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Michelin Guide

<p>When people think of Michelin, they usually associate it with either the tire company or the prestigious Michelin Guide for restaurants, where earning stars is one of the highest accolades in gastronomy. </p><p>Fewer people know that the guide has also recommended hotels since the 1920s, covering destinations across Europe and Asia for decades. </p><div>In 2024, Michelin further strengthened its hotel guide by introducing a selection process guided by the same standards used for its restaurants, reinforcing its vision of becoming a comprehensive travel resource for dining and accommodations.<img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1784947332155Michelin Key Logo. Michelin Guide.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><strong>Michelin Keys and beyond</strong></div><p>Whereas the restaurant guide has anonymous inspectors, hotel selections are made by a team of anonymous hotel experts comprising well-traveled professionals with expertise in interior design and architecture, as well as seasoned hospitality specialists. </p><p>Similar to the restaurant selection process, the Michelin Guide for Hotels follows five universal criteria that define its evaluation standards.</p><p>1. The hotel is an open door to the destination</p><p>2. Excellence in interior design and architecture</p><p>3. Quality and consistency in service, comfort, and maintenance</p><p>4. Ability to deliver an extraordinary experience for its price</p><p>5. Individuality, reflecting personality and authenticity</p><p>And just as Michelin Stars are awarded to restaurants, the direct counterpart for hotels is the Michelin Key, which recognizes hotels that deliver the most outstanding experiences based on the above criteria. This was first introduced regionally in April 2024 before being launched worldwide on October 8, 2025, when the first global selection was unveiled.</p><p>According to the official website, the Key distinctions are defined and interpreted as follows:</p><p><strong>One Michelin Key: A Very Special Stay</strong> A true gem with personality. Service always goes the extra mile, and the hotel provides much more than others in its price range.</p><p><strong>Two Michelin Keys: An Exceptional Stay </strong>A hotel that&#x27;s unique in every way, where a memorable experience is always a guarantee. A hotel of character and charm, run with obvious pride and considerable care.</p><p><strong>Three Michelin Keys: An Extraordinary Stay </strong>The ultimate in comfort and service, style and elegance. It is one of the world&#x27;s most remarkable and extraordinary stays and a destination for the trip of a lifetime.</p><p>But it’s not only the Michelin Key distinctions that deserve recognition. The guide now features more than 7,000 accommodations worldwide, and properties without a Key should not necessarily be considered less exceptional. They fall under the Michelin-Selected hotels category, which recognizes properties that provide a high-quality stay. This is similar to the restaurant selection, where Michelin-Selected restaurants are also recognized.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Inside the world of Michelin Guide hotels</strong></div><p>The author had the pleasure of staying at Michelin Guide hotels in the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Thailand to discover what earns them their prestigious distinction. Though varied in style, budget, and location, they share one common thread: a remarkable commitment to creating memorable stays.</p><div><strong>Crimson Resort and Spa Boracay</strong></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:650px;display:block"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1784947426854Crimson Resort and Spa Boracay. JC Cailles Lo.jpg" style="width:650px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner"><em>Photos by the author</em></span></span></span></div><p>A luxury hotel offering a highly exclusive retreat at Boracay’s Station Zero, the unofficial name for the island’s more tranquil area, where many of its high-end resorts are located. The experience begins even before arrival, with guests picked up at the airport and brought to the welcome center by the resort&#x27;s own van, reminiscent of an upscale airport lounge. After refreshments, the journey continues with a dedicated boat transfer that brings travelers directly to the property.</p><p>Upon arrival, one immediately notices its distinct personality, reflected in its low-rise accommodations and abundant open spaces and trees. The exclusive beach and pool access, just steps away from the rooms, is truly unmatched. </p><p>The highlight for visitors is the opportunity to stay in one of the spacious 85-square-meter villas, each complete with a private plunge pool and personal concierge. Serene and discreet, it feels like your own enclave, and definitely a perfect embodiment of what a Michelin-Selected property is.</p><div><strong>Admiral Hotel Manila – MGallery Collection</strong></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:650px;display:block"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1784947481234Admiral Hotel Manila – MGallery Collection. JC Cailles Lo.jpg" style="width:650px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner"><em>Photos by the author</em></span></span></span></div><p>Another Michelin-Selected hotel, this time located in the heart of Manila along historic Roxas Boulevard, showcases Filipino-Spanish heritage influences throughout its interiors. </p><p>One of the most impressive features is the art installation Las Paginas de la Historia (Pages of History) in the high-rise lobby, which showcases the elegance of Manila’s golden age through a visual representation of book pages cascading from the ceiling. The nine-story lobby also has traditional barandilla balconies and Machuca tiles that resemble ancestral homes.  </p><p>The ultimate stay experience at this hotel is the 70-square-meter Executive Suite, featuring a king bed, a spacious living and dining area, and the perfect setting to enjoy Manila Bay’s famous sunsets. Guests also have access to the club lounge located in the lobby, where evening cocktails and canapés are served.</p><p>For an even more unforgettable stay, there’s a special treat hidden in the basement accessible through an entrance disguised as a wall of bookshelves. Called Ruby Wong’s Godown, it houses a restaurant serving Chinese cuisine alongside a speakeasy bar offering inventive cocktails.