Here's a quick review of 4 Michelin key hotels from our recent trip; we found one of them last minute on the michelin app so thought this was an appropriate enough spot for it, feel free to move if disagree. We typically book mid level rooms.
Hameau Albert 1er: 1 Michelin key. Supposedly best option in Chamonix. We chose a modern room, they do have chalets which looked nice. Its in town, and there is a nearby concrete eyesore, so not over the top charming/views wise in terms of the chalets. solid service, food, nice sauna + pool area, good shuttle to lifts etc. Grading felt appropriate, a standard 5* hotel, that probably wouldn't fit true luxury by this boards standard but nothing to really find fault with either. A step up from the ungraded 5* we stayed at in Courmayeur (le massif)
La Boitte, french alps: 1 Michelin key. We had initially planned on stopping in Cogne (Aosta Valley) after climbing, but road was badly flooded so we had to find this place last minute. Very good service, you arrive and relax knowing your in good hands. Rustic alpine decor that was quite nice. Not in a superlative location but nice nevertheless. Rustic decor may get old if staying for multiple days, in terms of room ergonomics, especially if your are taller. Very good steam room/sauna. Solid food/dining, they recently lost 3*, perhaps justifiably, but still a good meal by any standard. Breakfast, while not large was one of the best i've ever had, the staff person in charge puts on a masterclass in old school customer service. Overall felt like a quintessential European alpine hotel/relais and chateau type property, felt a bit underrated and underpriced. would like to return in the winter.
Baumaniere, les beaux de provence, 3 michelin keys. I already expressed my disdain for this place on FT. I don't think i'm as demanding as many here when it comes to service. But when i arrive at a luxury hotel, at a predetermined time (ie i had lunch reservation) i would expect at a minimum to be courteously greeted, my vehicle to be handled and unpacked. instead, we arrived into a shabby looking modern lobby addition, two receptionists on the phone who barely glance at you. When asked to put things in room (my wife had prearranged a bottle of wine thats hard to get in canada to be sent there) we were told curtly that wasn't possible because the room was not ready. also told that we have to drive ourselves to lunch as the shuttle was busy. After similarly poor service at their gourmet restaurant for lunch this short stay was unrecoverable. When we did get into room, it was unimpressive, we were for some reason put into the family building, with shared room amenities in the common area. I think someone on here commented that the rooms were dated, but i thought this may be in a charming provencal style... not so. This is type of place that hotel enthusiasts will really want to micromanage your room choice. The grounds themselves, and the views of the building/rooms from the outside are excellent. Probably would have pushed back more if it wasn't for a short 1 night stay. I did give feedback to someone senior and checkout and was brushed off, nor have i heard back from my written feedback yet. Suffice to say i don't think 3 Michelin keys is accurate, it seems this place has been included purely on nostalgia.
Cheatua Eza: Eze. Two michelin keys. Views don't get much better than this. Gracious quiet service. Old school styled, almost medieval rooms with wood paneling and ancient doors. Restaurant a bit slow but good food. Beautiful room service breakfast. Great way to end our trip (good place to start too) was also a short stay and probably appropriate for this property. Rating felt right. Note that our balcony eza room, had a birds eye view over presidential suite balcony fyi
here's a link to blog with some more photos: Provence and Cote D'Azur — Two Yatris
Overall michelin keys ratings in france seemed a bit more reasonable than in USA. I can't say i'd rely on it, and certainly less so then for restaurants , but was actually useful for our last minute booking into a property i hadn't heard of.
Would also say i was quite impressed with Aosta valley, not something that had been high on my travel radar, would highly recommend a visit there for skyway monte bianco, and the charming valley's + good food. very reasonably priced compared to tetons/banff etc in north america. will have to return, and check out hotel bellevue, the place that got flooded out for our trip