Long renowned for its’ luxury travel tips, The Michelin Guide has expanded its’ ratings from the coveted Michelin Stars for restaurants to add Michelin Keys for hotel and resort properties. 2024 is the debut year for the Michelin Key Hotels honors and unsurprisingly, Miami is well-represented on the list.
In order to receive a distinction, the hotel property must be far more than an overnight lodging. These properties are highly curated and inspired offerings that significantly add to the traveler’s experience through five categories: architecture and interior design, quality and consistency of service, overall personality and character, value for the price and a significant contribution to the guest experience in a particular setting.
As can be imagined, doling out the keys is no easy undertaking. With over 5,000 properties in the Michelin Guide, the list required the culmination of countless hours of evaluation by a team of renowned experts. As reported in the Michelin Guide, the honored properties fall into one of three levels:
One Key: A Very Special Stay – The hotel embraces its character and personality, breaking the mold to offer something different. Service is on point always and the traveler receives far more in their stay than comparatively-priced hotel offerings.
Two Keys: An Exceptional Stay – These properties are guaranteed to offer memorable experiences. They are unique and exceptional in every way and offer obvious character and charm.
You will notice eye-catching architecture and a little extra personality above the One Key offerings.
Three Keys: An Extraordinary Stay – To earn Three Michelin Keys, the experience is all about astonishment and indulgence. The hotel experience is the focal point of the trip and these properties are the world’s most remarkable hotels and resorts that offer trips of a lifetime.
These rankings do not necessarily mean that the honored properties are the most expensive, quite the contrary. It simply means that the hotel property has a personality that is honored. Some are lively tourist attractions and others are quiet, boutique properties, but all are the most notable properties in the area.
Faena Hotel Miami Beach Gone but not Forgotten Beach Art | Image Credit: Faena Hotel
Michelin Guide Miami 2024: One Key Recipients
Mandarin Oriental, Miami – 500 Brickell Key Drive, Brickell Key
Located on a tiny private island off of the Brickell Financial District, The Mandarin Oriental has been a mainstay for privacy-seeking celebrities as well as spa and brunch enthusiasts for over two decades.
Its unique setting offers paparrazzi-free zones and a private beach. The design is notably contemporary with a hint of the Far East culture.
Those who wish to enjoy the original property on Brickell Key should consider getting your reservations in soon as it will soon be redeveloped into a new ultra-luxury boutique resort with a tower of residences, hotel residences and a new hotel property.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel on Brickell Key Miami
Rendering of The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Miami | Image Credit: Swire Properties
Mr. C Miami – 2988 McFarlane Road, Coconut Grove
Another Michelin-Keyed property that will soon offer residences is Mr. C Miami in Coconut Grove. This hotel property is part of the world-famous Cipriani Group of restaurants, hotels and residences and each property offers something different without missing out on the class and elegance that comes with the Cipriani name.
The Mr. C Residences are currently preparing to open, anxiously awaiting the TCO (temporary certificate of occupancy, the go-ahead from the City of Miami to proceed with moving into a new tower). While this document is being finalized, Coconut Grove visitors can enjoy the mid-century modern vibe at Mr. C Miami and Bellini, the upscale and stylish eatery with an inspired menu from several Italian regions.
While staying at the standalone hotel, you will certainly want to enjoy the spa, poolside restaurant and of course – the Coconut Grove neighborhood.
1 Hotel and Homes, South Beach – 2341 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
If you are inspired by eco-friendly vibes that are delivered in a decadent setting, you will not want to miss the 1 Hotel and Homes, South Beach. Miami Beach has a reputation of being a place to embrace hedonism and whether that is a deserved reputation or not, the 1 Hotel and Homes offers a peaceful juxtaposition to this theme.
Here you will find one of the most extensive wellness centers in the area, with The Bamford Haybarn Spa, that is dedicating to giving yourself a moment. In addition to the natural juice bar in the fitness center, you will find the healthy concept PLNTHOUSE restaurant and WATR, a rooftop Japanese/Peruvian fusion eatery with amazing sea views.
Should you enjoy this Michelin-Keyed offering enough, the adjacent residential tower is available for full-time residency.
Esmé Hotel – 1438 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach
With its Spanish-Mediterranean design and bohemian decor, Esmé Hotel on Española Way offers a warm and inviting atmosphere that pays homage to the glory days of Miami Beach.
Part of the charm of this quiet and intimate gem is its location among the lively action of tourists doing tourist things along Washington Avenue, but with the peace and serenity of a Spanish bungalow with stucco arches and breezy linen curtains.
