KATHMANDU: Shinta Mani Mustang, a luxury hotel operated by Sherpa Hospitality Group, has been awarded One MICHELIN Key in the 2026 MICHELIN Guide hotel selection, recognising it for delivering a distinctive and memorable guest experience.

The award was announced on September 18. The One MICHELIN Key is given to hotels that offer what the guide calls a “very special stay,” based on their character, service and overall experience.

MICHELIN’s anonymous inspectors evaluate hotels on five criteria: architecture and interior design, quality and consistency of service, personality and character, value for money, and contribution to their surroundings.

Located in Lower Mustang at about 2,800 metres beneath the Nilgiri mountains, Shinta Mani Mustang has 29 suites. Its design combines Mustang’s architecture, traditions, landscapes and culture with contemporary elements.

The hotel was designed to let guests experience Mustang through its landscape, culture, wellness offerings and local communities while preserving the region’s remote character.

Interior designer Bill Bensley led the property’s design. He said the approach began with understanding the local setting before developing the hotel’s design. The property uses local materials, colours inspired by Mustang’s clay landscapes, and design details drawn from local traditions.

“We are delighted that Shinta Mani Mustang has been awarded One MICHELIN Key,” said Namgyal Sherpa, CEO of Sherpa Hospitality Group. “This is a wonderful recognition for the property, our team and for Mustang as a destination.”

Sherpa said the hotel was designed to respect Mustang’s cultural identity while offering visitors a meaningful way to experience the region.

Shinta Mani Mustang also incorporates SoRig, the traditional Himalayan system of medicine and healing, alongside the knowledge of 11th-generation Amchi Tsewang Gurung.

The hotel offers experiences centred on Mustang’s people, traditions, cuisine and landscapes, including opportunities for guests to share meals and stories with local hosts. It also focuses on local employment, partnerships and community participation.

The One MICHELIN Key adds to Mustang’s growing international recognition as a destination for experience-led tourism, highlighting its landscapes, cultural heritage, traditional knowledge and hospitality.