Michelin Guide Reveals Its New Hotel Key Awards In Texas

Michelin Guide arrived in Texas for the first time last year, handing out Stars to deserving restaurants and introducing its new Key Awards to the state’s best hotels and resorts. On Wednesday, October 8, Michelin updated its American hotels list and Key Awards. The list didn’t change much in Texas.

In 2024, no Texas hotels were honored with a Three Key distinction by Michelin Guide. That trend continues in 2025. That rarified world belongs to precisely 16 resorts in the nation. Mostly in California and New York (11 of those 16), which is no surprise, since Michelin has been entrenched there far longer than in the rest of the country.

So, it’s not to say that other American hotels shouldn’t be on the list. It’s just that the Key program is new, and they are just beginning their exploration of American resorts. There’s a lot to get to, and plenty to evaluate. The same can, of course, be said for the limited restaurant stars handed out at the first-ever Texas restaurant awards last year.

Michelin is just now dipping its toe into Texas dining (only been here for a year now), and it obviously didn’t get much past Austin and Houston before the first awards were given. We’ll see how much further they’ve ventured when those awards are announced on October 28.

Texas Two-Key Awards Remain Unchanged by Michelin Guide

Only three Texas hotels received a Two-Key level Michelin Award in 2024 ― two were Auberge Resorts Collection offerings, Austin’s Commodore Perry Estate, and Fort Worth’s Bowie House, plus Hotel Emma in San Antonio. Nothing changed there.

The Commodore Perry Estate is a tranquil estate setting on ten lush acres in Austin. Its twenties-era mansion and satellite buildings are stately in both Italianate and Spanish Revival styles. The elegance of this 54-room boutique cannot be understated.

Fort Worth’s first five-star luxury hotel, Bowie House, an Auberge Resort, opened its doors in Fort Worth’s Cultural District in December 2023. It immediately became the neighborhood’s living room, and a showcase for art, including revolving showings by guest artists as well as owner Jo Ellard’s own pristine collection.

Likewise, Hotel Emma has once again been recognized with a coveted Michelin Two-Key designation. It’s a dramatic repurposing of the former Pearl Brewery.

“We are incredibly proud to receive the MICHELIN Two-Key distinction representing the very highest level of global hospitality,” said Jon Sakshaug, chief executive officer of Hotel Emma. “For the past ten years, we have strived to provide a highly curated and personalized experience rooted in a sense of place and genuine hospitality.”

One-Key Ranked Hotels In Texas Have Made Few Gains

At the inaugural Michelin Key Awards, two other Fort Worth hotels received a one-key ranking by Michelin in 2024. They were Hotel Drover, Autograph Collection in The Stockyards, and The Kimpton Harper in downtown Fort Worth. This year’s list has removed The Kimpton’s Key designation, while Hotel Drover retained its One Key award.

Hotel Drover, Autograph Collection ― the swanky hub of The Stockyards Historic District made the cut once again. Hotel Drover has garnered many awards since opening in the spring of 2021. Some of those awards come from the likes of Condé Nast Traveler and U.S. News & World Report, plus it was named the No. 1 Best Hotel in Dallas-Fort Worth by Travel + Leisure on its 2024 World’s Best Awards.

According to the Michelin site, the only other changes in Texas this year are the addition of Dallas’ The Madison at Bishop Arts, Waco’s Hotel 1928 by Chip and Joanna Gaines, and Dallas’ Hotel Swexan receiving a One-Key designation.

The Texas One-Keys remain Austin, Houston, and Dallas heavy (full list here). So, I’m going out on a limb and expecting similar results once again when the Michelin Star Awards are announced in a couple of weeks for restaurants. Fort Worth, it seems, might still be an afterthought.

Why Do Fort Worth and San Antonio Continue To Be Overlooked?

Only three hotels are mentioned in Fort Worth on Michelin’s website: Bowie House, Hotel Drover, and The Kimpton Harper. Only three were even mentioned! Likely the only three hotels that have been visited by Michelin again this year, in “little ole” Fort Worth. You know, the No. 11 largest city in America.

Oh, who are we kidding? Everybody knows Fort Worth is less than 2000 residents from bypassing Jacksonville, Florida, and landing just behind Dallas as the 10^th largest city in the country (some are already projecting Fort Worth has made that leap to No. 10).

Perhaps now we can dispense with the myth of D-FW. It’s never been a thing. That moniker was concocted when DFW International Airport was born just over 50 years ago. We’re not the twin cities of Texas. Never have been. Dallas and Fort Worth are an hour drive apart, with massive Arlington and the Mid-Cities sandwiched in the middle.

And what about San Antonio? Are we to believe there is nowhere excellent to lay your head in San Antonio, outside of the marvelous Hotel Emma? That means the now 6^th largest city in America was shut out of the One-Key hotel list again this year.

Michelin Might Need To Spend More Time In Texas

Only five San Antonio hotels earned a mention on Michelin’s website: Hotel Emma, Hotel Havana, Thompson San Antonio, Hotel Valencia Riverwalk, and Mokara Hotel & Spa. Really?

Judging by that travesty alone, I’m predicting a similar shutout for San Antonio’s Michelin restaurant Star Awards this year. I hope I’m wrong. Fort Worth and San Antonio (both welcoming millions of visitors each year) have remarkable hotels and restaurants, making both cities a huge draw for tourists.

I sure hope Michelin has made it out to dine at more than the amazing taco and barbecue joints in both cities. We have inspired tacos and barbecue, to be sure, but that’s not all. Not hardly.

Perhaps Michelin’s anonymous inspectors just haven’t spent enough time in either Fort Worth or San Antonio yet. Come to think of it, the annual James Beard Awards continually ignore both cities as well. Perhaps that’s simply been an ongoing oversight. Let’s hope so.