Roundup: My Favorite Michelin Key Hotels in France
Michelin, that French tire company and global master of culinary taste, announced its eponymous Key, the Michelin Star of hotels, in April 2024. Like the Michelin Star, the Michelin Key began in France, and has since been applied to properties in the US, Spain and Italy.
There are 189 Michelin Key hotels in France: an elite 24 with three Keys, 38 with two Keys and 127 with one Key. Of these, Fora gets perks at over three quarters (although I can still book your stay at most Key hotels, even if they’re not part of a specific perks program).
Many of Fora’s favorite and top-booked properties made the cut, and I certainly have my eye on a few swoon-worthy newcomers. That’s the beauty of Michelin: they cover it all. Tiny, under-the-radar gems and regal grande-dames alike are eligible. The company does its due diligence.
Below, a few of my favorite Michelin Key hotels in France, separated by number of Keys.
An Insider's Guide to Where to Eat, Stay & Play in Central & West London
London never gets old. The city’s charming neighborhoods, cobblestone streets, world-class museums, multicultural dynamism and electric culinary scene are just a few reasons to visit England’s capital.
You’ll likely be spending most of your time in Central and West London, where you’ll find the city’s most popular attractions, like Hyde Park, Piccadilly Circus and Big Ben. These areas are especially great if you're a London first-timer, or if you want to check off the city's greatest hits from your bucket list. But Central and West London are also home to posh neighborhoods, each with their own distinctive feel. Unsurprisingly, you’ll also find many of the city’s best hotels here, where glamor (or rather, glamour) and luxury reign.
Witness the changing of the guards at Buckingham Palace, don your chicest ensemble for afternoon tea, rent a paddle boat on Hyde Park's Serpentine Lake, visit the city's world-class museums — immersive activities abound. But you should also budget ample time for wandering and serendipity, as London is full of hidden gems.
There's a lot to this worldly city. Luckily, I've done all the research so you can maximize your London vacation. Below is just a taste of what London has to offer, but when you connect with me, I'll craft an itinerary tailored specifically to your travel style and preferences — and budget of course. London can be pricey, but with the right planning and expertise, the city opens up.
Ready to head across the pond? Connect with me, and I'll design your dream London vacation.
Hotel Spotlight: The Prince Akatoki London
This sophisticated hotel is steps away from London's top attractions, but it still serves as an urban escape. Its Japanese-inspired hospitality and clean, soothing decor (minimalist rooms, intentional organization, soft colors, a refreshing absence of clutter) make it especially inviting.
See the perks of booking with The Prince Akatoki London with us.
Roundup: 8 Best Hotel Swimming Pools
Whether you’re checking into a boutique hotel in Santorini or indulging in a luxury stay in New York City, sometimes the best part of a hotel is its swimming pool. Today’s hotel pools run the gamut from indoor pools to outdoor pools, infinity pools to private plunge pools. Some hotel pools mirror their surroundings, designed as an extension of the natural landscape. Other hotel pools are all about those panoramic vistas and sunset views. Some hotels offer guest rooms with whirlpools, outdoor swimming pools or hot tubs, while other hotel pools are so over-the-top, they bring everything you could want (a swim-up bar, cabanas, daybeds, cocktails and television screens) to you poolside. Be it an adult-only pool in Las Vegas or a romantic pool carved into a cliffside in Greece, these are the best hotel pools in the world.