Michelin Key Hotels in the US: Fora's Picks

Image courtesy of Aman New York

Earlier this year, the famed tire company Michelin unveiled its latest rating system: the Michelin Key. Think Michelin Star, but for hotels. 

Naturally, the company first awarded its coveted Keys to hotels in France. (See some of Fora’s favorite Michelin Key hotels in the company’s mother country.) And now, the Michelin Key has arrived in the United States. 

Hotels in California, New York, Florida and Colorado — as well as Atlanta, Chicago and Washington, DC — were eligible. Of the 124 Michelin Key hotels in the US, Fora gets perks at 98. (And even if a Michelin Key hotel is not part of a larger preferred partner program, your Fora Advisor can still book and level up your stay. Michelin is part of Tablet, after all, and Fora’s exclusive integration with Tablet unlocks VIP rates and perks at their one-of-a-kind properties worldwide.)

Below, we’ve highlighted a few of our favorite Michelin Key hotels — from three-Key stunners to one-Key gems. Following the highlights, we’ve listed all of the hotels included in each Key category (we were spoiled for choice regarding which ones to spotlight!).

When you’re ready to book your Michelin-approved stay, connect with Fora to plan, book and get the most out of your trip. 

Three-Key hotels

So far, Michelin’s 11 three-Key hotels in the US are located exclusively in California and New York. These hotels exhibit the best of the best in terms of design and luxury. Add these to your travel bucket list.

Firmdale’s Crosby Street Hotel & Whitby Hotel

Images courtesy of the Crosby Street Hotel and The Whitby

Kit Kemp is behind Firmdale’s signature chic, eclectic and vibrant decor. Most of the brand’s hotels are in London, but New York City is lucky enough to house these boutique delights (plus a newcomer: the one-Key Warren Street Hotel, in TriBeCa). 

The Crosby Street Hotel is the place to be in Manhattan’s bustling SoHo neighborhood, while the Whitby is ideal for a Midtown stay steps from Central Park and other notable NYC landmarks. At both, expect bold patterns, pops of color, specially commissioned artwork and legendary afternoon tea. 

Fora Perks:

• $100 food / beverage credit, a welcome amenity, breakfast daily, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
  
  

Related Article: Fora’s Guide to Firmdale Hotels, London Edition

Post Ranch Inn

Image courtesy of Post Ranch Inn

For the ultimate nature retreat, head to the adults-only Post Ranch Inn, perched on a seaside cliff in Big Sur. You’ll stay in spacious suites and homes, all with ample windows framing the stunning natural landscape. There are no TVs, or alarm clocks. Instead, you’re encouraged to truly unwind — and reconnect with nature. Take a guided nature walk or garden tour. Try a yoga class or sound journey meditation. Forest bathe. 

“Post Ranch Inn is an iconic wellness destination for when you want to love on yourself and stay somewhere that also loves our planet,” said Fora Advisor Karen Hart, who has both stayed at and booked the property.

The spa offers holistic treatments as well as spiritual sessions and more esoteric forms of healing (astrology, energy work). Savor farm-to-table, sustainably minded cuisine, best complemented by a bottle of wine from the hotel’s vast cellar. 

Fora Perks:

• $100 hotel / resort credit, a welcome amenity, breakfast daily, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
  
  

Aman New York

Image courtesy of Aman New York

Aman is a study in exceptional hospitality. The hotel brand is known for their sleekly restrained, understated approach to luxury — most often in remote natural locales. Aman New York, in Manhattan’s Midtown, is a rare example of an urban Aman retreat. (See more of our favorite Aman hotels.) But once you’re inside, you’ll feel as though you are somewhere far away from the ever-frenetic New York City.

The hotel is housed in the regal Crown Building, a 1920s landmark. Inside, Aman’s signature decor reigns: muted hues, monochromatic cohesion, smooth, natural materials. The sprawling spa marries ancient healing modalities with modern technology. There’s a hammam, marble steam room and sauna — as well as a cryotherapy chamber, reformer-equipped Pilates studio and Infrared Zone. 

