The Michelin Guide has unveiled their 2026 list of “key” hotels — the hotel equivalent of a Michelin star, and California has the most three-key properties of any state in the country.
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California → unveil → country
In order to receive three keys, hotels must be the “ultimate in comfort and service, style and elegance,” according to Michelin.
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hotels → receive → Michelin
Just 155 hotels in the world are lucky enough to receive a three-key distinction — 657 hotels have two keys, and 2,020 have one key.
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2,020 → receive → key
Two Los Angeles-area hotels made the list — both steeped in Hollywood history.
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both → make → history
First opened in 1912, the Beverly Hills Hotel is known for its classic old-Hollywood architecture and famous guests, including Frank Sinatra’s Rat Pack and Marilyn Monroe.
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Hotel → open → Pack
The famed hotel received an extensive modernizing renovation in recent years, but maintains its throwback charm.
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hotel → receive → charm
The hotel received a 19.2 out 20 score with guests on the Michelin Guide — and prices start at an eye-watering $2,040 a night, according to the guide.
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prices → receive → guide
Down Sunset Boulevard and hidden behind lush vegetation, the other Los Angeles three-key winner, the Hotel Bel-Air, remains a celebrity favorite today.
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winner → hide → vegetation
Besides secluded bungalow-style accommodations, the hotel is also known for its delicious food — including lemon pancakes and tortilla soup.
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hotel → know → pancakes
Prices start at $1,785 a night.
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Prices → start → 1,785
Outside of Los Angeles, three wine country hotels also received three keys in this year’s guide.
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hotels → receive → guide
There’s Meadowood in the Napa Valley, where amenities include a newly renovated fitness center, three pools, and a hiking trail.
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amenities → ’ → center
It’s also a haven for wine lovers, with a wine center offering classes and tastings.
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It → ’ → classes
A room at Meadowood will set you back at least $1,750 a night.
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room → set → 1,750
The SingleThread Inn also snagged three keys.
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Inn → snag → keys
Michelin calls the downtown Healdsburg hotel “one of the most luxurious experiences in California.”
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Michelin → call → California
And it’s certainly exclusive.
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it → ’ → ?
The SingleThread only has 5 rooms in total, and a night at the trendy property, attached to what’s been called one of the country’s finest restaurants, costs at least $3,000 a night.
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what → have → 3,000
At the heart of the Napa Valley, Auberge du Soleil in Rutherford transports guests to the Mediterranean.
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Soleil → transport → Mediterranean
The stunning hotel boasts endless views of vineyards and olive trees, and its restaurant has a wine list of 15,000 bottles.
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restaurant → boast → bottles
Rooms at the Auberge go for at least $1,300 a night.
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Rooms → go → 1,300
Finally on the three-key winner list is Big Sur’s Post Ranch Inn, where there are no TV’s — but you won’t need one with those views.
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you → be → views
The cliffside hotel features rooms with stunning views of the Pacific, and a collection of “tree house” suites built atop nine-foot stilts and surrounded by redwood trees.
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hotel → feature → trees
A room at the picturesque hotel goes for a minimum of $1,800 per night, according to the guide.
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room → go → guide
The Aporia
