Eight Queensland hotels win keys from Michelin
In 2024, Michelin launched its hotels guide, and Australia was included in the awards for the first time in 2025, with five Queensland hotels making the cut. This year, that number jumped to eight – take a look at the finalists…
Since its inception, The Michelin Guide has been a go-to resource for those looking to sample the finest cuisine the world has to offer, with a ranking system renowned for its discerning selection criteria and wide-reaching scope.
The off-grid sanctuary of Lizard Island Resort, located near the Great Barrier Reef and 240 kilometres from the Queensland coast, was awarded three keys for the second year in a row, praised for its villas and suites that pull the outdoor landscape inside.
Following suit, Silky Oaks Lodge’s understated but deliberate timber-clad suites surrounded by the world’s oldest rainforest, the Daintree, secured its two keys once again. The sophisticated and modern ranch retreat, Spicers Peak Lodge retained its two-key status, with its ultra-private and comfortably luxurious spot amid Maryvale’s rolling hills and eucalypts.
At opposite ends of the state, both Hamilton Island’s Qualia and The Calile Hotel Brisbane preserved their singular keys – the former commended for its unobtrusive and unpretentious architectural design, and the latter for its urban boutique-style atmosphere.
Awarded its first key this year, newcomer Mt Mulligan Lodge is set on a 70,000-acre cattle ranch, offering a luxury, all-inclusive stay in stark contrast to its rugged surroundings in the outback.
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Maleny Lodge also gained one key after being recognised as a small but tastefully luxurious hotel with deep history and character embedded within its walls, which were constructed in 1905.
The final Queensland destination to receive its first key was The Sundays in Hamilton Island, the first new hotel to open in the Whitsundays in nearly two decades, in a reimagining of one of the island’s original lodges.
According to Michelin, a One Key recipient is described as “a true gem with personality. Service always goes the extra mile, and the hotel provides much more than others in its price range.”
An award-winning hotel can win up to three keys in total, with Michelin inspectors utilising five universal criteria when selecting a worthy hotel.
Hotels are judged on 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.
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