Don’t miss the Jazz Club, which hosts jazz musicians in addition to other artists and DJs, nor the hotel’s exclusive restaurants. Try Arva for rustic, elegant Italian, and Nama for refined Japanese.

Fora Perks:

• $100 hotel / resort credit, breakfast daily, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
  
  

Related Article: Aman Japan: Fora's Guide to Traveling to Japan — the Aman Way

More three-Key hotels to love

Fora Advisors can unlock perks at the majority of these properties. Reach out to learn more. 

The Beverly Hills Hotel, Dorchester Collection

SingleThread Inn

Hotel Bel-Air, Dorchester Collection

Auberge du Soleil, Auberge Resorts Collection

Meadowood Napa Valley

Canyon Ranch Woodside

Casa Cipriani New York

Two-Key hotels

Michelin honored 33 hotels in California, Florida, DC, New York City and Chicago with two Keys. This honor denotes “an exceptional stay,” one with a strong sense of place and distinctive charm.

Nine Orchard

Images courtesy of Nine Orchard

The regal Jarmulowsky Bank, built in 1912, houses this newcomer to Manhattan’s bustling downtown scene. The decor masterfully pays homage to its Neo-Renaissance roots while remaining fresh and modern. Original moldings, meticulously replicated clocks, grand ceilings and expansive windows mingle with local artwork and exclusive furniture, not to mention custom Ojas speakers in every room. Fora Advisor Ronit Margolis calls it cozy and sexy, and we agree.

The hotel is also a culinary destination in its own right. Ignaccio Mattos, the beloved chef behind NYC haunts like estela and Altro Paradiso, brings his magic to Corner Bar, a hip all-day bistro serving satisfying, well-executed classics like pommes frites and poulard rôtie. Fora Advisor Nancy Deane says the “gem of a hideaway” is perfect for after-work cocktails and leisurely get-togethers with friends.

The neighboring Dining Room offers the best of Corner Bar, in a fancier space. The swanky Swan Room, in the old bank teller room, is best for martinis and snacks: oysters, caviar, shrimp cocktail and those addictive pommes frites once again.

The Jefferson, Washington DC

Image courtesy of The Jefferson, Washington DC

This 1920s Beaux Arts landmark was originally an apartment complex; it was converted into a hotel in 1955. Today, it maintains its stately elegance, with a satisfying, quiet luxury flair. Rooms and suites are northwestern-chic, with handsome furnishings and the well-placed ornate detail (a crystal chandelier, a wooden armoire).

There’s a well-equipped gym complete with Peloton bikes. The University Club across the street has partnered with the hotel to offer guests additional gym space and swimming pool access. And there’s the food. Dine on fresh seafood and sophisticated gourmet fare beneath the skylight at The Greenhouse. (Don’t miss their brunch menu, either.) Quill is among the city’s best cocktail bars, and offers a curated menu (oysters, deviled eggs, crab cakes) to complement your libations.

Fora Perks:

• $100 food / beverage credit, breakfast daily, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
  
  

The Langham, Chicago

Image courtesy of The Langham, Chicago

The Langham brand is a master at sophisticated luxury with a strong sense of place and a keen eye for art. The Langham, Chicago — one of Fora’s top 10 most-booked Chicago hotels — epitomizes this ethos. It’s located right on the Chicago River, near the city’s famed Magnificent Mile and other notable attractions (including the Loop and Millennium Park). 

Rooms and suites boast a clean, sharp aesthetic — but are still elegantly cozy, with rich textures and floor-to-ceiling windows framing stunning city views. There’s a pervasive, well-balanced mix of poise and playfulness. Don’t miss a posh afternoon tea (a Langham signature) at the refined Pavilion. (Fora Advisor Julie Middlebrook-Levin said it’s the best in the city.) 

Stop by the delightful Ice Cream Social, an outdoor cart serving artisanal flavors (such as watermelon tajin and butter pecan cinnamon roll) with homemade cones and a whimsical topping list (cookies, sprinkles, cookie dough and more). 

