One MICHELIN Key 2026: Austin’s Heywood Hotel Recognized for a Third Year
September 25, 2026
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Celebrating Three Years of MICHELIN Recognition
For the third consecutive year, the Heywood Hotel has been awarded One MICHELIN Key.
The 2026 MICHELIN Guide names the Heywood Hotel, a seven-room boutique hotel, in its selection of the most outstanding hotels in the world. As the MICHELIN Star celebrates restaurants, the MICHELIN Key recognizes hotels.
We have received a Key every year since MICHELIN began awarding Keys to hotels in 2024. MICHELIN reviews its selection each year through anonymous inspections, with inspectors staying as ordinary guests. Retaining a Key therefore requires a high standard of care year after year, and we are honored to be recognized for the quality of our boutique experience, the consistency of our service, and the dedication of our team.
The MICHELIN Guide announced its 2026 Keys on September 18, and ten Austin hotels hold MICHELIN Keys this year. With just seven (fantastic) rooms, the Heywood Hotel is the smallest MICHELIN Key hotel in Austin and one of the smallest in the world. Across the United States, 359 hotels hold a MICHELIN Key in 2026.
“When we opened the Heywood, we wanted a place that celebrates Austin at every angle: local artists and makers on the walls, neighborhood businesses we send guests to every day, and an all-local team that knows and loves this town,” said Kathy Setzer, owner and co-founder of the Heywood Hotel. “Being awarded One MICHELIN Key for the third year in a row tells us that vision still holds, even as Austin has grown from a town into a city. It’s the people who make the place, and we’re so grateful to our little team.”
What a MICHELIN Key Means
The MICHELIN Guide has guided travelers since 1900, and in 2024 it began applying the same rigor to its hotel selection that it has long applied to restaurants. Its inspectors, all experienced hospitality professionals, now recommend more than 9,000 hotels worldwide, and the Key distinguishes the most outstanding stays among them. In 2026, 2,832 hotels hold a Key.
Every hotel is measured against the same five universal criteria: “the hotel is an open door to the destination,” “excellence in interior design and architecture,” “quality and consistency in service, comfort and maintenance,” “consistency between the level of experience and the price paid,” and “individuality, reflecting personality and authenticity.” MICHELIN describes its hotels as cultural ambassadors that reflect the identity of the places they call home, which is the idea the Heywood was built around. One MICHELIN Key signifies what the Guide calls “a very special stay,” a true gem where service always goes the extra mile.
What the MICHELIN Guide Says About the Heywood
The Guide’s review begins with our devotion to all things local and describes the people behind the hotel as “a whole village of dynamic, creative locals,” from our architects and designers to the artists whose work hangs on our walls. Inspectors noted the mid-century Danish armchairs and warmly lit courtyard, the Queen Deluxe room’s longleaf pine floors and 28-foot skylit ceiling, and our setting in the heart of East Austin, surrounded by artists, independent restaurants, and local shops. They also observed that most of those collaborators are women, beginning with ownership.
Verified MICHELIN Guide guests rate the hotel 19.6 out of 20, one of the highest guest scores among Austin’s MICHELIN Key hotels. You can read the full inspector review on our MICHELIN Guide listing.
With Gratitude
We are proud to be 100% local, 100% independent, and 100% committed to our craft, and we thank the team that brings that commitment to life for our guests each day.
Thank you to our guests for your trust, your stories, and your return visits. Our Austin community and local partners deserve the same thanks, since they make East Austin such a rewarding place to call home and to share with travelers.
We congratulate our fellow Austin hotels in the 2026 selection, including those recognized for the first time this year. You can read the full announcement here: All the Key Hotels in the United States: The Full 2026 Selection.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many MICHELIN Key hotels are in Austin?
Austin has more than 400 hotels, and just 10 of them hold a MICHELIN Key in 2026. One of those 10 is the Heywood Hotel, a design-focused boutique hotel in East Austin.
What does One MICHELIN Key mean?
