The Michelin Guide, internationally considered a benchmark of quality in the hospitality industry and the world’s oldest guide to hotels and restaurants, has selected six hotels in Romania that have received one or two Michelin keys. The Michelin Key is the hotel industry’s equivalent of Michelin stars for restaurants.
Thus, Singureni Manor, Marmorosch Bucharest Autograph Collection, InterContinental Athénée Palace, and Epoque Hotel – Relais & Châteaux were included in the guide, each receiving a Michelin key. In addition, two hotels – Bethlen Estates Transylvania and Corinthia Grand Hotel du Boulevard – were honored with two Michelin keys.
Previously, 12 hotels in Romania were already listed in the Michelin Guide in the recommendations category without Michelin keys: Marmorosch Bucharest, Atra Doftana, Singureni Manor, Moxy Bucharest Old Town, Electrico Villa, Rosetti Hotel, Epoque Hotel Relais & Châteaux, Radisson Blu Hotel Bucharest, InterContinental Athénée Palace Bucharest, Corinthia Grand Hotel du Boulevard Bucharest, Bethlen Estates Transylvania and JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel.
It is important to note that the Michelin Hospitality Guide is distinct from the gastronomic one, covering other criteria and selections. In addition to the six Michelin-starred hotels, 11 other accommodations in Romania were included in the recommendations category.
While the Michelin Guide is best known for its restaurant ratings – where one to three stars are awarded for exceptional culinary experiences – it also includes a global platform with over 5,000 recommended hotels. The selection is based on seven criteria, including: integration with the locality, outstanding architecture, distinctive interior design, high level of service, consistency in quality, the right balance between price and value, and the authenticity of the experience offered.
Although Romania does not yet have any Michelin-starred restaurants, the presence of Romanian hotels in the hospitality guide marks an important step for the Romanian tourism industry.
The Michelin Guide dates back more than a century. Created by brothers André and Édouard Michelin, the founders of the Michelin tire company (established in 1889 in Clermont-Ferrand, France), the guide was created to encourage automobile travel, thus stimulating demand for tires. The first edition contained maps, practical tips, directions to filling stations, and lists of restaurants and places to stay.
From a simple travel manual, the guide has evolved into a global symbol of excellence and authentic hospitality, and is now a prestigious reference for the entire industry.