Travel

The Hottest New Hotels To Check Into This Year

The Lake Como Edition, Italy

These are the new addresses setting the tone for 2026, where the well-dressed will check in and expect to be seen. If you know, you know… By NATASHA BIRD

Fashion assistant Jasmine Dunne
Lifestyle
The splendid villas of La Réserve Seychelles sit on a pristine white-sand beach, offering exceptional ocean views and complete privacy

La Réserve, Seychelles

La Réserve’s move into the Seychelles is significant, taking their Private Homes collection beyond Europe. With this opening, the brand’s hushed, high-touch idea of luxury is translated into something more elemental: villas on the island of Praslin, set by Anse Boudin beach, with chefs, butlers and the kind of privacy that would make even the most over-programed traveler exhale. This is for discreet, well-heeled beach people who like their paradise really polished. Opening in fall

What we’re wearing: A fluid kaftan or macramé, serious sunglasses and jewelry that reflects the golden sunsets.

The Lake Como Edition presents a fresh vision of lakeside luxury, reimagining a historic 19th-century palazzo with refined contemporary design

The Lake Como Edition, Italy

As we all know, Lake Como has no shortage of grand hotels, which is precisely why Edition’s arrival feels savvy: it brings a more fashion-adjacent, scene-conscious energy to the lake, without sacrificing on views and romance. Set in a restored 19th-century palazzo on the western shore, with interiors by Neri&Hu and culinary direction from chef Mauro Colagreco, it is the sort of place that will appeal to global tastemakers who find old-school formality just a little bit stiff. Also, it brings a new level of wellness, with the first Longevity Spa in the area. Opened in March

What we’re wearing: Immaculate white separates, flat leather sandals by day, and something black and backless for dinner.

The Newman hotel offers elegant interior design in the heart of London’s Fitzrovia

The Newman, London, UK

A hotly discussed 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 brasserie specializing in live-fire cooking; two bars; and a wellness floor encompassing hot and cold cabins, a salt therapy room and a hydrotherapy pool. Opened in early 2026

What we’re wearing: Rich-looking primary colors, a statement bag and no-nonsense heel.

Imagine cliffside sophistication at Four Seasons Mykonos, with private infinity pools and whitewashed architecture

Four Seasons Hotel Mykonos, Greece

Mykonos hardly needs reinvention, but the arrival of the Four Seasons might indicate a shift in how the island wants to be experienced now. Located above Kalo Livadi Bay, the new resort goes full Cycladic elegance – all-white geometry, sea views and a chance to wear your very best dress. Mykonos remains a perennial favorite with the fashion crowd because it offers spectacle, escape and an embarrassment of picture-perfect views. This is at the epicenter of the ‘scene’. Opening in summer 2026

What we’re wearing: A gauze dress and an oversized shirt by day. By evening, we’re dressing all the way up – think saffron, cobalt or vermilion: something that will stand out sharply against the whitewashed walls.

Mandarin Oriental Punta Negra ushers a new level of luxury to the Balearic Islands

Mandarin Oriental Punta Negra, Mallorca, Spain

Mallorca’s luxury glow-up continues, but Mandarin Oriental Punta Negra looks set to attract a particular crowd: the sort of traveler who loves the island’s beauty, but wants it delivered with hustle-and-bustle adjacency. Set in Calvià with uninterrupted sea views, gardens and access to two secluded coves, it promises the kind of Mediterranean glamour that feels quietly moneyed rather than shouty, but it’s also a stone’s throw from Palma. This is one for stylish couples, multigenerational families and anyone who wants their summer reset wrapped in exceptional service. Opening in July

What we’re wearing: Crisp cotton in chalk hues or pale blue, fisherman sandals and a woven raffia bag.

Stylish interiors, a ’60s-inspired pool and Mediterranean dining are all par for the course at Zannier Île de Bendor

Zannier Île de Bendor, France

On the private, seven-acre Mediterranean island of 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 May

What we’re wearing: Breezy linens, kitten heels and one piece of statement jewelry.

South Beach’s iconic white-on-white Delano reopens this spring with a velvet-rope makeover and new members’ club

Delano Miami Beach, Florida, US

The return of Delano feels important. Once the epicenter of Miami’s see-and-be-seen era, the hotel’s revival taps neatly into a renewed appetite for heritage properties with real point of view. The bones remain, including terrazzo floors, white columns and an absolutely iconic pool, but the mood has leveled up, welcoming a new generation of design-savvy, food-obsessed patrons. A members’ club is certainly set to draw back the fashion and nightlife crowd who made it legendary in the first place. Opening in April

What we’re wearing: A liquid, body-skimming dress or a high-shine metallic mini, plus statement heels, of course.

