The historic Washington, D.C. hotel overlooking Lafayette Square and the White House advances from One Key after recognition in both 2024 and 2025
The Hay-Adams in Washington, D.C., has been elevated from One to Two Michelin Keys in the Michelin Guide’s 2026 hotel selection. — Credit: Destination DC
- The Hay-Adams has been elevated from One to Two Michelin Keys in the Michelin Guide’s 2026 hotel selection.
- The Washington, D.C. hotel was among the first U.S. properties to receive One Michelin Key in 2024 and retained that recognition in 2025.
- Michelin assesses selected hotels anonymously across criteria including design, service consistency, character, value and contribution to the guest experience.
- The independent hotel overlooks Lafayette Square near the White House and is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World.
(NEWS) WASHINGTON, District of Columbia, United States, 2026-Sep-25 — /Travel PR News/ — The Hay-Adams has moved up to Two Michelin Keys in the Michelin Guide’s 2026 U.S. hotel selection, giving the historic Washington, D.C. property a higher distinction after two consecutive years at the One-Key level.
The independent hotel received its first Michelin Key when the Guide introduced its U.S. hotel distinctions in 2024 and was recognised again in 2025. Its elevation in 2026 places it in the Guide’s Two-Key category, which Michelin uses for properties it considers exceptional stays.
The recognition was announced by The Hay-Adams on September 24, following Michelin’s updated U.S. Key selection. The Michelin Guide’s 2026 United States list includes both newly awarded properties and hotels upgraded to higher Key levels.
A higher distinction for a landmark Washington stay
Michelin’s hotel inspectors evaluate properties anonymously using five broad criteria: architecture and interior design; quality and consistency of service; personality and character; value for the price; and the degree to which a hotel contributes to the guest experience within its particular setting.
“Being recognized with Two MICHELIN Keys is an extraordinary honor and a meaningful reflection of the experience our team strives to create each day,” said Nicolas Béliard, Managing Director of The Hay-Adams. He said the distinction reflects the care and attention to detail delivered by the hotel’s team.
The setting is a defining part of the property’s identity. Located at 800 16th Street NW, The Hay-Adams faces Lafayette Square and sits close to the White House and St. John’s Church. The hotel’s own property overview describes a 145-room inventory comprising 124 guest rooms and 21 suites.
History remains central to the guest experience
The current hotel traces its name to statesman John Hay and historian Henry Adams, whose adjoining homes once occupied the site. The original residences were replaced in the 1920s by an Italian Renaissance-style residential hotel designed by architect Mihran Mesrobian.
Today, the property combines that historic setting with luxury accommodation, The Lafayette restaurant, Off the Record bar and Top of the Hay, an events space with views across the surrounding Washington skyline. The hotel is also a member of The Leading Hotels of the World.
The move from One to Two Keys gives The Hay-Adams a notable progression within Michelin’s relatively young hotel-awards system. Rather than representing a first appearance, the 2026 result builds on recognition in each year since the Guide began awarding Keys to U.S. hotels.
For travellers choosing among Washington’s luxury properties, the upgrade places additional emphasis on the combination of location, history and service that defines The Hay-Adams, while adding another international hotel distinction to the capital’s hospitality landscape.
