The Michelin Guide famously doesn’t include Indonesia’s restaurants, which means there are no Michelin stars in Bali, even at places that deserve them.
However, the Guide has finally arrived to assess the archipelago’s hotels, and that’s a nice step in the right direction.
In fact, Bali’s hotels dominated the new Michelin rankings for hotels in Indonesia, and that means there are some truly wonderful places to stay here.
Here’s everything you need to know about how to find a very special stay in Bali.
No, Michelin Star Awards
Firstly, it’s important to understand that Michelin Stars are for restaurants, not for hotels. The Guide has made no indication if or when it will start to examine the nation’s fine dining scene, and thus, there will be no Michelin Stars for the foreseeable future.
Michelin Keys Is The Way Forward
Hotels win keys, rather than stars. So, across the whole of Indonesia, there are now thirty-three Michelin key hotels, and more than half of the Michelin Key hotels are in Bali.
How Are Michelin Keys Awarded?
The Michelin Guide sends out secret hotel inspectors to the most premium and prestigious resorts in the world.
There are no keys for hostels, guesthouses, family resorts, etc. The places they visit are already considered to be “the best of the best” by their reputation.
The inspectors are required to assess the hotels based on 5 criteria set by the Guide:
- Hotel Design – that’s the architecture and the layout, and the styling of the interior of the hotel
- Hotel Service – this is all about the guest experience in both quality and consistency
- Atmosphere – does the resort exude a specific personality and a level of charm?
- Value – when you take into account all factors, is the experience exceptional in relation to the price you pay?
- Connection – is the resort connected to the wider community and culture, and does it seek to preserve the environment?
The scale for Michelin Keys is simple – it works from 1 to 3:
- 1 Michelin Key – a very special stay, which is worth going out of your way to experience (this is the original principle behind the Michelin Guide, to encourage people to travel for amazing experiences)
- 2 Michelin Keys – an exceptional hotel that provides something truly memorable
- 3 Michelin Keys – a truly extraordinary stay that cannot be replicated or approximated elsewhere
3 Michelin Key Hotels In Bali
There is only one hotel that has 3 Michelin Keys on the island, and that’s the super swanky:
Mandapa, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve in Ubud. Mandapa has long been considered one of the island’s finest hotels, and there’s no doubt that it’s one of our favourites too.
2 Michelin Key Hotels In Bali
Three hotels managed to pick up the honours in this section of The Guide, and they were:
- Amankila in Manggis, Karangasem – it might be a bit out of the way, but it’s worth the journey
- Buahan, a Banyan Tree Escape, Payangan – we loved staying here, the without-walls concept makes for a stunning break with breathtaking views
- Raffles Bali, Jimbaran – the island’s newest luxury property, blew our minds, and we can imagine that the Michelin reviewers were equally impressed
1 Michelin Key Hotels In Bali
Then there are 18 properties in Bali that picked up a single Michelin Key, including:
- Capella, Ubud
- COMO Shambhala Estate, Ubud
- Chapung, Sebali, Ubud
- Lost Lindenberg, Pekutatan
- Amandari, Ubud
- Viceroy Bali, Ubud
- Bisma Eight, Ubud
- Nirjhara, Tabanan
- Blue Karma Village, Umalas
- The Legian Seminyak, Seminyak
- Bvlgari Resort Bali, Uluwatu
- Four Seasons Resort Bali, Jimbaran
- Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan, Ubud
- Soori Bali, Tabanan
- The Purist Villas & Spa, Ubud
- Jimbaran Puri, A Belmond Hotel, Bali, Jimbaran
- Samsara Ubud, Ubud
- REVIVO Wellness Resort, Nusa Dua
Why Should Anyone Care About Michelin Keys?
Because the Michelin Keys system is designed to acknowledge the absolute best of the best, you know that you’re picking a hotel that is truly memorable.
That means it goes beyond nice snaps on your Instagram feed and a personal butler service, and builds an actual experience around you.
The architecture will often blow your mind, and you’ll see traces of Balinese culture and style in the work.
