Spicers Retreats has joined an elite circle of the world’s most exceptional hotels, earning recognition in the Michelin Guide’s first-ever Hotel Key Awards. The prestigious accolade - launched in 2025 as the hospitality equivalent of the famed Michelin Stars for restaurants - celebrates hotels that offer truly outstanding stays across more than 100 countries.
Among the honoured were Spicers Peak Lodge in Queensland and Spicers Sangoma Retreat in New South Wales, both earning the coveted Two Key distinction. They were two of only 35 Australian properties acknowledged in the inaugural awards, a testament to Spicers Retreats’ dedication to curating immersive, high-touch experiences in some of Australia’s most breathtaking natural landscapes.
The Michelin Key Awards recognise hotels that excel across five universal benchmarks - architecture and design, service excellence, personality and character, value for price and connection to the local experience. For Spicers Retreats, the recognition underscores a philosophy rooted in authenticity, care, and connection to place.
"Being recognised by the Michelin Guide in its inaugural Hotel Key Awards is a profound honour for Spicers Retreats,” says Tash Tobias, CEO of Salter Brothers Hospitality, which operates the collection.
"This accolade is a testament to the unwavering commitment of our teams, whose passion for delivering deeply personal and immersive guest experiences is at the heart of everything we do. At Spicers, we believe that true luxury lies in authenticity, connection and care - and we are proud to see our all-inclusive retreats celebrated on a global stage for embodying these values.”
A Celebration of Place and Personality
Spicers Peak Lodge, set high in Queensland’s Scenic Rim near Maryvale, received Two Michelin Keys for its ability to capture the raw beauty of its surrounding wilderness within its refined interiors. Combining contemporary sophistication with rugged charm, the lodge offers panoramic mountain vistas, locally inspired cuisine and a sense of solitude that invites guests to reconnect with nature in style.
Likewise, Spicers Sangoma Retreat, nestled in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, was honoured with Two Keys for its secluded luxury, opulent suites and deep immersion in the surrounding bushland. Here, guests are enveloped in tranquillity, with a design ethos that seamlessly blends natural textures, organic architecture and an ethos of barefoot luxury.
Australia’s Best Among the World’s Finest
Spicers Retreats’ inclusion in the Michelin Guide’s global hotel selection places the brand alongside iconic destinations across Europe, Asia and the Americas - a remarkable milestone for an Australian-owned hospitality group.
Further recognition came for Spicers Tamarind Retreat in Maleny, Spicers Balfour Hotel in Brisbane and Spicers Potts Point in Sydney, all of which were named Michelin Favourites. These acknowledgements highlight the brand’s consistent excellence across both city and regional settings, where fine design, heartfelt service, and a sense of place converge.
For travellers seeking experiences that feel deeply human yet exquisitely refined, Spicers Retreats’ Michelin honours reaffirm what guests have long known - that true luxury isn’t just found in the world’s grandest hotels, but in those that celebrate the quiet art of connection, care and belonging.
