Michelin Just Awarded 22 New Keys To Australia’s Best Hotels Ahead Of Its Restaurant Guide Debut

Australia’s Michelin era is officially underway. The Michelin Keys first arrived in Australia in 2025, and now, just weeks before the Michelin Guide reveals its first-ever Australian restaurant selection in South Australia, 22 hotels around the country have received new Michelin Keys for 2026.

The latest additions bring Australia’s total to 54 Michelin Key hotels, up from 35 hotels in 2025, with three existing properties also promoted. Like Michelin Stars for restaurants, Keys recognise exceptional hotels following anonymous inspections—but rate the overall stay rather than the food alone.

Tasmania’s Saffire Freycinet and Kangaroo Island's Southern Ocean Lodge have both been elevated to the highest Three-Key tier, reserved for an 'extraordinary stay', alongside Lizard Island Resort in Queensland, which was the sole Three Keys recipient in 2025. Capella Sydney has risen to Two Keys, while the Adelaide Hills’ 14-suite Sequoia Lodge has entered the guide with Two Keys.

Image Credit: Sequoia Lodge | Instagram

South Australia has picked up three new One-Key stays: Le Mas Barossa, Mount Lofty House  and Sticky Rice Villas. They join notable new additions across the country including Ardour Milton Park Bowral in the Southern Highlands, Halcyon House on the Tweed Coast, Blackbird Byron Bay, El Questro’s The Homestead in the Kimberly, Hamilton Island’s The Sundays and The Sanctuary at Alba Thermal Springs on the Mornington Peninsula, just to name a select few.

Image credit: Ardour Milton Park Bowral | Supplied

The 2026 announcement takes the global Michelin Key selection to 2,832 hotels, spanning 155 Three-Key, 657 Two-Key and 2,020 One-Key properties. Inspectors assess each hotel anonymously, considering its design, service, personality, value and connection to its destination.

“This second global selection of the Michelin Keys reflects the extraordinary momentum driving the hospitality sector once again this year,” said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guide.

“All around the world, hoteliers are reinventing the stay experience through more immersive, personalised and experiential concepts.”

Michelin Stars Are Coming To South Australia Next

Image credit: Renée Ardon-Coppinger 

The hotel announcement lands ahead of an even bigger Australian first. Launching in October, the inaugural Michelin Guide South Australia 2027 restaurant selection will place venues across Adelaide and regional South Australia under the same critical eye as restaurants in culinary heavyweights including Italy, France and Japan.

South Australia already offers some of the country’s strongest food and wine experiences, and the new guide will introduce more of its restaurants—and the people, produce and places behind them—to an international audience.

“South Australia offers an impressive diversity of culinary expressions within a single destination,” said Poullennec.

“The strength of its identity lies in the freedom chefs enjoy defining their own voice, guided by outstanding produce, a strong relationship to the land and a confident openness to global influences.”

According to Poullennec, inspectors were particularly struck by the authenticity and personality of South Australia’s dining culture.

How Are Michelin Stars Awarded?

Image credit: Renée Ardon-Coppinger

First created by the Michelin tyre company in 1900 to encourage motorists to travel, the Michelin Guide has evolved into one of the world’s most influential authorities on restaurants and hotels.

South Australian restaurants will be assessed against five established criteria: the quality of ingredients, mastery of cooking techniques, harmony of flavours, personality expressed through the cuisine and consistency across the menu and over time.

One Michelin Star recognises high-quality cooking worth stopping for, Two Stars indicate excellent cooking worth a detour, and Three Stars are reserved for exceptional cuisine worth making a special journey to experience.

The selection can also include Bib Gourmand awards, which recognise restaurants serving high-quality food at accessible prices.

Supported by the South Australian Government, the state’s inaugural restaurant selection will be unveiled at a dedicated event in October. Until then, you can explore the complete 2026 Michelin Key hotel selection online.

Main image credit: Ardour Milton Park Bowral | Supplied