The MICHELIN Guide isn’t just about food anymore! While it’s long been the gold standard for world-class dining, the iconic brand is now setting its sights on hotels – and Malta has officially made the list!

This week, MICHELIN announced its first-ever Key awards, recognising the very best hotels around the world for their design, service, and unforgettable guest experiences. And among the global elite are six stunning Maltese properties.

Taking the top recognition with two MICHELIN Keys is Iniala Harbour House in Valletta, while the following hotels all bagged one prestigious MICHELIN Key: Rosselli – AX Privilege (Valletta), Lure Hotel & Spa (Mellieħa), The Phoenicia (Floriana), Xara Palace (Mdina) and Domus Zammitello (Valletta).

Accommodations that haven’t been awarded a key but received honourable mentions are: HOLM Boutique & Spa (St Julian’s), Palazzo Consiglia (Valletta), Cugó Gran Macina (Senglea), AX The Saint John (Valletta), Palais Le Brun (Valletta), Ursulino (Valletta), The Embassy Valletta Hotel, 66 Saint Paul’s (Valletta), The Coleridge (Valletta), Corinthia Palace (Attard), 1926 Le Parisot Boutique Suites (Valletta), The Gomerino (Valletta), Palazzo Bifora (Mdina), The Snop House (Senglea).

According to MICHELIN, these hotels represent the crème de la crème of global hospitality. Each MICHELIN Guide hotel is already recognised for excellence in design, architecture, service, and personality, but the MICHELIN Key takes it one step further, highlighting the most exceptional stays in the selection.

Just as MICHELIN Stars honour restaurants for culinary brilliance, MICHELIN Keys now celebrate hotels that deliver truly outstanding experiences.

The prestigious award is based on five universal criteria: Excellence in architecture and interior design, quality and consistency of service, personality and character, value for money and positive contribution to the local area or setting.

Hotels can earn One, Two, or Three Keys, representing increasing levels of excellence, with One Key denoting a very special stay, Two Keys a distinctive hotel with character, care, and charm and Three Keys reserved for extraordinary stays: the world’s most remarkable hotels that are destinations in themselves.

Congratulations to all of Malta’s newly awarded MICHELIN Key hotels!