The list includes two familiar names in downtown Victoria, the Fairmont Empress and Magnolia Hotel & Spa. Both received one key, while the Wickaninnish Inn near Tofino also earned the distinction.
Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge received three keys, Michelin’s highest hotel honour, making the remote Vancouver Island retreat one of only two properties in Canada to achieve the top rating this year.
Much like the Michelin stars awarded to restaurants, Michelin keys recognize hotels offering exceptional stays. Inspectors consider factors such as architecture and interior design, service, individuality, value and how strongly a property connects guests with its surroundings.
One key represents “a very special stay,” two keys mark “an exceptional stay,” and three keys are reserved for “an extraordinary stay.”
Overlooking Victoria’s Inner Harbour, the Fairmont Empress received a one key rating for the third year in a row. The historic hotel has been a defining part of Victoria’s waterfront since opening in 1908.
Michelin describes the Empress as a downtown landmark and highlights its position facing the Inner Harbour, its grand railway-hotel character and its enduring place in the city’s daily life.
“Receiving a Michelin one key for the third consecutive year is an extraordinary honour and a meaningful reflection of how far Fairmont Empress has come,” said Dan McGowan, general manager of Fairmont Empress.
“Since Nat and Flora Bosa assumed ownership, it has been a journey of investment, renewal and continuous improvement. Their commitment has allowed us to enhance the hotel while preserving its unique character and heritage.”
Recent changes include the revitalization of The Bengal and the reimagined Q at the Empress. The hotel is also expanding select guest rooms and renovating bathrooms in the Humboldt Wing to provide guests with additional space and comfort.
The Empress is also known internationally for its afternoon tea, Fairmont Gold experience, spa and waterfront dining.
“We are proud of our achievements and remain focused on raising the standard of hospitality,” McGowan added.
Just a few blocks away, the Magnolia Hotel & Spa also appears on Michelin’s 2026 One-Key list.
Located on Courtney Street near the Inner Harbour, the 64-room boutique hotel offers a more intimate alternative to Victoria’s large historic hotels.
Michelin highlights the Magnolia’s balance of classic and contemporary design, personable scale, west coast service and views of downtown Victoria. Its amenities include Spa Magnolia and The Courtney Room restaurant.
Having both the Magnolia and the Empress recognized places two distinctly different Victoria experiences among the country’s top hotels, one a grand waterfront landmark and the other a smaller luxury boutique property in the heart of downtown.
Vancouver Island’s two other Key hotels can be found in the Tofino area, where the rugged coastline offers a much different experience from downtown Victoria.
The Wickaninnish Inn, located along Chesterman Beach, received one key.
Set between old-growth forest and the Pacific Ocean, the 75-room property is known for its coastal views, fireplaces, private balconies and storm-watching experiences.
Michelin notes that every guest room faces the beach and Pacific Ocean. The guide also highlights the inn’s Ancient Cedars Spa and The Pointe Restaurant, which showcases seafood, local produce and regional wines.
While the property feels remote, it remains only a short drive from the community of Tofino.
The biggest recognition went to Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge in the Bedwell River Valley near Tofino.
Accessible only by boat or seaplane, the secluded lodge received three keys, the highest distinction available under Michelin’s hotel rating system.
It is one of only two three-key hotels in Canada on the 2026 list. The other is Fogo Island Inn in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge features 25 luxury canvas tents connected by cedar walkways in the heart of the Clayoquot Sound wilderness.
Guests can take part in wildlife tours, canyoning and cold-water immersion experiences before returning to gourmet meals, spa tents, wood-fired saunas and secluded hot tubs.
Michelin also highlights the lodge’s environmental programs, which include organic gardens, recycling, composting toilets and gravity-fed turbine generators.
The seasonal property operates from May through September and offers an immersive wilderness experience far removed from a traditional city hotel.
The full list of Michelin Key hotels in Canada can be found online.
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