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Zannier Hotels
With the new year comes new opportunities, and 2026 is shaping up to be an unforgettable moment for hotels—from new boutique brands entering the chat, to luxury stalwarts expanding into bold new territories. Where’s the action, you ask? All over. A waterfront newcomer makes its splashy debut in Charleston. Miraval opens its first international outpost in an up-and-coming wellness destination. Grande dames in places like Kyoto and San Francisco unveil ambitious restorations. And new brands debuting in Thailand and Australia offer fresh takes on immersive, conscientious travel—as well as the chance to visit now before all your friends do. Whether you’re plotting your next escape or merely looking for a little armchair inspiration, here are some of the most exciting hotel openings to have on your radar. They are definitely on ours. Happy new year, and happy travels.

The Cooper is walking distance from Charleston’s top dining and attractions.
The Cooper
The Cooper—Charleston, South Carolina
There’s never a shortage of beautiful, buzzy hotels in Charleston. Case in point: the much-anticipated opening of The Cooper, with a remarkable waterfront location overlooking Charleston Harbor. Adjacent to Joe Riley Waterfront Park (home to the Pineapple Fountain), The Cooper is walking distance from downtown’s top dining and attractions. It will also have an infinity pool overlooking the water, and a private on-site marina with a fleet of luxury cruising vessels for guest use, a house yacht for dinner cruises and private events, as well as water taxi service for excursions to nearby Daniel Island. It’s the low country experience—in the heart of Charleston’s downtown.

At The Knox, you’ll find contemporary luxury blended with historic character.
The Knox, Auberge Collection
The Knox Hotel & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection—Dallas, Texas
Riding the success of Commodore Perry Estate in Austin and Bowie House in Fort Worth, Auberge is doubling down on Texas with its first property in Dallas. Anchoring the magnetic Knox Street neighborhood, the hotel will blend contemporary luxury with the area’s historic character. Inside, 140 rooms and suites come courtesy of Martin Brudzniki Design Studio, with playful, tactile elegance and 48 luxury residences designed by Dallas local Chad Dorsey. Throw in a killer location just steps from the Katy Trail as well as a comprehensive spa with all-natural therapies, and you’ve got that alchemy that is distinctly “Auberge”—profoundly local yet effortlessly world-class.

Less log cabin, more contemporary savoir faire at Aspen’s latest and White Elephant’s third outpost.
White Elephant Resorts
White Elephant—Aspen, Colorado
With an original location on Nantucket and a second location in Palm Beach, it should come as no surprise that the White Elephant’s third outpost would land in Aspen. The digs here are every bit as posh as this brand’s jet-setting clientele, with 54 rooms—including two-bedroom suites that are great for groups, and a breathtaking three-bedroom penthouse with a sprawling 1,600-square-foot terrace complete with mountain views. Guests can enjoy an outdoor pool, complimentary bikes, and White Elephant’s continued partnership with BMS, which provides courtesy cars around town and a winter shuttle to the lifts. The overall ethos is nouveau Aspen—less Victorian, less log cabin, and more contemporary cool with a healthy dose of art throughout.
The Selvedge, a SingleThread Inn—Healdsburg, California
You reap what you sow, right? That’s the mindset of the team behind three-Michelin-starred Healdsburg favorite SingleThread, which this fall—harvest season, fittingly—will expand its deeply personal approach to hospitality into the world of hotels. Set inside the lovingly restored 1895 River Belle Inn, the 10-room hideaway sits on the banks of the Russian River, blending Victorian charm with a modern edge influenced by the founding duo Kyle and Katina Connaughton’s time in England. Designed by Asia Architects and AvroKO, the new inn features English-style gardens, crackling fireplaces, and interiors that invite you not just to experience a visit to Sonoma, one of California’s top wine destination, but to savor it.

Well-known San Franciscan designer Ken Fulk brings stately warmth to his redo of Nob Hill grande dame, The Huntington.
The Huntington Hotel
The Huntington Hotel—San Francisco, California
The grande dame of Nob Hill is back. After a Covid era downturn that ended with this twelve-story Georgian landmark changing hands and with an uncertain future, the Huntington is back after a flashy, color-drenched renovation from none other than notable San Franciscan Ken Fulk. The hotel is, notably, Fulk’s first full-scale San Francisco hotel project, and his vision unites Georgian elegance with residential, lived-in warmth, with stately plaster ceilings and plenty of “boiserie” wood panels throughout. Continuing the hotel’s tradition for social dining, beloved institution The Big Four will return in its 50th anniversary year, and the hotel’s brand-new 8,900 square foot spa will provide an airy refuge in one of the city’s most central locales.

