Foodie or not, there’s a high chance you’ve heard of a Michelin Star – the ultimate badge of culinary excellence awarded to the best restaurants across Europe, Asia and North America. But have you ever heard a Michelin Key?
Last year, the Michelin Guide launched its hotel equivalent of restaurant stars across 15 countries, including the UK and US. Anonymous inspectors assessed accommodations that offer exceptional experiences on five factors: design, quality of service, unique character, value for money and contribution to their local area. Like Michelin Stars, hotels can earn one to three keys: one key for “a very special stay”, two for “an exceptional stay” and three for “an extraordinary stay”.
In its second year, the Michelin Key Hotels expanded to cover every region – including Australia – recognising more than 2,400 hotels worldwide. The inaugural global award ceremony was held in Paris this week, where 35 Aussie hotels received the prestigious key. Among them, Lizard Island Resort in Queensland stood out as one of just 143 hotels globally – and the only Australian property – to earn the top-tier three keys. Fringed by colourful coral reefs and sparkling seas, this exclusive island retreat is a must for those seeking world-class hospitality with access to the country's greatest natural wonder, the Great Barrier Reef.
Nine hotels earned two keys, notably Thorngrove Manor – a gothic-style castle in the Adelaide Hills – which received an Editor’s Pick shout-out. Another 25 properties were awarded one key, with NSW leading the Aussie key tally at 14 hotels, followed by Victoria with six, and Queensland and Tasmania with five each. You can check out the full list of Australian inclusions in the 2025 Michelin Key Hotels guide below.
The Australian hotels awarded Michelin Keys in 2025
Three Michelin Keys
- Lizard Island Resort, Lizard Island, QLD
Two Michelin Keys
- Jackalope Hotel, Mornington Peninsula, VIC
- Spicers Sangoma Retreat, Blue Mountains, NSW
- Capella Lodge, Lord Howe Island, NSW
- Silky Oaks Lodge, Daintree Rainforest, QLD
- Spicers Peak Lodge, Maryvale, QLD
- Thorngrove Manor, Adelaide, SA
- Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island, SA
- Saffire Freycinet, Coles Bay, TAS
- Longitude 131, Yulara, NT
One Michelin Key
- The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC
- The Interlude, Melbourne, VIC
- Melbourne Place, Melbourne, VIC
- Drift House, Port Fairy, VIC
- 1 Hotel Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC
- QT Sydney, Sydney, NSW
- Ace Hotel, Sydney, NSW
- The Eve Hotel, Redfern, NSW
- Basq House, Byron Bay, NSW
- Il Delfino Seaside Inn, Yamba, NSW
- Wildlife Retreat at Taronga, Mosman, NSW
- Capella Sydney, Sydney, NSW
- The Langham, Sydney, NSW
- Park Hyatt, Sydney, NSW
- Osborn House, Bundanoon, NSW
- Four Seasons Hotel Sydney, Sydney, NSW
- Crystalbrook Albion, Surry Hills, NSW
- Qualia, Hamilton Island, QLD
- The Calile Hotel, Brisbane, QLD
- Empire Spa Retreat, Yallingup, WA
- COMO The Treasury, Perth, WA
- Henry Jones Art Hotel, Hobart, TAS
- The Islington Hotel, Hobart, TAS
- The Tasman Hotel, Hobart, TAS
- MACq 01 Hotel, Hobart, TAS