Michelin released its first list of America’s best hotels – so are they worth staying in?

I’m known to be particular. I know what I like and nothing less could make me feel satisfied. 

So when the Michelin Guide released its first list of Key Hotels in the U.S., I knew I was up to the task of seeing what all the fuss was about and if they were worth it.

The list of 124 hotels were awarded one, two or three Keys in a system that’s similar to how the Michelin Guide gives out stars to restaurants.

One Key is meant to signify a ‘very special stay,’ Two Keys denotes ‘an exceptional stay,’ and Three Keys, the highest status, marks the hotel’s experience as ‘an extraordinary stay.’ 

This summer I ventured to some of these getaways that made the coveted list in Miami, Chicago and New York City. So what was it actually like staying in Michelin-approved hotels?

One-Key hotel

Mandarin Oriental Miami 

Star rating: Five

Rooms start at $392 a night*

Attention to detail is one of the first stand-outs at the Mandarin Oriental. I’m not saying that the other hotels featured in this story don’t have that, but it’s a quality that has stuck in my mind since my visit back in May/June. 

One example that comes immediately to mind is that my husband left his half-read book open and upside down on his bedside table when we went out for the day and upon his return we discovered a staff member had helpfully placed a bookmark where he had been up to.

Putting the attentive staff aside, as soon as you walk into the hotel, you know it’s going to be a unique experience when you’re greeted by an almost panoramic view of Biscayne Bay from the pristine wood-paneled lobby with floor-to-ceiling windows.

The room we stayed in was a Deluxe Bay View King. It had incredible views of the bay and the skyline of Miami from the balcony, the bed, and even the bathtub. The room has been designed to ensure guests can take in the famous lagoon no matter where they are in their room. 

Our stay was very comfortable, and it was probably down to the ample space and the cloud-like nature of the bed. I was also able to select different pillows that better supported my neck with a simple call to housekeeping (Like I said, I’m very particular).

Upon booking, I joined the hotel’s Fans of M.O. rewards program and one of the complimentary perks was free daily breakfast for me and a guest. And one of the biggest highlights of this trip was enjoying breakfast on the waterfront. The food was fresh and definitely better than a majority of hotel breakfasts I had had up until that point. 

On the first day, I had two eggs, any style with black forest ham, and a side of breakfast potatoes. I got mine poached and they had a lovely runny yolk, which is my preferred way to eat eggs. A perfect addition was a refreshing glass of freshly squeezed orange juice to wash it all down. 

For my second breakfast, I opted for the congee – a dish I often eat when I’m sick, it’s my comfort food – which was served with a poached egg, and assorted garnishes of crispy onions, sambal, scallions, soy sauce, and minced fresh ginger. I also want to note I got the third night free because of Mandarin Oriental’s One More Night offer, which appears to still be running at the time of writing.

Overall I would stay at the Mandarin Oriental again. But if you’re looking to be in the thick of it, it’s probably not for you. Because of its location on Biscayne Bay (and we decided not to hire a car), we made a lot of Lyft trips to and from the tourist spots. The main strip of South Beach was about 25 minutes by car, and cost between $21 and $26. 

With the One More Night offer, staying at the Mandarin Oriental wasn’t much more than what I would normally be comfortable paying for a stay for two people – and it was an elevated experience, particularly those water views.

Two-Key hotels

The Langham Chicago

Star rating: Five

Rooms start at $595 a night*

When we arrived at The Langham, we were warmly greeted by the night manager, Robert, and informed that we were going to be upgraded from our one-bedroom suite to a one-bedroom suite with a river view. 

As soon as you enter the hotel, there’s no doubt that you’re about to experience something special. The lobby and reception areas are airy and very clean. Despite its modern furniture and minimalist color palette, it’s still very inviting to guests who want to rest their weary bones after a long day of travel or to chill out.

We were soon given our room keys and my jaw hit the floor when we walked into the spacious 1,230sqft suite that was much bigger than our New York apartment, which, to be fair, isn’t hard. It had floor-to-ceiling windows so we could make the most of the incredible views of the Chicago River and skyline. 

I also need to give a shout out to the absolutely stunning bathroom that had a gorgeous walk-in shower (with two water pressure settings) and a huge soaking tub. Everything about this room screamed luxury, down to the free toiletries that included a comb, shaving kit, vanity kit, sewing kit, dental kit, nail file and loofah. It’s the little extras of this stay that really made it stand out from the rest.

The good people at The Langham also granted us access to the The Langham Club, where guests can have breakfast, light snacks, afternoon tea or evening cocktails and drinks, while taking in views of both the river and Lake Michigan. Access to the club is included for guests who book any club rooms or suites.

The breakfast buffet offerings were fresh and well-stocked for those who have both a sweet tooth and salty cravings in the morning, including cold cuts, eggs, fruit, juices, and tea and coffee. You can also order daily specials off their menu.

But one of the best highlights on offer for breakfast was a top-tier croissant. It was everything the delectable pastry is meant to be; a nice crunch, perfect amount of flakiness, and distinct layers inside so it was delightfully light. It may be the best I’ve had in this country, I am not joking. I am a big believer that when simple things are done well, it can be phenomenal, and it was very much the case here.

