The well renowned MICHELIN Guide has expanded their celebrated list to include top honors for hotels. The guide has included a list of 5,000 accommodations from around the world for many years. This year, hotels in three states (California, Colorado, and Florida) and four cities (Atlanta, Chicago, New York City, and Washington, D.C.) were considered for the inaugural United States MICHELIN Key hotel list. The judges had their work cut out for them as they chose a total of 11 Three Key hotels (an extraordinary stay), 33 Two Key hotels (an exceptional stay), and 80 One Key hotels (a very special stay) for the list. Stonehurst Place is thrilled to have been included on the debut list and excited to share more about this distinction.
Are hotels judged based on specific categories?
Yes! MICHELIN looks at the following five qualities when choosing hotels to include in its guide:
- Architecture and interior design
- Quality and consistency of service
- Overall personality and character
- Value for the price
- A significant contribution to the guest experience in a particular setting
Hotels chosen for the MICHELIN Key hotel list must excel in all five categories.
How old is the MICHELIN Guide?
- The Michelin brothers started the guide as a free resource in 1889. Back then, it was an all-inclusive manual for French travelers with information on how to change a tire, where fuel was available, maps for directions, and lists of inns and taverns.
- In the 1920s, they started charging for the guides and including restaurant recommendations.
- In 1926, the guide employed mystery diners in order to assign single stars to restaurants.
- In 1936, the guide began ranking restaurants with one, two, or three stars.
- Four years ago, MICHELIN began a comprehensive refresh of the hotel section of the guide.
- Today, the guide is a best-seller that ranks over 40,000 establishments spanning 24 territories and 3 continents.
Are hotels in other countries eligible for a MICHELIN Key Hotel ranking? Yes. The April United States list is only one of a series of lists that are being announced in 2024. Lists have also been compiled for France, Italy, Spain, and Japan.
Can anyone book a room in a MICHELIN Key hotel?
Absolutely! MICHELIN Key hotels are the best of the best. However, they also span a wide range of budgets, designs, and locations. The designation does shine a spotlight on the hotels recognized on the list and there are people who travel just to stay in a MICHELIN Key hotel. For those reasons, reservations often fill up quickly at hotels on the list. If you are traveling to an area that has a MICHELIN Key hotel, you should always check for availability because you know your stay is going to be a real treat.
Is a MICHELIN Key similar to a MICHELIN Star?
Yes. MICHELIN uses the Key to designate the highest quality hotels and uses the Star to designate the highest quality restaurants. Much like the Key, there are five categories used when deciding if a restaurant receives a Star. They are:
- Using quality products
- Mastery of flavor and cooking techniques
- Personality of the chef in the cuisine
- Value for the money
- Consistency of food
Restaurants may earn one, two, or three Stars. As of the writing of this post, there are 144 restaurants in the world that have earned three Stars. 489 restaurants with two Stars, and 2,893 restaurants with one Star.
What set Stonehurst Place apart?
Stonehurst Place is one of only three hotels in the Atlanta area to be included on the 2024 list. The judges at MICHELIN discovered that Stonehurst Place is a bed and breakfast that deserves special recognition. They especially highlighted the elegant and romantic atmosphere that they feel can be difficult to find in Atlanta. That atmosphere is accomplished through a combination of modern amenities that blend with an "impeccably preserved" 19th century mansion. The MICHELIN description also notes the "spacious and airy" guest rooms with top-notch services and amenities.
How to enjoy a full MICHELIN weekend.
Book a room at Stonehurst Place and reserve a table at Lazy Betty. MICHELIN did a focus on restaurants in Atlanta, Georgia, in October 2023. Lazy Betty is now a One-Star MICHELIN restaurant, a James Beard Award 2023 Finalist, an Atlanta Magazine Best Restaurant in 2021 and 2022, and a Thrillist Best New Restaurant in 2019. The restaurant features a modern and innovative cuisine with two dining options. If you reserve a table in the dining room, you will be treated to a multi-course experience (a vegetarian option is available upon request). An a la carte menu is available in the bar and lounge and does not require a reservation. The open kitchen provides the unique opportunity for diners to watch executive chefs Ron Hsu and Aaron Phillips as they use exquisite ingredients to create meals. Lazy Betty is only 0.3 miles from Stonehurst Place; on a nice night you can walk to dinner and back.
