As the colder months invite thoughts of warmer climes and new adventures, the year 2026 emerges as a beacon for luxury travel, heralding the arrival of an impressive collection of new hotels and resorts across nearly every continent. While Antarctica presents a unique challenge, Silversea's "The Cormorant at 55 South" in Puerto Williams, Chile, promises an unparalleled gateway to the icy expanse, establishing itself as the world's southernmost city destination.
Europe leads the charge with an abundance of captivating new establishments. Italy, in particular, will see a blossoming of hospitality, including the majestic Orient Express Venezia, nestled within a 15th-century Venetian palace, and the breathtaking Castel Badia in the Dolomites, perfectly timed for the Winter Olympics. Beyond Italy, Estonia introduces the innovative Eha wellness retreat, while Malta welcomes Casa Bonavita, a meticulously restored centuries-old family estate reimagined by the creative minds behind The Rug Company.
Across the Atlantic, the United States anticipates significant additions, such as the Auberge Collection's "The Knox" in Dallas, a design marvel conceived by Martin Brudnizki. The esteemed Aman brand makes its Mexican debut with the exclusive 18-key Amanvari in Baja California. For those yearning for inspiration for their next journey or simply indulging in armchair travel, this curated selection of 44 extraordinary hotels set to open in 2026 offers a world of sophisticated possibilities.
Europe’s hospitality scene is set for a remarkable expansion in 2026. Florence, Italy, will welcome La Réserve Firenze in June, marking Michel Reybier Hospitality's Italian foray. Housed in a 15th-century palazzo, this intimate sanctuary will feature six exclusive apartments boasting original frescoes and stunning Arno River views, offering the grandeur of a classic palace hotel with the privacy of a Florentine residence.
London's vibrant landscape will gain Cambridge House, Auberge Collection, in spring 2026. This former residence of the Duke of Cambridge is being transformed into a 102-room haven by Jean-Louis Deniot, promising a blend of traditional British charm and contemporary flair. It will also host a private members' club and a theatrical Major’s Grill.
In Malta, Casa Bonavita is scheduled to open in May, a 17-bedroom property meticulously restored by Christopher and Suzanne Sharp of The Rug Company. This tranquil retreat, nestled amidst Mediterranean gardens in Attard, aims to embody traditional Mediterranean living with a focus on wellness and communal experiences.
Estonia’s unspoiled Hiiumaa Island, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, will host the unique Eha Retreat in summer 2026. Architect Tiit Trummal’s design harmonizes eight suites and three forest cabins with the Baltic wilderness, offering thermal rituals, foraging, and a culinary experience crafted by Green Michelin Star chef Peeter Pihel, all guided by the island’s distinct "five-season" rhythm.
Spain’s Formentera island will see the Vestige Collection’s Can Jordi, a four-bedroom private rental on Cala Saona, opening in summer 2026. This property, part of a larger estate, promises an exclusive blend of privacy and luxury amidst the island’s natural beauty.
Provence, France, will be home to Zannier Bendor in spring 2026, on the privately owned Île de Bendor. This destination, originally envisioned by Paul Ricard, will reopen after a five-year closure, offering 93 keys across three lodging types, a holistic wellness spa, beach club, diving center, and eight dining venues, designed to feel like a private escape.
Venice will welcome the Orient Express Venezia in April 2026, housed in a 15th-century palace in the Cannareggio district. After an eight-year restoration, its 47 rooms and suites will showcase dramatic décor, ancient frescoes, and vibrant mirrors, blending historical grandeur with contemporary design.
London's Fitzrovia neighborhood will see the opening of The Newman in February 2026, a cozy boutique hotel from Kinsfolk & Co. Designed by Lind + Almond, its Art Deco concept will include 81 rooms and a dedicated wellness floor with a hydrotherapy pool, sauna, and ice lounge.
In the Scottish Highlands, WildLand Hope will debut in May 2026, restoring an 1870s hunting lodge with interiors by Cecile & Boyd. This soulful retreat, part of a large conservation project, offers guided foraging and starlit conservation sessions, emphasizing immersion in the wild landscape.
Milan's artistic Brera district will host Six Senses Milan in late 2026. Designed by Tara Bernerd & Partners, this 69-room "urban house-villa" will feature arabescato marble and a state-of-the-art spa, offering a serene escape with a focus on sustainability and holistic healing.
London will also see the Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch opening in spring 2026. This legendary Hilton brand will occupy the iconic Admiralty Arch, offering 100 rooms and residences with unparalleled views towards Buckingham Palace and Trafalgar Square, combining historic significance with luxury.
In Switzerland’s Engadin Valley, Chesa Marchetta will open in January 2026, following a four-year restoration. This 16th-century structure, a former artist-favorite restaurant, now houses 13 guest rooms and a new eatery, offering a refined Alpine experience during its seasonal operation.
