptional culinary achievement, the MICHELIN Key recognises hotels that deliver an extraordinary stay.
Every property in the MICHELIN Guide’s hotel selection is eligible for this recognition. Starting October 8, 2025, MICHELIN Keys will be unveiled globally — marking the first time hotels across all regions will be evaluated on the same elite scale.
The Five Criteria Behind Every MICHELIN Key
MICHELIN Inspectors evaluate hotels based on five universal criteria that define what makes a stay truly exceptional:
- Excellence in architecture and interior design
- Quality and consistency of service
- Overall personality and character
- Value for the price
- Significant contribution to the neighbourhood or setting
Hotels that earn a MICHELIN Key are those that excel across all five — representing the very best in hospitality and design.
The Three Levels of MICHELIN Keys
Just as restaurants can earn one, two, or three MICHELIN Stars, hotels can receive one, two, or three MICHELIN Keys, each representing a different level of excellence:
- One MICHELIN Key: A very special stay. A true gem with personality. Service always goes the extra mile, and the hotel provides much more than others in its price range.
- Two MICHELIN Keys: An exceptional stay. A hotel that’s unique in every way, where a memorable experience is always a guarantee. A hotel of character and charm, run with obvious pride and considerable care.
- Three MICHELIN Keys: An extraordinary stay. The ultimate in comfort and service, style and elegance. It is one of the world’s most remarkable and extraordinary stays and a destination for the trip of a lifetime.
Whether it’s a city boutique hotel or a countryside retreat, the MICHELIN Key symbolises an experience worth travelling for.
Are MICHELIN Key Hotels Always Expensive?
Not at all. The MICHELIN Guide’s hotel selection spans all budgets and styles — from affordable boutique stays to grand luxury estates. What matters most is experience, not price.
You’ll find MICHELIN Key-worthy hotels in bustling metropolises, tranquil islands, historic castles, or minimalist modern towers. Each one is selected for its individuality and excellence, not its room rate.
Dining Meets Design: Stars and Keys Under One Roof
While some MICHELIN Key hotels also house MICHELIN Star restaurants, the two recognitions are independent. A hotel’s MICHELIN Key reflects its hospitality experience, while a restaurant’s Star celebrates culinary mastery.
Still, when both come together under one roof, travellers can enjoy the best of both worlds — unforgettable dining and an equally memorable stay.
With the launch of the MICHELIN Key, the MICHELIN Guide has redefined what it means to stay somewhere special. No longer is it just about luxury or location — it’s about authenticity, design, service, and soul.
For Malaysia’s growing hospitality scene, this presents an exciting opportunity. As Kuala Lumpur and other Malaysian cities continue to welcome world-class hotels, the arrival of the MICHELIN Key promises to spotlight the nation’s finest stays on a truly global stage.
Check out Malaysia’s First MICHELIN Key Hotels: Where Luxury Meets Local Character.
