The Michelin Guide rates European hotels and restaurants, but expanded to North America in 2005 and plans to add major cities from other continents starting in 2007. The guidebooks were initially free but later charged for, and are considered the supreme authority on places to stay and eat in Europe. The traditional Michelin Guide has a red cover and rates establishments with anonymous inspectors using universal symbols, with rare cases of a star rating. The Green Guide focuses on travel and tourist attractions. Critics note a preference for traditional French cuisine.
The Michelin Guide is a popular travel guide that primarily rates European hotels and restaurants. In 2005, the Michelin company expanded its offering by moving to North America. The company plans to add major cities from other continents as well, starting in 2007. For Europe, the Michelin Guide is considered the supreme authority on places to stay and eat.
Guidebooks began in the 1900s, when Antoine and Edouard Michelin, founders of the Michelin company, began publishing travel guides to assist motorists traveling in France. The two men had already made numerous innovations in automotive technology, a legacy that has continued in the Michelin company’s diverse offerings. Initially, the guides were distributed free to customers, but men began charging for them as the guides expanded across Europe.
The traditional Michelin Guide, known in French as Le Guide Michelin, has a red cover, and is sometimes called “The Red Guide” or simply “The Mich”. Inside, a traveler can browse an extensive list of hotels and restaurants, along with ratings. Each establishment is rated by anonymous inspectors, who examine the establishment’s quality of service, consistency, value, personality, and owner skill. Michelin Guide ratings are indicated with universal symbols.
In rare cases, a review is accompanied by a star. A Michelin star is one of the most coveted honors in the restaurant industry, as very few restaurants receive a single star, let alone the top honor of three stars. A single star indicates that the restaurant is rated excellent, while two stars suggest it is “worth a detour” and three stars indicate “outstanding cuisine and worth the trip,” according to the Michelin company.
A subsidiary of the Michelin Guide is the Green Guide, which focuses on travel and tourist attractions. The Green Guide uses the same system, offering universal ratings and brief descriptions of a nation’s attractions. The company also releases guidebooks that individually focus on value-for-money destinations, character hotels, and quick getaways. For Europe, the Michelin Guide is a great resource, although more independent travelers may want to balance it with another guide. Outside Europe, the influence of the Michelin Guide will continue to grow.
Critics have pointed out that the Michelin inspectors seem to prefer traditional French cuisine. All four three-star restaurants in the US, for example, are classic French restaurants. Travelers are advised to take this into account when using the Michelin Guide.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
