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

Australia’s Michelin era is officially underway. 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, 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 South Australia’s Southern Ocean Lodge have both been elevated to the highest Three-Key tier, reserved for an “extraordinary stay”. Capella Sydney has risen to Two Keys, while the Adelaide Hills’ 14-suite Sequoia Lodge has entered the guide with Two Keys.

Launching in October, the inaugural restaurant selection of the Michelin Guide South Australia 2027 will put local restaurants in Adelaide and beyond under the same critical eye of those anonymous experts who award stars in culinary heavyweights such as Italy, France and Japan.  

Image credit: Renée Ardon-Coppinger 

South Australia also picked up three new One-Key stays: Le Mas Barossa, Mount Lofty House & Estate and Sticky Rice Villas. They join new additions across the country including Blackbird Byron Bay, Chalets at Blackheath, InterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach, The Langham Melbourne, El Questro’s The Homestead and Hamilton Island’s The Sundays.

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.”

Image credit: Renée Ardon-Coppinger 

Michelin Stars Are Coming To South Australia Next

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.