5 of the Best 3-Key Michelin Hotels You Can Book Through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts

You’re likely already familiar with Michelin’s approach to evaluating restaurants, with restaurants receiving 3 stars regarded as among the best dining experiences in the world. Now, Michelin has expanded into evaluating hotels — using a “key” system instead of stars.

Fortunately, you can book a number of these properties with credit card rewards or through booking platforms that offer additional perks and benefits, such as the American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts program.

Here’s a look at some of the best 3-Key Michelin Hotels you can book through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts and the benefits you can expect along the way.

How Michelin Awards Hotel Keys

Michelin inspectors evaluate hotels using 5 universal criteria when awarding keys: excellence in architecture and interior design, quality and consistency of service, overall personality and character, value for the price, and significant contribution to the neighborhood or setting.

Similar to its restaurant rankings, higher-quality hotel experiences receive the most keys, with 3 being the highest achievable tier.

Here’s how Michelin categorizes each tier:

• 1 key — a very special stay: This signifies a true gem with personality where service always goes the extra mile, and the hotel provides much more than others in its price range.
• 2 keys — an exceptional stay: These are awarded to a hotel that’s unique in every way, where a memorable experience is always a guarantee. This is a hotel of character and charm, run with obvious pride and considerable care.
• 3 keys — an extraordinary stay: These are marked by ultimate comfort, service, style, and elegance, and are among the world’s most remarkable stays.

As of writing, Michelin has evaluated more than 7,000 properties globally to determine which hotels are most deserving of a key designation. While nearly 2,500 hotels worldwide have received at least 1 key, fewer than 150 properties have earned the coveted 3-key designation.

Why To Book Through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts

Simply put, the American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts program offers perks that mimic elite status with the property you likely would not receive when booking directly.

Typical benefits include:

• 12 p.m. check-in, when available
• Room upgrade upon arrival, when available
• Daily breakfast for 2
• $100 property credit (often used for meals, drinks, or spa services)
• Complimentary Wi-Fi
• Guaranteed 4 p.m. checkout

Not only do you get to stay at some world-class properties, but you can also receive benefits that deliver extra value during your stay. Plus, if the hotel participates in a traditional loyalty program, you can enter your loyalty number and earn rewards and elite night credits.

Best Credit Cards for Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts Bookings

There are only 2 publicly available credit cards that provide access to the American Express Fine Hotels + Resorts program: the Platinum Card^® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express.

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Platinum Card^® from American Express

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The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

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Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Welcome Offer

You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.  

As High As 175,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $3,850

Annual Fee

$895

APR

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Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than the Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

 

 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,550 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
• Annual and monthly statement credits upon enrollment (airline credit, Uber Cash and Uber One, Resy, lululemon credit, streaming credit, prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays, Walmart+ credit, CLEAR+ credit, and Equinox credit)
• TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit
• Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts and Amex International Airline Program
• Access to Amex transfer partners
• No foreign transaction fees (rates and fees)

 

Cons

• $895 annual fee (rates and fees)
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

 

 

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Card Highlights

• You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
• Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards^® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel^®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts^® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel^® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
• With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection^®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club^® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges.* As of 07/2025.
• $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card^® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card^® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card^® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
• $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card^® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.
• $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel^® using the Platinum Card^®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card^® to make eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card^®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you.
• $209 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your Platinum Card^®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card^® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
• Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts^® through American Express Travel^®, enjoy noon check-in, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
• $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card^® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card^®.* Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
• Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
• $895 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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NEW OFFER

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The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Welcome Offer

As High As 300,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 300,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $20,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.  

As High As 300,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $6,600

Annual Fee

$895

APR

17.74% - 28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Amex Business Platinum Card is a premium travel rewards card tailored for business owners who are frequent travelers with high annual expenses.

When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers, like the best airport lounge access at over 1,550 lounges and numerous annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.

