SA hotels feature in world-famous MICHELIN Guide ahead of restaurant reveal
The famous MICHELIN Guide has confirmed South Australia is home to some of the world’s best hotels, in the lead up to the state’s debut in the coveted restaurant and eatery guide.
Some of South Australia’s most unique accommodation have been awarded the highly sought after MICHELIN Keys, the hotel equivalent of MICHELIN stars for restaurants.
Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island received three MICHELIN Keys, making it one of the top 155 hotels worldwide to achieve the most prestigious distinction – and one of only three in Australia.
The MICHELIN Keys is a collection of the most outstanding hotels in the world, recognising those that excel in design, architecture, service and personality.
South Australian hotels unveiled in the global 2026 MICHELIN Key Hotels include:
- Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island | Three-Key
- Thorngrove Manor, Adelaide Hills | Two-Key
- Sequoia Lodge, Adelaide Hills | Two-Key
- Le Mas Barossa, Barossa | One-Key
- Mount Lofty House & Estate, Adelaide Hills | One-Key
- Sticky Rice Villas, Adelaide Hills | One-Key
A further 10 hotels across the state are promoted within the MICHELIN Guide 2026 hotel selection, such as Arkaba Homestead in Flinders Ranges & Outback, Kingsford the Barossa, EOS by SkyCity, Adelaide Marriott, and Sofitel Adelaide.
Discover South Australia’s MICHELIN Guide hotel selection at The MICHELIN Guide.
Just like MICHELIN Stars, anonymous inspectors have rigorous criteria. Accommodation is assessed on five factors: excellence in architecture and interior design, quality and consistency of service, overall personality and character, value for the price, and a significant contribution to the neighbourhood or setting.
It comes as the countdown continues until the inaugural MICHELIN Guide South Australia is revealed on 14 October, which will be the first time any Australian restaurant is included in the world-famous guide.
The MICHELIN Guide will reveal the selected South Australian restaurants at a special ceremony in front of industry leaders, chefs, restaurateurs and partners locally and from around the world.
Distinctions announced may include Michelin Stars, Bib Gourmand, and Michelin Selected, alongside individual Special Awards such as Young Chef Award, Service Award, and Sommelier Award.
While the MICHELIN Guide is often associated with fine dining, the style of a restaurant and its level of comfort or formality have no bearing on the award. Michelin Stars have been awarded to a wide range of eateries from street food stalls to gourmet restaurants.
Anonymous MICHELIN Guide inspectors have been evaluating restaurants across the state through five universal criteria, including the quality of the ingredients, the mastery of cooking techniques, the harmony of flavours, the personality of the cuisine and the overall consistency.
According to International Director of the MICHELIN Guide, Gwendal Poullennec, inspectors have been particularly impressed with the “strong sense of place that runs through South Australia’s dining scene.”
Following the announcement, the South Australian culinary destinations will be promoted and listed on the MICHELIN Guide website, which attracts more than 62 million visitors each year, in addition to the organisation’s 3.9 million Instagram followers and 3.8 million app users.
Minister for Tourism, Emily Bourke said South Australia being home to MICHELIN Key hotels, and soon to be the only Australian destination with MICHELIN restaurants, recognises the state’s consistently outstanding and innovative tourism and hospitality businesses.
"We know travellers across the world turn to the MICHELIN Guide to plan their holidays, so having this prestigious recognition across our regions will translate to bookings that extend to our bars, wineries, tours, experiences, and more," Minister Bourke said.
"Our hospitality industry has been champing at the bit to find out who will make it into the coveted MICHELIN Guide and make culinary history in Australia.
"We’re already seeing what the Guide has done for New Zealand, with reports that bookings have flooded into both the restaurants and surrounding businesses - now is the time to book in your favourite local or bucket-list destination before the rest of the world does."
