From chic urban hideaways to new tropical shrines to sunshine, these are the coolest new hotels opening around the world in 2021.
If 2020 was the year to completely forget about travel, then 2021 is already shaping up as the one in which you book your next escape, with a vengeance. Sure, we’re still waiting on vaccines but digital travel passes that show a negative Covid result are now being accepted by airlines and hotels that were poised to debut last year are now ready to fling their doors wide open and welcome travel-thirsty lads just like you, so there’s light at the end of the tunnel.
There is also a hotel on the horizon for every traveller, from intimate tented camps in the Himalayas to flashy Hollywood boutique hotels and sexy Baja retreats, so all you need to do is ask yourself where you’re going first.
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Sala Bang Pa-in
Thailand
Nestled on a private island in the Chao Phraya River, close to the Summer Palace, Sala Hospitality Group’s new 24-room riverside retreat allows guests to escape Bangkok, unwind in nature and learn about Thai history.
Opening in May, the new boutique hideaway features a clutch of deluxe rooms and pool villas, all of which reflect a modern minimalist design concept and cutting-edge technology. Each spa-inspired bathroom comprises a separate bathtub and rain shower, and all 10 villas open out onto expansive riverside terraces with daybeds and private pools.
Guests can spend their days exploring this intriguing area aboard the hotel’s own handcrafted 40ft wooden motorboat, built by a renowned local boat builder in Ayutthaya, which offers river cruises to the Summer Palace (included in the room rate), along with daily sightseeing tours and sunset cocktail cruises. Alternatively, a luxurious 26ft speedboat is available for half- and full-day private charters and intimate group events.
Guests can then return to a delectable dining experience at Sala Bang Pa-in Eatery & Bar, the property’s riverside restaurant, while a menu of Thai and international cuisine highlights ingredients grown in the hotel’s onsite garden, accompanied by global wines, craft beers and creative cocktails.
Azumi Setoda
Japan
A new Japanese ryokan retreat from Adrian Zecha, one of the inspirators behind the Aman brand, this new spa hotel, which is set to open next month on Ikuchijima Island in the Seto Inland Sea, is centred around a breathtaking 140-year-old ancestral home.
An ode to traditional Japanese hospitality and architecture, expect plenty of earthy tones, cedar panelling, cypress soak tubs and slate accents, as well as a healthy number of references to the local community, its traditions, and the seasons that define them. For the real bathhouse experience, the hotel’s sister onsen nearby is a great spot for a post-hike reprieve.
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LUX* Chongzuo, Guangxi
China
The new LUX* Chongzuo, Guangxi introduces guests to the idyllic landscapes of the Sino-Vietnamese border. Surrounded by lush tropical gardens, with stunning views of the region’s majestic karst formations, the new resort offers guests the chance to enjoy the art of slow travel and to connect meaningfully with the local community, culture, food and music, which sounds fine, just fine.
Located in Guangxi province and separated from Vietnam by the picturesque Mingshi River, the resort is less than two hours’ drive from the Nongguan Nature Reserve, home to the critically endangered white-headed langurs, and 30 minutes from Asia’s largest transnational waterfall, the world-famous Detian Falls.
Boasting 50 suites and six villas, guest accommodations enjoy river-facing balconies and are constructed using natural materials like wood and stone, accentuated with copper. Look out for the cuisine of award-winning chef George Qu, and leave time for a dip in the 35-metre infinity pool, a treatment at the LUX* Me Spa, and cocktails at the rooftop bar.
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Thompson Hollywood
United States
If you’re looking for an excuse to jet off to La La Land then you’re in luck with the arrival of the Thompson Hollywood this Spring. This exciting new luxury boutique hotel is slated to open in the heart of the Vinyl District and will draw upon old-school Hollywood glamour whilst maintaining a contemporary and stylish approach across 190 guest rooms and 24 suites designed by Tara Bernerd & Partners.
