MICHELIN Guide unveils its 2026 MICHELIN Key selection in the UAE

Dubai: The MICHELIN Guide unveils today its 2026 hotel selection, now available across the MICHELIN Guide's platforms, where travellers can explore the new selection, discover each hotel's MICHELIN Key distinction and find inspiration for their next stay. In the UAE, the selection spans standout properties across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah, underlining the country's position as one of the region's leading hospitality destinations. For Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guide, the growth of the hotel selection comes at a particularly interesting moment for the industry. As the Guide expands its presence across the world of hospitality and lifestyle, he points to the role of independent and boutique hotels in keeping the sector moving forward. “This second global selection of the MICHELIN Keys reflects the extraordinary momentum driving the hospitality sector once again this year. With 470 newly distinguished establishments, we are witnessing a continuous upscaling of the offering, driven by even more creative and ambitious projects. All around the world, hoteliers are reinventing the stay experience through more immersive, personalised, and experiential concepts.” UAE spotlight: 25 MICHELIN Key hotels The UAE's 2026 MICHELIN Guide hotel selection features 83 hotels, including 58 selected properties and 25 hotels awarded MICHELIN Keys. The Key selection comprises 19 One MICHELIN Key, 5 Two MICHELIN Key and one Three MICHELIN Key property, spanning Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Liwa Desert and Ras Al Khaimah. Atlantis The Royal, Dubai remains the UAE's only Three MICHELIN Key hotel, recognised for offering an extraordinary stay. The five Two MICHELIN Key properties and 19 One MICHELIN Key properties further reflect the breadth of hospitality experiences represented across the UAE. Dubai Atlantis The Royal, Dubai: Three MICHELIN Keys One&Only The Palm: Two MICHELIN Keys Bvlgari Resort Dubai: Two MICHELIN Keys The Lana, Dorchester Collection: Two MICHELIN Keys Al Maha, A Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa: One MICHELIN Key Bab Al Shams, A Rare Finds Desert Resort, Dubai: One MICHELIN Key Mandarin Oriental Jumeira: One MICHELIN Key ME Dubai: One MICHELIN Key The St. Regis Dubai The Palm: One MICHELIN Key Address Beach Resort: One MICHELIN Key The St. Regis Downtown Dubai: One MICHELIN Key Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Dubai: One MICHELIN Key Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach: One MICHELIN Key The Biltmore Villas: One MICHELIN Key Abu Dhabi Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental Abu Dhabi: Two MICHELIN Keys Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers: One MICHELIN Key ERTH Abu Dhabi Hotel: One MICHELIN Key Four Seasons Hotel Abu Dhabi at Al Maryah Island: One MICHELIN Key Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort: One MICHELIN Key Rosewood Abu Dhabi: One MICHELIN Key Rixos Premium Saadiyat Island: One MICHELIN Key Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Al Sahel Villa Resort: One MICHELIN Key Anantara Qasr al Sarab Desert Resort (Liwa Desert): One MICHELIN Key Ras Al Khaimah The Ritz-Carlton Ras Al Khaimah, Al Wadi Desert: Two MICHELIN Keys Anantara Mina Ras Al Khaimah Resort: One MICHELIN Key The 2026 selection in context: A global and regional perspective The MICHELIN Guide's global hotel selection now spans over 9,400 hotels, including 2,832 hotels awarded a MICHELIN Key: 155 Three-Key, 657 Two-Key and 2,020 One-Key hotels. More than 2,200 hotels have been added to the global selection since last year's MICHELIN Key announcement in October 2025. The 2026 selection across Asia and the Middle East includes 600 MICHELIN Key hotels, with 173 new Keys and promotions and 34 Three MICHELIN Key properties. The MICHELIN Key selection also reaches four destinations for the first time in the region: Mongolia, Myanmar, Armenia and Kazakhstan, while updated selections across destinations including Saudi Arabia, Japan, China, India, Indonesia, the Maldives, Singapore and Vietnam continue to broaden the Guide's reach. “This second global selection of the MICHELIN Keys reflects the extraordinary momentum driving the hospitality sector once again this year. With nearly 470 newly distinguished establishments, we are witnessing a continuous upscaling of the offering, driven by even more creative and ambitious projects. All around the world, hoteliers are reinventing the stay experience through more immersive, personalized, and experiential concepts.” said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guide. About the MICHELIN Guide hotel selection The MICHELIN Guide's hotel selection is based on the work of its inspectors, who travel anonymously and independently to identify hotels offering outstanding experiences. The selection spans a wide range of properties, from historic landmarks and grand hotels to independent boutiques, remote retreats and innovative new openings. The MICHELIN Key is the hotel distinction awarded by the MICHELIN Guide, equivalent to the MICHELIN Star for restaurants. Introduced in 2024 across 15