Michelin Awards 124 U.S. Luxury Hotels New Key Ratings
24.04.2024 - 21:59
/ skift.com
/ Gwendal Poullennec
Michelin announced its top picks for U.S. hotels Wednesday, using its new hotel “key” system. Only a small number of hotels across seven cities made the cut.
Hotels in Atlanta, Chicago, Miami, New York, Orlando, Tampa, and Washington, D.C., were eligible, along with ones in California and Colorado.
Michelin already lists about 1,000 hotels in the U.S. as recommendations. The 124 hotels are the first in a wave of U.S. hotels to receive the higher commendation of “key” awards.
Rating hotels is new for Michelin and the “key” system mirrors its restaurant star system. One key denotes a “special” hotel, two keys are “exceptional,” and the coveted three keys are awarded to “extraordinary” establishments.
Michelin said that its goal is to evaluate hotels beyond basic amenities, placing a premium on their restaurants, design, and service. It said it is focusing on the local character, individuality, and an overall memorable guest experience.
Michelin revealed its top hotels in Paris earlier this month. It plans to reveal its picks for top luxury hotels for Spain on April 29, for Italy in early May, and for Japan and Korea in July. It eventually aims to cover key “touristic hubs” worldwide.
Hotels in New York and California swept the coveted three-key category.
Michelin listed the hotels receiving its one-key designation on its website.
One recipient of a “one key” rating is Riggs Washington, DC, an 1891 Romanesque Revival bank building that re-opened as a luxury hotel a few years ago.
“The Michelin recognition has a lot of influence on guest choices, and this recognition will help put Riggs on the map from an international perspective for people not familiar with the market,” said Dewayne Wright, general manager of Riggs Washington DC.
“To have the same recognition as long-revered hotels like the Hay-Adams will help sustain our team’s high motivation, too,” Wright said.
Michelin said all of its inspectors are on staff, not freelance, and fully pay their way for meals and hotel stays.
Skift reported Tuesday that Atlanta’s tourism marketers have paid $1 million over three years to encourage Michelin to review restaurants there and to help promote the selected restaurants. Skift has previously reported that, internationally, Michelin often enters some financial deals with tourism boards to initiate market entry.
To dispel any confusion, Michelin said its partnerships with seven tourism groups, including Visit California and Visit Florida, are centered on helping destinations promote themselves as gastronomic centers of excellence and that they don’t affect their selections.
“Michelin doesn’t have a pay-for-play business model,” said Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guides.