The hotel will also reflect the musical roots and vibrancy of its historic locale through a world-class culinary, nightlife, and entertainment offering that includes two immersive restaurants, a state-of-the-art fitness experience, and scenic views from the rooftop pool deck and lounge.
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Basecamp Revelstoke
Canada
In Revelstoke, British Columbia, the newest addition to the Basecamp Resorts family, Basecamp Revelstoke, boasts boutique accommodations overlooking the Columbia River, a short walk from buzzy downtown. Designed for families, adventure seekers and powder junkies alike, the hotel is surrounded by a bounty of natural splendours, enhanced by modern amenities like complimentary cruiser bikes and a sustainable design that effectively reduces environmental impact.
After a long day of shredding on the mountain, guests can lounge on their basecamp patio and barbecue with a glass of wine, then head to the rooftop hot tub to stargaze and watch the mountains, dreaming about the next day’s adventures.
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Aiden Darling Harbour
Australia
Opening in mid-2021 as Australia’s newest luxury boutique hotel, the Aiden Darling Harbour is located in vibrant Pyrmont and boasts 88 smartly-designed compact rooms, an incredible hidden 25-metre-high mural, contactless technology, and all the must-haves for an easy, luxurious yet affordable stay in central Sydney.
Constructed across eight storeys in a beautifully remodelled 1930s Art Deco building, the new Pyrmont hotel is designed for today’s savvy and connected traveller. It combines innovative design, style and convenience to deliver a great value, digitally-connected, high-end hospitality experience in an unbeatable location on the city’s fringe. Look out for innovative cocktails in the new hotel’s chic lobby bar.
The Prince Akatoki
Bangkok, Thailand
You’ll want to spend more than one night in the Thai capital with the arrival, in the fourth quarter, of The Prince Akatoki Riverside Bangkok. With a prestigious riverside location on the famous Chao Phraya River, the contemporary urban sanctuary will feature authentic Japanese hospitality across its 255 rooms and suites (including a lavish 1,850sqft Presidential Suite) and will boast multiple dining destinations, a whisky library, and one of Sin City’s sexiest new rooftop bars.
A private pier allows for a unique water arrival, while an exclusive ferry service will whisk guests to Icon Siam, one of Asia’s largest malls, located directly opposite the hotel.
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Patina Maldives, Fari Islands
Maldives
Set to open in Q2, Patina Maldives, Fari Islands will be the inaugural flagship resort from Patina Hotels & Resorts, a sophisticated new lifestyle brand by the Capella Hotel Group. The resort is a radical new example of biophilic design from renowned Brazilian architect Marcio Kogan, founder of international award-winning Studio MK27.
Inspired by the beauty and metaphorical significance of the island landscape, Patina Maldives is situated in the heart of the Fari Islands archipelago, located in the North Male Atoll, an elevated new Maldivian destination that celebrates nature, craft and connection. The resort will offer guests the freedom to explore the Fari Islands; to choose from privacy and seclusion, or to embrace a vibrant social scene at the Fari Marina Village and Beach Club.
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Villa Igiea
Italy
If hiding from the world in a historic Sicilian villa appeals, we have just the thing. Rocco Forte Hotels will open Villa Igiea, a historical Art Nouveau palazzo overlooking the Gulf of Palermo, in May. Originally built in 1900 as a private villa, the influential Florio family commissioned Italian Art Nouveau architect Ernesto Basile to restore the property and turn it into a luxury hotel that has welcomed more than its fair share of artists, Hollywood elite, and royalty.
Design firm Nicholas Haslam‘s Paolo Moschino will oversee the meticulous restoration of the property, including its frescoed bar, and grand mirrored ballroom, while the 100 rooms and suites will be designed to reflect a Sicilian oasis that is contemporary and classic.
