You already know Michelin inspects restaurants, but did you know that the French company — which has been publishing guidebooks since 1900 — now also rates hotels? While restaurants are given coveted Michelin stars, hotels have their own rating system known as Michelin Keys. While the rating system is not entirely new — it debuted for properties in France in early April 2024 — it was recently unveiled in the U.S. The first-ever Michelin Key U.S. selection highlights a total of 124 hotels in California, New York, Colorado, Illinois, Florida, Georgia, and Washington, D.C. 

“Just like the famous stars that indicate the best culinary experiences in the Michelin Guide restaurant selection, the Michelin Keys reveal accommodations in the guide’s hotel selection that offer the most outstanding stays,” Carly Grieff, press officer for Michelin, tells ShermansTravel. “They are a new benchmark for travelers, qualifying each hotel experience in broader terms than simple amenities.” Additionally, according to the company, each hotel that made the list is “vetted and judged excellent in five categories: 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.”

Courtesy of Mayfair House Hotel & Garden


The new rating system is divided into three categories: One Michelin Key, Two Michelin Keys, and Three Michelin Keys. Per the company, One Key hotels offer exceptional service and their own unique character and personality to ensure a "very special stay," be it by "break[ing] the mold, offer[ing] something different or simply be[ing] one of the best of its type."  Meanwhile, the company describes Two Key hotels as “truly unique and exceptional in every way, where a memorable experience is always guaranteed.” Guests can also expect “eye-catching design or architecture, and a real sense of the locale make this an exceptional place to stay.” Finally, Three Key hotels are characterized by their “astonishment and indulgence.” As the most difficult-to-achieve ranking, “This is the ultimate in comfort and service, style and elegance. It is one of the world’s most remarkable and extraordinary hotels and a destination in itself for that trip of a lifetime.”

It’s worth noting that only 11 U.S. hotels earned the coveted Three Key ranking, compared to 33 Two Key stays and another 80 One Key properties. That’s 124 Keys in the U.S. in total.

Our Favorite Michelin Key Hotels in the U.S.

Savvy travelers will be relieved to know that there’s no need to shell out a small fortune to stay at a Michelin-ranked property. Ahead, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite Michelin Key hotel stays across the country, including some hidden gems in or near major cities that won’t break the bank, like a wellness-centric all-inclusive near San Francisco. 

The Candler Hotel Atlanta: Atlanta, GA

Courtesy of The Candler Hotel Atlanta

Housed in a historic Beaux-Arts skyscraper built in 1906 by none other than Asa Griggs Candler (who founded the Coca-Cola Company before going on to serve as the mayor of Atlanta), the 17-story hotel was Atlanta’s first skyscraper, and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The eclectic property, a member of Hilton’s Curio Collection, oozes charm and elegance, mainly thanks to ample marble, intricate stonework, and colorful Tiffany windows. The on-site restaurant, By George — named in honor of the building’s original architects, George E. Murphy and George Stewart is especially striking. Housed in the building’s former bank (where it’s rumored that the original Coca-Cola recipe was stored), it features marble columns and glimmering chandeliers. It’s also run by celebrity chef Hugh Acheson. Rooms have a more contemporary feel with modern, minimalist furniture and a sleek neutral color palette. Best of all, rates usually clock in at under $200 per night.

Eaton DC: Washington, D.C.

Courtesy of the property

Located in downtown D.C., this boutique hotel-slash-members club is a favorite among hipster-esque creatives — locals and travelers alike. The boho-chic interiors, including the rooms, feature warm wood walls, mid-century modern-esque furnishings, patterned rugs, and cozy blankets. The in-room turntables and curated collection of vinyls and books are just the icing on the cake. Curl up near the roaring fireplace with a book from the on-site library, or make your way to one of the four stylish drinking and dining venues, which include a rooftop bar, a craft cocktail lounge, a French-American eatery helmed by a Michelin-starred chef, and an all-day coffee shop that doubles as a buzzy coworking space. For some R&R, make a beeline for the on-site wellness center, where you’ll find infrared saunas, a yoga studio, and a meditation room. 

Canyon Ranch Woodside: Woodside, CA 

Courtesy of the property

Canyon Ranch is beloved for its wellness-centric, adults-only programming and all-inclusive pricing, and the brand’s Woodside locale — nestled among the redwoods just 45 minutes from San Francisco — is just one of 11 U.S. hotels to earn Three Michelin Keys. While a stay here doesn’t come cheap, you do get plenty of bang for your buck since rates include gourmet meals, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages; accommodations; spa access; and activities like forest bathing, yoga, meditation, hiking, and dozens of fitness classes. The property also offers different themed packages, and many include added perks like complimentary spa treatments, wellness consultations, and personal training sessions. 

The Stavrand: Guerneville, CA

Courtesy of the property

Those craving an intimate retreat in the heart of Sonoma County need not look further than The Stavrand, a 21-room boutique hotel on 6 acres in Guerneville, California. Accommodations at this 1920s-era mansion-turned-luxury inn are spread across three buildings, and many of them feature luxe amenities such as outdoor cedar hot tubs, soaking tubs, gas fireplaces, and/or semi-private outdoor decks. And while the property has managed to retain its original charm, its interiors have been meticulously renovated to offer a California-cool feel complete with chic wall coverings, custom art, terracotta tiled roofs, and patterned rugs. Although The Stavrand isn’t technically all-inclusive, guests enjoy a slew of amenities, including daily breakfast, complimentary aperitifs, dinner and wine pairings, and fireside s’mores — that is, in addition to lawn games, kayaks, and bike rentals. 

Mayfair House Hotel & Garden: Miami, FL  

Courtesy of Mayfair House Hotel & Garden

Situated in Miami’s trendy Coconut Grove neighborhood, Mayfair House Hotel & Garden is characterized by its lush atmosphere reminiscent of a tropical garden — fun fact: the Gaudi-inspired property is home to 5,000 plants. Striking, ground-level courtyards, original tilework, and the many plants aside, the eccentric building evokes a ‘90s shopping mall nostalgia thanks to open walkways, fountains, and glass elevator shafts. While each room is distinctively designed, they all feature dark jewel tones, bespoke furnishings, and specially curated artwork; some offer fun bonus features like dark green-hued clawfoot tubs and vintage typewriters. The all-day café and ground-floor lounge are popular haunts, but the rooftop pool is where you want to go to see and be seen, plus, it’s also here where you'll find a buzzy rum bar. For under $300 per night, Mayfair House Hotel & Garden is among the most budget-friendly Two Key hotel options.