Image courtesy of Aman New York
Earlier this year, the famed tire company Michelin unveiled its latest rating system: the Michelin Key. Think Michelin Star, but for hotels.
Naturally, the company first awarded its coveted Keys to hotels in France. (See some of Fora’s favorite Michelin Key hotels in the company’s mother country.) And now, the Michelin Key has arrived in the United States.
Initially, only hotels in select US locations were eligible. Now, several more have been added to the roster (including Canada, Japan, and Portugal). Even better, Fora gets perks at most of the honorees. (And even if a Michelin Key hotel is not part of a larger preferred partner program, your Fora Advisor can still book and level up your stay. Michelin is part of Tablet, after all, and Fora’s exclusive integration with Tablet unlocks VIP rates and perks at their one-of-a-kind properties worldwide.)
Below, we’ve highlighted a few of our favorite Michelin Key hotels — from three-Key stunners to one-Key gems. Following the highlights, we’ve listed all of the hotels included in each Key category (we were spoiled for choice regarding which ones to spotlight!).
When you’re ready to book your Michelin-approved stay, connect with Fora to plan, book and get the most out of your trip.
Three-Key hotels
Michelin’s 16 three-Key hotels in the US exhibit the best of the best in terms of design and luxury. Add these to your travel bucket list.
Firmdale’s Crosby Street Hotel & Whitby Hotel
Images courtesy of the Crosby Street Hotel and The Whitby
Kit Kemp is behind Firmdale’s signature chic, eclectic and vibrant decor. Most of the brand’s hotels are in London, but New York City is lucky enough to house these boutique delights (plus a newcomer: the one-Key Warren Street Hotel, in TriBeCa).
The Crosby Street Hotel is the place to be in Manhattan’s bustling SoHo neighborhood, while the Whitby is ideal for a Midtown stay steps from Central Park and other notable NYC landmarks. At both, expect bold patterns, pops of color, specially commissioned artwork and legendary afternoon tea.
Fora Perks:
$100 food / beverage credit, a welcome amenity, breakfast daily, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Related Article: Fora’s Guide to Firmdale Hotels, London Edition
Post Ranch Inn
Image courtesy of Post Ranch Inn
For the ultimate nature retreat, head to the adults-only Post Ranch Inn, perched on a seaside cliff in Big Sur. You’ll stay in spacious suites and homes, all with ample windows framing the stunning natural landscape. There are no TVs, or alarm clocks. Instead, you’re encouraged to truly unwind — and reconnect with nature. Take a guided nature walk or garden tour. Try a yoga class or sound journey meditation. Forest bathe.
“Post Ranch Inn is an iconic wellness destination for when you want to love on yourself and stay somewhere that also loves our planet,” said Fora Advisor Karen Hart, who has both stayed at and booked the property.
The spa offers holistic treatments as well as spiritual sessions and more esoteric forms of healing (astrology, energy work). Savor farm-to-table, sustainably minded cuisine, best complemented by a bottle of wine from the hotel’s vast cellar.
Fora Perks:
$100 hotel / resort credit, a welcome amenity, breakfast daily, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Aman New York
Image courtesy of Aman New York
Aman is a study in exceptional hospitality. The hotel brand is known for their sleekly restrained, understated approach to luxury — most often in remote natural locales. Aman New York, in Manhattan’s Midtown, is a rare example of an urban Aman retreat. (See more of our favorite Aman hotels.) But once you’re inside, you’ll feel as though you are somewhere far away from the ever-frenetic New York City.
The hotel is housed in the regal Crown Building, a 1920s landmark. Inside, Aman’s signature decor reigns: muted hues, monochromatic cohesion, smooth, natural materials. The sprawling spa marries ancient healing modalities with modern technology. There’s a hammam, marble steam room and sauna — as well as a cryotherapy chamber, reformer-equipped Pilates studio and Infrared Zone.