Romègas Hotel’s 23 rooms showcase palazzo heritage with custom furnishings, elegant materials, refined tones and curated Maltese artwork

Romègas, Valletta, Malta

Romègas has the makings of the kind of opening people in the know will feel pleased to have got to first. Housed in a restored palazzo on Old Bakery Street, it leans into Valletta’s history, local craftsmanship and cultural quirks rather than flattening them into generic luxury. That makes it especially appealing to design-minded travelers who want somewhere with soul, not just thread count. With only 23 guest rooms, a restaurant, courtyard bar and rooftop pool, it feels intimate in the right way. Opening soon

What we’re wearing: Relaxed tailoring, flat gold sandals and a great pair of earrings — this is a city-break hotel, not a fly-and-flop stay.

Esh Hotel in Costa Rica uses local materials and wabi-sabi Brutalist design to celebrate simple, indoor-outdoor living

Esh, Nosara, Costa Rica

Nosara has long drawn the wellness-surf crowd, but Esh distills that proposition into a place that’s moody and more design-driven. Set in the jungle near Playa Guiones and Playa Pelada, the adults-only sanctuary channels fire, transformation and introspection through lava-stone tubs, blackened wood and an ever-burning hearth. In a destination already associated with longevity and intentional living, it draws from that inspiration to deliver a rejuvenating stay. Opened in January

What we’re wearing: Chocolate-brown swimwear, a washed linen shirt and barefoot energy polished up by one very good piece of gold.

Nordelaia sur Mer’s contemporary design embraces a pared-back, minimalist aesthetic

Nordelaia Sur Mer, Beaulieu, France

There is something very now about Nordelaia Sur Mer’s promise of ‘lo-fi luxury’ on this lovely stretch of the Côte d'Azur. In Beaulieu-sur-Mer – squeezed neatly between Nice and Monaco – it offers an antidote to the region’s louder, logo-heavier addresses: 33 rooms, calming interiors, artisanal details and a rooftop lounge with sweeping views over the port. The appeal is obvious for Riviera regulars who still want beauty and access but would rather sidestep overt flash. Opening in summer

What we’re wearing: Beige pants, a slouchy striped knit and old-money sunglasses.

Where guests might expect rustic Tuscan charm, Chapter Chianti delivers something entirely unexpected

Chapter Chianti, Tuscany, Italy

Chapter Chianti looks clever because it refuses to do a Tuscany stay the obvious way. Yes, it is set in a restored 16th-century village in the Chianti hills, but hotelier Marco Cilia’s bold vision doesn’t for a second lean on rustic cliché. He roped in renowned South African designer Tristan Du Plessis of Studio A to bring a contemporary touch to the hotel, three restaurants and bars, and a gorgeous spa. There’s a program of truffle hunting, olive oil harvesting and more. In other words, this is Tuscany for people who love the landscape but don’t want to sleep in a sepia postcard. Expect a stylish, mixed-age crowd who like the countryside, but chic. Opening in June

What we’re wearing: Richly colored resortwear, a flagstone-friendly heel and a swimsuit that doubles as a top.

Skýra Retreat is a 15-room Nordic sanctuary blending heritage, stillness, firelit suites, saunas and soul

Skýra Retreat, Norvajärvi, Finnish Lapland

Skýra Retreat is not flashy Arctic theater or bare-boned Scandi minimalism. Set between Lake Norvajärvi and the forests of Finnish Lapland, just outside Rovaniemi, it has transformed a 1950s schoolhouse into a deeply considered hideaway with only 15 suites, a Nordic spa and an invitation to partake in daily rituals. This should make it catnip to travelers who are tired of overproduced wellness and want something quieter, more tactile and more genuinely transportive, while also giving luxurious comfort and coziness. Opened in December

What we’re wearing: Cashmere, brushed wool and proper boots.

London’s The Whiteley by Six Senses provides the perfect retreat for relaxation

Six Senses London, UK

If you’re acquainted with the Six Senses franchise, then you’re likely already a disciple. They’ve really cornered a particular part of the market in luxury wellness. It’s a surprise, actually, that London hasn’t played host to one until now. Inside the reimagined Whiteley on Queensway, it combines 109 rooms and suites with an enormous spa, London’s first hotel magnesium pool, a partnership with the longevity clinic HUM2N and the first-ever Six Senses Place members’ club. Opened in March

What we’re wearing: Unfussy, polished city clothes with a little nod to wellness. Think oversized tailoring with this season’s sneaker.

Orient Express Venezia is set within a resplendent 15th-century palace on Venice’s Rio di Noale canal

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 the building’s noble past while infusing it with contemporary luxury. Opened in April

What we’re wearing: Something that gives into the theatrical decadence of Venice – think inky blues or deep garnet reds and other jewel tones, paired with heirloom-worthy earrings.

Amanvari, Baja Peninsula, 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 in spring

What we’re wearing: An incredibly cut, standout swimsuit and a wide-brimmed hat.

Aman is bringing its signature quiet luxury to Mexico’s Baja Peninsula this year

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. Opened in March

What we’re wearing: Precision is everything, including in fashion. Think clean lines, beautifully cut midi dresses and this season’s standout pumps.