You’re probably already familiar with the Michelin Star system for restaurants, which highlights the absolute peaks of culinary excellence. You may not be as familiar with the newer Michelin Keys, which single out the best hotels in the world, not just the ones in big metropolitan cities, but hidden in less-trodden parts of the world.
The Keys have just entered its second year, and the list of 2025’s best hotels has just been released. One Japanese hotel, Asaba Ryokan, has been promoted from Two to Three-Keys, making it one of the best hotels in the world, but we’ve also seen China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, the Maldives, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam gain their very first Keys, including Three-Key hotels.
One of those Three-Key hotels is NIHI Sumba, located on an Indonesian island near Komodo, about an hour east of Bali. Called the best hotel in the world by some, the hotel is full of luxury villas, set between a stunning private beach and a gorgeous, wild jungle. It somehow manages to retain its authenticity and natural beauty while also being incredibly luxurious – expect butler service, private infinity pools, oceanfront villas, open-air spas, and three restaurants with a variety of food options. And, of course, there are plenty of activities both on the water and on land, like horseback tours, mountain biking, and diving.
Another Three-Key hotel is Raffles Hotel, the legendary colonial mainstay of Singapore’s bustling cityscape. One of seven Singaporean hotels awarded Keys in 2025, it has housed celebrities (Elizabeth Taylor and Michael Jackson famously stayed here), writers (Joseph Conrad and Rudyard Kipling) and even Queen Elizabeth II. It’s one of the city-state’s last standing pieces of preserved history – this is where the Singapore Sling was created, where the last Singapore tiger was shot, where English colonels gathered to bid Singapore goodbye when its army surrendered it to Japan in 1942. It’s also incredibly luxurious, with 2.5 staff members to a guest, world-renowned Raffles Doormen, and even a resident historian.
And for those looking for something more off the beaten track, consider Bhutan’s Gangtey Lodge, which has secured two Michelin Keys. The 12-room luxury adventure hotel is located in the beautiful Phobjika Valley, aimed at guests with a backpacker’s spirit but a taste for the high life. Up the hill is the Gangtey Monastery, which offers a panoramic mountain view and informal gourmet meals and spa treatments from the lodge, while still letting you find meaningful connection with the culture and community of rural Bhutan.
Check out the full list of Michelin Key-Awarded hotels here.
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