Don’t miss the Jazz Club, which hosts jazz musicians in addition to other artists and DJs, nor the hotel’s exclusive restaurants. Try Arva for rustic, elegant Italian, and Nama for refined Japanese.
Fora Perks:
$100 hotel / resort credit, breakfast daily, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Related Article: Aman Japan: Fora's Guide to Traveling to Japan — the Aman Way
More three-Key hotels to love
Fora Advisors can unlock perks at the majority of these properties. Reach out to learn more.
Hotel Bel-Air, Dorchester Collection
Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort
Little Palm Island Resort & Spa
SingleThread Inn
The Beverly Hills Hotel, Dorchester Collection
Two-Key hotels
Michelin honored 70 hotels in the US with two Keys. This honor denotes “an exceptional stay,” one with a strong sense of place and distinctive charm.
Nine Orchard
Images courtesy of Nine Orchard
The regal Jarmulowsky Bank, built in 1912, houses this newcomer to Manhattan’s bustling downtown scene. The decor masterfully pays homage to its Neo-Renaissance roots while remaining fresh and modern. Original moldings, meticulously replicated clocks, grand ceilings and expansive windows mingle with local artwork and exclusive furniture, not to mention custom Ojas speakers in every room. Fora Advisor Ronit Margolis calls it cozy and sexy, and we agree.
Nine Orchard is also a culinary destination in its own right. Ignaccio Mattos, the beloved chef behind NYC haunts like estela and Altro Paradiso, brings his magic to Corner Bar, a hip all-day bistro serving satisfying, well-executed classics like pommes frites and poulard rôtie. Fora Advisor Nancy Deane says the “gem of a hideaway” is perfect for after-work cocktails and leisurely get-togethers with friends.
The neighboring Dining Room offers the best of Corner Bar, in a fancier space. The swanky Swan Room, in the old bank teller room, is best for martinis and snacks: oysters, caviar, shrimp cocktail and those addictive pommes frites once again.
The Jefferson, Washington DC
Image courtesy of The Jefferson, Washington DC
This 1920s Beaux Arts landmark was originally an apartment complex; it was converted into a hotel in 1955. Today, The Jefferson, Washington, DC maintains its stately elegance, with a satisfying, quiet luxury flair. Rooms and suites are northwestern-chic, with handsome furnishings and the well-placed ornate detail (a crystal chandelier, a wooden armoire).
There’s a well-equipped gym complete with Peloton bikes. The University Club across the street has partnered with the hotel to offer guests additional gym space and swimming pool access. And there’s the food. Dine on fresh seafood and sophisticated gourmet fare beneath the skylight at The Greenhouse. (Don’t miss their brunch menu, either.) Quill is among the city’s best cocktail bars, and offers a curated menu (oysters, deviled eggs, crab cakes) to complement your libations.
Fora Perks:
$100 food / beverage credit, breakfast daily, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
The Langham, Chicago
Image courtesy of The Langham, Chicago
The Langham brand is a master at sophisticated luxury with a strong sense of place and a keen eye for art. The Langham, Chicago — one of Fora’s top 10 most-booked Chicago hotels — epitomizes this ethos. It’s located right on the Chicago River, near the city’s famed Magnificent Mile and other notable attractions (including the Loop and Millennium Park).
Rooms and suites boast a clean, sharp aesthetic — but are still elegantly cozy, with rich textures and floor-to-ceiling windows framing stunning city views. There’s a pervasive, well-balanced mix of poise and playfulness. Don’t miss a posh afternoon tea (a Langham signature) at the refined Pavilion. (Fora Advisor Julie Middlebrook-Levin said it’s the best in the city.)
Stop by the delightful Ice Cream Social, an outdoor cart serving artisanal flavors (such as watermelon tajin and butter pecan cinnamon roll) with homemade cones and a whimsical topping list (cookies, sprinkles, cookie dough and more).
