From a 19th-century mini château to a former US embassy turned ultra luxury property, the Michelin Guide has just named the five best new hotels in the world.
Of the candidates for the “Opening of the Year” award, which will be revealed on 18 September, three can be found in Europe.
Only in its second edition, the inaugural winner in 2025 was the The Burman Hotel in Tallinn, a 17-key property in the Estonian capital’s UNESCO-listed Old Town.
The Michelin Guide began awarding “keys” – the equivalent of Michelin stars – to hotels in 2024.
The best new hotels around the world
The European hotels that made the cut are located in Venice, Luxembourg and London.
Airelles Palladio Venice offers an escape from the chaos of Venice while still offering remarkable views, with a location on Giudecca Island opposite St. Mark’s Square.
The hotel is made up of four heritage buildings: The Palladio, dating back to 1561; Villa Froll, a former aristocratic academy from 1677; The Conventino, a refuge for noble widows; and the church of Santa Maria della Presentazione.
Michelin’s inspectors highlighted the dining options in particular, with restaurants and bars from Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Nobu Matsuhisa and Norbert Niederkofler.
Luxembourg City’s entry – Villa Pétrusse – was originally designed by architect Pierre Kemp in 1880, and its interiors have now been restored to be in line with how the house would have looked at the time by interior architect Tristan Auer.
One of the hotel’s restaurants, Le Lys, has already been awarded one Michelin star.
Following the move of the US Embassy in London to its new location in Nine Elms in 2018, 24-31 Grosvenor Square has re-emerged as The Chancery Rosewood.
The Grade II-listed landmark, restored by British architect Sir David Chipperfield, is now an all-suite property.
With more than 700 pieces of art inside, the hotel boasts the largest collection of artwork in a European property.
Another hotel known for its dining options, guests can eat at the first European outpost of Carbone, try Southern Mediterranean cooking at SERRA, discover Masayoshi ‘Masa’ Takayama’s creations at TOBI MASA, or enjoy tea and dessert from executive pastry chef Marius Dufay at JACQUELINE.
The nominees for Michelin’s Opening of the Year Award
- Airelles Palladio Venice, Italy
- Capella Kyoto, Japan
- Villa Petrusse, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
- The Chancery Rosewood, London, UK
- One&Only Moonlight Basin, Big Sky, USA