THE MICHELIN Guide revealed its brand new one, two and three key distinctions for the best hotels in the UK.

Launching on October, this announcement comes four years into a comprehensive refresh of how Michelin reviews hotels in their Michelin Guide selection. The new Key Hotels award is like the MICHELIN Stars for restaurants.

The guide now includes over 5,000 hotels across the world. Each stay is vetted by their hotel experts and judged excellent in five categories: architecture and interior design; quality and consistency of service; overall personality and character; value for the price; and a significant contribution to the guest experience in a particular setting.

The 2024 MICHELIN Guide hotel selection for Great Britain and Ireland includes 14 Three Key hotels, 37 Two Key hotels and 72 One Key hotels. 

This map shows the winners across the UK, including the two winners in the South West.

The Newt in Bruton, Somerset, has won the coveted three key award, the highest accolade in this new scheme. Judges said it is an 'an extraordinary stay'.

"The Newt in Somerset dates back to 1687, but has only been a hotel since 2019; despite its novelty, it delivers a remarkably rich experience, complete with vast gardens, woodlands, a working cider mill, a replica Roman villa, and a honeybee megalopolis known locally as Beezantium. Its rooms are divided between the original limestone house and the Farmyard outbuildings; highlights include a spa with an indoor-outdoor pool and the Farmyard Kitchen restaurant, which makes effective use of produce from the estate’s gardens." Judges added.

Lympstone Manor, near Exmouth, has been awarded the new two-key distinction calling the Manor 'an exceptional stay.'

Judges added: "A tastefully restored Georgian country house set in peaceful grounds which stretch down to the estuary – the pretty veranda is the perfect spot to admire the view. Luxurious bedrooms are beautifully furnished and have a stylish, modern feel; opt for a Garden Room with a fire and hot tub on the terrace.