Michelin Guide Reveals Inaugural Hotel Awards For UK & Ireland

Michelin has announced the very first Michelin Key selection for Great Britain & Ireland, awarding 123 hotels for “offering the most outstanding stays throughout the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland”. This inaugural British and Irish selection presents 14 hotels with three Michelin Keys, 37 with two Keys and 72 with one Key. It follows similar selections in France, Spain, Italy, Japan, the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Thailand. Take a look at the full list below, with some of our favourites listed as standouts.

How are the Michelin Keys judged?

Before we dive into the list, here’s a quick summary of how the hotels are graded across five keys (hence the name):

1. Act as an open door to explore a beautiful location
2. Feature excellent interior design
3. Offer quality and consistency in service and comfort
4. Charge a fair price for the quality of the experience
5. Create an authentic and unique experience

Three Michelin Keys

London: Raffles London at the OWO

Quite possibly London’s most luxurious hotel, this commanding building has been home to many well-known historical figures such as Sir Winston Churchill, Lord Haldane, Earl Kitchener and John Profumo, and was the inspiration behind Ian Fleming’s elusive James Bond.

Located in the heart of Whitehall, The OWO overlooks some of London’s most majestic landmarks, Raffles has a host of world-class amenities, restaurants and the epitome of luxury wellness at The Guerlain Spa.

Quite possibly London’s most luxurious hotel, this commanding building has been home to many well-known historical figures

Where: Raffles London at The OWO, 57 Whitehall, London SW1A 2BX
website: www.raffles.com/london

The UK: Gleneagles Hotel, Perthshire

Located just at the entryway to the Highlands near Auchterarder, Gleneagles Hotel is one of the most sprawling and luxurious estates in all of Scotland, set across 850 acres of lakes, forests and a 2 Michelin-starred restaurant.

The sheer array of available activities means this luxury estate is something like a playground for adults. It boasts clay-pigeon shooting, off-road driving and falconry, as well as several championship golf courses. Its lead course, The PGA Centenary Course, is the only course in the world to host both The Ryder Cup and The Solheim Cup.

where: Auchterarder PH3 1NF
website: www.gleneagles.com

Ireland: Adare Manor, Co. Limerick

For the absolute pinnacle of grandeur, Adare Manor is not just one of the finest resort stays in Ireland, but the entire world. Built in the 19th Century, the house was the former seat of the Earl of Dunraven.

Multi-award-winning, Adare Manor is set on a whopping 840 acres of luxury. The highlights are everywhere you look – for golf fans, the renovated golf course is considered one of the best in the world and will host the 2027 Ryder Cup. For foodie fans, the Oak Room restaurant holds a Michelin star, serving a seasonal menu based on Ireland’s best artisanal ingredients.

where: Adare, Co. Limerick
website: www.adaremanor.com

Two Michelin Keys

London: Corinthia Hotel

Centrally located overlooking the River Thames, Corinthia London lies in the heart of the UK capital. The immaculately restored Victorian façade is home to 225 rooms, 51 suites and 7 regal penthouses.

Proud experts in the delight of gastronomy preside over Kerridge’s Bar & Grill and The Northall. A place to escape the every day, for the ceremony of afternoon tea and for sublime time away in the award-winning spa, ESPA Life at Corinthia.

where: Whitehall Place, Westminster, SW1A 2BD
website: www.corinthia.com

The UK: Cliveden House, Berkshire

Every ounce of Cliveden House is beautiful. From the moment you drive down the immaculately groomed driveway to the grandeur of interiors and sublime spa, it’ll feel like you’re stepping into a fairytale.

Boasting a whopping 376 acres of sweeping countryside gardens, Cliveden House is steeped in history and out-of-this-world, royally approved interiors. Think classically British furnishings and dangling chandeliers. The spa is an absolute must-visit too if you’re lucky enough to nab yourself a room.

Boasting a whopping 376 acres of sweeping countryside gardens, Cliveden House is steeped in history

WHERE: Cliveden Road, Taplow, Berkshire, SL6 0JF
WEBSITE: www.clivedenhouse.co.uk

Ireland: Sheen Falls, Co. Kerry

Arguably the most beautiful county in Ireland, Kerry in the South-west is wild and remote. The idyllic Sheen Falls, part of the prestigious Relais and Châteux group, is set on 300 acres of the Kenmare Bay coastline, and boasts a range of activities, from a two AA rosette restaurant to the Easanna Spa, falconry, kayaking, golf, and archery.

The location also means it’s a perfect jumping-off spot for those looking to explore the surrounds; close by is The Ring of Kerry, Killarney National Park, historic towns of Kenmare and Dingle, and, for prospective hikers, Ireland’s tallest mountain Carrauntoohil.

where: Kenmare Old, Kenmare, Co. Kerry
website: www.sheenfallslodge.ie

One Michelin Key

London: Shangri-La at The Shard

Located 37 stories high in The Shard, the Shangri La offers unbeatable panoramic views across London’s skyline. From their exclusive Westminster Suite, spot views from St. Paul’s Cathedral and the Gherkin to Tower Bridge and Canary Wharf.

It contains amenities galore, from the Gǒng Bar on the top floor to the 52nd-floor Sky Pool, the tallest infinity pool in Europe.

The 52nd-floor Sky Pool is the tallest infinity pool in Europe.

WHERE: 31 ST THOMAS ST, LONDON SE1 9QU
WEBSITE: www.SHANGRI-LA.COM

The UK: Kinloch Lodge, Isle of Skye

Nestled in the hills of Scotland’s spectacular Isle of Skye, this family-run hotel has been going for over 50 years.

Food is at its heart, with an emphasis on benefitting from the abundance of local purveyors of land and sea on the island. This results in a guaranteed freshness and seasonality to the menu, so much so you might find one of their chefs hunting for wild garlic or pulverising local kelp from the shore in the hotel’s ground.

where: Sleat, Isle of Skye IV43 8QY
website: www.kinloch-lodge.co.uk

Ireland: Dromoland Castle, Co. Clare

Clare is home to some of Ireland’s most iconic spots – The Burren, The Cliffs of Moher – and Dromoland Castle is the most iconic hotel in the county. A Michelin-starred restaurant from chef David McCann, a world-class golf course, spa treatment, and a host of activities throughout its 500-acre estate make this an idyllic getaway.

A standout feature for visiting tourists, they have an on-site genealogist who can help guests trace their Irish roots – perfect if you’re angling for a Brexit-defying Irish passport.

A standout feature for visiting tourists, they have an on-site genealogist

where: Dromoland, Newmarket on Fergus, Co. Clare
website: www.dromoland.ie

And the rest…

Three Keys

Bruton, England: The Newt in Somerset
Colerne, England: Lucknam Park
Great Milton, England: Le Manoir aux -Quat’Saisons, A Belmond Hotel, Oxfordshire
London, England: Bvlgari Hotel London
London, England: Claridge’s
London, England: Four Seasons Hotel London at Park Lane
London, England: Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park
London, England: The Connaught
London, England: The Peninsula London
London, England: The Savoy
Laois, Ireland: Ballyfin Demesne