Michelin Expands Hotel Ratings Globally Amid “Award Fatigue”

Nearly 1,000 hotels worldwide received Michelin Guide "key" distinctions as the French guidebook publisher expanded its embryonic hotel rating system beyond its base in key gateway cities.

At a Paris ceremony Wednesday night, Michelin gave standout ratings to hotels across nearly 100 countries. The company awarded 143 hotels three keys, its highest designation for an "extraordinary stay," while 572 received "two keys" and 1,742 earned "one key."

The expansion followed the debut of Michelin's key system in France in April 2024, with the U.S. and a few other major countries joining shortly thereafter. France led all countries with 203 awarded properties, followed by Italy with 188 and Germany with 130.

Six hotels earned promotions on Wednesday night to the most coveted "three keys," including five in Italy and one in Japan. Among them was Borgo Santo Pietro in Tuscany. (Full list, here.)

Special Awards

Four hotels were singled out for speci