Mexico’s Top 3 Michelin Key Hotels Revealed

Mexico City, Mexico — Mexico's renowned hospitality and beautiful tourist destinations have gained international recognition. On Thursday, the Michelin Guide awarded its new "Key" distinction—the equivalent of its star rating, but for hotels—to 2,457 hotels worldwide, a list that includes 90 Mexican properties receiving one, two, or three Keys.

The evaluation, conducted using universal criteria for service, design, comfort, surroundings, and personality, assessed more than seven thousand properties selected by the Michelin Guide. As a result, inspectors awarded the distinction to 2,457 hotels globally—1,742 with one Key, 572 with two Keys, and 143 with three Keys. Travelers can now book these properties directly through the Michelin Guide platform, which features integrated concierge services and VIP benefits in many cases.

In revealing the winners, the publication explained that this initiative is a commitment to transparency and a reliable standard for those seeking to experience "the best of the hotel world," in the words of Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guide. This global project was launched at a ceremony in Paris and is being deployed with an emphasis on markets with a strong tourism focus, including Mexico.

Mexico Shines in the Michelin Selection

Within the first selection of Keys, Mexico not only features but stands out. In North America and Central America—including the Caribbean—526 hotels obtained a Key. Of these, 23 achieved three Keys, 123 achieved two, and 380 achieved one.

From the list, some names stand out as jewels in the national hotel landscape, such as Wakax Hacienda – Cenote & Boutique Hotel in Tulum, which was promoted from one to two Michelin Keys. However, the cream of the crop of Mexico's lodging corresponds to One&Only Mandarina in Nayarit; Hotel Esencia in Quintana Roo; and Xinalani in Puerto Vallarta.

This type of promotion reveals that less massive hotels, with strong local identity or boutique proposals, can stand out against large chains.

Hotels with Three Keys

• One&Only Mandarina, in Lo de Marcos, a small locality in Bahía de Banderas, Nayarit.
• Hotel Esencia, Playa del Carmen, in Quintana Roo.
• Xinalani, Quimixto, a typical, very beautiful beach village of approximately 250 inhabitants, located south of Bahía Banderas in Puerto Vallarta.

Hotels with Two Keys

• Chileno Bay Resort & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection, Cabo San Lucas
• Esperanza, Auberge Resorts Collection, Cabo San Lucas
• Montage Los Cabos, Cabo San Lucas
• Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, Cabo San Lucas
• Chablé Yucatan, Chocholá
• Las Alamandas, Costalegre
• Playa Viva, Juluchuca
• Casa Polanco, Ciudad de México
• Banyan Tree Mayakoba, Playa del Carmen
• Etéreo, Auberge Resorts Collection, Playa del Carmen
• Palmaïa-The House of AïA: All Inclusive Wellness Resort, Playa del Carmen
• Rosewood Mayakoba, Playa del Carmen
• Susurros del Corazón, Auberge Resorts Collection, Punta de Mita
• Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, Punta Mita
• Las Ventanas al Paraiso, A Rosewood Resort, San Jose del Cabo
• One&Only Palmilla Resort, San Jose del Cabo
• Zadun, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, San Jose del Cabo
• Casa de Sierra Nevada, A Belmond Hotel, San Miguel de Allende
• Maroma, A Belmond Hotel, Riviera Maya, Solidaridad
• Casa Chable, Tulum
• Wakax Hacienda – Cenote & Boutique Hotel, Tulum

Hotels with One Key

The list is extensive and includes destinations from Mexico City to beach locations and "Pueblos Mágicos," among them:

• Banyan Tree Cabo Marqués, Acapulco
• Central Hotel Boutique, Chihuahua
• Sofitel, Ciudad de Mexico
• La Valise, Ciudad de Mexico
• Pug Seal Allan Poe, Ciudad de Mexico
• Casona Roma Norte, Ciudad de Mexico
• Decu Downtown, Mérida
• Nomade Holbox, in Quintana Roo
• The Cape, Thompson, Cabo San Lucas
• Viceroy Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen
• Chablé Maroma, Punta Maroma, located in the municipality of Playa del Carmen
• Casa 1810 Hotel Boutique, San Miguel de Allende
• Hotel Casa Santo Origen, Oaxaca
• Banyan Tree Puebla, Puebla
• BellView Boutique Hotel, Puerto Vallarta
• Casa Kimberly, Puerto Vallarta
• Zoa Hotel, Santa María Tonameca
• Amomoxtli, Tepoztlán
• Desierto Azul, Todos Santos
• Hotel San Cristóbal, Todos Santos

These hotels demonstrate that Mexico possesses both large-scale resorts and independent proposals with local character, capable of shining under the new global standard.

Lodging Prices

Most of the hotels that stand out on the list attract an international clientele that pays in dollars; however, one of the points of greatest interest is how much it costs to have this "very good" sleeping experience.

Although Michelin rates were not published generally, a review online reveals the price range for lodging, with options that could be within reach of domestic customers. In Mexico City, the average rate for a luxury hotel is around five thousand pesos per night, although in the ranking of the most expensive hotels in Mexico City, it is reported that the Brick Hotel has an average cost of 14,577 pesos per night, while at The St. Regis it rises to 16,132, and in exceptional cases can reach up to 24,940 for a suite at the Four Seasons.

On booking platforms, rates appear from 1,221 pesos per night in Mexico City, according to a search on the portal booking.com. Therefore, the price range in Mexico goes from "accessible premium" options to truly elite rates, depending on the level offered by the hotel.

During the presentation of the awards, Michelin highlighted that it seeks to strengthen the perception of national luxury tourism, attract demanding travelers, and position less explored destinations. However, it acknowledges that the awarding of these Keys also presents challenges, such as maintaining absolute quality, coherence between what is promised and what is experienced, staff training, and quality service.