Julie said her favorite aspect of The Langham is its Langham Club, available to those staying in Club rooms and suites. (You can also request an upgrade for an additional fee.) It’s an all-day foodie affair, with breakfast, afternoon tea, canapés, cocktails – the works.
“The kids (and many adults) can't get enough of the candy bar,” Julie said, “and the views out of the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Chicago skyline and river are breathtaking.”
Fora Perks:
When you book Langham with a Fora Advisor, you will enjoy exclusive COUTURE by Langham preferred partner amenities. Reach out to your Fora Advisor to learn more.
More two-Key hotels to love
Fora Advisors can unlock perks at the majority of these properties. Reach out to learn more.
Alpine Falls Ranch
Blackberry Farm
Bowie House, Auberge Resorts Collection
Cavallo Point – the Lodge at Golden Gate
Chateau Marmont
Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection
Dunton Hot Springs
Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club
Four Seasons Hotel One Dalton Street, Boston
Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero
Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach
Hotel Barriere Fouquet's New York
Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm
Mayfair House Hotel and Gardens
Milliken Creek Inn & Spa
The Hornibrook Mansion Empress of Little Rock
The Loutrel
The Mark Hotel
Marquesa Hotel
The Maybourne Beverly Hills, Maybourne
The Resort at Paws Up
The Setai Miami Beach
The Stavrand
The Whitney Hotel Boston
TOURISTS
Triple Creek Ranch
Twin Farms
ULUM Moab
Ventana Big Sur
Washington School House Hotel
One-Key hotels
Michelin’s 207 one-Key hotels in the US turn up the personality and offer outstanding service and amenities, especially when compared to other hotels at a similar price point.
Hotel Jerome, Auberge Resorts Collection
Image courtesy of Hotel Jerome
Hotel Jerome, part of the Auberge Resorts Collection, is a veritable Aspen icon (and Fora’s top-booked Aspen hotel). Its handsome, Western-chic aesthetic is cozy, stylish and effortlessly cool. Locals and savvy travelers alike flock to its restaurant Prospect, for its exquisite, locally sourced tasting menu, as well as to Bad Harriet, arguably Aspen’s best (and deservingly buzziest) bar.
The hotel sits right on Main Street, a stone’s throw away from Aspen Mountain Ski Resort. But Hotel Jerome is perfect year round. There’s skiing and other snowbound adventures in the winter, as well as kayaking, rock climbing and other outdoor activities in the warmer months.
Regardless of the season, the hotel’s spa, Yarrow, beckons after a day of exploring. Treatments draw from the region’s local bounty, and incorporate modern technology for maximum effect.
Fora Perks:
$100 hotel / resort credit, $60 daily breakfast credit, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara
Image courtesy of El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara
For a quintessentially breezy California escape, head to Belmond’s El Encanto, set amid seven acres of terraced gardens. Notable stars from Hollywood (including Carole Lombard and Clark Gable) loved the secluded property for its discerning privacy and understated glamor.
Today, its leafy environs host a sleek infinity pool as well as an intimate array of Spanish Revivalist rooms, suites and bungalows (each complete with marble bathrooms equipped with heated floors, we might add). There’s a reason El Encanto is among our top five most-booked hotels in Santa Barbara.
It’s a “pristine property that feels like you are at a remote getaway when you are only a few minutes away from downtown Santa Barbara,” Fora Advisor Ronit Margolis said.
Fora Advisor Taylor Votaw, who lives right down the street from the hotel, also lauded its perfect location: State Street, the Old Mission Santa Barbara and the town’s excellent slate of restaurants are all nearby. (Taylor also noted that El Encanto’s locally sourced culinary offerings — from elegant California coastal cuisine and vegan fare to afternoon tea and happy hour — are not to be missed.)
