The Michelin Guide will bestow its first Wellness Award during a celebration on 8 October at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.

Five nominees have been shortlisted by Michelin inspectors for the new award, to celebrate hotels that place mental and physical wellbeing at the heart of their offering.

The Michelin Guide acknowledges that while these properties each have extensive spas and gyms, their commitment to wellness goes beyond the facilities. Guests don’t leave the property to explore the region; they stay within the property for a bespoke lifestyle retreat with tailored experiences and activities designed by a range of experts in amazing locations.

The winner will receive a Michelin Key award – the hotel equivalent of the Michelin Star for restaurants. First introduced in 2024 across North America, Europe and Asia, the 2025 Michelin Keys are awarded to Michelin's top selection of properties.

Every hotel in the Michelin Guide property selection represents excellence in design, architecture, service and personality, but like the Star for restaurants, the Michelin Key awards recognise the best experiences with one-, two- and three-key ratings.

Liz Terry, editorial director of Spa Business, said: "This is a bold move by Michelin and although it is quite late to the party in launching a wellness award – given how many notable hotel wellness awards already exist – the weight of its name will see these awards being hotly contested.

"The shortlist for the first award makes a slightly puzzling lineup and we suggest Michelin makes its selection criteria totally transparent for operators, so they're fully aware of what it takes to be successful in competing for the title of Michelin Wellness Award winner."

Michelin Wellness Award shortlist

• Canyon Ranch, Arizona, US

The Michelin Guide describes this property as the original wellness resort (dating back to 1970) that is still a trailblazer in the industry. It notes the way the operator regularly launches new intensive programmes, uses scientific and alternative approaches and keeps the guest experience bespoke.

• Joali Being, Raa Atoll, Maldives

This destination, which first opened in 2021, is highlighted as a private island resort “that invests in some of the most creative, standout wellness features in the world – and makes this one of the most unique hotels in South Asia”.

The property’s philosophy around healing and rejuvenation is seen by Michelin Inspectors as one of the most interesting hotels in Asia, due to its multiple centres dedicated to restorative practices, such as sound healing, herbology and hydrotherapy.

• Lily of The Valley, La Croix-Valmer, France

Michelin notes that while this healthy lifestyle retreat in the French Riviera has a central philosophy that revolves around low-calorie menus, the experience is hailed as indulgent in other ways.

Guests have access to individual coaching and high tech treatments at the 2,000sq m Shape Club complex, as well as watersports and two heated pools.

There are three dining venues by Alain Ducasse and Guy Savoy-trained chef Vincent Maillard.

• The Retreat at Blue Lagoon, Grindavík, Iceland

Michelin highlights the way guests can experience Iceland’s world-famous thermal mineral waters in privacy at this property, minutes away from the famous tourist attraction.

The quiet retreat is noteworthy for its design, which blends into the landscape of surrounding lava fields and incorporates the renowned waters. The spa’s steamrooms and underground chambers are carved into the earth and powered by renewable geothermal energy.

• Bürgenstock Resort, Bürgenstock, Switzerland

Known for its mountain air, views over Lake Lucerne and a 10,000sq m alpine spa, the resort is a longstanding resort with a commitment to its wellness concept.

The property, once associated with stars such as Audrey Hepburn and Sophia Loren, went through an extensive renovation before reopening in 2017 with updated facilities, including cryotherapy chambers, infinity pools and infrared saunas.

Four new awards

The Wellness Award will be one of four new additional awards given at the Michelin Guide Ceremony in Paris.

The three other new awards are:

The Michelin Architecture and Design Award – for hotels with outstanding design that is central to the guest experience.

The Michelin Local Gateway Award – for hotels that facilitate remarkable and authentic local experiences for guests.

The Michelin Opening of the Year Award – for new arrivals that made an immediate impact in their first year.