The Michelin Guide Introduces The Michelin Key 2025 And Here Are The Indian Hotels That Made The Cut

The Michelin Guide has unveiled its first-ever Global Michelin Keys Selection on 8th October 2025, marking 125 years since its creation and setting a new worldwide standard for hotel excellence. Much like Michelin Stars for restaurants, the Michelin Keys recognise hotels offering exceptional hospitality, design, and service. The Guide also introduced four Special Awards: Atlantis The Royal (Architecture & Design), Bürgenstock Resort Switzerland (Wellness), La Fiermontina Ocean, Morocco (Local Gateway), and The Burman Hotel, Estonia (Opening of the Year). With this launch, travellers can now discover and book the world’s most remarkable stays directly via the Michelin Guide’s digital platforms, establishing a new global benchmark for hospitality that mirrors the prestige and independence of its restaurant ratings.

What Is The Michelin Key?

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The Michelin Guide has long celebrated exceptional hospitality, with hotel recommendations dating back to the 1920s in Europe and Asia. Five years ago, the Guide undertook a comprehensive refresh of its hotel selection, creating a definitive global resource of over 7,000 hotels, all accessible via its website and mobile app alongside tips and analysis from Inspectors. 

To highlight the very best stays, the Guide introduced the Michelin Key distinction, effectively the hotel equivalent of a Michelin Star. Keys are awarded to hotels excelling across five universal criteria: architecture and interior design, service quality, personality and character, value for money, and contribution to the local environment. Every hotel in the Guide is eligible, with distinctions unveiled worldwide from October 8, 2025. Michelin Keys are not restricted by price or type, eligible properties include castles, ryokans, tents, boutique city hotels, and remote retreats. While some Key hotels may host Michelin-Star restaurants, the awards are independently determined, ensuring each Key reflects the highest standard of lodging excellence.

The Key Criteria

A One Michelin Key distinction represents a very special stay, a gem defined by character, individuality, and service that exceeds expectations. A Two Michelin Key property promises an exceptional stay, where distinctive design, charm, and an authentic sense of place create a lasting impression. The rare Three Michelin Keys denote an extraordinary stay, the pinnacle of global hospitality, where style, comfort, and service converge to offer an experience that lingers in memory long after departure.

A Matter Of Pride

In total, 2,457 hotels worldwide have been awarded One (1,742), Two (572), or Three (143) Michelin Keys, representing the pinnacle of global hospitality and excellence in service, design, and authenticity. The selection features 36 outstanding hotels from India, including The Kumaon (1 Key) in Uttarakhand, Raffles Udaipur (2 Keys), and the iconic Taj Lake Palace and Taj Falaknuma Palace, both honoured with Three Michelin Keys, recognising them among the most extraordinary stays in the world. Here are all the 36 hotels from all over India that have been revered with the Michelin Key this year:

3 Michelin Key

Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad

Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur

2 Michelin Key

The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra

Amanbagh Rajasthan

Suján Jawai, Rajasthan

Raffles Jaipur

The Leela Palace Jaipur

Sitara Himalaya, Himachal Pradesh

The Imperial New Delhi

The Leela Palace New Delhi

Aman-I-Khas, Khilchipur

Six Senses Fort Barwara, Rajasthan

Raffles Udaipur

The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur

1 Michelin Key

The Kumaon, Binsar

Narendra Bhawan, Bikaner

The Leela Palace Chennai

Six Senses Vana, Dehradun

The Oberoi Gurgaon

Taj Usha Kiran Palace, Gwalior

Rajmahal Palace RAAS Jaipur

Taj Devi Ratn Resort & Spa, Jaipur

The Johri, Jaipur

The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur

Villa Palladio Jaipur

Soho House Mumbai

Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai

Taj Mahal Tower, Mumbai

Taj Mahal, New Delhi

The Lodhi, New Delhi

Ran Baas The Palace, Patiala

Taj Rishikesh Resort & Spa, Uttarakhand

Suján Sher Bagh, Ranthambore

The Oberoi Vanyavilas, Ranthambore

RAAS Devigarh, Udaipur

Nadesar Palace, Varanasi