Julie said her favorite aspect of The Langham is its Langham Club, available to those staying in Club rooms and suites. (You can also request an upgrade for an additional fee.) It’s an all-day foodie affair, with breakfast, afternoon tea, canapés, cocktails – the works. 

“The kids (and many adults) can't get enough of the candy bar,” Julie said, “and the views out of the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Chicago skyline and river are breathtaking.” 

Fora Perks:

• When you book Langham with a Fora Advisor, you will enjoy exclusive COUTURE by Langham preferred partner amenities. Reach out to your Fora Advisor to learn more.
  
  

More two-Key hotels to love

Fora Advisors can unlock perks at the majority of these properties. Reach out to learn more. 

L'Ermitage Beverly Hills

The Maybourne Beverly Hills

The Peninsula Beverly Hills

Bernardus Lodge & Spa

Ventana Big Sur

The Stavrand

Montage Healdsburg

The Madrona

Montage Laguna Beach

Rosewood Miramar Beach

Milliken Creek Inn & Spa

Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero

The Battery

Cavallo Point Lodge

Chateau Marmont

Pendry West Hollywood

Bardessono

North Block

Rosewood Washington, D.C. 

The Jefferson

Mayfair House Hotel & Garden

Faena Hotel Miami Beach

Four Seasons Hotel at The Surf Club

The Setai Miami Beach 

Pendry Chicago

The Peninsula Chicago

Hotel Barrière Fouquet's New York

Pendry Manhattan West

The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel

The Fifth Avenue Hotel

The Mark Hotel

One-Key hotels

Michelin’s 80 one-Key hotels in the US turn up the personality and offer outstanding service and amenities, especially when compared to other hotels at a similar price point. 

Hotel Jerome, Auberge Resorts Collection

Image courtesy of Hotel Jerome

Hotel Jerome, part of the Auberge Resorts Collection, is a veritable Aspen icon (and Fora’s top-booked Aspen hotel). Its handsome, Western-chic aesthetic is cozy, stylish and effortlessly cool. Locals and savvy travelers alike flock to its restaurant Prospect, for its exquisite, locally sourced tasting menu, as well as to Bad Harriet, arguably Aspen’s best (and deservingly buzziest) bar. 

The hotel sits right on Main Street, a stone’s throw away from Aspen Mountain Ski Resort. But Hotel Jerome is perfect year round. There’s skiing and other snowbound adventures in the winter, as well as kayaking, rock climbing and other outdoor activities in the warmer months. 

Regardless of the season, the hotel’s spa, Yarrow, beckons after a day of exploring. Treatments draw from the region’s local bounty, and incorporate modern technology for maximum effect.

Fora Perks:

• $100 hotel / resort credit, $60 daily breakfast credit, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
  
  

El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara

Image courtesy of El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel, Santa Barbara

For a quintessentially breezy California escape, head to Belmond’s El Encanto, set amid seven acres of terraced gardens. Notable stars from Hollywood (including Carole Lombard and Clark Gable) loved the secluded property for its discerning privacy and understated glamor. 

Today, its leafy environs host a sleek infinity pool as well as an intimate array of Spanish Revivalist rooms, suites and bungalows (each complete with marble bathrooms equipped with heated floors, we might add). There’s a reason El Encanto is among our top five most-booked hotels in Santa Barbara.

It’s a “pristine property that feels like you are at a remote getaway when you are only a few minutes away from downtown Santa Barbara,” Fora Advisor Ronit Margolis said. 

Fora Advisor Taylor Votaw, who lives right down the street from the hotel, also lauded its perfect location: State Street, the Old Mission Santa Barbara and the town’s excellent slate of restaurants are all nearby. (Taylor also noted that El Encanto’s locally sourced culinary offerings — from elegant California coastal cuisine and vegan fare to afternoon tea and happy hour — are not to be missed.)

