Travel

5 NC hotels awarded Michelin Keys as ‘most outstanding hotels’ in the US

By Chyna Blackmon

Updated September 18, 2024 3:21 PM

The Library Lounge in The Ivey’s Hotel is available for guests to read a book, work or grab a drink. — The Library Lounge in The Ivey’s Hotel is available for guests to read a book, work or grab a drink. Peyton Lea

North Carolina is in the Michelin spotlight, thanks to several hotels being recognized among the most outstanding in the U.S.

Similar to the Michelin Star, which recognizes the most outstanding restaurants in the world, the Michelin Key does the same for outstanding hotels.

As part of its second ever announcement “to specially highlight the crème de la crème” of top stays for travelers, The MichelinGuide recently revealed the latest additions to its list of One, Two, and Three Key hotels across the country — including five across the Tar Heel state.

Just like Michelin star restaurants, One Key recognition is awarded for “a very special stay,” Two Keys for “an exceptional stay” and Three Keys for “an extraordinary stay.”

ARRIVE Wilmington

Location: 101 S. 2nd St., Wilmington, NC 28401

Michelin rating: One Key (very special stay)

Blind Tiger Asheville

Location: 173 E. Chestnut St., Asheville, NC 28801

Michelin rating: One Key (very special stay)

Blind Tiger Asheville is located at 173 E Chestnut St. — Blind Tiger Asheville is located at 173 E Chestnut St. Matthew Lovette Courtesy of Blind Tiger Asheville website

Blind Tiger Asheville is a 14-room property. — Blind Tiger Asheville is a 14-room property. Courtesy of Blind Tiger Asheville website

Dreamers Welcome

Location: 118 S. 4th St., Wilmington, NC 28401

Michelin rating: One Key (very special stay)

The Romantic suite at DREAMERS by DW in downtown Wilmington. — The Romantic suite at DREAMERS by DW in downtown Wilmington. Courtesy of DREAMERS by DW

The Dreamer suite at DREAMERS by DW in downtown Wilmington. — The Dreamer suite at DREAMERS by DW in downtown Wilmington. Courtesy of DREAMERS by DW

The Ivey’s Hotel

Location: 127 N. Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28202

Michelin rating: One Key (very special stay)

The Ivey’s Hotel is located in Uptown Charlotte at 127 N Tryon St. — The Ivey’s Hotel is located in Uptown Charlotte at 127 N Tryon St. Peyton Lea

There are 47 different rooms for guests to stay in at The Ivey’s Hotel. — There are 47 different rooms for guests to stay in at The Ivey’s Hotel. Peyton Lea

Proximity Hotel

Location: 704 Green Valley Road, Greensboro, NC 27408

Michelin rating: One Key (very special stay)

2024 Michelin Guide top hotels

“The MICHELIN Guide now includes over 5,000 hotels across the world, and not a single one is simply a room for the night,” a press release of the announcement says.

Michelin Keys are determined based on five specific criteria for hotels: excellence in architecture and interior design, quality and consistency of service, overall personality and character, value for the price, and a significant contribution to the neighborhood or setting, the Michelin Guide website says.

Including the five North Carolina hotels recognized among the most outstanding across the country, the 2024 MICHELIN Guide U.S. hotel selection is made up of 16 Three Key hotels, 70 Two Key hotel, and 207 One Key hotels. You can find that full list online at guide.michelin.com.

This story was originally published September 18, 2024 at 5:00 AM.

Chyna Blackmon

The Charlotte Observer

Chyna Blackmon was a service journalism reporter for The Charlotte Observer. A native of the Carolinas, she grew up in Columbia, SC, and graduated from Queens University of Charlotte. She’s also worked in local television news in Charlotte, NC, and Richmond, VA. Support my work with a digital subscription