See and be seen at Palm Beach’s newly renovated The Vineta.
The Vineta
The Vineta, Oetker Hotels—Palm Beach, Florida
Just when you thought Palm Beach couldn’t get any fancier, Oetker Hotels is set to make its stateside debut with The Vineta. Located on Cocoanut Row, the historic building has been at various times both a hotel and a condo complex, but has recently completed a painstaking renovation led by Paris-based interior designer Tina Zercudachi. It’s a short walk from shopping on Worth Avenue, popular restaurant Buccan, the beach, and the town marina—but why leave? Four dining and social spaces will ensure plenty of opportunities to sip, snack, see and be seen from day to night.
1 Hotel Austin—Texas
Coming this summer, 1 Hotel Austin brings the brand’s signature nature-driven, quietly cool approach to the banks of Waller Creek and Lady Bird Lake. Set within what will be the tallest tower in Texas, the hotel pairs Austin’s irresistible energy with the calming textures of the Hill Country landscape—think reclaimed woods, native landscaping, and biophilic design. The rooms will be serene and filled with nature light, and a Bamford Wellness Spa will certainly become one of the area’s most coveted massages to book. And the rooftop pool and bar with expansive lake and skyline views will be a pitch-perfect representation of the best that this mission-oriented hotel brand and Austin at large have to offer.

At Amanvari, elevated casitas blur the line between indoors and out, capturing expansive views of the Sea of Cortéz and the Sierra de la Laguna.
Amanvari
Amanvari—Costa Palma, Mexico
Tucked within the 1,500-acre Costa Palmas community—with organic orchards, three miles of swimmable beach, and a yacht-friendly marina—Amanvari brings Aman’s signature ultra-luxe serenity to Baja’s East Cape. With just 18 keys and an exclusive collection of branded residences, the hotel follow’s its brand’s dedication to merging nature with architecture. Resting at the meeting point of beach, desert and a river estuary, the resort is thoughtfully positioned to celebrate a landscape which so many other resorts in this area just build on top of. Elevated casitas blur the line between indoors and out, capturing expansive views of the Sea of Cortéz and the Sierra de la Laguna. As with any Aman, you can expect intentional design, dining venues that range from Italian to Japanese, and an Aman Spa steeped in the brand’s longevity-focused approach, as well as a contemporary interpretation of a Mesoamerican temazcal sweat lodge and an awe-inspiring open-air yoga pavilion.

The wilds of Mexico’s Pacific coast and a golden sand beach? Someone get us a room at Siari, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve.
Siari, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Siari, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve—Nayarit, Mexico
The collection of Ritz-Carlton Reserves around the world promise “rare estates, set apart from the world, where heartfelt care and craftsmanship is felt at every turn,” and this winter, a new one set along the wilds of Mexico’s Pacific coast joins the pack. Estate is the best word for it: Siari sits on 920 acres abutting some 4.3 miles of golden sand beach. And this being a Ritz-Carlton, there’s no shortage of bells and whistles, either. With a Tom Fazio golf course, heavenly wellness center rooted in Huichol traditions, endless nature activities to explore as well as five culinary concepts shaped by celebrated Mexican chef David Castro Hussong, you just might never want to leave.
JW Marriott Costa Elena—Guanacaste, Costa Rica
There’s something for everyone in Costa Rica, and now there’s going to be a chic new all-inclusive property—JW Marriott’s first, in fact. Opening this Spring, JW Marriott Costa Elena will bring 415 rooms to the area with the brand’s signature emphasis on elegant design and exceptional service. This is not your grandma’s all-inclusive, either. Guests can float between 11 dining concepts and an impressive 44,000 square feet of water amenities including 17—yes, seventeen—swimming pools. Guests will also have access to 10,000 square feet of indoor meeting space, as well as a 16,000 square-foot spa. And that’s the appropriate spa-to-meeting space ratio for a property this beautiful, if you ask us.
Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Cartagena—Colombia
Coming in early 2026, the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Cartagena will bring a dose of Four Seasons flair to one of the continent’s most romantic coastal cities. Set in vibrant Getsemaní by the famous Walled City, the property captures this complex, historic destination’s complex past in a literal sense: by spanning an extraordinary cluster of heritage buildings, from a 16th century cloister, to former theater spaces, to a storied 1920’s nightclub. Each step of the restoration was made with deep care for the building’s history, from preserving their façades to restoring the most intricate stone, wood and fresco works. And this being a Four Seasons, there is no shortage of contemporary creature comforts, either—a spa, eight distinct restaurants and bars, two rooftop pool decks, as well as a robust program of immersive cultural and adventure programming.