Belmond has a knack for opening doors that would otherwise be closed. The hotel’s literary club, for instance, regularly hosts authors for a three-course lunch to enjoy with bibliophile guests. Or, perhaps you’re a cinephile. They’ll arrange an al fresco movie night on your private terrace — with popcorn, of course. There are plenty of activities to enjoy: savor a specially prepared artisanal picnic in a location of your choosing, try a custom winemaker’s tour or customize your own wellness day with spa treatments and holistic workshops. 

Fora’s Perks:

• $90 hotel / resort credit, welcome amenities, breakfast daily & an upgrade whenever possible.
  
  

1 Hotel South Beach

Image courtesy of 1 Hotel South Beach

This beachfront retreat is hip, modern and undeniably cool — it’s no surprise it’s among Fora’s top 10 most-booked hotels in the US. 

“The zen atmosphere is the antithesis to the South Beach party vibe,” Fora Advisor Nancy Deane said. 

At all 1 Hotel properties, sustainability is top of mind. 1 Hotel South Beach is no exception. Reclaimed wood and recycled materials feature predominantly in the architecture and decor. Artwork crafted by local artists with natural, sustainable materials (such as recovered Florida coral) decorate the sleek interiors. The National Wildlife Federation even designated the hotel’s garden as a Certified Wildlife Habitat©. 

Sustainability extends to the food. Locally sourced menus feature ultra-nourishing dishes featuring organic ingredients. Expect a delicious mix of Latin American, Mediterranean and Japanese influences, flavor-wise. In keeping with the overall wellness theme, there are ample opportunities for mindful movement: personal training, sunrise yoga, Pilates, group fitness classes. (1 Hotel South Beach also has one of the best hotel gyms.)

Fora’s Perks:

• $100 hotel / resort credit, breakfast daily, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
  
  

More one-Key hotels to love

Fora Advisors can unlock perks at the majority of these properties. Reach out to learn more. 

1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

1 Hotel Central Park

1 Hotel San Francisco

Ace Hotel Brooklyn

Baccarat Hotel & Residences

Casa Del Mar

Chamberlain West Hollywood

Clayton Hotel & Members Club

Dive Palm Springs

Downtown LA Proper Hotel

Eaton D.C.

Ette Hotel

Esmé Miami Beach

Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows

Four Seasons Denver

Four Seasons Resort Napa Valley

Four Seasons Vail

Harbor House

Holiday House Palm Springs

Hotel 850 SVB

Hotel Clermont

Hotel Drisco

Hotel Greystone — Adults Only

Hotel San Luis Obispo

La Serena Villas

Lake Nona Wave Hotel

Mandarin Oriental Miami

Mollie Aspen

Mr. C Miami — Coconut Grove

Nobu Hotel Chicago

Palihouse Hyde Park Village

Palihouse West Hollywood

Pendry Newport Beach

Pendry Washington DC — The Wharf

Rancho Caymus Inn

Riggs Washington DC

Riverside Hotel

San Luis Creek Lodge

Santa Monica Proper Hotel

Shutters on the Beach

Soho House Holloway

Soho Warehouse DTLA

Sonnenalp Hotel

Sparrows Lodge

Stanly Ranch, Auberge Resorts Collection

Stonehurst Place Atlanta

Sunset Tower Hotel

The Aster

The Beekman — A Thompson Hotel

The Betsy — South Beach

The Bowery Hotel

The Candler Hotel Atlanta

The Charlie

The Crawford Hotel

The Drisco Hotel

The Dupont Circle Hotel

The Georgian

The Greenwich Hotel (we love everything about this hotel, but especially its Shibui Spa)

The Hay-Adams Hotel

The Hotel Chelsea

The Little Nell

The Lowell (the hotel’s co-owner and designer Dina De Luca Chartouni is a master of taste)

The Ludlow Hotel

The Mercer

The Paramour Estate

The Peninsula New York

The Prospect Hollywood

The Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park

The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad

The Sea Ranch Lodge

The Wall Street Hotel

The Warren Street Hotel

The Wythe Hotel

Ready to travel? Connect with Fora to plan and book your stay at a Michelin Key hotel (or any hotel) today.