Michelin recently introduced a new hotel rating system, with 24 French hotels receiving the highest rating of “Three Keys.” The rating system is similar to Michelin’s restaurant star system, with one key signifying a “special” hotel, two keys for “exceptional,” and three keys for “extraordinary” establishments. In addition to the 24 Three Key hotels, Michelin also awarded 38 Two Key hotels, and 127 One Key hotels. Among the Three Key recipients were several palace hotels, as well as country accommodations and boutique hotels. Michelin’s criteria for evaluation focus on factors such as restaurants, design, and service, as well as the overall guest experience and local character of the hotels.
Michelin plans to release its selections for top luxury hotels in the United States, Spain, Italy, Japan, and Korea throughout the year. The hotel industry is eager to see how Michelin’s ratings will impact business and provide clarity in the evaluation of luxury hotels. Some industry professionals view the new rating system as a way to help customers identify hotels that offer the best experiences for their money, especially for lesser-known brands like the Lungarno Collection. The guide may also create a globally recognized framework for comparing hotels across different countries, reducing confusion in the industry.
Forbes Travel Guide is currently the leading organization in hotel ratings, but Michelin’s entry into the market presents new competition. Michelin’s established brand recognition and focus on quality position it as a significant player in the field, despite uncertainties about how the ratings will be adopted globally. The luxury hotel industry is hopeful that Michelin’s ratings will bring clarity and transparency to the evaluation of hotels, providing a standard for comparison that transcends borders and regions. The industry anticipates that Michelin’s new ratings will create a more consistent and reliable system for distinguishing between luxury hotels worldwide.
Overall, Michelin’s new hotel rating system is making waves in the industry, with the latest batch of French hotels receiving their prestigious key ratings. The criteria for evaluation focus on aspects beyond basic amenities, emphasizing restaurants, design, service, and the overall guest experience. The announcement of the top luxury hotels in various countries throughout the year will be eagerly anticipated by the industry, as Michelin’s entry into the hotel rating market adds a new dimension of competition and potential standardization. Hoteliers and guests alike will be watching to see how Michelin’s ratings influence the perception and ranking of luxury hotels globally, providing a guidepost for discerning travelers seeking exceptional experiences.