The new Explora El Calafate comes with sweeping views of the Perito Moreno Glacier and the vast Southern Patagonian Ice Field.
Explora El Calafate
Explora El Calafate—Patagonia, Argentina
Opening December 2026, just in time for peak Patagonia season, the new Explora El Calafate will reaffirm its brand’s position as the most robust network of luxury lodges in this corner of the world. It’s ideally situated between Torres del Paine and El Chaltén, connecting Explora’s existing lodges across Chile and Argentina for a seamless Patagonian journey. Located near Lake Argentino with sweeping views of the Perito Moreno Glacier and the vast Southern Patagonian Ice Field, this 20-room lodge designed by Chilean architect José Cruz Ovalle leans into Explora’s signature vibe: natural materials, breathtaking views, a great spa, and the sense of calm that feels all the more satisfying after a day filled with excursions, or as Explora calls them, “explorations.” (And with over thirty explorations, there’s going to be plenty to see and do here.)
Inkaterra Cabo Blanco—Piura, Peru
Once a legendary fishing village famed for its enormous marlins, picturesque surf and visits from Ernest Hemingway himself, Peru’s northern “Cabo Blanco” coastline is attracting in-the-know travelers—and now it’s stepping into the spotlight as the site of homegrown eco-tourism brand Inkaterra’s next destination, its first on Peru’s coast. The property features just 20 beachfront suites and bungalows, each with private plunge pools and terraces, and set along over a mile of private beachfront. True to Inkaterra’s 50-year conservation legacy, the resort supports marine research and dry forest preservation through its Inkaterra Asociación. To that end, guests can expect exciting, thought-provoking marine biology outings, surf conservation programs, and immersive storytelling around this destination’s rich fishing and surfing legacy.

The new Waldorf Astoria in London is a temple to ultra luxury.
David Iliff
Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch—UK
London has never been short on grande dame hotels, but this new Waldorf Astoria feels like a provocative new statement: it occupies a Grade-I listed monument, Trafalgar Square to one side, and The Mall leading to Buckingham Palace on the other. The premises are being totally restored and reborn as a 100-key temple to ultra luxury, with chic interiors by Archer Humphryes and F&B courtesy of Clare Smyth and Daniel Boulud. This one feels bigger than just a (big brand’s) hotel launch—it feels like London reminding the world that nobody does pomp and circumstance better.

In Mayfair, where there’s no dearth of lavish splurges, Cambridge House delivers a sharp, modern take.
Cambridge House, Auberge Collection
Cambridge House, Auberge Collection—London, UK
London’s Mayfair is positively bursting with luxurious places to shop, dine and spend the night, but Cambridge House is poised to deliver a fresh, modern take on the neighborhood. Opening this spring, this stately Georgian mansion on Piccadilly was once home to the Duke of Cambridge and later the storied In and Out Club, and now it’s ready to enter its next act: as a 102-suite retreat balancing heritage, contemporary polish, and that elusive sense of luxurious locality that Auberge does so well. The main attraction? Major’s Grill, a new collaboration from Major Food Group that turns the former ballroom into a lively, mid-century-inspired brasserie complete with tableside service and an unparalleled martini list. It goes without saying Cambridge House will be one of London’s best rooms to book for 2026, and that Major’s Grill will be Mayfair’s power lunch spot of choice.