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explora El Chalten
Argentina
Offering access to both Argentinean and Chilean Patagonia, the new explora El Chalten is a 20-room hacienda-style hotel that will open in September in the Los Huemules National Reserve, a private 5,700-hectare spread in the hushed heart of the Electrico Valley, at the entrance to Campo de Hielo Sur. Surrounded by ancient forests, rushing rivers, and towering mountains, explora El Chaltén will offer an array of immersive outdoor activities for all levels and for all the senses, including hiking, overland trips, rock climbing, and even ice hiking.
Guest rooms are minimally yet stylishly designed and arrayed in wood with modern contemporary furnishings and jacuzzi bath-tubs to help ease those well-earned aches and pains, while Argentinean Patagonia is the inspiration for the lodge’s menu, with healthy and satisfying lunch and dinner options offered daily at the restaurant, and local wine and spirits at the Explorer’s Bar, the perfect space for reliving the journeys and experiences of the day and planning new ones together with explora guides.
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Moskito Island
British Virgin Islands
Sister property to the newly-rebuilt Necker Island, Sir Richard Branson’s British Virgin Island playground, and located just two miles away, Moskito Island will open in Spring with just ten individual estates set on 50 hectares of Caribbean paradise. The luxury 11-bedroom Branson Estate was the first to launch on the island and includes three villas: Headland House, Mangrove Villa, and Beach Villa, offering a total of 11 bedrooms for at least 22 guests.
In addition to each individual estate, there is a range of communal areas on the island for all guests to access and enjoy, including a Beach House, infinity pool and bar, tennis pavilion, dining pavilions, and a water sports centre.
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Montage Big Sky
United States
Located at Montana’s Big Sky Resort, one of the US’s most popular ski destinations, and part of Spanish Peaks Mountain Club, Montage Big Sky will feature 150 guestrooms and suites and 39 Montage Residences, making it the perfect hideaway for die-hard snow bunnies. Amenities will include multiple dining venues, an 11,000-sqare-foot Spa Montage, a fitness center and indoor lap pool, an outdoor family pool, and those all-important hot tubs.
In winter, the property is ski-in, ski-out to Big Sky Resort’s 2,367-hectares of terrain, and in summer it’s just off Spanish Peaks Mountain Club’s Tom Weiskopf-signature golf course. There’s also an abundance of opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, fly fishing, snowshoeing, Nordic skiing and other outdoor adventures, and the natural wonders and wildlife of Yellowstone National Park are nearby.
Ca’ di Dio, Venice
Italy
Just a short distance from Venice’s Piazza San Marco, Ca’ di Dio will open this spring in the city’s contemporary art district, a precinct linked to the prestigious Biennale. The fascinating history of the building dates back to 1272, and the project has been curated by renowned architect Patricia Urquiola with the aim of creating an original and distinctive concept linked to the history of the city.
When strolling through the common areas, guests will be able to admire the bright travertine and perfectly preserved frescoes of this unapologetically contemporary setting. In addition to lavish guest rooms and suites, look out for the ‘altana’, a covered roof-terrace, common in medieval Venice; and a signature restaurant overlooking the lagoon that will serve a modern take on typical Venetian dishes.
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explora Mountain Homes
Bolivia
Another exciting project is explora‘s Mountain Homes in Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni, slated to open in April. The Mountain Homes will be hidden away in isolated locations in the Andes Mountains, offering guests access to these peaks and the remarkable Uyuni Salt Flat. Each Home will be made up of separate structures housing 2-4 guest rooms and common areas, including a lounge and kitchen.
Explora will have two Mountain Homes and one explora Lodge in Uyuni, forming part of the adventure company’s privately guided multi-day trip, the explora Travesía or ‘nomadic journey’, which lasts between 8-10 days and connects Chile and Bolivia, starting or ending at explora Atacama.
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Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid
Spain
Following the most ambitious and extensive renovation to take place in the building’s 110-year history, Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid will open in Spring 2021. The creation of Spanish architect Rafael de La-Hoz and French designer duo Gilles & Boissier, the 153-room former Hotel Ritz will boast a spectacular new design and a range of facilities – including a heated swimming pool and fitness centre – while preserving the striking Belle Époque character of the original building, in keeping with the original spirit conceived by Cesar Ritz.