Belmond has a knack for opening doors that would otherwise be closed. The hotel’s literary club, for instance, regularly hosts authors for a three-course lunch to enjoy with bibliophile guests. Or, perhaps you’re a cinephile. They’ll arrange an al fresco movie night on your private terrace — with popcorn, of course. There are plenty of activities to enjoy: savor a specially prepared artisanal picnic in a location of your choosing, try a custom winemaker’s tour or customize your own wellness day with spa treatments and holistic workshops.
Fora’s Perks:
$90 hotel / resort credit, welcome amenities, breakfast daily & an upgrade whenever possible.
1 Hotel South Beach
Image courtesy of 1 Hotel South Beach
This beachfront retreat is hip, modern and undeniably cool — it’s no surprise it’s among Fora’s top 10 most-booked hotels in the US.
“The zen atmosphere is the antithesis to the South Beach party vibe,” Fora Advisor Nancy Deane said.
At all 1 Hotel properties, sustainability is top of mind. 1 Hotel South Beach is no exception. Reclaimed wood and recycled materials feature predominantly in the architecture and decor. Artwork crafted by local artists with natural, sustainable materials (such as recovered Florida coral) decorate the sleek interiors. The National Wildlife Federation even designated the hotel’s garden as a Certified Wildlife Habitat©.
Sustainability extends to the food. Locally sourced menus feature ultra-nourishing dishes featuring organic ingredients. Expect a delicious mix of Latin American, Mediterranean and Japanese influences, flavor-wise. In keeping with the overall wellness theme, there are ample opportunities for mindful movement: personal training, sunrise yoga, Pilates, group fitness classes. (1 Hotel South Beach also has one of the best hotel gyms.)
Fora’s Perks:
$100 hotel / resort credit, breakfast daily, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
More one-Key hotels to love
Fora Advisors can unlock perks at the majority of these properties. Reach out to learn more.
1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
1 Hotel Central Park
1 Hotel Hanalei Bay
1 Hotel Nashville
1 Hotel San Francisco
Ace Hotel Brooklyn
ARRIVE Austin
ARRIVE Memphis
ARRIVE Wilmington
Asbury Ocean Club Hotel
Atticus Hotel
Austin Proper Hotel
AWOL Kennebunkport
Baccarat Hotel & Residences
Beach Plum Farm Cottages
Bellwether House
Blind Tiger Asheville
Blind Tiger Burlington
Blind Tiger Portland – Carleton Street
Blind Tiger Portland – Danforth Street
Bottleworks Hotel Indianapolis
Bradford House
Camden Harbour Inn
Carr Mansion
Hotel Casa del Mar
Casa Duro
Chamberlain West Hollywood
Chicago Athletic Association
Clayton Hotel & Members Club
Cliff House Maine
Columns
Crossroads Hotel
Daxton Hotel
Dive Palm Springs
Downtown LA Proper Hotel
Dreamers Welcome
Eastwind - Hotel & Bar
Eaton, Washington DC
Edgewood Tahoe
El Portal
Esmé Miami Beach
ette hotel - Orlando
Fairmont Austin Gold Experience
Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows
Faraway Martha's Vineyard
Four Seasons Hotel Denver
Four Seasons Hotel Boston
Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis
Four Seasons Resort Lana'i
Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley
Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail
Granville House
Guild House Philadelphia
Harbor House
HarbourView Inn
Hob Knob
Holiday House Palm Springs
Hotel 1000
Hotel 850 SVB
Hotel Bardo, Savannah
Hotel Bennett Charleston
Hotel Clermont Atlanta
Hotel Drisco
Hotel Drover, Autograph Collection
Hotel Fauchere
Hotel Genevieve
Hotel Goodwin
Hotel Greystone - Adults Only
Hotel Jackson
Hotel Peter and Paul
Hotel Saint Cecilia
Hotel Saint Vincent
Hotel San Luis Obispo