Kinsfolk & Co brings thoughtful excellence across design, food, and wellness to The Newman, London.
The Newman
The Newman—London, UK
Whereas some of London’s other big 2026 openings feel grandiose in that quintessentially London way, The Newman feels like it’s marching to the beat of its own drum. Tucked into the quiet-yet-central streets of Fitzrovia, this boutique hotel comes courtesy of Kinsfolk & Co, a team of hospitality vets who’s experience spans Firmdale and The Standard hotels. Designed by Lind + Almond, this 81-room property leans into Art Deco design that feels just as bohemian and polished as the neighborhood itself.

WildLand, the ambitious Scottish rewilding project, extends its vision to a Hope, a new property in Sutherland.
Hope
Hope—Scottish Highlands
In northern Scotland, the ambitious rewilding project WildLand in 2026 will make its most ambitious debut yet: the optimistically named Hope. Set on the vast Sutherland estate, this new retreat is the latest installment in conservationists Anders and Anne Holch Povlsen’s vision, two decades in the making. Designed with Cecil & Boyd, Hope will feature a restored heritage hotel as well as self-catering cottages. Central to the project is a new adventure center, from which guests will be able to embark on immersive experiences like guided wildlife tracking and peatland walks to foraging and coastal exploration.

Original details and pared-back modern elegance at Mercer Madrid
Mercer Madrid
Mercer Madrid—Spain
“Mercer Madrid represents a return to our origins,” shared Pedro Molina, CEO of Mercer Hoteles, which celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2026. The group’s first property in the capital and eighth overall, Mercer Madrid will open its doors within a landmarked building of exceptional historical value: the former HQ of the Sociedad General Azucarera de España, built in 1905 by royal architect Enrique Maria Repullés y Vargas, the visionary behind Madrid’s Stock Exchange Palace. The conversion of the premises will preserve most of those original details while introducing Mercer’s trademark sense of pared-back contemporary elegance. The hotel’s signature restaurant will be helped by Eneko Atxa, one of the country’s most renowned chefs, and its bar will be developed by legendary mixologist Javier de las Muelas. In short? This architecturally significant hotel will certainly represent the best of what Spain has to offer from both yesterday and today.

Vestige Can Jordi is located on Cala Saona, one of Formentera’s best beaches
Vestige Can Jordi
Vestige Can Jordi—Formentera, Spain
For many, Formentera is something of a best-kept secret in the Balearics—a short ride from Ibiza yet worlds away from the partying crowds. Spanish hotel brand Vestige Collection’s latest opening captures all the glamour and privacy of Formentera while still preserving that hushed, in-the-know atmosphere. Vestige Can Jordi is located on Cala Saona, one of the island’s best beaches, and sits on a spacious piece of land that retains a sense of privacy and exclusivity. And much like Vestige’s overarching ethos across most of their hotels, the interiors here showcase modern design, while the rustic exteriors blend seamlessly into the natural landscape. For a Balearic escape that exudes “in crowd” energy, this is the spot to book for 2026.

Zannier Hotels is bringing glamor back to a tiny private island off the Mediterranean coast of France.
Zannier Hotels
Zannier Bendor—Île de Bendor, France
On a tiny private island off the Mediterranean coast of France, Zannier Hotels is staging one of the region’s most ambitious and glamorous revivals: Île de Bendor, former 1950s hideaway of spirits tycoon Paul Ricard, inventor of Pastis. The 93-key retreat is being reimagined as a Provençal village, complete with three design-forward enclaves: Delos, a nod to the French Riviera’s mid-century heyday; Soukana, focused on wellbeing; and Madrague, five two-story houses with private gardens that are great for groups. Don’t worry about being stuck on an island while you’re here—there’s going to be an art gallery, a sweeping wellness center, three artisan shops, a private beach cove with diving center, and a culinary program led by renowned chef Lionel Levy. In a word? Superbe.

Private gardens and a restored 16th-century church—the 45-key Arielles Palladio Venezia lends a fresh note of indulgence to Venice.
Vincent Leroux
Airelles Palladio Venezia—Venice, Italy
As if Venice could get any more glamorous, Arielles is set to make its grand leap outside of France in 2026 with Arielles Palladio Venezia. Set on Giudecca, the hotel occupies three historic buildings and two acres of private gardens, as well as a restored 16th-century Palladian church. In the rooms, designer Christophe Tollemer blends Venetian style with Arielles’ signature flourish across 45 rooms and suites, including a truly showstopping four-bedroom Presidential Suite gazing directly over Piazza San Marco. Three restaurants, a cicchetti bar, three swimming pools, and a spa bring a fresh dose of indulgence to La Serenissima.