As part of the three year renovation, the historic Palm Court, with its signature glass dome, will return after an 80 year hiatus and will join five restaurants and bars designed, developed and implemented by celebrated Spanish chef Quique Dacosta.
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Four Seasons Resort Napa Valley
United States
Make for wine country this year with the opening of the Four Seasons Resort Napa Valley, a luxury enclave at the heart of one of the west coast’s most famous wine belts. Opening in Spring, the property will be Napa Valley’s first and only resort set within a working winery, and promises to deliver an authentic luxury retreat without pretence, where the best of wine, wellness, culinary and design converge.
Located in quaint Calistoga, the resort will boast just 85 rooms and suites designed by Erin Martin, as well as the TRUSS Restaurant and Bar, led by Michelin-starred executive chef Erik Anderson, Spa Talisa, inspired by Calistoga’s 150-year history as a wellness destination, and an organic vineyard led by world-class winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown.
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Zannier Hotels Bãi San Hô
Vietnam
Zannier Hotels will open its first beach resort with the arrival of Zannier Hotels Bãi San Hô in Vietnam. The resort, which takes its name from the private one-kilometre bay it overlooks, features 71 villas inspired by traditional Vietnamese dwellings, with each ecologically built using age-old techniques. All feature pared-down interiors that include Vietnamese paintings, silk prints, and furniture handcrafted from reclaimed wood and bamboo. Half the villas also include private pools.
Spend your days harvesting oysters, learning how to cultivate rice, taking a trip aboard a traditional longboat, or hiking to the ancient ruins of the Champa Kingdom and Nhan Tower, before returning for authentic Vietnamese fare at Bà Hai – meaning ‘Grandmother Hai’ – which sees chefs use traditional recipes handed down from their mothers and grandmothers.
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Cervo Mountain Resort
Switzerland
The preferred choice of the stylish ski set for years, Zermatt’s Design Hotels member Cervo Mountain Resort has reopened after an extensive renovation, conversion, and extension of the existing buildings led by Armin Fischer and Andrea Kraft-Hammerschall of German interior design studio Dreimeta. The redevelopment has added 18 new rooms and suites and remodeled a further 36 into modern interpretations of the alpine lifestyle with warm colours, wooden surfaces, and natural materials that coalesce with timelessly modern accents and views of the Matterhorn.
Further cementing Cervo’s original spirit of adventure and exploration, the hotel reopens with a concentrated focus on sustainability, an enhanced culture program, an expanded food and beverage concept, a new state-of-the-art spa.
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W Toronto
Canada
One of the city’s most anticipated openings, W Toronto will debut next month in Yorkville, where work is always followed by play. Surrounded by iconic art galleries, the city’s best shopping, and world-class dining, the new luxury hotel promises to be an urban oasis of culture and style.
Hit play with live music and DJs at the Living Room, vibe out in the W Sound Suite, or rub shoulders with the city’s beautiful at the rooftop bar and restaurant. Guests can also detox at the FIT gym and fuel-up at the street-level coffeehouse, kitchen and bar.
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Nobu Hotel Marrakech
Morocco
Acclaimed chef Nobu Matsuhisa and actor Robert De Niro will continue the expansion of their hotel group with the arrival of the Nobu Hotel Marrakech, the brand’s first foray into Africa. Where rich heritage meets the brand’s contemporary flair, Nobu Hotel Marrakech will be located in the Hivernage district, just steps from the historic heart of the city, souks and vibrant Djemaa el-Fna.
The hotel, formerly The Pearl Marrakech, will house 71 spacious guest rooms and suites, a selection of dynamic dining venues and rooftop spaces, a luxurious spa, and a fitness centre with indoor and outdoor swimming pools, providing a unique luxury lifestyle destination. Other Nobu Hotels in the works include Atlanta and Toronto.
