The Hottest New Hotels To Check Into This Year
From under-the-radar island sanctuaries to urban masterpieces and off-the-radar wilderness escapes, there’s a wealth of magnificent new hotels on the horizon. KATIE BERRINGTON rounds up the ones you need to know about now
Zannier Île de Bendor, France
On the private, seven-acre Mediterranean island of Île de Bendor, just off the south coast of France, Zannier will open as a 93-key boutique hotel. In this glorious Provençal-style village, highlights will be the holistic wellness spa, a beach club worthy of the French Riviera, a diving center and eight restaurants – including the second outpost of Nonna Bazaar. Opening in spring 2026
Orient Express Venezia, Venice, Italy
World-renowned for its iconic train journeys, the Orient Express brand expanded its hospitality offering last year to include hotels, with La Minerva in the heart of Rome. This year, it will take on another Italian city, opening Orient Express Venezia in a resplendent 15th-century palace on the edge of the waters of the Cannaregio district. The meticulous eight-year transformation has been led by architect Aline Asmar d’Amman, paying homage to its noble past while infusing it with contemporary luxury. Opening in April
Vestige properties, Spain and Namibia
Vestige is set to add a few new additions to its property portfolio this year. Joining Menorca’s beautiful Son Vell and Son Ermità is Binidufà – a boutique rustic finca set on an idyllic 800-acre farm estate. Meanwhile, over on Mallorca, Vestige Son Veri will open in a charming, peaceful village 20 minutes from Palma, in the wooded surrounding of the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range. Then on Formentera, Can Jordi will sit on a peaceful, scenic coastal spot, blending into the rugged landscape. Beyond its Balearic destinations, Vestige will also expand into northern Namibia with the opening of four lodges, which guests can book individually or tour around to appreciate the differing locations – from mountains to sand dunes and national park. Opening throughout the year
Na Praia, Comporta, Portugal
With cutting-edge architecture and landscaping guided by its setting – a secluded stretch of coastline close to Comporta – Na Praia is an impressive vision. The hotel is 10 years in the making from José António Uva, the eighth-generation steward of Portugal’s São Lourenço do Barrocal. Blending into the untamed beauty of sand dunes and ocean, this 113-room hotel is set to be a masterpiece of the wilderness escape. Opening spring 2026
Cambridge House, Auberge Collection, London
A new addition arriving in London, the Auberge Collection has revived the eminent and storied Cambridge House at 94 Piccadilly. Set to be a vibrant Mayfair meeting place, the signature restaurant, Major’s Grill, is an ode to ritzy, glamorous dining, while a subterranean club and a triple-story spa will draw locals and tourists alike. Opening soon
Airelles Palladio Venezia, Venice, Italy
Described as ‘the playful escape’, Airelles opens its first Italian property this year, melding four eminent 16th-century Baroque buildings looking out onto the Giudecca Canal. Here, elegant yet joyfully adorned rooms are joined by eight restaurants and bars, a 1,700sq m wellness sanctuary and almost a hectare of gardens to explore. Opening in April
Bvlgari Resort Ranfushi, the Maldives
The 10th hotel in the Bvlgari collection, Bvlgari Resort Ranfushi will enjoy 20 hectares of picture-perfect natural beauty on Raa Atoll in the Maldives archipelago. A total of 54 villas will comprise the accommodation offering: 33 on the pristine sands, 20 over water, and the most exclusive of them all – the Bvlgari Villa – on its own private island. Opening later this year
Luura Paros Cliff, Greece
On the picturesque island of Paros, the new family-owned hospitality brand Luura will have its debut opening this spring. The all-suite, seafront property has taken design influence from soothing, white-washed Cycladic architecture and interiors, with a village-like style, and vistas over the Aegean and the neighboring island of Antiparos. Opening in May
Ubuyu, A Banyan Tree Escape, Tanzania
Under the Banyan Tree umbrella, Ubuyu is an intimate new safari retreat within the spectacular wilderness of Ruaha National Park. Overlooking the Great Ruaha River – which invites an impressive array of wildlife, including elephant herds, wild dogs and Africa’s largest lion population – beautifully crafted, private-pool villas will make for an idyllic base camp. Opening in May
The Newman, London, UK
Another talking-point London opening, The Newman is the first hotel by British hospitality brand Kinsfolk & Co. With characterful interiors designed by Lind + Almond, the hotel has a penthouse suite (complete with a terrace, private sauna and ice plunge), a live-fire-cooking brasserie, two bars and a wellness floor encompassing hot and cold cabins, a salt therapy room and a hydrotherapy pool. Opening in February
Amanvari, Mexico
An Aman opening is always cause for note and celebration – and even more so when the location is aptly idyllic. In Baja’s East Cape, beside the Sea of Cortez on a stretch of perfect white-sand beach, Amanvari will house the ultra-luxurious sanctuary of the resort, several restaurants, a signature Aman Spa and a collection of private Aman Residences – giving the opportunity to enjoy a personal piece of this serene, tropical paradise. Opening soon
The Malkai, Oman
A first-of-its-kind experience coming to the Sultanate of Oman, The Malkai is a family dream that has been decades in the making. Three different sites give guests an insight into the vastly varying landscapes of Oman – from the coastal plains of Barka, near Muscat, to the soaring Al Hajar Mountains and the expansive Sharqiya Sands. Each site will have luxurious accommodation comprised of 14 tented pavilions, infinity pools, dining options and spa spaces. Opening later this year
The Vineta Hotel Palm Beach, Florida, USA
The hoteliers behind iconic European properties Hotel Du Cap-Eden-Roc, Le Bristol Paris and Hotel La Palma, Oetker Collection make their first foray into the US this year with The Vineta Hotel, in the heart of Palm Beach. A landmark building with a delightful pale-pink, green-windowed façade, the hotel’s full renovation by designer Tino Zervudachi has restored it to its historic splendor – with fresh and bright interiors inspired by the town’s distinct island lifestyle evoking its glamorous setting. Opening soon
Imperial Hotel, Kyoto, Japan
The Imperial Hotel Kyoto is an illustrious new opening in the Gion district – the hotel group’s first in three decades – which is garnering acclaim before it has even opened its doors. It’s located within the landmark, nearly-century-old Yasaka Kaikan building, where a priority has been placed on celebrating and preserving the legacy of this cultural wonder, while bringing it into a thrilling new chapter. Opening in March
Six Senses at The Whiteley, London, UK
One of the buzziest London debuts this year will be the UK’s first Six Senses outpost. Its west London site of The Whiteley will house 110 guest rooms and suites and 14 residences, with a lobby bar and lounge, all-day restaurant and courtyard. In a space designed to evoke an old-fashioned London underground station, the spa will boast a 20-meter indoor pool beneath arched ceilings, the hotel’s Alchemy bar and a vaulted relaxation room. There will also be a new kind of social and wellness club for residents and members, encompassing lounges, co-working spaces, a restaurant and treatment rooms. Opening soon
Singita Elela, Botswana
With its incredible array of luxury, conservation-led safari lodges and wilderness camps, a Singita opening is cause for excitement. In the diverse landscape of Botswana’s Okavango Delta, Elela Lodge looks to be particularly special – made up of eight elevated, circular camps (ranging from one to four bedrooms) situated above the floodplains, it cleverly allows for the rise and fall of the water below. Opening in December