 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Earn 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on eligible travel purchases like flights, prepaid hotels, and prepaid short-term rentals booked through AmexTravel.com
• Access to over 1,550 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
• Earn 2x Membership Rewards points on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (on up to $2 million per calendar year)
• Up to $200 annual airline fee credit on your selected qualifying airline
• Generous statement credits on select purchases with your card (including credits for airline incidentals, prepaid hotels, CLEAR, Dell, and Hilton)
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
• Access to Amex’s Fine Hotels & Resorts program
• Hotel elite status with Hilton, Marriott, and Leading Hotels of the World upon enrollment

 

Cons

• High annual fee of $895 (rates & fees)
• Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags

 

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• As High As 300,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 300,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $20,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection^® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,550 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card company on the market as of 07/2025.
• See how you can unlock over $3,500 in business and travel value annually after meeting qualifying spend thresholds on the Business Platinum Card. Terms apply.
• Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually for up to a total of $600 in statement credits per calendar year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using the Business Platinum Card^®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• No Preset Spending Limit: The spending limit on the Business Platinum Card is flexible, so unlike a traditional credit card with a set limit, the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment and credit history.
• Make the Business Platinum Card^® work even harder for you. Hilton for Business members get up to $200 back per calendar year when you make an eligible purchase at Hilton properties across the globe. Gift cards are not an eligible purchase. Benefit enrollment required.
• Fly like a pro with a $200 Airline Fee Credit. Select one qualifying airline to receive up to $200 back per year on baggage fees and other incidentals.
• Use the Business Platinum Card and get up to $209 back per calendar year on your CLEAR+ Membership (subject to auto-renewal).
• Maximize your time away with Fine Hotels + Resorts through Amex Travel™.
• Enroll and get up to $150 in statement credits on U.S purchases directly with Dell Technologies on the Business Platinum Card and an additional $1,000 statement credit after you spend $5,000 or more on that same Card per calendar year.
• Enroll and get a $250 statement credit after you spend $600 or more on U.S. purchases directly with Adobe per calendar year on the Business Platinum Card.
• Get up to $90 in statement credits quarterly for purchases with Indeed on the Business Platinum Card. That’s up to $360 back per year. Enrollment required.
• Get up to $10 in statement credits per month for wireless telephone service purchases made directly with a wireless provider in the U.S. on the Business Platinum Card. That’s up to $120 back per year. Enrollment required.
• 2X points on purchases at U.S. construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more, up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
• 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com
• 1X points on other eligible purchases
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 17.74% - 28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

 

Both cards offer valuable perks that pair well with Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts program bookings, including:

• 5x points on prepaid hotels through AmexTravel.com, including hotels through Amex Fine Hotels and Resorts
• Up to $600 in prepaid hotel credit (up to $300 from January to June and $300 from July to December) on prepaid bookings with Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection (minimum 2-night stay required for The Hotel Collection), through AmexTravel.com
• Ability to redeem Amex Membership Rewards points at 1 cent per point for hotel stays through AmexTravel.com, including Fine Hotels + Resorts properties

While both cards come with large annual fees, receiving up to $600 in annual credits for certain hotel bookings is a great way to offset those fees, in addition to all the other benefits.

5 of the Best 3-Key Michelin Hotels With Amex

Keep in mind that AmexTravel.com allows you to redeem points for these hotels at 1 cent per point toward the listed room rate.

1. Aman New York (New York City)

If you’re looking for luxury in the heart of the city that never sleeps, the Aman New York might be the perfect fit for you.

The contemporary hotel is housed in an iconic Art Deco building, with an East-meets-West design.

You can choose from excellent dining experiences like Arva, which pays homage to Italy’s rustic harvest-cuisine tradition; Nama, which follows Japan’s culinary tradition of washoku; sip an inventive cocktail at the Lounge Bar and Garden Terrace; and enjoy live music at the Jazz Club.

You’re just steps from Central Park, the Museum of Modern Art, and Carnegie Hall, but the real highlight may be the spa, which features private spa houses, a hammam, steam room, sauna, and personalized wellness treatments.