Soneva Jani
Maldives
Although not technically a new resort, Soneva Jani welcomes 27 new Water Reserves, new dining concepts, and an expanded Soneva Wellness Centre. The 27 new over-water villas can be accessed via a winding jetty off the southern tip of the resort’s main island.
The new villas have been carefully positioned to maximise privacy and create a true sense of seclusion, and range from One Bedroom Water Reserves to a sprawling Four Bedroom Water Reserve, with each featuring vast indoor and outdoor living spaces and sweeping terraces, a private pool (some with slides straight into the lagoon), and outdoor bathrooms. Some reserves also have a retractable roof over the master bed for stargazing.
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Regent Phu Quoc
Vietnam
Opening in April, Regent Phu Quoc promises to be a refuge of calm for the mind and body. Cocooned in the white sands of Long Beach, the resort offers perfect sunset vistas – best viewed from the rooftop bar – sublime accommodation, world-class dining, and an expansive spa that includes a Pedi:Mani:Cure Studio by Bastien Gonzalez.
Dramatic yet discreet, each of the resort’s suites and villas – which range from one-bedroom havens to expansive seven bedroom ultra-villas – has been elegantly designed to create a plush, serene sanctuary. If you can tear yourself from your room, the resort will also offer six dining outlets, including Oku, a French-Japanese Salon de Boeuf; Rice Market, which serves Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine; and Bar Jade, which will be home to artisanal spirits and cocktails.
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Aman New York
United States
As if you needed another excuse to head to the Big Apple, Aman will unveil a new urban sanctuary and the rebirth of an architectural icon in the very heart of Manhattan this Spring. Designed by renowned architect Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston to pay homage to the Crown Building’s striking architecture, Aman New York will feature 83 rooms and suites, each with working fireplaces and views out over the vast sweep of parkland and the world’s most recognisable skyline.
On the upper floors, there will be 22 private Aman Residences, whose owners will enjoy unlimited access to all hotel amenities including the Aman Club. The hotel is also expected to have three principal dining venues, a jazz club, a three-level Aman Spa with a 20-metre indoor swimming pool surrounded by fire pits and daybeds.
Kagi Maldives Spa Island
Maldives
Situated in the secluded tip of North Male Atoll, just fifty minutes’ picturesque boat transfer from Velana International Airport, the new adults-only five-star Kagi Maldives Spa Island has already opened in the heart of paradise. Boasting 50 villas by architect Yuji Yamazaki, the resort also features an expansive 1,500-square-meter spa and wellness hub, a state-of-the-art gym, two restaurants, three bars, a dive centre, and a house reef.
Positioned next to the island’s lagoon, Kagi’s Baani Spa offers a personalised, outcome-focused wellness programme that will take guests on a journey to release, restore and regain. Alternative therapies including reiki, crystal and sound-healing, and integrated lifestyle and health coaching complement a comprehensive range of beauty and massage treatments at Baani Spa.
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Andaz Bali
Indonesia
Opening in April, Andaz Bali is located in Sanur, which is known for its old-world charm, beaches and spectacular sunrises. The resort’s contemporary design is inspired by the surrounding traditional Balinese villages. With 127 rooms and suites and a further 22 garden and beach villas with private pools, the new Hyatt property promises to be a welcomed slice of seclusion, complete with beachfront dining and a host of wellness experiences on offer in the adjacent Hyatt Regency.
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Rosewood São Paulo
Brazil
Opening as the company’s first property in South America, the Rosewood São Paulo will be situated in the city’s historic Cidade Matarazzo, a complex of elegant buildings dating back to the early 20th century that is being transformed into private residences, high-end stores and entertainment venues. With design input from Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel, designer Philippe Starck, and renowned Brazilian artists Beatriz Milhazes and Saint-Clare Cemin, the new hotel will boast 180 guestrooms and suites, as well as two restaurants – including one located on a veranda overlooking the lush hotel gardens – an elegant bar and a caviar lounge.
