The prestigious Michelin Guide has announced it will launch its first-ever global Michelin Key Selection on October 8, 2025, following the successful rollout of Michelin Key distinctions across 15 top travel destinations throughout 2024 and early 2025, marking the debut of a worldwide selection celebrating the globe's most outstanding hotels.
In addition to the highly anticipated Michelin Keys, The Michelin Guide will introduce four new Special Awards, designed to spotlight excellence in specific areas of hospitality. The announcement will be made both online, via the Guide’s social media and editorial platforms, and in person during an exclusive ceremony in Paris. For the first time, travellers will benefit from a seamless experience combining trusted Michelin distinctions with integrated booking services, aiming to simplify the discovery and reservation of the world’s finest hotels. The Michelin Keys Already internationally renowned for its restaurant selections and Star ratings, The Michelin Guide has, in recent years, established an independent global hotel selection featuring over 7,000 properties across more than 125 countries. Just as the iconic Stars denote culinary excellence, the Michelin Keys are designed to highlight the most outstanding stays within the Guide’s hotel selection. Evaluated meticulously by The Michelin Guide Inspectors based on five universal criteria, these Keys aim to establish a new international and reliable benchmark for exceptional hospitality: One Michelin Key: Signifies a very special stay – a true gem with distinct character and personality. These properties offer something unique or represent the best of their type, consistently providing service that goes beyond expectations compared to similarly priced establishments. Two Michelin Keys: Designates an exceptional stay – somewhere truly unique and outstanding in every way, guaranteeing a memorable experience. Such hotels possess strong character, personality, and charm, operated with evident pride and considerable care, often featuring eye-catching design or architecture that reflects a strong sense of locale. Three Michelin Keys: Represents an extraordinary stay – the ultimate in comfort, service, style, and elegance. These are considered among the world’s most remarkable hotels and are destinations in themselves for a trip of a lifetime. They embody all elements of truly great hospitality, ensuring an unforgettable stay. Following initial Key selections that celebrated over 1,500 outstanding hotels, inspectors are now finalising this first worldwide selection, which promises to showcase the very best of global hospitality. Four new special awards In addition to the Michelin Keys, The Michelin Guide will debut four Special Awards, designed to recognise properties for achievements that transcend classic categories and celebrate uniqueness in specific hospitality fields. Each award will be attributed to a single winning property: Michelin Architecture & Design Award: Celebrating hotels whose architecture and design inspire unforgettable journeys and elevate the guest experience through a distinctive aesthetic identity. Michelin Wellness Award: Recognising properties with pioneering and holistic wellness programmes that nurture body, mind, and spirit. Michelin Local Gateway Award: Honouring hotels that offer guests immersive connections to their surroundings, evoking the unique character and spirit of their region. Michelin Opening of the Year Award: Rewarding newly opened hotels that have made an exceptional impact on the hospitality landscape within their first year. The global unveiling of the 2025 Michelin Keys selection will take place both digitally and physically during an exclusive ceremony in Paris on 8 October 2025. The Michelin Guide Hotels Ceremony will be held at the spectacular Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, offering a glimpse into timeless culture and exceptional design.