16 Irish hotels have been awarded Michelin Keys at Michelin's 2025 Key Hotels awards, with two hotels retaining their Three-Key distinction, the top honour.
The awards were presented at a ceremony in Paris on Wednesday evening
While the renowned Michelin Star recognises the most outstanding restaurants in the world, the Michelin Key does the same for outstanding hotels. There are three levels of the distinction: one key, two keys and three keys, with three being the top award, much like the Michelin Stars.
Created in April 2024, the award aims to find the crème de la crème of hotels, highlighting those that excel in design, architecture, service and personality. Fourteen Irish hotels were awarded last year, and 19 won the distinction this year.
Now covering 7,000 hotels across the world, the Michelin Keys rank excellence in terms of five criteria: architecture and interior design; personality and character of the hotel; quality and consistency of service; value offered betwen experience and the price paid; and how the hotel contributes to its locality.
In total, the Michelin Guide now includes 14 Three-Key hotels, 43 Two-Key hotels and 82 One-Key hotels.
Two Irish hotels retained their Three-Key distinctions: Adare Manor in Co Limerick and Ballyfin Demesne in Co Laois.
Two hotels were newly awarded the Two-Key distinction: Ashford Castle in Co Mayo and Park Hotel Kenmare in Co Kerry. They join Cashel Palace in Co Tipperary, Sheen Falls Lodge in Co Kerry and The Merrion in Co Dublin, which all retained their keys from last year.
It's the second accolade in a week for Sheen Falls Lodge as earlier this week it was voted the Best Resort in Europe in the Condé Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Awards 2025.
Eight of last year's One-Key hotels retained their keys, with Cliff House Hotel, Co Waterford not recognised this year. Regency House in Belfast was newly awarded a One-Key distinction.
Three Key Hotels in Ireland:
- Adare Manor, Co Limerick
- Ballyfin Demesne, Co Laois
Two Key Hotels in Ireland:
- Cashel Palace, Co Tipperary
- Ashford Castle, Co Mayo
- Park Hotel Kenmare, Co Kerry
- Sheen Falls Lodge, Co Kerry
- The Merrion, Co Dublin
One Key Hotels in Ireland:
- Castlemartyr Resort, Co Cork
- Gregans Castle Hotel, Co Clare
- Dromoland Castle, Co Clare
- Dylan, Co Dublin
- Wilder Townhouse, Co Dublin
- The Killarney Park, Co Kerry
- The Victoria, Co Kerry
- No. 1 Pery Square, Co Limerick
- Regency House, Belfast
