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Michigan Hotels Awarded Michelin Key Honors

The Shinola Hotel and The Townsend Hotel have been recognized for their excellence by the prestigious Michelin Guide.

Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Hotels

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The Michelin Guide has awarded Key designations to Michigan's Shinola Hotel and The Townsend Hotel, recognizing both for their exceptional hospitality. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Shinola Hotel in Detroit and The Townsend Hotel in Birmingham have earned Michelin Keys for their commitment to quality. The selection follows anonymous visits from international inspectors to evaluate hotels globally.

Why it matters

The Michelin Key designation identifies top-tier lodging experiences that provide guests with exceptional service and hospitality standards. This recognition highlights the evolving landscape of luxury travel within Michigan.

The Shinola Hotel has secured Michelin Key honors for the third consecutive year. These properties join a global network of 2,020 hotels that have achieved this distinction.

The players

Shinola Hotel

This Detroit hotel is a luxury lodging property that has now received Michelin Key recognition for three consecutive years.

The Townsend Hotel

Located in Birmingham, this property has been recognized by the Michelin Guide for its high-quality hospitality standards.

Michelin Guide

This international organization provides travel and dining recommendations through a star and key rating system.

The details

Inspectors from the Michelin Guide conducted anonymous evaluations at locations worldwide to determine which venues met their rigorous standards for the Key designation. The Shinola Hotel first made history as Detroit's inaugural recipient in 2024.

Timeline

  1. 2024: Shinola Hotel became Detroit's first Michelin Key hotel.

  2. September 2026: Shinola Hotel and The Townsend Hotel were awarded keys.

  3. 2027: Detroit enters the Michelin Guide restaurant selection process.

  4. April 2027: Michelin will host a Great Lakes Award Ceremony at Michigan Central Station.

Roadmap

The inclusion of Michigan properties in the guide aligns with the broader institutional effort to identify premier hospitality experiences beyond traditional global hubs. This move positions the state as a growing focal point within the competitive landscape of the international luxury travel sector.

Travelers planning visits to the Detroit area can now utilize Michelin’s standardized ratings to inform their booking decisions. These accolades may influence future room rates and availability as the properties gain increased international visibility.

The takeaway

Visitors to Michigan now have officially vetted options that meet the rigorous standards of an international travel authority. Travelers should note that demand for these highlighted properties may increase following their inclusion in the prestigious guide.

What happens next

Michelin will host a Great Lakes Award Ceremony at Michigan Central Station in April 2027, coinciding with the region's entry into the restaurant selection process.

Further reading

For more information on the latest accommodations reaching international standards, visit Hotels.

Source note: This article includes information reported by WXYZ 7 News Detroit.

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Do you believe the Michelin Guide's arrival will improve your local economy and dining scene?