Luxury hotel openings of major note took place in November 2025, as they both marked a shift for travel globally; hotels with an emphasis on design opened around the world, changing the look of luxury travel for today’s travelers.
The month of November 2025 saw the American debut of One & Only (a long-awaited event) in the wilds of Montana and the first Hilton property in the most lively neighborhood in Istanbul. The openings will be joined by other notable properties in the coming months; however, the November openings provide travelers with instant access to experiences that blend tradition with innovation, wilderness with elegance, and local authenticity with international sophistication.
Wild retreat: One & Only Moonlight Basin, Montana
Image used with permission by copyright holder
One & Only Moonlight Basin opened as the ultra-luxury brand’s first U.S. property and its first alpine resort on November 18, 2025. The 73-room retreat sits on 240 acres in the Moonlight Basin Community in Big Sky, Montana, just one hour from Yellowstone National Park. The architects at Olson Kundig created the property to frame the surrounding mountain landscape with floor-to-ceiling glass. The smallest room is 725 square feet with a fireplace, double sinks and a soaking tub. The suites are at least 1,100 square feet and can accommodate multiple families.
Chef Akira Back has opened his first alpine restaurant at the resort, in addition to five other dining options, which include Wildwood for all-day dining and the Dear Josephine Lounge. Mr. Back’s Asian-inspired cuisine complements Montana’s wild game and seasonal produce. Winter guests have access to ski-in, ski-out runs at Big Sky Resort, and in the summer, the property becomes a base for fly-fishing, hiking, and mountain biking. Room rates start at approximately $2,300 per night during the ski season, and drop under $1,200 per night during shoulder seasons. Find out more here.
Design in the city: Canopy by Hilton Istanbul Taksim
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Canopy by Hilton Istanbul Taksim opened in November 2025 as Hilton’s 100th hotel in Turkey and the brand’s first Canopy hotel in Turkey. The 110-room hotel is situated in the Taksim 360 complex, steps from Taksim Square and Istiklal Avenue (a pedestrian shopping street), which receives over three million visitors each day. Guests of the hotel enjoy access to three restaurants, a wine bar and the Canopy Central (the brand’s social hub) to experience the energy of the city. The hotel is also close to several museums, such as the Museum of Innocence, the Pera Museum and the Galata Tower, and a nearby subway station allows guests to explore the rest of the city easily.
Canopy Enthusiasts (hotel staff who know the local area well) will provide insider information to help guests find places off the beaten path. The wellness center offers saunas, steam rooms, and massage services. Book a room here.
Coming soon: Major openings arriving shortly
Zen in design: Capella Kyoto, Japan
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Capella Kyoto is expected to open in either Q4 of 2025 or early 2026, and will be the luxury brand’s first Japanese property. The 89-room hotel was designed by architect Kengo Kuma, and is located in the Miyagawa-chō neighborhood near the 1200-year-old Kennin-ji Temple (Kyoto’s oldest Zen Buddhist temple). Six Onsen Suites are available and feature private bathing areas that are a unique amenity found in very few hotels in Kyoto.
Dining options at the hotel include a modern brasserie with a pastry shop attached, a Japanese restaurant with a sunken garden, and Carte Blanche, which will serve a tasting menu (omakase style) prepared by a chef with three Michelin stars. In partnership with the chef, the hotel will offer exclusive seasonal experiences. More information on booking here.
Gourmet getaway: Hotel MOHI by Appellation, California
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Hotel MOHI by Appellation is scheduled to open in early 2026 in downtown Morgan Hill, California, and will become the first full-service luxury boutique hotel in the emerging culinary capital of Silicon Valley. Chef Charlie Palmer and hospitality professional Christopher Hunsberger partnered with vintner Frank Léal to develop the 76-room property, which emphasizes farm-to-table dining.
Amenities include a 215-seat signature restaurant run by Mr. Palmer, a rooftop pool with a pocket bar, and a wine-country spa with olive scrubs. The hotel also features the largest indoor event space in Morgan Hill, at 7,730 square feet. During the day, the hotel’s café/bakery serves breakfast, and after dinner, it converts into a cocktail/wine bar. More information here.
Island anticipation: Kempinski Grace Bay, Turks & Caicos
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Ground was broken in mid-November 2025 on Kempinski Grace Bay, the company’s first property in Turks and Caicos. Construction is scheduled to finish in early 2028. The property will be located on 11 acres of the world-renowned Grace Bay Beach and will feature 119 private residences and four oceanfront villas. Developed by JTRE, the resort combines Kempinski’s 128 years of history with the relaxed elegance of the Caribbean.
Planned amenities include fine dining, a 3,000 sq. ft. wine cellar, a European-style spa, and padel courts. More info about the opening here.
Travel trends exposed by these properties
All of the properties launching in November 2025 and early 2026 reflect similar trends: design-focused experiences anchored in a particular place, elevated culinary programs as the primary focus, and scaled-down size for personal attention over volume. One & Only Moonlight Basin and Canopy Istanbul demonstrate the evolving definitions of luxury — both wilderness and urban energy can be considered premium experiences if they incorporate authentic local elements.
The properties that will open in early 2026 further illustrate this trend. Capella Kyoto preserves ancient traditions with a contemporary lens. Hotel MOHI positions a less-well-known wine region as a destination rather than a day-tripper’s stop. Kempinski Grace Bay protects the peacefulness of the beach with carefully controlled development.
These properties collectively indicate that 2026 will continue the shift in luxury hospitality towards cultural richness, environmental sensitivity, and experiences that will allow the modern luxury traveler to immerse themselves in their surroundings. The modern luxury traveler seeks to connect with local culture, and these properties provide them the means to do so.