Beyond just recommending the best places to eat, the world's most trusted benchmark in global gastronomy is now also recommending the best places to sleep
How do you know if a hotel is a good enough place to stop on your journey, a destination that’s worth a detour, or somewhere that should be a special trip all on its own? You could Google up a bunch of reviews, you could ask your friends (word of mouth, right?), you could crowdsource some recommendations on social media, or you could turn to the ultimate hallmark of (dining) excellence–the Michelin Guide.
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Arguably the most respected gastronomic guide in the world, the Michelin Guide has been unearthing gems and recommendations around the world for over a century. And now, it will also include hotels.
For the uninitiated, the Michelin Guide was the brainchild of brothers Andre and Edouard Michelin, founders of the eponymous tyre manufacturing company. In wanting to boost the French automobile industry, the brothers created a little red guidebook to encourage more motorists to take to the road. The guide was filled with handy information for travellers such as maps and popular routes, information on how to repair and change a tyre, where to fill up on petrol, and a listing of places to eat or take shelter for the night.
"For as long as we’ve been recommending places to eat, the Michelin Guide has been recommending places to sleep. Lodging was a foundational part of the first guides–perhaps the most crucial component for those early motorists facing down the dark in an unfamiliar place," the company said.
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The guide was initially given away for free but in 1920, the brothers started monetising it. Soon, the guide expanded and became available throughout Europe as well as Northern Africa, and the influence from the guide's restaurant section grew.
"Over the years, though, the star ratings for fine dining took the lion’s share of the spotlight. The Michelin Guide became a benchmark in global gastronomy. Now it’s setting a new standard for hotels."
