Michelin Creates New Wellness Award Within its Hotel Programme

The Michelin Guide has added a Wellness Award to its hotels portfolio, one of four new “Special Awards” that will sit alongside the MICHELIN Key distinctions and recognise properties where mental and physical wellbeing is central to the stay. The winners will be announced in Paris on 8 October 2025 during Michelin’s first global Key reveal.

Inspectors named five nominees on 26 August: Canyon Ranch Tucson in the United States, Joali Being in the Maldives, Lily of the Valley in France, The Retreat at Blue Lagoon in Iceland and Bürgenstock Resort in Switzerland. Canyon Ranch Tucson is the only nominee from the Americas.

The move does not change the underlying rating system. The MICHELIN Key, introduced in 2024 and awarded at one, two or three levels, remains the core benchmark for exceptional hotel stays, with a worldwide 2025 selection also due on 8 October. The new award simply highlights excellence in a specific dimension of hospitality rather than creating a new tier of Keys.

For operators, the shortlisting signals growing inspector focus on integrated wellness, from medical-grade programmes to spa design and nature-led settings. For travellers, it provides an additional cue within the Guide to identify hotels where wellbeing shapes the whole experience.