Recreational facilities will include two swimming pools – one on the roof and the other set amongst the landscaped grounds – and a large spa with six treatment rooms and a fitness area.
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The Langham, Gold Coast
Australia
Opening in Australia’s own beachfront playground at the end of the year, The Langham, Gold Coast will feature 169 spacious guest rooms and suites as well as 170 serviced apartments for those who want to spend a little longer in Surfers Paradise. The new hotel will boast direct beach access, naturally, as well as epic sea and surf views, and will be dressed in a colour palette of teal, azure and tan shades with a “coast meets city” theme.
The Langham, Gold Coast is also positioned to be the precinct’s new dining and lifestyle destination, with innovative restaurants, a casual “grab and go” café, a lobby lounge, a pool bar, and a podium sky terrace with a bar overlooking the ocean. Also, look out for a signature Chuan Spa with seven treatment rooms and a fully-equipped fitness centre and an outdoor pool.
Amanvari
Mexico
Aman continues to expand its footprint in the Americas with the arrival, on Baja’s East Cape, of Amanvari. Far from the tourist hordes of Cabo, and adjacent to the new Four Seasons, Amanvari will feature just 20 ‘pavilions’ as well as a clutch of private residences set within a beachfront mangrove jungle.
Framed by the majestic Sierra de la Laguna mountain range, and hugged by the golden sand dunes of its own stretch of beach, Aman’s first Mexican retreat has been designed by architects Heah & Co, who have created intimate, luxurious stilted bi-level pavilions, each with ample living space inside and out (some even have a cantilevered pool).
A main building will be home to three restaurants, a library and lounge, as well as a 30-metre infinity pool incorporating four hot tubs, while The Aman Spa pavilion will be steps from the main pavilion along a treed pathway, nestled at the heart of the site.
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One&Only Portonovi
Montenegro
Allowing fans of the brand a new Adriatic escape, One&Only Portonovi is due to open in May in Montenegro. Part of the 24-hectare lifestyle development Portonovi, which is set on picturesque Boka Bay, adjacent to the UNESCO-listed Kotor, the resort promises to be a year-round retreat for lovers of luxury, and will feature ocean-facing guest suites, insightful dining in partnership with chef Giorgio Locatelli, and an Espace Chenot Health Wellness Spa.
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands
Maldives
The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, will open this year, with 100 villas set across four islands in the North Malé Atoll. With authentic Maldivian architecture by Kerry Hill Architects, married with contemporary hospitality, the new retreat promises to set a new benchmark for luxury in the Indian Ocean playground.
Villas feature private pools and expansive sun decks, custom designed fabrics, and interiors that pay homage to Maldivian craft traditions. Each villa also comes with a dedicated Aris Meeha or personal host that will ensure your vacation is nothing short of sublime.
In addition to seven restaurants and bars, the new resort will also be home to The Ritz-Carlton Spa, which will offer a full menu of modern wellness treatments laced with holistic Indian Ocean heritage. The resort is a 45-minute speedboat or 10-minute seaplane flight from Malé International Airport.
Kimpton Resort Sanya Haitang Bay
China
If you’re looking for a luxe weekend away, Kimpton opens its first Sanya resort later this year on China’s Hainan Island, also known as the Hawaii of the East. The new hotel will boast 251 rooms and suites, as well as a dynamic rooftop pool, multiple restaurants, and access to one of the island’s best beaches. Who could ask for anything more?
The brand is also opening in China’s commercial capital. The Kimpton Shanghai Jing’an will feature 150 guest rooms and 120 villas that originally belonged to the British-American Concession. Similar to the villas, which were mostly developed between 1910 and 1930, the hotel’s common areas will be housed in a historically reserved building.
Roku Kyoto
Japan
Hilton’s LXR Hotels & Resorts will debut in Asia Pacific with the opening of Roxu Kyoto in the fall. Named for the traditional Japanese art of crafting paper, the new hotel will be situated in a tranquil area along the foothills of the Takagamine Sanzan (“Three Mountains of Takagamine”) in the city’s north, and will present just 114 intimate yet elegant guest rooms and suites.