Service will be tailored to your needs, rather than the one-size-fits-all approach of your average 5-star hotel.
Most of all, the spaces you inhabit during your stay will inspire you and make you feel something. It’s much more than a nice room with a decent view; it’s a stay that you’ll remember for your whole life.
Indonesia’s Other Michelin Key Hotels
If you want to collect the whole set of Michelin Keys in Indonesia, you can enjoy these places too:
Three Michelin Keys In Indonesia
- Amanjiwo – Central Java – this place, just outside of Yogyakarta, provides access to the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Borobudur Temple and Prambanan Temple
- Nihi Sumba – Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara – if you dream of getting in touch with nature, this extraordinary stay might be the way forward, it’s remote but beautiful beyond compare
Two Michelin Keys In Indonesia
- The Sanchaya – Bintan – there’s a very upscale colonial vibe to this resort, and everything inside has been carefully curated to deliver a fluid and captivating stay.
- Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta – Jakarta – the capital may not be the easiest place to navigate, but this is the finest resort there, and the restaurants are next level.
- The Langham – Jakarta – if you like urban chic to the max, then you’re going to love The Langham, it stands out from the pack through genuine design excellence.
One Michelin Key In Indonesia
There are just six additional Michelin 1 Key resorts in Indonesia, and they are:
- Cap Karosa – Sumba – a remote break from the world
- Garrya Bianti – Yogyakarta – a brilliant base for exploring temples, volcanoes and more in the heart of the land
- Hotel Tugu – Lombok – very much a celebration of Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage
- The St Regis Jakarta – as lavish and outstanding as you’d expect from this hotel brand
- Plataran Komodo Resort & Spa – Labuan Bajo, Flores – if you intend to visit Komodo National Park, this is the place to be if you can afford it
- Raffles Jakarta – not quite on a par with Bali’s offering, but still delivering a very strong identity of its own
FAQs
Are There Any Michelin Stars In Bali?
No, there are no Michelin Star awards anywhere in Indonesia. This is not because there are no restaurants of the kind of quality that the Michelin Guide awards stars to, but rather because the Michelin Guide does not rate restaurants in Indonesia at all.
With the advent of the Michelin Keys coming to Bali, we are cautiously optimistic that the Michelin Stars may not be far behind.
We’re of the opinion that there are, at least, a dozen contenders for guide recognition on this island and probably many more across the archipelago.
How Many Michelin 3 Key Hotels Are There?
There are just 143 hotels in the world with three Michelin Keys at the end of 2025.
There are also another 572 properties with two keys and 1,742 with a single key.
There are three hotels with three Michelin keys each in Indonesia, including one in Bali, Mandapa, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve.
The country with the most 3 key hotels is France with 23 and the US has 16, and then, the UK has 14.
What Does It Mean When A Hotel Has A Michelin Key?
A Michelin Key is meant to signify that the hotel is among the elite ranks of hotels around the world and that it offers a very special stay.
Two keys mark an exceptional hotel, and three mark a truly extraordinary hotel.
What Is The Most Luxurious Area To Stay In Bali?
If we base this on Michelin Keys, then Ubud is the clear winner of the most luxurious place to stay in Bali.
However, we think there are strong arguments to be made for Canggu, Seminyak, Uluwatu and Nusa Dua as well and even Jimbaran.
There are said to be more $1,000 USD (or more) hotel rooms in Bali than anywhere else on Earth, so if you’re seeking luxury, there’s almost certainly somewhere in the area that you want to stay that can provide it.
Final Thoughts On Michelin Keys In Bali
It’s important to remember that while the Michelin Guide has an excellent track record of finding exceptional stays and restaurants, their reviews are a snapshot of a place in time and that their reviewers are using some very specific criteria for their judging.
You may or may not find their input valuable based on this.
We’d also note that none of these properties is cheap. And that there are many amazing hotels in Bali where you don’t need to spend a fortune to have a great time.
Check out our guide on how to choose a hotel room or learn how hotel ratings work in Bali.
