MICHELIN Guide reveals 2026 global hotel selection

The MICHELIN Guide has unveiled its 2026 global hotel selection, recognising 2,832 hotels with MICHELIN Keys following anonymous visits by its inspectors.

The latest selection welcomes 470 newly distinguished hotels across 79 destinations, while more than 80 properties have been promoted. MICHELIN Keys have also been awarded in 10 destinations for the first time: Armenia, Benin, Botswana, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein, Mongolia, Myanmar, Rwanda, Slovakia and Zimbabwe.

The MICHELIN Guide’s wider hotel selection now features more than 9,400 properties, with over 2,200 added since the previous global MICHELIN Key announcement in October 2025.

Of the hotels awarded a MICHELIN Key in 2026, 2,020 hold One Key, 657 hold Two Keys and 155 have received the highest Three-Key distinction.

Gwendal Poullennec (pictured), International Director of the MICHELIN Guide, said: “This second global selection of the MICHELIN Keys reflects the extraordinary momentum driving the hospitality sector once again this year. With 470 newly distinguished establishments, we are witnessing a continuous upscaling of the offering, driven by even more creative and ambitious projects.

“All around the world, hoteliers are reinventing the stay experience through more immersive, personalised and experiential concepts. Often driven by visionary independent hotelkeepers, this evolution in concepts is now inspiring the industry as a whole.”

Europe leads expansion of MICHELIN Key selection

Europe’s 2026 selection includes 1,338 MICHELIN Key hotels across more than 35 destinations, following 194 new awards and promotions.

Italy leads the continent with 224 Key hotels, followed by France with 220, the UK with 131 and Germany with 130. Seven European hotels have been promoted to Three Keys, including Borgo Santandrea on Italy’s Amalfi Coast.

Across Asia and the Middle East, the selection now includes 600 MICHELIN Key hotels, with 173 new awards and promotions. Soneva Secret in the Maldives is the region’s only new Three-Key property this year.

Africa’s selection has grown to 113 Key hotels, including 28 new awards and promotions. Delaire Graff Estate in Stellenbosch becomes the continent’s newest Three-Key hotel.

The Americas have also welcomed new additions. North and Central America and the Caribbean received more than 100 new Keys and promotions, including 65 in the US. South America gained 20 new Keys and promotions across six destinations.

Oceania now has 92 Key hotels following 37 new awards and promotions. Southern Ocean Lodge in Australia has been promoted from Two to Three Keys.

Special Awards recognise distinctive hospitality

Four hotels have received MICHELIN Guide Special Awards for their approaches to design, wellbeing, opening experiences and connection to place:

• The Architecture & Design Award went to Desert Rock Resort in Umluj, Saudi Arabia.

• The Wellness Award was presented to Schloss Elmau Luxury Spa Retreat & Cultural Hideaway in Germany.

• The Opening of the Year Award went to Airelles Palladio Venice in Italy.

• The Local Gateway Award recognised Londolozi Game Reserve in Kruger, South Africa.

Changing expectations shape hotel experiences

MICHELIN Guide inspectors identified several hospitality trends across the 2026 selection, including growing demand for slower and more immersive travel, the continued blending of business and leisure, and a shift towards privacy, authenticity and stronger connections to place.

Wellbeing is increasingly being incorporated throughout the guest experience rather than confined to a traditional spa, while hotels are using bold, highly visual design to capture attention. Inspectors also noted the growth of luxury hospitality at sea through concepts including Four Seasons Yachts, The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and Aman at Sea.

Introduced in 2024, the MICHELIN Key is the MICHELIN Guide’s distinction for hotels and is described as the hotel equivalent of the MICHELIN Star for restaurants. One Key signifies a very special stay, Two Keys an exceptional stay and Three Keys an extraordinary stay.

View the full announcement at michelin.com/en/publications/products-and-services/michelin-guide-2026-michelin-key-selection