The staff were also some of the most attentive I’ve ever experienced. No matter which part of the hotel you were wandering around in, they were always ready with a smile and a friendly greeting, they genuinely seemed happy to be there. 

Overall staying at The Langham is not something I will forget any time soon. If you have the money to spend, it is worth every single penny.

Pendry Chicago

Star rating: Four

Rooms start at $370 a night*

Housed in one of the most striking buildings in Chicago, the iconic Carbide & Carbon Building (which I learned on the Chicago Architecture Center’s river cruise was inspired by a champagne bottle), the Pendry has all the hallmarks of the 1920s art deco style that immediately charm guests when they walk in. 

The original elevators are still being used to this day and are really lovely to look at with their floral and leaf-etched golden doors, and intricate crown molding. The art deco features throughout really do give the hotel an otherworldly atmosphere.

We arrived early before check-in time to drop off our bags, but we were pleasantly surprised when they told us our room was ready. For our stay at the Pendry, we were booked into a Tower King room. 

Despite coming from The Langham straight after, the room still felt lofty and big enough for us to sprawl out. The décor was a classic monochrome and is immediately calming when you enter, especially coming off the bustling streets in the heart of Chicago. 

The lush bed is inviting and everything about the room makes you want to settle in for the night, whether to enjoy a room service meal in front of the TV or a glass of fizz by the double-bay windows while taking in the skyline. 

The bathroom is also a soothing space with a walk-in shower and all the amenities everyone could need on their trip (obviously not on the same scale as The Langham, but it wasn’t lacking in any way). I also appreciated that towels and linens were only laundered when requested in a bid to be more sustainable.

I ended up ordering in-room dining on our first night because my husband was feeling a bit ill, and I had a delicious Turkey Club and Tuna Tartare. All the ingredients were fresh and hit the spot.

The next morning, we also stopped by the hotel’s Parisian-inspired restaurant Venteux and had a light breakfast. I had the Avocado Toast – a lovely balance of salty, sweet, and citrus. While at the Pendry in the first week of July, the hotel had just opened up Château Carbide, an absinthe-focused cocktail bar. 

We went for a nightcap and it’s the perfect place for one. And its rooftop location make it an ideal spot to get Instagram photos that’ll make you the envy of friends because honestly the skyline from up there is gorgeous.

For its price point, the Pendry provides an elevated experience with historical roots and is a hotel I would choose to stay in myself because I love places that have a unique story. If I’m being a nitpicker, the only small inconvenience was the elevators being a little slow during my stay.

Three-Key hotel

Crosby Street Hotel

Star rating: Five

Rooms start at $1,165*

I appreciate a theme and, as a dog lover, I was really into the Crosby Street Hotel’s enthusiasm for pups. Now that I’ve got that out of the way, we can talk about how cozy it was to stay at the Crosby. 

The drawing room, which has a portrait of Simone the Jack Russell Terrier, has that cottage-like quality to it that makes you want to curl up in one of the comfy armchairs and read a book. It felt like a quiet slice of tranquility far away from the chaos of the SoHo neighborhood, where the Crosby is located, and that’s a rare thing to come across in the heart of New York City.

We stayed in a Deluxe Room that had floor-to-ceiling windows with a great ledge to perch upon to look over the sprawling sights that the city has to offer. In fact, we took full advantage of that with a glass of sparkling wine. 

Space is limited in New York City, but the Crosby’s Deluxe Room is as roomy as it sounds. I will note that even though it’s one of the lower-cost offerings at the hotel, it’s still on the higher end of the scale when it comes to costs on this list. 

The room is bursting with color and eclectic charm – there’s bold prints on the upholstery and striking hues on the walls. I also love that there’s a TV screen installed into the wall over the bathtub, so you can relax with your favorite shows while having a soak. I tell you I love the small details. Speaking of which, in the shower cap packet there was a hair tie; something I know a lot of long-haired folk will appreciate. 

It’s the little touches like that I appreciated here, including the bar fridge hidden in the wall, strategically placed hooks, and the windows that give you breathtaking glimpses of the iconic city.

For dinner, we ate at The Crosby Bar. I had the crispy confit duck leg and tuna tartare, and both were delicious. Along with guests, the bar is a destination for New Yorkers to have after-dinner drinks, business meetings, and perfect for people-watching. 

Again the quirky charm of the hotel carries over to the space, with bright furnishings, cozy corners for the first dates, and a wonderfully and aesthetically pleasing bar. Our server was very polite and attentive, and took great care of us throughout our dinner.

Final thoughts 

If I wanted to splurge for a special occasion, I’d probably pick The Langham Chicago, mainly because I live in New York City and I’d want to travel to somewhere different for a celebration. 

In my opinion, the most worth it at its price point is the Mandarin Oriental Miami because it’s how much I would be comfortable spending for a few nights on a vacation for two, and I do love water views.

*Prices at the time of writing