These California hotels earn Michelin keys: what this means

You’ve probably heard of restaurants with Michelin stars, but how about hotels with Michelin keys?

The Michelin Guide debuted the brand new distinction back in April. Just like the stars recognize outstanding restaurants, the keys acknowledge exceptional hotels.

How it works

Every hotel that’s mentioned in the Michelin Guide is eligible to earn a key. As of September, over 5,000 hotels across the world were recommended. Only a select few, however, have been given keys.

Just like the star system, a Michelin-rated hotel can earn one, two or three keys. This is what the number rating means:

— One key: a very special stay.

— Two keys: an exceptional stay.

— Three keys: an extraordinary stay.

Do Michelin key hotels have Michelin-starred restaurants? Not necessarily. According to the guide, the decisions are made independently of each other.

“There are lively hotels and quiet hotels. Hotels in metropolises and hotels in the middle of nowhere. Hotels at the leading edge of modern design and hotels that celebrate the achievements of the past. There are castles, hostels, tents, and ryokans, places with two hundred rooms atop a city skyscraper, and with two rooms tucked inside an ancient watchtower.”

– Michelin Guide

California hotels that earned keys

Earlier this month, the guide revealed its latest editions to the list of Michelin-key hotels. There are seven California spots that earned three keys, 18 that earned two keys, and 31 with one key.

One key

— Calistoga: Four Seasons Resort Napa Valley
— Elk: Harbor House
— Los Angeles: Downtown LA Proper Hotel
— Los Angeles: Soho Warehouse DTLA
— Los Angeles: The Aster
— Los Angeles: The Paramour Estate
— Los Angeles: The Prospect Hollywood
— Napa: Stanly Ranch, Auberge Resorts Collection
— Newport Beach: Pendry Newport Beach
— Palm Springs: Dive Palm Springs
— Palm Springs: Holiday House Palm Springs
— Palm Springs: La Serena Villas, A Kirkwood Collection Hotel
— Palm Springs: Sparrows Lodge
— Rutherford: Rancho Caymus Inn
— San Francisco: 1 Hotel San Francisco
— San Francisco: Hotel Drisco
— San Luis Obispo: Hotel San Luis Obispo
— San Luis Obispo: San Luis Creek Lodge
— Santa Barbara: El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara
— Santa Monica: Casa Del Mar
— Santa Monica: Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows
— Santa Monica: Santa Monica Proper Hotel
— Santa Monica: Shutters on the Beach
— Santa Monica: The Georgian
— Sea Ranch: The Sea Ranch Lodge
— West Hollywood: Chamberlain West Hollywood
— West Hollywood: Hotel 850 SVB
— West Hollywood: Palihouse West Hollywood
— West Hollywood: Soho House Holloway
— West Hollywood: Sunset Tower Hotel
— West Hollywood: The Charlie

Two keys

— Beverly Hills: L’Ermitage Beverly Hills
— Beverly Hills: The Maybourne Beverly Hills
— Beverly Hills: The Peninsula Beverly Hills
— Big Sur: Alila Ventana Big Sur
— Carmel Valley: Bernardus Lodge & Spa
— Guerneville: The Stavrand
— Healdsburg: Montage Healdsburg
— Healdsburg: The Madrona
— Laguna Beach: Montage Laguna Beach
— Montecito: Rosewood Miramar Beach
— Napa: Milliken Creek Inn
— San Francisco: Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero
— San Francisco: The Battery
— Sausalito: Cavallo Point Lodge
— West Hollywood: Chateau Marmont
— West Hollywood: Pendry West Hollywood
— Yountville: Bardessono
— Yountville: North Block

Three keys

— Beverly Hills: The Beverly Hills Hotel, Dorchester Collection
— Big Sur: Post Ranch Inn
— Healdsburg: SingleThread Inn
— Los Angeles: Hotel Bel-Air, Dorchester Collection
— Rutherford: Auberge du Soleil, Auberge Resorts Collection
— St. Helena: Meadowood Napa Valley
— Woodside: Canyon Ranch Woodside

A full list of the hotels that were given Michelin keys in the U.S. can be found here .

If you’re planning a hotel stay in the Golden State, you may want to try out one of these Michelin-recommended spots for your next vacation.

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