Portugal's Atlantic coastline will unveil Na Praia in spring 2026, an 113-room retreat near Comporta. Designed by Estúdio Lisboa, Studio KO, and Doxiadis+, this project reflects a decade of ecological stewardship, offering purposeful luxury amidst vast shorelines and undulating dunes.
Airelles Palladio Venezia will make its Italian debut in April 2026. Comprising three historic buildings, a church, and expansive gardens, this hotel will offer 45 rooms, multiple dining venues, three swimming pools, and a kids' club, blending faithful restoration with modern amenities.
Greece’s Paros island will present Luura Cliff in summer 2026, a 39-suite, adults-only getaway with views of Antiparos. Designed by Elastic Architects and Lambs and Lions, its modern Cycladic aesthetics create a serene village ambiance, with plans for further expansion.
Rome will welcome Experimental Roma in summer 2026, transforming an office building near Via Veneto into a hotel. Designed by Rodolphe Parente, it will feature a restaurant under a glass roof, a cocktail bar, and a rooftop pool with Colosseum views.
Christian Louboutin expands his hospitality venture in Melides, Portugal, with Vermelho Lagoa in summer 2026. Located ten minutes from his original boutique hotel, this intimate 10-suite property, designed by Olivia Putman, focuses on wellness and natural beauty overlooking a wild lagoon and beach.
The storied Corinthia brand will arrive in Rome in February 2026, taking over a restored 1914 palazzo. The 60-room Corinthia Rome will blend original architectural details with contemporary Italian design, featuring three dining venues by Chef Carlo Cracco and a spa, just a short walk from the Pantheon and Spanish Steps.
High in the Dolomites, the 1,000-year-old Castel Badia reopened at the top of 2026 as an Alpine retreat. Its restoration preserved original frescoes and medieval windows across 29 rooms, with a wellness program rooted in its history, preparing for global attention during the Winter Olympics.
North America will also present an array of exceptional new destinations. Charleston, SC, will welcome The Cooper in February 2026, its first true waterfront hotel. Envisioned by Champalimaud Design and Atelier Kim, its 191 keys, including 20 suites, will translate Charleston's rich history into a refined residential retreat, marking a new era for Southern living.
In Dallas, TX, The Knox, Auberge Collection, is slated for late 2026. Martin Brudnizki Design Studio designed its suites and rooms, while Chad Dorsey handled the 48 private residences. Guests can enjoy the nearby Katy Trail and a dedicated wellness sanctuary.
Aspen, CO, will introduce White Elephant Aspen in February 2026, from White Elephant Resorts. Designed with families and groups in mind, its interiors feature warm colors, leather, wood, and stone, complemented by art inspired by the local scenery.
Amanvari, the newest outpost from Aman, will arrive on Mexico’s East Cape in spring 2026. This 18-key property, designed by Elastic Architects, blends seamlessly with its natural surroundings, offering destination dining, an Aman Spa inspired by regional traditions, and access to pristine beaches and a golf course.
Riviera Nayarit, Mexico, recently opened Siari, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. This benchmark of barefoot refinement boasts the region’s largest swimmable oceanic basin, infinity pools, and residences designed for both short and extended stays. Its culinary program is led by chef David Castro Hussong, and the Há Yeka spa offers Huichol rituals and volcanic stone treatments.
Miami Beach will see the iconic Delano Miami Beach reopen in March 2026. This revitalized landmark, famous for its role in the city's aughts resurgence, will feature a top-to-bottom 171-room refurbishment, bespoke lighting, ocean-facing terraces, and the return of The Rose Bar, alongside new dining concepts.
In Alberta, Canada, Rimrock Banff, Emblems Collection, will open in summer 2026. Located in Banff National Park, this mountain retreat will offer heli-hiking, glacier treks, canyon ice walks, and alpine yoga, providing a high-end experience amidst the UNESCO-protected Canadian Rockies.
San Francisco’s Nob Hill will witness the reopening of The Huntington Hotel in March 2026. This 103-year-old landmark, reimagined by Ken Fulk, will debut with a new look and feel, and its classic Big Four restaurant will celebrate its 50th anniversary.
South America also boasts impressive additions to the luxury hotel landscape. Cartagena, Colombia, will welcome the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Cartagena in April 2026. Located in the vibrant Getsemaní neighborhood, it will feature 131 rooms and suites, Spanish courtyards, and homes with harbor views, along with eight dining and bar concepts and an extensive Umari Spa.
In Peru, Inkaterra Cabo Blanco will open in early 2026 in a famous fishing village. Guests can enjoy the pool, beach, and unique experiences like a ride on the Miss Texas, a fishing boat once used by Ernest Hemingway.
