There’s a new golden crown (and carrot) for those in the Texas hotel industry. The globally renowned Michelin Guide Thursday announced the inaugural recipients of its Michelin Keys in Texas at an event held at the Contemporary Austin. Eight Austin hotels received a key designation.
Michelin gives up to three keys to designated hotels, with one key representing “a very special stay;” two keys signifying “an exceptional stay;” and three keys granted to locations that offer “an extraordinary stay.”
The grand Commodore Perry Estate in Hyde Park was the only Austin property, and one of three in Texas, to earn two keys, the hotel equivalent of a Michelin Star.
Seven hotels in Austin received one key. They are Arrive Austin, Austin Proper, Fairmont Austin Gold Experience, Hotel St. Cecilia, Hotel ZaZa, SoHo House Austin and Haywood Hotel.
The Bowie House in Fort Worth and Hotel Emma in San Antonio were the only other two-key properties in Texas. The other one-key hotels are in Dallas, which has four, Houston with three, and one each in Galveston, El Paso and Fort Worth.
Only five hotels in the United States received three keys; none are in Texas.
Michelin has been one of the leaders in ranking restaurants around the world for decades, and though it had recommended hotels in Europe and Asia dating back to the 1920s, the company recently revamped its approach to hotel recommendations.
Related: Michelin Guide is coming to Texas. Why it's important for restaurants in Lone Star State.
Michelin considers five criteria when determining its rankings: “excellence in interior design and architecture; individuality, reflecting personality and authenticity;” “quality and consistency in service, comfort and maintenance; an open door to the destination; and an ability to deliver an extraordinary experience for its price.”
By comparison to Austin, due to their size and stature in the hospitality industry, Denver and Atlanta both have three one-key hotels. America's hotel capital, New York City, is currently home to four three-key properties, six two-key hotels and 17 one-key hotels.
Michelin rolled out its revamped listing of hotels on its website and mobile app in 2019, and 24 Austin hotels are included . The French company announced earlier this year that it would release its first guide to restaurants in Texas this fall. The Michelin Guide for restaurants debuted in North America in 2005.
The keys and listings are not given in perpetuity. Michelin removes hotels when properties no longer meet the guide's standards, according to the Michelin website. "This can be done solely at the discretion of the hotel team, or as a result of guest feedback. To help keep the selection fresh and vital, the Michelin Guide experts regularly review the post-stay feedback of guests who booked their hotel on the Michelin Guide website or app. If several negative ratings are received for a hotel, the experts investigate whether or not it should remain in the selection."
The Michelin Guide’s move into Texas was made in partnership with Travel Texas in the Texas Governor’s Office of Economic Development and with the five Texas markets (Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio and Houston) that will be included in the restaurant guide, with each city paying close to $100,000 for each of the first three years of inclusion in the guide.
Visit Austin confirmed to the Austin Business Journal that it was using hotel occupancy taxes to fund the venture. Travel Texas is matching the money paid by the cities, adding $1.35 million to the total.
Austin restaurant coverage
2023 Dining Guide: Here are 20 of the best new restaurants in Austin
2022 Dining Guide: The best restaurants in Austin
Smokin': Bon Appétit names Central Texas barbecue restaurant one of country’s Best New Restaurants
Critic's Picks: Top 10 best dishes Statesman critic Matthew Odam ate at Austin restaurants in August
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Are there Michelin Key hotels in Austin? There are now. See who was named among the best.
Local News
Comments / 0