First Michelin Keys Announced For Hotels In UK & Ireland

Michelin stars have stood as the pinnacle award in fine dining since the first culinary guide was created in 1926. And now, almost 100 years later, Michelin has ventured into new territory, launching a separate star system for hotels. Enter Michelin Keys, an international benchmark designed to highlight hotels for ‘their unique hospitality concept, distinctive character, warm welcome and extremely high level of service.’ Following announcements in countries including France, Spain, Italy and Japan, the first Michelin keys in Great Britain and Ireland were revealed in a ceremony this morning. So what’s the criteria for these new awards, and who were the inaugural winners?

First British & Irish Michelin Keys Announced

What Are Michelin Keys?

Keys are awards granted by Michelin to spotlight excellent hotels. They are awarded by the Michelin Guide’s team of anonymous inspectors, who look for hotels which:

1. Act as an open door to explore a beautiful location
2. Feature excellent interior design
3. Offer quality and consistency in service and comfort
4. Charge a fair price for the quality of the experience
5. Create an authentic and unique experience

Overall, inspectors look for places with personality that offer an experiential approach. Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guides, says: ‘From boutique hotels or flagship luxury properties located in eclectic London to country houses nestled in dramatic Irish countryside; from stunning Scottish manor houses to tranquil Welsh retreats: every hotel awarded one, two or three Michelin keys is a gem sculpted by talented professionals. Using the Michelin Guide’s digital platforms, travellers can now filter their search and book hotels for stays that we hope will be unforgettable.’

Claridge’s Spa

The different keys are described as:

One Michelin Key

‘This is a true gem with its own character and personality. It may break the mould, offer something different or simply be one of the best of its type. Service always goes the extra mile and provides significantly more than similarly priced establishments.’

Two Michelin Keys

‘Somewhere truly unique and exceptional in every way, where a memorable experience is always guaranteed. A hotel of character, personality and charm that’s operated with obvious pride and considerable care. Eye-catching design or architecture, and a real sense of the locale make this an exceptional place to stay.’

Three Michelin Keys

‘It’s all about astonishment and indulgence here – this is the ultimate in comfort and service, style and elegance. It is one of the world’s most remarkable and extraordinary hotels and a destination in itself for that trip of a lifetime. All the elements of truly great hospitality are here to ensure any stay will live long in the memory and hearts of travellers.’

Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons

The 2024 Winners

A total of 123 hotels were awarded with keys in the UK and Ireland: 72 with one key, 37 with two keys and 14 with three keys. The destinations awarded the prestigious three key status include London stalwarts like Claridge’s, The Connaught and The Savoy, alongside countryside hotspots such as Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons and Lucknam Park. Scotland’s Gleneagles was also awarded three keys, alongside Adare Manor in the Republic of Ireland. 

Full List Of Michelin Keys

One Key Hotels

England

• Amberley: Amberley Castle
• Bath: Bath Priory
• Bath: Homewood
• Bath: The Gainsborough Bath Spa
• Bath: The Queensberry Hotel
• Bath: The Yard, Bath
• Bideford: The Collective at Woolsery
• Brampton: Farlam Hall Hotel & Restaurant
• Brighton: Artist Residence Brighton
• Bristol: Artist Residence Bristol
• Bristol: Number 38 Clifton
• Camber: The Gallivant
• Cheltenham: Cowley Manor Experimental
• Cowes (Isle of Wight): Foresters Hall
• Grasmere: Forest Side Hotel
• Hampshire: Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire
• Hastings: The Old Rectory
• Langham: The Harper Langham
• London: 1 Hotel Mayfair
• London: Artist Residence London
• London: Baglioni Hotel London
• London: Beaverbrook Town House
• London: Broadwick Soho
• London: Charlotte Street Hotel, Firmdale Hotels
• London: Chiltern Firehouse
• London: COMO The Halkin
• London: Flemings Mayfair
• London: Four Seasons Hotel London
• London: Knightsbridge Hotel, Firmdale Hotels
• London: L’oscar London
• London: NoMad London
• London: Number Sixteen, Firmdale Hotels
• London: One Aldwych
• London: Redchurch Townhouse
• London: Shangri-La The Shard London
• London: Sofitel London St James
• London: The Emory
• London: The Soho Hotel, Firmdale Hotels
• Newbury: The Vineyard Hotel & Spa
• North Leigh: Estelle Manor
• Oxford: Artist Residence Oxfordshire
• Southwold: The Swan Southwold
• St Mawes: The Idle Rocks
• St. Mawes: Hotel Tresanton
• Thornbury: Thornbury Castle
• West Cornwall: Artist Residence Cornwall
• Windermere: Linthwaite House Hotel