Average cash price: $2,500 to $4,000 per night

2. Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi (Tokyo)

The Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi is in the heart of Tokyo and overlooks the Imperial Palace, making it an excellent hub for travelers visiting the city.

The property offers spacious rooms and suites that blend a modern aesthetic with traditional Japanese elements. Views from the rooms include the Imperial Palace, Mount Fuji, and the Tokyo skyline.

Amenities include a spa offering Japanese–inspired natural treatments, Zen–inspired treatment rooms, an indoor heated pool, a vitality pool, a 24-hour-a-day fitness center, and a rooftop terrace. Dining spans Italian, French-inspired Japanese cuisine, an upscale cocktail bar, and a refined afternoon tea experience.

Average cash price: $700 to $1,000 per night

3. Hotel Esencia (Tulum, Mexico)

Hotel Esencia was once the residence of an Italian duchess, and after you check in, you may never want to give up the aristocratic lifestyle. The 50-acre estate sits between Tulum and Playa del Carmen on Xpu-Ha beach.

Accommodations include private terraces, walk-in closets, and views of the garden canopy or the Caribbean Sea. Some suites offer full-size pools, while others feature rooftop terraces, plunge pools, and sparkling-wine bars.

Guests can relax in the outdoor heated pools, indulge in spa experiences, see flora and fauna at Sian Ka’an (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), drive to nearby towns of Valladolid and Merida, and snorkel in the second largest coral reef in the world. Dining ranges from seafood-focused Mistura to omakase at Taiyo and a classic steakhouse at Beef Bar.

Average cash price: $1,300 to $1,700 per night

4. J.K. Place Capri (Capri, Italy)

Dreaming of summer in the Mediterranean? The J.K. Place Capri is the perfect escape.

On the island of Capri near the Amalfi Coast, this elegant boutique hotel overlooks the Tyrrhenian Sea and offers a quieter alternative to the island’s busier areas. The property is in a secluded part of Capri but only a short distance from the island’s cultural center and offers a complimentary shuttle service to the main piazzetta.

Rooms and suites are decorated in pastel tones and offer views of Monte Solaro. Some suites feature 2-deck terraces furnished with daybeds, perfect for relaxing in the sun while you overlook the Gulf of Naples and the marina.

Dining includes JKitchen, which serves Neapolitan dishes and offers panoramic views, as well as the Lounge Bar and Restaurant, which offers light fare and beverages on a terrace overlooking the sea. The spa features a hammam, sauna, and a menu of facials, massages, body scrubs, and wraps — in addition to other amenities such as a fitness center and a pool.

Average cash price: $1,500 to $2,500 per night

5. La Réserve Paris Hotel and Spa (Paris)

Just off the Champs-Élysées and overlooking the Eiffel Tower, La Réserve Paris Hotel and Spa offers an intimate, ultra-luxury stay inside a 19th-century Haussmann mansion.

Rooms feature silk-hung walls, velvet drapes, herringbone oak parquet floors, antique furniture, and marble bathrooms. All accommodations include a dedicated butler.

Guests can dine at the award-winning Le Gabriel to enjoy French gastronomic classics. The contemporary restaurant, La Pagode de Cos, honors seasonal ingredients, and you can enjoy a glass of wine at Bar Le Gaspard or in the Duc de Morny library. Amenities include La Réserve Spa, offering an indoor pool, steam room, 3 treatment rooms, and a fitness center. And, this property is just steps away from some of the best sights of Paris.

Average cash price: $1,500 to $2,000 per night

Final Thoughts

Michelin’s expansion into hotels adds a new layer of credibility to luxury stays, with 3-key properties representing some of the most exceptional hotels in the world. Fortunately, many of the Michelin 3-star properties are bookable through the Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts program.

That means you can pair an already incredible stay with valuable benefits such as a complimentary room upgrade, daily breakfast, a $100 property credit, 4 p.m. late checkout, and even the hotel credit offered with your Amex Platinum card or Amex Business Platinum card. If you’re already planning a high-end trip, booking through Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts can make the experience even more rewarding.