Just as the MICHELIN Star recognizes outstanding restaurants, the MICHELIN Key recognizes outstanding hotels.
When assessing hotels, the MICHELIN Guide considers each hotel’s sense of place, interior design and architecture, quality and consistency of service, value for the price, and individuality and personality.
According to the MICHELIN Guide, One Key signifies “a very special stay: A true gem with personality. Service always goes the extra mile, and the hotel provides much more than others in its price range.”
Is the Heywood Hotel a MICHELIN Key hotel?
Yes, the Heywood Hotel was awarded One MICHELIN Key in 2024, 2025, and 2026, every year since MICHELIN began awarding Keys to hotels. The design-focused boutique hotel is located at 1609 E. Cesar Chavez Street in East Austin.
Why was the Heywood Hotel awarded a MICHELIN Key?
In its review, the MICHELIN Guide highlights the Heywood Hotel’s devotion to all things local, from the Austin architects and designers who shaped the hotel to the local artists whose work hangs on its walls. Inspectors also noted the hotel’s mid-century Danish armchairs, warmly lit courtyard, and Queen Deluxe room with longleaf pine floors and a 28-foot skylit ceiling, along with its setting in the heart of East Austin. The Guide observes that most of the people behind the hotel are women, beginning with ownership. Verified MICHELIN Guide guests rate the Heywood Hotel 19.6 out of 20, one of the highest guest scores among Austin’s MICHELIN Key hotels.
Why choose a boutique hotel over a chain hotel?
A boutique hotel offers something larger hotels rarely can: a stay shaped around you. With just seven rooms, the Heywood Hotel is the smallest MICHELIN Key hotel in Austin and one of the smallest in the world, and that scale is what makes our level of personal service possible. Our team takes a “scale of one” approach to every stay, getting to know each guest and tailoring restaurant, bar, and experience recommendations to their plans and tastes. Guests come home to a quiet courtyard, rooms featuring local art and handmade furnishings, and a concierge team of Austin locals who personally vouch for every recommendation.
How does the MICHELIN Guide choose Key hotels?
According to the MICHELIN Guide, its inspectors are experienced hospitality professionals who stay anonymously, just as any other guest would. Each selection is decided by the inspection team as a group, and the Guide does not set quotas or require a particular style of hotel.
Where is the Heywood Hotel located?
Located at 1609 E. Cesar Chavez Street in East Austin, the Heywood Hotel is about a mile from downtown and within walking distance of many of the neighborhood’s restaurants, bars, and shops.
Is the Heywood Hotel good for couples?
Yes, the MICHELIN Guide’s Complete Guide to Austin Hotels names the Heywood Hotel among its top picks for couples, noting its sunlit rooms, handcrafted furniture, local art, and outdoor terrace.
Can I book the entire Heywood Hotel for a group?
Yes, the entire Heywood Hotel, including all seven rooms, can be reserved for private gatherings of up to 15 guests, from milestone birthdays and wedding weekends to company retreats.
About the Heywood Hotel
Located in East Austin, the Heywood Hotel is a luxury boutique hotel recognized by the MICHELIN Guide among the most outstanding hotels in the world. Established in 2012 by local Austin couple Kathy Setzer and George Reynolds, this woman-owned and -operated property features clever architecture, local art and handmade furnishings, free parking, bikes for exploring the neighborhood, and a number of thoughtful touches. The dedicated team at the Heywood Hotel is committed to “handcrafted hospitality,” ensuring visitors enjoy a hyper-local, authentic experience accented by a “scale of one” mentality. Its concierge team of Austin locals personally vouches for every restaurant, bar, and experience it recommends. Guests can reserve a single room or the entire hotel for private gatherings of up to 15. Awarded One MICHELIN Key in 2024, 2025, and 2026, the seven-room boutique hotel has been featured in The New York Times, Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, and more.
Plan Your Stay in East AustinOur concierge team of Austin locals is here to help plan your visit, from dinner reservations to a quiet morning in the courtyard. We would love to welcome you. |