Hotel Greystone – 1920 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
If you are traveling with the kids, you can go to Orlando and visit the mouse, but if you are traveling for a more refined, adult-friendly scope of service, you will want to visit the Hotel Greystone on South Beach. The Hotel Greystone is notably an adults-only environment.
With it’s recent renovation, the exterior pays respect to the historic Art Deco era of the 1930’s, but the interior brings visitors back to the comfort of contemporary life. A stay at the Greystone will offer a warm and inviting spot for rest among a vibrant and thriving cultural community. The decor offers soothing tones of cream and pink with living greenery to entice peaceful and relaxing vibes.
The hotel rooms offer a minimalist and calming environment with luxury on the forefront. Organic textures and woven carpets adorn the suites with some suites offering private terraces, outdoor showers and jacuzzis.
During your stay away from the cartoon-crowd, you can also enjoy a swank rooftop pool bar, a private beach club and a flagship restaurant with an inspired French/Japanese fusion menu.
The Betsy Hotel – 1440 Ocean Drive, South Beach
Another example of the juxtaposition of lively nightlife versus laid-back beach vibes is the historic Betsy Hotel on Ocean Drive. In a sea of Art Deco classics, The Betsy sticks out as one of the only Georgian-style hotels on the strip, and its distinct character flows all the way through the property.
In a market where celebrity sightings and dodging paparazzi becomes trite, the jaded elite tend to flock to something new and different. This is where The Betsy comes into play. You’re still in the scene, but not in the middle of it 24/7.
The Betsy does offer a luxurious rooftop pool and solarium with sea views and a fitness center, as well as the Laurent Tourondel restaurant to give guests a luxurious and tastefully-historic respite to some of the more tawdry attractions of Miami Beach. You can always stalk celebrities at a DJ-hosted pool party on another day, they are a dime a dozen.
Privacy is the new currency.
Mayfair House Coconut Grove | Image Credit: Mayfair House Coconut Grove
Michelin Guide Miami 2024: Two Key Recipients
Mayfair House Hotel & Gardens – 3000 Florida Avenue, Coconut Grove
Back on the mainland and in our home turf of Coconut Grove, the newly-restored Mayfair House Hotel and Gardens has earned Two Michelin Keys. The reopening of this neighborhood staple was highly anticipated in 2022, when it was restored to its original early-80’s glory with interior gardens and signature atrium.
Inside the atrium, guests will find lush greenery, fountains and indoor/outdoor palm trees all the way to the roof. With an extensive and curated food and beverage program, The Mayfair is once again a Coconut Grove cultural staple.
For overnight guests, the rooms are bright and lively, retelling the tales of the 1980’s in Miami, but only remembering the good parts. The Mayfair House is a must-try, whether you are a local or visiting. There is no shame in taking a staycation when you live where others vacation.
The Setai Miami Beach – 2001 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach
When it opened in 2005, the anticipated Setai set forth a renaissance on Miami Beach. For starters, its imposing facade towers over competing properties all around, for the longest time the 40-story development offered some of the most excessive accommodations on The Beach.
One of the first modern redevelopments of a historic property, The Setai really ushered South Beach into it’s glassy future while still honoring its Art Deco roots.
While staying at The Setai, you will not want to miss its world-class spa and wellness center as well as its Asian-inspired culinary options. Diners are able to enjoy the ambiance and privacy of being seating among zen-inspired reflection pools before retiring to their indulgent accommodations.
Faena Hotel Miami Beach – 3201 Collins Avenue Miami Beach
The brainchild of an Argentine developer and hotelier, Alan Faena, Faena Hotel has transformed a once-blighted section of Miami Beach into a glamorous and art-saturated hotspot now known as the Faena District.
Within the Faena District, expect to find starchitect-designed properties, over-the top design and enough flamboyance to make Liberace blush.
Faeana Hotel Miami Beach | Image Credit: Faena Hotel
Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club – 9011 Collins Avenue, Surfside
A little further north at 90th Street and Collins Avenue on the Surfside sand, you will find another historical redevelopment into a starchitect-designed ultra-luxury property. The Surf Club Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences was designed by Pritsker Prize winner Richard Meier and incorporated the jazz-age private club into a glittery new beachfront tower that is now home to many of Miami’s ultra-elite.
Since its opening in 2017, the onsite restaurant has become a staple among Miami superlative lists every year including being the recipient of Michelin Stars.
The Surf Club Restaurant Four Seasons Surfside Thomas Keller | Image Credit: The Surf Club Four Seasons
We hope that you venture out to try any or all of these destinations throughout the year. Whether you are just visiting, if you enjoy staycations, or if you like to urge traveling family members to indulge themselves outside of your guest room, each of these establishments offers an experience unique to its own style, inspiration and history.
Let us know which one you enjoy the most!