</p><div><strong>Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong</strong></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:650px;display:block"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1784947511391Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong.JC Cailles Lo.jpg" style="width:650px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner"><em>Photos by the author</em></span></span></span></div><p>This one Michelin Key property was the tallest building in the city when it opened in 1963 and was also the first hotel in Asia to feature a bathtub in every room. After a major renovation in 2006, the hotel now strikes the perfect balance between its rich heritage and modern facilities.</p><p>Its dining establishments are set to reopen on September 30 following another round of enhancements, making it a much-anticipated return for food enthusiasts. Guests with lounge access enjoy a more personalized check-in experience at the Mandarin Club, where breakfast, afternoon tea, and even free-flowing champagne are served. </p><p>The property is also home to the world’s first Captain’s Bar, celebrated for its old-world charm and reputation as a gathering place for Hong Kong’s elite. It also houses the one Michelin Star Cantonese restaurant Man Wah, as well as the world’s only remaining Krug Champagne room.</p><p>Guests can enjoy thoughtful touches such as binoculars provided in the suites to admire the beauty of Victoria Harbour, and luxurious bath amenities in the sophisticated bathrooms. These details are all part of the refined experience that reflects the promise of a very special stay.</p><div><strong>Rosewood Bangkok</strong></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:650px;display:block"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1784947537912Rosewood Bangkok. JC Cailles Lo.jpg" style="width:650px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner"><em>Photos by the author</em></span></span></span></div><p>Awarded two Michelin Keys, this modern and ultra-luxurious urban property is located in the Lumphini area, the city’s central business and embassy district. The building&#x27;s dramatic architecture and unique shape are inspired by the traditional Thai hand gesture for greeting and respect, known as the wai.</p><p>Personalization is at the heart of the experience, where valued returning guests receive embroidered pillowcases with their initials to take home as thoughtful keepsakes. The rooms are full of natural light, with spacious windows overlooking the city skyline. </p><p>Visitors at their Lennon’s bar can choose a drink based on their personality and musical preferences while exploring a collection of 6,000 vinyl records. </p><p>Akin to luxury properties, breakfast here is a more elegant sit-down experience, with diners able to choose from a curated list of à la carte items, including many Thai specialties. A truly exceptional stay that delivers an experience worthy of the recognition.</p><div><strong>Michelin Guide Plus</strong></div><p>Many may be surprised to learn that the Michelin Guide website also serves as a booking platform, allowing travelers to reserve their hotel stays safely and securely. Beyond providing access to carefully selected properties, it also features verified guest reviews and ratings to help travelers make more informed booking decisions.</p><p>A newer addition is the Michelin Guide Plus, a paid subscription service that offers members exclusive benefits across more than 1,800 participating properties. These perks may include upgrades to the next room category, hotel spending credits, a complimentary bottle of wine, in-room welcome treats upon arrival, late check-out, and complimentary breakfast. Currently priced at US$9 annually, interested subscribers can also activate a 30-day free trial.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:650px;display:block"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1784947604677Mr. Poullennec during the Michelin Guide Ceremony in Manila. Michelin Guide.jpg" style="width:650px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Michelin Guide International Director Gwendal Poullennec. <em>Handout</em></span></span></span></div><p>During an exclusive interview with Michelin Guide International Director Gwendal Poullennec, he explained why the hotel selection has truly become an important and trusted platform for discerning travelers planning their journeys.</p><p>Excerpts from the interview:</p><div><strong>Why is the Michelin Guide for hotels relevant in this day and age?</strong></div><p>“Today, travelers are faced with so many choices, and it’s not always easy to know what really stands out. That’s where the Michelin Guide hotel selection comes in. We offer a reliable, independent point of view — something people can trust. Just like we’ve done with restaurants for more than 126 years, we want to help travelers cut through the noise and discover places that truly offer something special. More and more, people are looking for meaningful experiences, not just a place to stay, and I think that’s exactly why the Guide feels so relevant today.” </p><div><strong>What value does the Michelin Guide for hotels bring to guests?</strong></div><p>“For guests, it really comes down to trust and inspiration. Trust, because every hotel we recommend has been carefully reviewed by our inspectors using the same standards around the world. And inspiration, because we don’t just go beyond notions of luxury — we look at personality, character, and how a hotel makes you feel. We want to help travelers discover places they’ll remember, not just for comfort, but for the experience. And of course, they can easily explore and book all of these hotels directly through the Michelin Guide website or app, which makes the whole journey much simpler.”</p>

<p>Few people know that the Michelin Guide has also recommended hotels since the 1920s, covering destinations across Europe and Asia for decades. </p>

Few people know that the Michelin Guide has also recommended hotels since the 1920s, covering destinations across Europe and Asia for decades.

Planning your next stay? Here's how the Michelin Guide picks its best hotels

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Planning your next stay? Here's how the Michelin Guide picks its best hotels

JC Cailles Lo

Published July 25, 2026 10:57 AM PHT

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Updated July 25, 2026 11:30 AM PHT

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