{"id":900897,"date":"2026-09-22T04:52:19","date_gmt":"2026-09-22T04:52:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/900897\/"},"modified":"2026-09-22T04:52:19","modified_gmt":"2026-09-22T04:52:19","slug":"michelin-keys-australian-hotels-officially-named-among-the-best-in-the-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/900897\/","title":{"rendered":"Michelin Keys: Australian hotels officially named among the best in the world"},"content":{"rendered":"

A raft of luxurious Australian<\/a> hotels have been named among the best in the world.<\/p>\n

From a revamped beachside spot to an island haven, 25 local properties have been recognised with Michelin Keys.<\/p>\n

\"Capella<\/p>\n

Capella Sydney has been named one of the best hotels in the world.\u00a0Capella Sydney<\/p>\n

The prized gongs were handed out by the prestigious Michelin Guide after anonymous visits by inspectors hunting for places that \u201coffer outstanding experiences.\u201d<\/p>\n

For the first time, Michelin award One Key distinctions to stays across the country while promoting top-notch properties on its global ranking list.<\/p>\n

Twenty-two properties were added to the list, while three were promoted.<\/p>\n

Saffire Freycinet in Tasmania was promoted to the top honour of Three Michelin Keys.<\/p>\n

It was dubbed \u201da sleek, contemporary retreat nestled among Tasmania\u2019s<\/a> rugged east coast bushland, beneath the Hazards mountains. Its 20 timber-lined suites, local design and tailored nature experiences create an indulgent escape where seclusion and the wilderness take centre stage.\u201d<\/p>\n

Also upgraded was the fancy Kangaroo Island stay, Southern Ocean Lodge.<\/p>\n

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spent his honeymoon there, and the property regularly appears on lists of the world\u2019s best hotels.<\/p>\n

Michelin say it \u201cbrings contemporary Australian design to the rugged beauty of Kangaroo Island, with 25 sea-facing rooms overlooking the Southern Ocean and surrounding wildlife. Guests can unwind in understated luxury or explore the island\u2019s wild landscapes through tailored nature experiences, gourmet dining and spa treatments.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Southern<\/p>\n

Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo island attracts Prime Ministers.\u00a0Southern Ocean Lodge <\/p>\n

Hot off the back of the 50 Best Hotels nod, Capella Sydney<\/a> was promoted to Two Michelin Keys.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt transforms a heritage landmark near Circular Quay into a refined contemporary retreat, celebrating Australian Aboriginal culture through its art and design. Richly detailed rooms, a first-rate spa and destination dining combine heritage character with modern luxury,\u201d the guide says.<\/p>\n

Also in South Australia, Sequoina Lodge was given a listing for the first time,<\/p>\n

Bosses say it \u201dsits high above Adelaide Hills\u2019 Piccadilly Valley, with 14 private suites designed to immerse guests in the surrounding landscape. From moon windows and spring-fed hot pools to native wildlife, Dreamtime storytelling and seasonal dining, the lodge offers a secluded escape rooted in nature and local culture.\u201d<\/p>\n

But it\u2019s not all about once-in-a-lifetime splurges.<\/p>\n

A raft of more affordable Aussie stays were given recognition with One Michelin Key.<\/p>\n

\"Intercontinental<\/p>\n

Intercontinental Coogee Beach is newly revamped.\u00a0Supplied<\/p>\n

The new Ardour Milton Park<\/a> in the NSW Southern Highlands near Sydney was one.<\/p>\n

The newly revamped Intercontinental Sydney Coogee Beach <\/a>by IHG was also named as one of the best in the world.<\/p>\n

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex held an event there on her latest visit to Australia.<\/p>\n

Also in the city, The Porter House Hotel Sydney \u2013 MGallery, was recognised.<\/p>\n

The Sundays, a new spot to enjoy on Hamilton Island in Queensland\u2019s Whitsundays, also made the cut.<\/p>\n

The late Dame Olivia Newton-John\u2019s Gaia Retreat near Byron Bay<\/a> was also on the list.<\/p>\n

The Michelin Key is the hotel distinction equivalent to the Michelin Star for restaurants. <\/p>\n

\"Ardour<\/p>\n

Ardour Milton Park Bowral reopened after an extensive renovation in February 2026.\u00a0Supplied\/Hamilton Lund<\/p>\n

A total of 54 Australian hotels made the Michelin Key list for 2026, with 22 local properties were added to the list for the first time. Thirty-two properties retained their Key status from last year. They\u2019re all listed on the firm\u2019s website and app.<\/p>\n

Hotels are awarded One, Two or Three Michelin Keys, according to the level of experience they offer.<\/p>\n

\"Sequoia<\/p>\n

Sequoia Lodge in South Australia made the cut.\u00a0Sequoia Lodge <\/p>\n

One Key means \u201ca very special stay, two is for \u201can exceptional stay and three are reserved for \u201can extraordinary stay, the company says.<\/p>\n

Gwendal Poullennec, a Michelin Guide international director, said the places chosen aim to \u201cpush the boundaries of the hospitality experience and invite travellers to discover new destinations.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll around the world, hoteliers are reinventing the stay experience through more immersive, personalised, and experiential concepts,\u201d Poullennec added.<\/p>\n

\"Saffire<\/p>\n

Saffire Freycinet in Tasmania was on the list.\u00a0Saffire Freycinet<\/p>\n

Michelin Guide New Three Key hotels in Australia Saffire Freycinet, TasmaniaSouthern Ocean Lodge, South AustraliaMichelin Guide New Two Key hotels in Australia Capella Sydney, NSWSequoia Lodge, South Australia\"Halcyon<\/p>\n

Halcyon House, in Cabarita on the northern NSW coast gained a nod.\u00a0Halcyon House<\/p>\n

Michelin Guide New One Key hotels in AustraliaArdour Milton Park, NSWBlackbird Byron Bay, NSWChalets at Blackheath, NSWEl Questro \u2013 The Homestead, NTGaia Retreat & Spa, NSWHalcyon House, NSWInterContinental Sorrento Mornington Peninsula, VictoriaInterContinental Sydney Coogee Beach by IHG, NSWLanson Place Parliament Gardens, VictoriaLe Mas Barossa, South AustraliaLon Retreat & Spa, VictoriaMaleny Lodge, QueenslandMount Lofty House & Estate Adelaide Hills, South AustraliaMt Mulligan Lodge, QueenslandPretty Beach House, NSWSticky Rice Villas, South AustraliaThe Corinda Collection, TasmaniaThe Langham Melbourne, VictoriaThe Porter House Hotel Sydney \u2013 MGallery, NSWThe Sanctuary at Alba Thermal Springs & Spa, VictoriaThe Sundays, Queensland<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A raft of luxurious Australian hotels have been named among the best in the world. From a revamped…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":900898,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[64,63,134],"class_list":["post-900897","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-entertainment","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-entertainment"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/900897","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=900897"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/900897\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/900898"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=900897"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=900897"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=900897"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}