Hotel Swexan
Hotel ZaZa Austin
Hotel ZaZa Dallas
Hotel ZaZa Memorial City
Hotel ZaZa Museum District
The Inns of Aurora
Ironworks Hotel Indy
Kennebunkport Captains Collection
La Serena Villas
Lake Nona Wave Hotel
Lotte Hotel Seattle
Lumiere by Dunton
Madeline Hotel & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection
Maison Metier
Mandarin Oriental, Boston
Mandarin Oriental, Miami
Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection
Mayflower Inn & Spa, Auberge Resorts Collection
MOLLIE Aspen
Montage Big Sky
Montage Deer Valley
Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale
Mr. C Miami – Coconut Grove
Nobnocket Boutique Inn
Nobu Hotel Chicago
Palihouse Hyde Park Village
Palihouse West Hollywood
Pendry Newport Beach
Pendry Park City
Pendry Washington D.C. - The Wharf
Perry Lane Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Savannah
Pontchartrain Hotel St. Charles Avenue
Post House
Proximity Hotel
Rancho Caymus Inn
Riggs Washington DC
The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park
The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad
Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi
Rosewood Mansion On Turtle Creek
Royal Palms Resort and Spa
Sagamore Pendry Baltimore
Salamander Middleburg Resort & Spa
San Luis Creek Lodge
Santa Monica Proper Hotel
Seminary Hill Orchard & Cidery
Shinola Hotel
Shutters on the Beach
Soho House Austin
Soho House Holloway
Soho House Nashville
Soho Warehouse DTLA
Sonnenalp Hotel
Southall Farm & Inn
Sparrows Lodge
Stanly Ranch, Auberge Resorts Collection
Stein Eriksen Lodge, Deer Valley
Stonehurst Place Bed & Breakfast
Sundance Mountain Resort
Sunset Tower Hotel
The Adelphi Hotel
The Armstrong Hotel
The Aster
The Beekman, a Thompson Hotel
The Betsy Hotel
The Bowery Hotel
The Brant
The Breakers Palm Beach
The Candler Hotel Atlanta
The Celestine New Orleans
The Charlie Hotel
The Charmant Hotel
The Cliffside Inn
The Cloudveil, Autograph Collection
The Collector - Luxury Inn & Gardens
The Crawford Hotel
The Dewberry Charleston
The Dupont Circle Hotel
The Elizabeth Hotel, Autograph Collection
The Georgian
The Global Ambassador
The Greenwich Hotel New York (we love everything about this hotel, but especially its Shibui Spa)
The Gwen, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Michigan Avenue Chicago
The Hay-Adams
The Heywood Hotel
The Hotel Chelsea
The Hoxton, Portland
The Inn at Hastings Park, Relais & Chateaux - Boston
The Ivey's Hotel
The Lincoln Hotel
The Little Nell
The Lodge at St Edward Park
The Lowell (the hotel’s co-owner and designer Dina De Luca Chartouni is a master of taste)
The Ludlow Hotel
The Menhaden
The Mercer
The Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa
The Paramour Estate
The Peninsula New York
The Perry Hotel Key West
The Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park
The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston
The Prospect Hollywood
The Quoin Hotel
The Rittenhouse
The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes
The Ritz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee
The Ritz-Carlton, Portland
The Sea Ranch Lodge
The Spectator Hotel
The Tampa EDITION
The Tennessean Hotel
The Vanderbilt, Auberge Resorts Collection
The Wall Street Hotel
The Wauwinet
The White Elephant Palm Beach
The Whiteface Lodge
The Woodstock Inn & Resort
Timbers Kauai Ocean Club & Residences
Tower at The Boca Raton
Troutbeck
Viceroy Chicago
Waldorf Astoria Chicago
Warren Street Hotel
White Barn Inn & Spa, Auberge Resorts Collection
Wildflower Farms, Auberge Resorts Collection
Woodlark
Wythe Hotel
Ready to travel? Connect with Fora to plan and book your stay at a Michelin Key hotel (or any hotel) today.