The Michelin Guide unveiled its latest global Michelin Key hotel selection on September 18, an accolade for hotels comparable to the Michelin Star in gastronomy. A total of 2,832 hotels, including 470 new properties across 79 destinations worldwide, received Michelin Keys in the 2026 edition of the distinction, which was launched in 2024.
Of these, 2,020 hotels received One Key, 657 were awarded Two Keys, while 155 properties received Three Keys, the highest distinction.
Morocco ranks second in Africa
The African continent accounts for 113 Michelin Key hotels across 15 countries. South Africa leads the continent with 32 recognized properties, followed closely by Morocco in second place with 31, ahead of Egypt with 13.
The Seychelles and Kenya follow with seven hotels each, ahead of Mauritius with six, Rwanda with four, Namibia and Tanzania with three each, Zimbabwe with two, and Benin, Botswana, Mozambique, Tunisia and Zambia with one recognized property each.
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Just one hotel behind South Africa, Morocco also stands out for the level of recognition awarded to its properties. Africa has seven Three Key hotels this year, spread across four countries, with one new property joining the category in 2026. Morocco accounts for two of them: La Mamounia in Marrakech and Kasbah Tamadot in Asni, in the High Atlas. Both are classified as “extraordinary stays.”
Six Moroccan hotels received Two Keys, the distinction corresponding to an “exceptional stay.” They are Royal Mansour Marrakech, Royal Mansour Casablanca, Royal Mansour Tamuda Bay, The Oberoi Marrakech, Amanjena in Marrakech, and La Fiermontina Ocean in Larache.
Finally, 23 Moroccan properties received One Key, corresponding to a “special stay.”
Marrakech accounts for 12 of them: Riad Tarabel, Riad No. 37, La Sultana Marrakech, Villa des Orangers - Relais & Châteaux, Ksar Char-Bagh, Riad Due, Palais Ronsard, Riad Dar Al Dall - This Time Tomorrow in Marrakech, IZZA Marrakech, Riad Sakkan, Maison Brummell Majorelle and Selman Marrakech.
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Fez is also well represented, with four recognized properties: Riad Fes, Karawan Riad, Riad Mayfez Suites & Spa and Riad Laaroussa. Essaouira has three: Le Jardin des Douars, Heure Bleue Palais and Dar Maya.
Rounding out the One Key selection are Michlifen Resort & Golf in Ifrane, La Sultana Oualidia in Oualidia, Four Seasons Hotel Rabat at Kasr Al Bahr and the newly opened Waldorf Astoria Rabat Salé.
A simple geographic breakdown highlights Marrakech’s weight in the selection. Across all three categories, the city accounts for 16 of Morocco’s 31 recognized properties, or more than half of the national total. Fez, with four award-winning riads, is the country’s second-largest concentration of recognized properties.