The resort will be also home to some of Kyoto’s most-notable and idyllic Japanese gardens, historic Japanese architecture, authentic tea houses, and five unique restaurants offering authentic local cuisines.
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W Bali – Ubud
Indonesia
Who doesn’t love Bali? Joining its already popular Seminyak sibling, W Bali – Ubud arrives this year, delivering the brand’s signature Whatever/Whenever service mantra to the Island of the God’s spiritual heartland. Perched on a hilltop, oriented toward the morning sun rising in the east, and southwards over stunning, unobstructed views of the Tanggayuda Valley, W Bali – Ubud will reinvent the dreamy Ubud experience with eclectic, surprising art and design set amongst a versatile vibe that is at once laid back and social.
The resort promises to redefine modern luxury in the destination, taking inspiration from social, historical and physical insights and embedding elements of each into the 100 rooms (which include 10 super-sexy villas) and public spaces with locally-sourced art and design touches. Look out for the lovelies at the WET Deck pool, and have the troubles of modern life poked and prodded into submission at the AWAY Spa, where locally-inspired treatments are de rigueur.
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Raffles Udaipur, India
India
Adding to Rajasthan’s sprawling collection of palaces, the new Raffles Udaipur, the brand’s first property in the country, will be an elegant 101-room retreat set at the heart of a tranquil lake. Often referred to as the Venice of the East, Udaipur is famous for its rich cultural heritage, lakes, temples and palaces and the new hotel, which will be colonial-esque in its design, will feature Raffles signatures, ranging from a 1,100 square meter Raffles Spa, and iconic Long Bar, to a Writers Bar along with a rooftop restaurant and an all-day dining restaurant, a swimming pool, and deck.
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Ace Hotel Sydney
Australia
Uber-cool hotel brand Ace will arrive in Sydney’s Surry Hills this year, complete with 264 guest rooms, a ground floor lobby bar, restaurant and café, and a chic rooftop bar designed by Bates Smart with views across the cityscape. The new 18-story property will also offer easy access to vibrant precincts like Chinatown and Darling Harbour and will retain elements of the two original late-Federation period warehouses fronting its Wentworth Avenue location.
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Six Senses New York
United States
Also opening in Manhattan, Six Senses New York will bring the brand’s wellness-focus to North America for the first time. Part of architect Bjarke Ingels’ two-towered The XI complex, the urban resort will include 132 contemporary guest rooms and suites, stunning views of The High Line and the Hudson River, a comprehensive Six Senses Spa, and two signature restaurants.
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andBeyond Punakha River Lodge
Bhutan
If Bhutan isn’t already on your bucket list then you’re a madman. This tiny Himalayan kingdom is unlike any other destination on earth and with the arrival of the andBeyond Punakha River Lodge from one of Africa’s top safari operators, there’s even more reason to visit.
With just six tents, a two-bedroom villa and a special honeymoon suite, the new camp will feature sustainable architecture married with luxurious interiors by Jo’berg’s Fox Browne Creative. You’ll spend your days hiking to the Tiger’s Nest monastery or white water rafting on the Punakha River before returning to local cuisine laced with the freshest Himalayan ingredients. Epic.
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Andaz Macau
China
Another Andaz property is set to open this year as the newest opening in the Vegas of the East. Andaz Macau will feature – in pure Macau style – 700 guest rooms and suites, as well as a signature Andaz Lounge, a cutting-edge fitness centre, and an indoor pool. There will also be a host of as-yet-unnamed restaurant and bar concepts, and direct access to the 16,000-seat Galaxy Arena, making the new hotel a great spot if you’re looking to see a headlining act.
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InterContinental Khao Yai Swan Lake Resort
Thailand
Located near Thailand’s Khao Yai National Park, the new InterContinental Khao Yai Swan Lake Resort will feature just 61 guest rooms and suites, as well as a signature Club Lounge and Resort Centre, a pool and gym, with a train-inspired spa coming later.
