125 years after its creation, the Michelin Guide made history again. This time, not to reward restaurants, but hotels. In a ceremony held at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, the French brand presented for the first time its Michelin Keys, a new global distinction that recognizes excellence in hospitality. And of the 2457 hotels selected around the world, 15 are Argentinian. Located between Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Misiones, Salta and Santa Cruz, They all share the same spirit: offering experiences that leave a mark.
The measure of luxury
Just as stars distinguish gastronomic excellence, Michelin Keys seek to highlight the most outstanding hospitality. The guide’s inspectors toured more than 7,000 hotels around the world, and each was evaluated under five universal criteria: excellence in architecture and interior design, quality and consistency of service, character and personality of the hotel, consistency with its surroundings, and value for money. According to this, the keys are divided into three categories: one for very special stays; two for exceptional experiences; and three for those that reach the level of the extraordinary.
Among the distinguished local hotels, one of the highlights is the Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aireswith two keys. The distinction places it among the guide’s exceptional experiences. In the heart of Recoleta, the hotel combines the historical charm of La Mansión Álzaga Unzué with the contemporary comfort of five-star service. Its gastronomy (with the Elena restaurant also included in the Guide), the Pony Line bar, the spa and the only outdoor pool in the neighborhood complete a proposal where every detail is designed to surprise. “We are deeply grateful for being recognized as the only city hotel with two Michelin Keys. This award reflects the commitment of our entire team to excellence in service, international-level gastronomy, personalized attention and the comprehensive experience of our guests,” says Renan Astolpho, general manager.
Far from the urban pulse of Buenos Aires, another of the hotels that obtained two keys was Susana Balbo Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites, in the heart of Mendoza. This exclusive refuge of seven suites, conceived by the renowned winemaker Susana Balbo together with her daughter Ana Lovaglio Balbo, combines wine, art, well-being and gastronomy under the same philosophy: offering luxury with a Mendoza soul. “This recognition came without expecting it, without looking for it. For me, that is the path: to work with conviction, for excellence itself, and let things come by themselves,” says Ana Lovaglio Balbo, who also highlights that the project seeks to “elevate the local to the highest standards in the world, but without losing our essence: the human touch, the Mendoza soul that makes each guest feel like they are in a friend’s house.”
Meanwhile on the hotel map of South America, few brands condense the new spirit of hospitality as well as Awasi. “We received this recognition with great joy, since the five Awasi properties were recognized with a Michelin Key. For us, this achievement reaffirms our commitment to offering a personalized service and creating experiences connected with nature and local culture,” said the firm, which has just added two new locations in Santa Catarina and Mendoza.
In Argentina, Awasi Iguazú was awarded two keys. On the banks of the river, in the middle of the Misiones jungle and a few minutes from the falls, this lodge combines privacy, design and sustainability: its 14 villas on stilts are integrated into the landscape and have their own pool, guide and private vehicle for each guest. Part of the Relais & Châteaux chain, Awasi redefines the notion of luxury through authentic and personalized experiences, where each itinerary is designed according to the visitor’s interests (whether touring Jesuit ruins, sailing the river or sharing a lunch with Guaraní communities).
Key to excellence
Towards Mendoza, meanwhile, Chozos Resort, in Alto Agrelo, was awarded a keyreinforcing the province’s place on the tourism map level. Conceived during the pandemic by Nicolás Armentano, the project was born with the idea of creating a contemporary refuge where architecture, art and nature would dialogue with the Andes Mountains. With private villas, glamping sites and the Barro Cocina restaurant, Chozos invites you to a sensory and serene experience, in connection with the landscape. “This recognition is not just an award. It is proof that when you work meaningfully, dreams become feats. The best is always yet to come,” Armentano is proud.
And on the other side of the map, the spirit of hospitality takes a different form, more urban but just as warm. The Duhau Palace – Park Hyatt Buenos Airesin the heart of Recoleta, was one of the hotels distinguished with a key. Located in a neoclassical palace from 1934 that coexists with a modern tower, it combines elegance with contemporary design and service attentive to detail. “We received the news with enormous joy and surprise. For us, the key is a reward for the entire team’s commitment and love for hospitality, which is a lifestyle,” explains María Eugenia Motter, Associate Director of Marketing. About to turn twenty years old, the hotel reaffirms its place among the benchmarks of Buenos Aires luxury and adds a new reason to look at Buenos Aires as an international destination of excellence.
Finally, Estancia La Bandada was the only Argentine rural house distinguished with a key. Just over an hour from Buenos Aires, in San Miguel del Monte, it brings together the charm of the Pampas countryside with international standards of service. Its orchards and fruit trees supply kilometer zero-inspired cuisine, and its guests can tour the town, visit the historic Rancho de Rosas or simply enjoy the slow pace of nature. With this distinction, La Bandada consolidates itself as a reference for high-level rural tourism, recognized for its warmth, identity and the authenticity of its proposal.
The Argentine list is completed with names such as Alvear Palace Hotel, Casco Hotel, House of Uco, The Vines Resort & Spa, House of Jasmines, Lares de Chacras, Eolo Patagonia’s Spirit, Cavas Wines Lodge and Cristina Stay, inter alia. Together, the fifteen keys draw a new map of luxury. One diverse and with its own identity, where excellence is measured both in stars and in hospitality.
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