Nine New Zealand hotels have joined an exclusive global list curated by Michelin, recognising some of the world's standout places to stay.
The Michelin Guide today unveiled its 2026 hotel selection, with nine new properties across New Zealand receiving a Michelin key — the hotel equivalent to the Michelin star awarded to restaurants.
Hotels and lodges located in Canterbury, Hawke's Bay, Kaikōura, Queenstown and Aoraki/Mt Cook were among those recognised.
The new additions brought the total number of Michelin key hotels across the country to 28, after 19 luxury hotels and lodges received New Zealand's first keys last year.
Michelin Guide international director Gwendal Poullennec said the latest selection reflected continued growth and innovation across the global hotel industry.
"We are witnessing a continuous upscaling of the offering, driven by even more creative and ambitious projects," Poullennec said.
"All around the world, hoteliers are reinventing the stay experience through more immersive, personalised, and experiential concepts.
"This capacity for innovation is expressed both in must-visit destinations and in emerging tourist markets. Often driven by visionary independent hotelkeepers, this evolution in concepts is now inspiring the industry as a whole."
The Michelin key was a global hospitality distinction introduced in 2024, which recognised the world's most exceptional hotels.
Selection was made based on the work of Michelin inspectors, who visited the properties anonymously to assess the experience they offered guests.
One key represented a "very special stay", two keys represented an "exceptional stay", while three keys represented an "extraordinary stay".
Globally, a total of 470 new properties joined the Michelin Guide's selection for 2026 — bringing the total number of recipients to 2832.
Earlier this year, the Michelin Guide awarded 15 New Zealand restaurants with Michelin stars at the first ever New Zealand Michelin Guide restaurant awards.
New Michelin key hotels for 2026
One Michelin key
Annandale Coastal Farm Escape & Luxury Villa Collection – Akaroa
Craggy Range Luxury Vineyard Retreat – Havelock North
Hapuku Lodge & Tree Houses – Kaikōura
Hubert House Luxury Boutique Lodge – Queenstown
Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat – Lake Pukaki
ROKI Collection Queenstown – Queenstown
The Clements Hotel– Cambridge
The Manse – Maraekakaho
Wallingford Homestead (awarded two Michelin keys) – Hawke's Bay
Promoted to two Michelin keys
Delamore Lodge – Waiheke Island
Rosewood Matakauri – Queenstown
Full list of New Zealand Michelin key hotels
Auckland
Hotel Fitzroy Curated by Fable
Park Hyatt Auckland
The Hotel Britomart
Waiheke Island
Delamore Lodge – two keys
Northland
Eagles Nest
Rosewood Kauri Cliffs – two keys
Rotorua
Solitaire Lodge
Taupō
Huka Lodge – two keys
Hawke's Bay
Craggy Range Luxury Vineyard Retreat
Rosewood Cape Kidnappers – two keys
The Manse
Wallingford Homestead – two keys
Cambridge
The Clements Hotel
Featherston
Wharekauhau Country Estate – two keys
Marlborough
Bay of Many Coves
Kaikōura
Hapuku Lodge & Tree Houses
Christchurch and Canterbury
Annandale Coastal Farm Escape & Luxury Villa Collection
Otahuna Lodge – two keys
Aoraki/Mt Cook
Mt Cook Lakeside Retreat
Omarama
The Lindis – two keys
Queenstown / Glenorchy
Azur Lodge
Blanket Bay – two keys
Eichardt's Private Hotel
Gibbston Valley Lodge and Spa
Hubert House Luxury Boutique Lodge
ROKI Collection Queenstown
Rosewood Matakauri – two keys
Stoneridge Lodge
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