Texas shines in the hospitality industry! But the recent Michelin Guide 2025 Key awards have sparked a debate among travelers and locals alike. Are Texas hotels truly world-class?
The Michelin Guide, the ultimate authority in global hotel and restaurant ratings, has spoken, and Texas has a lot to celebrate. This week, the 2025 Michelin Key honors were unveiled, showcasing the top hotels in the U.S., and Texas made a remarkable showing. A total of 21 Texas hotels were recognized, with six of them located in North Texas.
However, the real question on everyone's mind is: Why didn't any Texas hotel achieve the coveted three Key rating, Michelin's highest honor?
Here's a breakdown of the top-rated hotels in Dallas and Fort Worth:
- Bowie House, Fort Worth: The only North Texas hotel to achieve a two Key ranking, it's part of the Auberge Resorts Collection.
- Casa Duro, Dallas: Located above Sister and Café Duro on Greenville Avenue, it received a one Key rating.
- Hotel Swexan, Dallas: Harwood Hospitality Group's flagship hotel in Uptown Dallas, also received a one Key ranking.
- Hotel Zaza, Dallas: This luxury boutique hotel, featuring the Dragonfly restaurant and a poolside bar, was awarded a one Key rating.
- Rosewood Mansion, Dallas: A historic hotel dating back to 1925, it's a Dallas landmark and received a one Key ranking.
- Hotel Drover, Fort Worth: Located in the iconic Fort Worth Stockyards, it earned a one Key rating.
And here's where it gets interesting: Texas has a strong presence on the list, but the highest rating achieved was a two Key ranking. This has sparked discussions about the criteria Michelin uses and whether Texas hotels are truly on par with the world's best.
Other notable Texas hotels on the Michelin list include:
- Commodore Perry Estate, Austin: Another Auberge Resorts Collection property, it received a two Key rating.
- Hotel Emma, San Antonio: A highly-rated hotel with a two Key distinction.
- ARRIVE Austin, Austin Proper Hotel, Fairmont Austin Gold Experience, Hotel Saint Cecilia, Hotel ZaZa Austin, Soho House Austin, The Heywood Hotel (all in Austin): These hotels received a one Key rating each.
- The Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park, El Paso, Carr Mansion, Galveston, Hotel Saint Augustine, Hotel ZaZa Memorial City, Hotel ZaZa Museum District, and The Post Oak Hotel (all in Houston): Each of these hotels also received a one Key rating.
The full list of Michelin-rated hotels in the U.S. is available on their website, but the Texas selections have certainly stirred up conversations. And this is the part most people miss—the Michelin Guide's ratings are subjective and can vary from year to year. So, do you think Texas hotels deserve more recognition? Or is the Michelin Guide's assessment accurate? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