The creation of acclaimed designer Bill Bensley, the property takes historical inspiration from the area’s gateway for rail transportation to north-east Thailand during King Rama V’s reign, complete with a series of luxurious suites constructed from repurposed heritage train cars.
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The Chedi Kudavillingili
Maldives
Like a blast from the past, GHM is back with a new resort in the Indian Ocean playground of the Maldives, the company’s first. The Chedi Kudavillingili will feature 99 villas, 36 of which will be over water, as well as a striking 150-metre long pool at the centre of its island. Also look out for an expansive spa with eight overwater treatment rooms, a beach club and bar, and an interactive all-day dining outlet based on traditional hawker stalls.
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Gleneagles Townhouse
Scotland
Gleneagles is coming to Edinburgh in Autumn! The iconic sporting and country estate (above) is launching its first ever city outpost at 37-39 St Andrew Square, originally home to the British Linen Company and later the Bank of Scotland. With outstanding architectural features designed by notable architects and sculptors such as David Bryce and Alexander Handyside Ritchie, the iconic building is being reimagined to become Gleneagles Townhouse.
Presenting the perfect urban gateway, Gleneagles Townhouse will have 33 bedrooms, each uniquely designed to imbue a sense of understated luxury with an appreciative nod to the heritage of the building, a vibrant all-day restaurant perfect for breakfasts, long lazy lunches and spirited dinners, and two striking bars, including a rooftop terrace where guests will enjoy extraordinary views over the city, previously only held by the rooftop statues!
Gleneagles Townhouse will also be home to our members club – a community with a passion for exchanging ideas, discovering new obsessions, collaborating together and simply having fun, with access to exclusive private spaces and on-site gym and wellness.
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Six Senses Shaharut
Israel
Six Senses Shaharut is set to open in the south of the Negev Desert in the Arava Valley and will feature just 58 suites and villas with one Retreat Villa. Designed to integrate into the desert topography and preserve the natural terrain, the villas are built from, and inspired by, local rock and pigments, with the landscaping featuring cacti and indigenous desert blooms.
The Six Senses Spa Shaharut includes single and double treatment rooms plus male and female steam, sauna and hammams. On-site attractions include the fascinating Earth Lab, camel stables, and an open-air amphitheatre. The desert setting presents a host of activities from overnight camel camping to extreme sports, hiking, jeep safaris and wine tours.
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Alila Marea Beach Resort
United States
As the brand’s first new-build resort in the Americas, the Alila Marea Beach Resort will open in Encinitas, outside San Diego, and will join fellow California property Alila Ventana Big Sur. Situated along coastal bluffs and overlooking Grandview and South Ponto Beaches, Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas will be a luxury oceanfront hotel with 130 guestrooms, including 16 suites.
Also look out for an ocean-view restaurant with rooftop patio, a pool with pool bar and an infinity-edge hot tub, a luxury Spa Alila and spectacular wedding and events venues, all with panoramic Pacific Ocean and lagoon views.
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Hotel La Palma
Italy
Capri’s first hotel, built in 1822, is to be transformed by Oetker Collection and owners, Reuben Brothers, into Hotel La Palma, an elegant and exclusive 50-room-and-suite island retreat. Located steps from the famous Piazzetta, the new hotel, which opens in April, will comprise a rooftop restaurant and bar, its own beach club, a newly built pool deck, a spa and high-fashion boutiques.
Hotel La Palma has been conceived as a unique, elegant Mediterranean retreat for the modern traveller, with by two acclaimed architects, Rome- based Francesco Delogu of Delogu Architects and Adam Tihany and Alessia Genova of New York’s Tihany Design. Be sure to book at a table at chef Gennaro Esposito’s signature restaurant and mark the passing of day to night at Bianca, a a glamorous, newly created rooftop restaurant and bar open ’til late with spectacular views over the sea and Capri Village.
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