The new One, Two, and Three-Key hotels, as well as four winners of new awards, will be revealed in Paris and online on October 8, 2025.
Planning your next getaway? The Michelin Guide, the world’s bible when it comes to top food establishments, is expanding its series of guides with its first-ever Michelin Key global selection.
For the uninitiated, the Michelin Key is the hotel equivalent of the famous and coveted Michelin Star for restaurants. Over the past few years, Michelin Guide inspectors have curated a global hotel selection featuring more than 7,000 properties across 125 countries. Every hotel that made it to the list underwent a meticulous selection process, judged according to excellence in design, architecture, service and personality.
Like the Star for food establishments, from the selection, the Michelin Key recognizes the best of the best. The distinction is awarded at three levels, just like how it’s done for the Star category: One, Two or Three Keys.
Related story: Six PH hotels named in Michelin Guide Hotels 2024, including two homegrown brands
Related story: The Philippines is finally getting its own Michelin Guide! Here’s what we know so far
The 2025 Michelin Keys builds on the success of its maiden selection launched in April 2024. From this list of recommended hotels around the world, however, the awarding of Michelin Keys were limited to only 15 countries, namely Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom & Ireland, and the United States.
For the new guide to be launched in October, every hotel in the Michelin selection, regardless of location, will be eligible for a Key, including the Philippines. The country had six inclusions in the inaugural Michelin hotel selection last year. Among them, two are homegrown brands: Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan by Chroma Hospitality of the Filinvest Group; and Nay Palad Hideaway in Siargao, founded by German entrepreneur Robert Dekeyser.
The four others are part of international hotel chains: Amanpulo by the Aman Group; the Japanese brand Hotel Okura at Newport World Resorts; The Peninsula Manila; and Admiral Hotel MGallery.
On top of the Michelin Key global selection, the Michelin Guide will present brand-new awards to four hotels (from a pool of five nominees), each representing excellence in a distinct dimension of hospitality.
First is the Michelin Architecture & Design Award, which honors hotels where “unforgettable architecture and interior design are central to the guest experience.” Nominees are to be announced on August 13. Meanwhile, the Michelin Wellness Award celebrates hotels that prioritize the mental and physical well-being of its guests. Nominees will be released on August 27.
Related story: Destination weddings: Why Crimson Mactan is your romantic gateway to forever
Related story: FIRST LOOK: New Nustar Hotel in Cebu takes luxury a notch higher
The Michelin Local Gateway Award recognizes hotels that offer memorable authentic local experiences. Nominees are scheduled to be announced on September 10. Lastly, The Michelin Opening of the Year Award goes to bold new arrivals that made an immediate impact in their first year. Nominees for this recognition will be unveiled on September 24.
The Michelin Guide was first published as a small red (and free!) booklet in 1900 by the tire company founded by brothers Andre and Edouard Michelin. It was originally intended to help motorists plan their trips, thereby helping boost car and tire sales, according to its official website. The guide initially provided practical information for drivers, such as maps and tire repair instructions. It also included information the guide is now synonymous to: lists of highly recommended restaurants and hotels. It wasn’t much later in 1926 that the guide began awarding stars to fine dining establishments. The current system of One, Two, and Three stars was established in 1931.
Earlier this year, it was revealed that the Philippines is finally getting its own Michelin Guide. The highly anticipated guide will cover Metro Manila and Cebu City, as well as areas surrounding the capital region, including Pampanga, Tagaytay, and Cavite. It is set to be unveiled at a special event in the last quarter of 2025.
Related story: Luxury resorts in Bohol, Boracay, El Nido and Mactan win Condé Nast Johansens Awards in London
Related story: This lionhearted couple started as dreamers and became hospitality innovators
Despite significantly expanding from its original iteration, the Michelin Guide has kept faithful to its fundamental goal: “to settle in mature gastronomic destinations, to guide international travelers and local food lovers to the best restaurants, and to highlight world culinary scenes and to promote travel culture.” Over the years, it has ventured beyond gastronomic experiences to include hotels, highlighting establishments that offer high standards of service, comfort, and unique experiences.
The new One, Two, and Three Key hotels, as well as the four winners of the new awards, will be revealed at a Michelin Guide Ceremony in Paris on October 8, 2025. The full selection will also be announced digitally via the Michelin Guide app, website, and social media platforms.
The full, searchable selection of Michelin Guide hotels is available on The Michelin Guide website and app. Visit our online magazine for inspiration.