The Orient Express hotel in Venice feels both like an arrival and a harbinger of more fabulosity to come.
Orient Express
Orient Express Venice—Italy
2026 is a banner year for Orient Express and Accor, following the debut of La Dolce Vita Orient Express luxury train, the unveiling of their first hotel, Orient Express La Minerva in Rome, and the forthcoming launch of their two sailing yachts, launching in 2026 and 2027. The opening of this hotel in Venice feels both like an arrival and a harbinger of more fabulosity to come, as the brand is also preparing for its long-awaited return of the original Orient Express train. Until then, guests can enjoy every inch of this deliciously luxurious palazzo complete with gilded ballrooms, hidden passageways, a tranquil courtyard, and—in true Orient Express fashion—a truly cinematic arrival through its spectacular 15th-century Gothic portal on the canal.

La Réserve brings French luxury to Florence.
La Réserve Firenze—Florence
ItalyOpening this summer on storied Via Santo Spirito in a converted 15th-century palazzo, La Réserve Firenze promises every bit of the luxurious, deliciously private experience that its clientele expects. Set within frescoed interiors, the hotel’s six—yes, just six—private apartments will be offered in one- or two-bedroom configurations, some with stunning views across the city and the Arno River. Guests can settle in for a few days or a few weeks, and there’s an army of concierges, housekeepers and personal chefs at the ready to ensure every need is looked after. It’s Florentine life, with the unmistakable panache of French luxury.

The Presidential Suite at Six Senses Milan leans into crafted glamor.
Six Senses Milan
Six Senses Milan—Italy
Set amidst the ateliers, art galleries and cafés of posh Brera, Six Senses is set to make its Milanese debut in late 2026. Interiors by Tara Bernerd & Partners lean into crafted glamor worthy of this city’s artisanal heritage, with arabescato marble, antique brass, smoked glass, and mosaic borders. The rooms here are a major highlight: of the 69 keys, 16 are suites, of which two have private plunge pools (a rarity for any urban hotel, especially Milan), and one suite has a 12.5-meter pool that can also host private events. And this being a Six Senses, wellness is the main event. The spa boasts a range of high-tech and holistic therapies, complemented by a huge indoor pool and two saunas. Throw in a rooftop bar and two restaurants, and you have the perfect blend of indulgence-meets-wellness.

Luura’s Paros Cliff leans into Cycladic purity, with a side of luxury à la Med.
Luura Paros Cliff
Luura Paros Cliff—Paros, Greece
Paros Cliff is the inaugural project from Luura, a new, family-owned brand backed by Vivium Properties and Elie Khouri. Subsequent properties in Athens and “Paros Sand” are also in development, but for now, this striking addition to the Paros hotel scene makes a powerful new statement about Mediterranean luxury. The all-suites oceanfront property is designed by Elastic Architects, known for their sculptural approach, and interiors by Lambs and Lions Studio. The aesthetic leans into Cycladic purity, which makes those views of the Aegean Sea and Antiparos all the more impressive. This new debut establishes a confident, contemporary take on Greek hospitality: ancient, authentic yet undeniably now.

