Maybe you’ve heard of Michelin Stars, the designation awarded to outstanding restaurants from the Michelin Guide. Recently, the Michelin Guide introduced Michelin Keys, the hotel equivalent of Michelin Stars, awarded to hotels for outstanding stays.
What exactly is the Michelin Guide?
According to Wikipedia, in 1900, French brothers Edouard and Andre Michelin, who were tire manufactures, wanted to increase the demand for cars, which in turn would increase the need for tires. So, they published a guide for French motorists, the Michelin Guide or Guide Michelin. The Guide provided useful information like maps, basic how-to tire repairs, mechanic listings, gas stations, and hotels throughout France. In 1922, the Guide began including restaurants in their listings. The restaurant section became so popular that the Michelin brothers “recruited a team of anonymous inspectors to visit and review restaurants.” Eventually, the Guide began to add stars to the restaurants, and the rest is history. In 2020, Michelin began awarding green stars to denote sustainability and in 2024, Michelin began awarding “keys”– the hotel equivalent to “stars” for restaurants.
What’s the criteria for getting a Michelin “key”?
The Michelin Guide website states, “All our hotels excel in design, architecture, service and personality,” and that, “every Michelin Guide hotel is eligible for keys.” Yeah, that’s pretty loose criteria, but I’ve stayed at two hotels with “keys”, and they were pretty fantastic.
So how did I get to stay at two hotels that were awarded Michelin keys?
It was totally random. A couple years ago, I stayed at the one key Lido Palace in Riva del Garda on Lake Garda Italy, before Michelin started awarding keys. Recently, I stayed at the two key Auberge Saint-Antoine in Quebec City, Canada, after reading about it - but again, it was before I learned about the Michelin keys. Not gonna lie – they were both pretty spectacular. The rooms were comfortable and well appointed. The views were beautiful, and everyone who worked at the hotels were lovely.
Are hotels with Michelin keys super expensive?
The Michelin Guide website says no. A quick search of the Auberge Saint-Antoine shows rooms in March starting at $186. The Lido Palace shows rooms starting at $207, in April. Reasonable considering how great the hotels are. BUT.... those prices change significantly depending on when you stay.
Should you use the Michelin Guide to search for hotels with keys?
I think it’s a really helpful trip planning tool. I’ve used it to research hotels for upcoming trips. Whether I continue to stay at Michelin keyed hotels in the future will all depend on where I’m going and what my budget is, but it’s definitely worthwhile to check out the list in the Guide!
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