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 destinations in North America, Europe and Asia, the MICHELIN Key has since expanded into a global distinction.
Hotels are awarded One, Two or Three MICHELIN Keys, according to the level of experience they offer:
One MICHELIN Key: A very special stay.
Two MICHELIN Keys: An exceptional stay.
Three MICHELIN Keys: An extraordinary stay.