Artfarm’s Chesa Marchetta is slated to be a chic 16th-century guesthouse in the cultural heart of Switzerland’s Engadin Valley.
Dave Watts
Chesa Marchetta—Sils Maria, Switzerland
In 2026, Artfarm—the hospitality company behind Mount St. restaurant in London, the Fife Arms Hotel in Scotland, amongst others—returns to its Swiss roots. Founders Iwan and Manuela Wirth, both Swiss, have been toiling away for four years on renovating Chesa Marchetta, a 16th-century guesthouse located in Sils Maria, considered the cultural heart of the Engadin Valley. There are thirteen guest rooms as well as a three-bedroom adjoining house, and an intimate, seasonally-driven restaurant helmed by Davide Degiovanni, formerly of 5 Hertford Street and Gordon Ramsay’s Union Street Café. Consider this a deeply chic, intimate antidote to the Engadin’s overabundance of palatial, over-the-top luxury hotels.
Nkasa Linyanti—Nkasa Rupara National Park, Namibia
There aren’t many corners of southern Africa left that feel untapped by the safari industry, but Natural Selection is bringing a new, conservation-forward jewel to Nkasa Rupara National Park, located in Namibia’s panhandle, the Caprivi Strip. Unlike the country’s signature desert and coastal environments, this 74,000-acre wetland is a lush, reed lined labyrinth of seasonal floods, where elephants, hippos, buffalo and over 430 bird species traverse ancient migratory paths. Through Natural Selection’s Conservation, Community and Research fees, guests of Nkasa Linyanti support initiatives such as the BioBoundary Project, which minimizes human-elephant conflict. As with all of Natural Selection’s stylish, perfectly-positioned camps, Nkasa Linyanti sets a stage where adventure, learning and stewardship intertwine.
Singita Elela—Okavango Delta, Botswana
Big safari news: luxury standard-bearer Singita is (finally) entering Botswana. And not just anywhere, but on the plum NH26 Concession, spanning over 400,000 acres of pristine wilderness. Meaning “to flow” in Setswana, Elela is designed as a dynamic reflection of the natural rhythms that define the iconic Okavango Delta: circular, stilted camps immerse guests in flooded grasslands, offering unparalleled wildlife encounters, perhaps even from your bedroom. There are eight camps in total, from intimate one-bedroom retreats to a four-bedroom setup that’s a perfect multigenerational haven.
La Réserve Seychelles—Praslin, Seychelles
This is not your typical tropical all-inclusive. Tucked away on the northeastern corner of Praslin, the second largest island in the Seychelles, this new resort from La Réserve promises to bring its French-tinged take on luxury to this tropical destination. Featuring just six private villas nestled along a secluded white sand beach and immersed in the islands’ remarkable biodiversity, each villa will span approximately 8,000 square feet with four to six bedrooms each, complete with full kitchens, private pools and direct beach access. Guests are treated to a fully staffed, all-inclusive experience with dedicated a Maître de Maison orchestrating every detail, private chefs personalizing daily menus, and discreet housekeeping that slips in and out essentially unnoticed.

The new Miraval in Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea celebrates the brand’s immersive wellness ideology.
Miraval Resorts & Spas
Miraval The Red Sea—Shura Island, Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia’s tourism rebrand is well underway, and Western-born hospitality brands are expanding there at breakneck speeds. Amidst a sea of openings, however, this new Miraval, however, caught our eye. With hotel locations in Austin, the Berkshires, and Arizona, a leap to Saudi Arabia might feel a bit non sequitur, but the brand’s immersive wellness ideology feels very much at home on Shura Island, on three million square feet of untouched shoreline. This oasis is a great backdrop for Miraval’s high design, restorative philosophy. Dedicated centers for yoga, art and fitness, interactive culinary concepts, and gardens designed for sensory exploration feel quintessentially Miraval—but the new location represents a new frontier for the brand, and for the destination.

The much-anticipated Malkai is actually three experiences in one, with guests traveling between sites across coastal plains, mountains, and rolling desert sands.
The Malkai
The Malkai—Oman
Oman’s most exciting opening for 2026 is actually three openings—The Malkai, a three-site journey designed as an immersion into the Sultanate’s heritage and natural beauty. The experience unfolds like a sort of modern caravan: guests travel between the coastal plains of Barka, the drama Al Hajar mountains, and the rolling Sharqiya Sands via private Land Rover Defender, accompanied by a guide, with an itinerary tailored to each traveler’s interests. Each of the three sites includes just fifteen year-round tented pavilions along with dining that highlights Omani cuisine, spa sanctuaries, and infinity pools that will undoubtedly be one of 2026’s most exclusive Instagrams to snap. The Malkai is unique in its commitment to local culture and this desert country’s natural heritage—offering not just posh accommodations, but a real pilgrimage through the country’s soul.
The Leela Jaisalmer—Rajasthan, India
The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts, is one of India’s fastest-growing hospitality brands. With 3,544 keys across 13 properties in 11 cities in India, and 10 hotels in the pipeline, it is set to more than double its footprint over the next three years—and this Rajasthan stunner signifies all the glory that is to come. But what piqued our curiosity with this one is how it evolves the traditional palace hotel model, in a way that resonates with Jaisalmer’s identity. Set across thirty acres of golden Thar Desert dunes, this 80-room sanctuary offers tented villas, an enormous ballroom and vast courtyards that are simply begging to host a dramatic wedding, and plans for what will most likely be one of the destination’s dreamiest spas.

