Muscat: Oman has strengthened its presence on the global luxury hospitality map after three hotels in the Sultanate were awarded MICHELIN Keys as part of the MICHELIN Guide’s 2026 global hotel selection.

The latest edition of the prestigious hospitality distinction recognised 189 hotels across Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Morocco, Egypt, South Africa and India. Of these, 130 received One MICHELIN Key, 50 earned Two MICHELIN Keys and nine were awarded the highest Three MICHELIN Key distinction.

Oman is among the Gulf destinations represented in the selection, alongside the UAE with 25 Key hotels, Saudi Arabia with 17, Qatar with 11, Bahrain with three and Kuwait with two. Jordan has five recognised properties.

The MICHELIN Key is the hotel equivalent of the MICHELIN Star for restaurants and is awarded to properties offering outstanding stays. Hotels are evaluated anonymously and independently by MICHELIN Guide inspectors based on architecture and interior design, quality and consistency of service, personality and character, value for money and their contribution to their location or surroundings.

One MICHELIN Key denotes “a very special stay”, Two Keys signify “an exceptional stay”, while Three Keys represent “an extraordinary stay”.

Across the wider regional selection, nine hotels received the coveted Three MICHELIN Keys. They are Desert Rock Resort in Saudi Arabia; Atlantis The Royal in Dubai; Kasbah Tamadot and La Mamounia in Morocco; Royal Malewane, Delaire Graff Estate and Londolozi Game Reserve in South Africa; and Taj Falaknuma Palace and Taj Lake Palace in India.

Saudi Arabia’s Desert Rock Resort, located amid the Hijaz Mountains, also won the MICHELIN Guide Architecture & Design Award for its integration with the surrounding landscape.

South Africa’s Londolozi Game Reserve received the MICHELIN Guide Local Gateway Award for its connection to the local landscape and regional culture.

Morocco recorded 31 MICHELIN Key hotels, including Three-Key properties Kasbah Tamadot and La Mamounia, while Egypt received 13 Keys, including two Two-Key hotels.

South Africa secured 32 Key hotels, including three with the highest Three-Key distinction.

India recorded the largest number among the 11 destinations covered by the regional announcement, with 47 recognised properties. Taj Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad and Taj Lake Palace in Udaipur were both awarded Three MICHELIN Keys.

Globally, the 2026 MICHELIN Key selection now comprises 2,832 hotels, including 2,020 One-Key, 657 Two-Key and 155 Three-Key properties.

Nearly 470 hotels were newly distinguished this year, with MICHELIN Keys now covering 79 destinations worldwide. The distinction was also introduced in 10 new destinations in 2026.

Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guide, said the latest selection reflected the continued transformation of the hospitality industry, with hotels increasingly focusing on more immersive, personalised and experiential stays.

The 2026 selection also featured four global Special Awards. In addition to Desert Rock Resort and Londolozi Game Reserve, Germany’s Schloss Elmau Luxury Spa Retreat & Cultural Hideaway received the MICHELIN Guide Wellness Award, while Airelles Palladio Venice in Italy received the Opening of the Year Award.

Introduced in 2024, the MICHELIN Key has expanded rapidly into a global hotel benchmark, recognising properties ranging from historic palaces and city landmarks to desert retreats, safari lodges, boutique hotels and contemporary resorts.