October 22, 2025 — In a landmark achievement for Las Vegas gaming resorts, Fontainebleau Las Vegas has become the first casino property in Nevada to receive the prestigious Michelin Guide “One Key” designation. The honor was announced on October 8, 2025, as part of Michelin’s inaugural global hotel awards update, placing Fontainebleau among an elite group of 317 recognized properties across the United States.
A Historic First for Las Vegas Casinos
While two other Las Vegas hotels—the Waldorf Astoria and Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas—received Michelin Keys when the program launched in April 2024, neither property operates a casino. This makes Fontainebleau’s recognition particularly significant, as it marks the first time a full-scale gaming resort has earned this distinction in Nevada.
The property, which opened its doors on December 13, 2023, was honored for its “rich, bold design, complemented by its award-winning suite of luxury amenities and accommodations.” The 67-story vertically integrated resort features 3,644 luxury hotel rooms and suites, over 150,000 square feet of gaming space, world-class dining, the expansive Lapis Spa, a six-acre pool deck, and a 3,800-seat theater.
Understanding the Michelin Key Distinction
The Michelin Key represents a revolutionary expansion of the renowned Michelin Guide, which has been synonymous with culinary excellence for over a century. First introduced in April 2024, the Key system mirrors the prestigious Michelin Star rating for restaurants, but applies to hotels and accommodations worldwide.
The Three-Tier System
Just like restaurant stars, Michelin Keys are awarded at three levels:
- One Key: A very special stay—a true gem with personality and character that goes beyond others in its price range
- Two Keys: An exceptional stay—a unique hotel with guaranteed memorable experiences, run with pride and care
- Three Keys: An extraordinary stay—the ultimate in comfort, service, style, and elegance, worthy of a specific trip
Evaluation Criteria
Michelin inspectors evaluate hotels anonymously based on five rigorous criteria:
- Excellence in architecture and interior design — Outstanding aesthetic and functional quality
- Quality and consistency of service — High standards maintained throughout the guest journey
- Overall personality and character — A distinct identity that sets the property apart
- Value for price — A harmonious balance between cost and quality
- Significant contribution to the neighborhood or setting — Connection to local culture and community
Importantly, price is not the sole determining factor. Hotels across various styles and budgets can qualify, from boutique countryside inns to luxury urban resorts.
The Global Michelin Key Landscape
The October 8, 2025 announcement marked a milestone as Michelin unveiled its first truly global hotel selection. The 2025 list encompasses 2,457 hotels across nearly 100 countries spanning six continents, categorized as follows:
- 143 Three-Key hotels (extraordinary stays)
- 572 Two-Key hotels (exceptional stays)
- 1,742 One-Key hotels (very special stays)
First Recipients Worldwide
France led the inaugural selection in April 2024, when Michelin Keys were first announced. The French selection included iconic properties like:
- Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris (Three Keys) — featuring three Michelin-starred restaurants
- Cheval Blanc Paris (Three Keys) — housed in the Art Deco Samaritaine department store
- Les Sources de Caudalie (Three Keys) — a vineyard spa hotel built on natural hot springs
The United States followed shortly after on April 24, 2024, with 124 hotels receiving Keys. Among the first American recipients were California’s Post Ranch Inn and SingleThread Farms & Inn (both Three Keys), and New York’s Aman New York and Casa Cipriani (both Three Keys).
Casino Properties and Michelin Recognition
Fontainebleau Las Vegas’s achievement is particularly noteworthy given the complex relationship between Michelin and the Las Vegas market. While Michelin Keys can be awarded to hotels anywhere globally, Michelin Stars for restaurants face geographic restrictions. Las Vegas had Michelin restaurant coverage only briefly from 2008-2009 before the guide was discontinued due to the Great Recession.
Currently, Michelin restaurant guides in the United States are published only for select cities in New York, California, Florida, Illinois, Georgia, Colorado, and Washington, D.C. However, the Key system faces no such limitations, allowing Las Vegas hotels to compete on the global stage for recognition.
As of now, Fontainebleau Las Vegas stands alone as the only gaming resort in Nevada—and among very few casino properties worldwide—to hold a Michelin Key distinction. This positions the property uniquely in the competitive Las Vegas hospitality landscape, where gaming resorts now have a prestigious benchmark beyond traditional casino and hotel ratings.
Looking Ahead
The Michelin Key distinction is dynamic, with properties eligible to gain, retain, upgrade, or lose their Keys based on ongoing evaluations by anonymous inspectors. While Michelin does not publicly announce when Keys are lost, the system encourages continuous excellence and innovation in hospitality.
For Fontainebleau Las Vegas, the One Key designation validates its ambitious entry into the Las Vegas market and sets a new standard for what integrated gaming resorts can achieve. As the Michelin Guide continues to expand its hotel coverage globally, this recognition signals that exceptional hospitality transcends traditional categories—whether palace hotel, boutique inn, or luxury casino resort.
Fontainebleau Las Vegas is located at 2777 S. Las Vegas Blvd., adjacent to the Las Vegas Convention Center. For more information and reservations, visit the property’s official website or book through the Michelin Guide platform.