New hotel brand Kaia will bring crafted elegance and a produce-led culinary program to the quieter reaches of Koh Phangan.
Kaia
Kaia—Koh Phangan, Thailand
For its inaugural property, new hotel brand Kaia chose the verdant, peaceful northeastern coast of Koh Phangan as the backdrop for its thirty-one tented suites and four two-bedroom pool villas, all crafted from recycled materials and upcycled teak. Founded by Bound and Beyond and Cloud Collective, Kaia features a huge emphasis on sustainability—architecture uses passive cooling and solar energy, groundwater is filtered on-site, and single-use plastics are banned. A seasonal, produce-led culinary program centers around fire cooking and many ingredients from the hotel’s own organic farm, and experiences like foraging, ceramics workshops and nature-based wellness rituals. If this sparkling Southeast Asian beauty is where Kaia is starting out, we can’t wait to follow along wherever it goes next.

Four Seasons Hanoi celebrates the bustling capital’s authentic heritage with French Colonial influences.
Elliott Chau
Four Seasons Hotel Hanoi at Hoan Kiem Lake—Vietnam
A zen-like retreat set on a lake in the heart of Vietnam’s vibrant, bustling capital—how cool is that? The location is truly unmatchable, not only for its waterfront setting, but also for being walking—or scootering—distance to the Old and French Quarters, and many museums and galleries. With ninety-five rooms and suites, the property celebrates Hanoi’s authentic heritage with French Colonial influences, with interiors from SRSS Interior Design Studio and architecture by WATG Architects. There will be an all-day restaurant, lounge and rooftop bar, as well as a spa, fitness center, and pools. This will be Four Seasons’ second offering in Vietnam, joining the Four Seasons Resort The Nam Hai in Hoi An.

The Imperial Hotel, Kyoto will be housed in a former theater, and preserve its original architectural flourishes.
New Material Research Laboratory
The Imperial Hotel, Kyoto—Japan
This March, Japanese luxury brand Imperial Hotels brings its iconic blend of heritage and contemporary elegance to Kyoto’s storied Gion district—the brand’s first expansion in three decades. Housed within the 90 year-old Yasaka Kaikan, a national Registered Tangible Cultural Property, this former theater preserves original architectural flourishes while introducing modern comforts across fifty-five rooms and suites. The materials here are a masterclass in Japanese craftsmanship, from tatami flooring, to Japanese cedar columns, to bespoke furnishings embodying the city’s cultural heritage.

Guests at Qualia, Hamilton Island will be able to embark on tours of the Great Barrier Reef and Whitehaven Beach by boat or helicopter.
Sharyn Cairns
Qualia—Hamilton Island, Australia
Nearly twenty years since it first opened, Qualia, the first and one of the top Luxury Lodges of Australia, will unveil a total renovation this year. A new brand identity shifts the focus towards wellness with a new gym, spa, heavenly Aesop amenities and more. Guests can still embark on tours of the Great Barrier Reef and Whitehaven Beach either by boat or helicopter, as well as enjoy the legendary Hamilton Island Golf Club, a 18-hole championship golf course on its own neighboring island.

The handcrafted stone walls and elegant arches at Casa Renoir in Noosa make a larger statement about environmental stewardship.
Casa Renoir
Casa Renoir—Noosa, Australia
As its name implies, this boutique newcomer offers a design that might skew European—Southern Italian, specifically—but feels surprisingly at home in this lush Sunshine Coast landscape. Casa Renoir is tucked twenty minutes up into the hills from Noosa Main Beach, set across forty acres of olive and citrus groves, with handcrafted stone walls and elegant arches that recall the masseria of Sicily and Puglia. But it’s not all aesthetics here—Casa Renoir is deeply committed to environmental stewardship, with natural energy and water conservation programs seamlessly integrated into daily operations.
Originally Appeared on Condé Nast Traveler
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