Chile’s Puerto Williams will host The Cormorant at 55 South in October 2026, Silversea’s first hotel venture. This 150-room property transforms an overnight stop into a refined gateway to Antarctica, drawing on local art and architecture to frame views of the Beagle Channel and Patagonian landscape.
Africa's offerings for 2026 promise immersive experiences within its stunning natural environments. Botswana will see Singita Elela open in December 2026, offering a fresh perspective on the Okavango Delta. Its eight stilt-mounted camps will provide personalized service, including mokoro rides and wine experiences under the stars, all focused on immersing guests in the Delta’s rich biodiversity.
Tanzania will be home to Ubuyu, a Banyan Tree Escape, opening in May 2026 in Ruaha National Park. This all-villa resort will offer access to one of Africa’s largest elephant populations, lions, leopards, and over 570 bird species, providing an intimate safari experience.
The Seychelles will unveil La Réserve Seychelles in fall 2026, its first property outside Europe. Located on Praslin island, its six bespoke villas, with vaulted ceilings and pale woods, offer ultimate privacy on a white-sand beach facing the Curieuse Island Marine Park.
Ecotourism brand andBeyond will expand its Botswana offerings with Sandibe Under Canvas and Nxabega Under Canvas in March 2026. These intimate safari camps, with three tents each, focus on adventure and comfort, prioritizing rare wildlife encounters.
Vestige Namibia will mark a new chapter for the Vestige Collection in fall 2026. Four lodges—Sorris Sorris, Omatendeka, Sheya Shuushona, and Xaudum—will open in the Namibian north, offering unique views, wildlife experiences, and contributing to safeguarding fragile wildernesses.
Fregate Island, Seychelles, will reopen in October 2026 after a three-year conservation-led rebuild. This lush hideaway will feature 16 reimagined private villages with pools and "pirate rock" walls. It aims to be a self-sustaining Eden with a regenerative spa, a hydroponic farm, and a rum distillery, emphasizing the coexistence of luxury and ecology.
Natural Selection continues its conservation mission in Namibia with Nkasa Linyanti and Hoanib Elephant Camp opening in May 2026. Nkasa Linyanti, on Nkasa Island, features solar-powered tented suites. Hoanib Elephant Camp, on the Skeleton Coast, offers rammed-earth rooms. Both prioritize encounters with endangered wildlife, contributing to the preservation of these untouched wildernesses.
Asia and Oceania contribute their unique blend of culture and natural beauty to the 2026 hotel openings. The Malkai in Oman is set to open in late 2026, offering a unique journey through the Sultanate’s diverse landscapes. Guests will explore coastal plains, mountains, and deserts in Land Rover Defenders with personal guides, staying in luxurious tented pavilions with spas and infinity pools, providing an immersive experience into Oman’s natural beauty.
India's famed Leela brand will expand into the Rajasthani desert capital with The Leela Jaisalmer in late 2026. This 80-key resort and spa, spread across 30 acres in the Thar Desert near the UNESCO-listed Jaisalmer Fort, will feature tented villas, expansive spa facilities, and curated dining, upholding Leela’s signature ultra-premium service.
Kyoto, Japan, will welcome Capella Kyoto in spring 2026, housed in a former school in the Miyagawa-chō district. Designed by Kengo Kuma & Associates and Brewin Design Office, its 89 rooms will reflect traditional wooden townhouses, utilizing local materials and artisan collaborations, alongside a Japanese counter restaurant and a French brasserie.
Kerala, India, will introduce Tulåh Wellness Clinic in February 2026, a sanctuary where ancient healing practices meet modern medicine. Rooted in Ayurveda, Vedanta, Yoga, Tibetan, and Traditional Chinese medicines, its program blends centuries-old knowledge with advanced diagnostics and regenerative therapies. Featuring 65 suites and 14 treatment rooms, with re-wilded forests and medicinal gardens, Tulåh aims to instill a fresh approach to everyday life.
Following its successful Kyoto predecessor, Hotel The Mitsui Hakone, a Luxury Collection Hotel & Spa, will open in Hakone, Japan, in late 2026. Located within the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, this hotel will honor Japan’s onsen culture, with architecture designed to blend refined interiors with surrounding ancient forests, and every guest room featuring a private hot spring bath.
The Maldives’ Raa Atoll will become home to the Bulgari Resort Ranfushi in late 2026. Designed by ACPV Architects, this 54-key resort brings Bulgari’s signature contemporary Italian style to 20 hectares of lush gardens and pristine waters, with highlights including a private Bulgari Villa, four distinct culinary concepts, and a state-of-the-art spa.
Opened at the end of 2025, Casa Renoir is a rural estate in Australia’s Noosa Hinterland. This property, with 40 acres of hills, olive groves, and citrus trees, will add six new villas in 2026, some with private pools, and offers a natural swimming pool with a cascading rock waterfall.