Channel Islands

Saint Helier (Jersey): Longueville Manor

Republic of Ireland

• Ballyvaughan: Gregans Castle Hotel
• Ardmore: Cliff House Hotel
• Castlemartyr: Castlemartyr Resort
• Dublin: Dylan
• Dublin: Wilder Townhouse Dublin
• Killarney: The Killarney Park
• Killarney: The Victoria
• Limerick: No. 1 Pery Square
• Newmarket on Fergus: Dromoland Castle

Scotland

• Ballantrae: Glenapp Castle
• Cumnock: Dumfries House Lodge
• Dornoch: Links House at Royal Dornoch
• Edinburgh: 100 Princes Street
• Edinburgh: Gleneagles Townhouse
• Edinburgh: Prestonfield Edinburgh
• Foyers: Foyers Lodge Loch Ness
• Grandtully: The Grandtully Hotel by Ballintaggart
• Isle of Skye – Sleat: Kinloch Lodge
• Kinbuck: Cromlix Hotel
• Resolis: Newhall Mains Dingwall
• Tain: Glenmorangie House

Wales

• Bala: Palé Hall
• Dolgellau: Penmaenuchaf
• Narberth: The Grove – Narberth

Coworth Park

Two Key Hotels

• Ascot, England: Coworth Park, Dorchester Collection
• Bath, England: The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa
• Chagford, England: Gidleigh Park
• East Grinstead, England: Gravetye Manor
• Exmouth, England: Lympstone Manor
• Hampton-in-Arden, England: Hampton Manor
• Heckfield, England: Heckfield Place
• Leatherhead, England: Beaverbrook Surrey
• Lechlade, England: Thyme
• London, England: 45 Park Lane, Dorchester Collection
• London, England: Brown’s Hotel, a Rocco Forte Hotel
• London, England: Corinthia Hotel London
• London, England: Covent Garden Hotel, Firmdale Hotels
• London, England: Ham Yard Hotel, Firmdale Hotels
• London, England: Haymarket Hotel, Firmdale Hotels
• London, England: Hotel Café Royal
• London, England: Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, London
• London, England: Rosewood London
• London, England: The Beaumont Hotel
• London, England: The Berkeley
• London, England: The Cadogan, A Belmond Hotel, London
• London, England: The Dorchester, Dorchester Collection
• London, England: The Langham, London
• London, England: The Twenty Two
• Lyndhurst, England: Lime Wood Hotel
• Malmesbury, England: Whatley Manor Hotel and Spa
• New Milton, England: Chewton Glen Hotel
• Ripon, England: Grantley Hall
• Rutland, England: Hambleton Hall
• Taplow, England: Cliveden House
• Windermere, England: Gilpin Hotel & Lake House
• Windermere, England: The Samling Hotel
• Cashel, Republic of Ireland: Cashel Palace
• Kenmare, Republic of Ireland: Sheen Falls Lodge
• Dublin, Republic of Ireland: The Merrion
• Braemar, Scotland: The Fife Arms
• Edinburgh, Scotland: The Balmoral

The Newt, Somerset

Three Key Hotels

• Bruton, England: The Newt in Somerset
• Colerne, England: Lucknam Park
• Great Milton, England: Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, A Belmond Hotel, Oxfordshire
• London, England: Bvlgari Hotel London
• London, England: Claridge’s
• London, England: Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane
• London, England: Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park
• London, England: Raffles London at The OWO
• London, England: The Connaught
• London, England: The Peninsula London
• London, England: The Savoy
• Adare, Republic of Ireland: Adare Manor
• Ballyfin, Republic of Ireland: Ballyfin Demesne
• Auchterarder, Scotland: The Gleneagles Hotel

Find out more at guide.michelin.com