Michelin Keys: 8 hotels in Austin make the list. What does this mean for local tourism?

AUSTIN (KXAN) — An updated Michelin Guide list put several Austin hotels among the best in the world.

The Michelin Guide announced its second set of honored hotels Sept. 12, including the first-ever keys for Texas hotels. This includes 20 properties across the Lone Star State, including eight in Austin—the most of any Texas city.

One Austin hotel received two keys—one of three in Texas. The Commodore Perry Estate in central Austin is described as a 20s mansion with "Italianate and Spanish Revival styles." The two keys indicate "an exceptional stay."

The Austin hotels that received one star include ARRIVE Austin, Austin Proper Hotel, Fairmont Austin Gold Experience, Hotel Saint Cecilia, Hotel ZaZa Austin, Soho House Austin and The Heywood Hotel.

The list designates each hotel with one key, two keys or three keys—three being the highest rank. Each key level is measured in five categories: architecture and interior design, quality and consistency of service, overall personality and character, value for the price, and a significant contribution to the guest experience.

How might this affect Austin tourism?

The Michelin Keys program brings an international presence and recognition to Austin, said Wesley Lucas, the communications director at Visit Austin.

"There are people that travel around the world just to eat at these Michelin-star restaurants or these recommended restaurants," Lucas said. "So I think with the hotel keys program, you'll start to see that as well—where there are business travelers or just leisure travelers, that when they travel they specifically go to a destination to experience that hotel."

Lucas said the success of one hotel can spread increased business across the city, meaning when one business does well, others also do well. Hotel visitors will also seek out restaurants, live music and tours.

"There is the opportunity now for other hotels to maybe step up in service or maybe change some things or kind of reevaluate how they're doing things," Lucas said. "But I think it's great recognition for the community and the industry as a whole."

Michelin expands to Texas

The Lone Star State expansion was driven by the state's multicultural influences, homegrown ingredients and ambitious talent, said Gwendal Poullennec, the international director of The MICHELIN Guide, in the July announcement.