The best and brightest hotel openings around the world

From grand renovations in mexico to a chic new stay in Paris and designer digs in an island paradise, here are the hottest spots to check in and check out on your next overseas holiday.

The Georgian, Santa Monica

Sitting on the Santa Monica waterfront, the historic The Georgian has been reinvented after an extensive, historically inspired restoration. 

First opened in 1933 to guests including Charlie Chaplin, Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe, the landmark hotel’s 56 rooms and 28 suites have been tastefully refreshed, while its famed ocean-view Sunset Terrace, Dining Room and Sunset Bar have been restored to their former glory. 

Meanwhile, its neon sign and colourful Art Deco exterior are on full display, ensuring the waterfront’s first high-rise building (now dwarfed by surrounding buildings) once again stands out on the LA streetscape as a beacon of Old Hollywood glamour.

The Georgian impeccably showcases charm and elegance.

Maroma, A Belmond Hotel, Riviera Maya

A legend on Mexico’s Caribbean Coast, Maroma has joined the ranks of luxury hospitality group Belmond and been completely reimagined with extensive renovations.

Fronting the hotel are turquoise-coloured waters with lush greenery behind them.

With the celebration of local Mayan culture as its guiding focus, the property has added 10 waterfront suites, a nature-focused wellness experience in partnership with Guerlain and a gastronomic offering helmed by executive chef Daniel Camacho. 

Its sustainability initiatives include 90 per cent of ingredients in its restaurant being sourced from Mexico, an expansion of its efforts to protect the endangered Melipona bee, and more.

Your tropical hideaway retreat awaits.

Maurits at the Park, Amsterdam

Located within the green oasis of Oosterpark, the five-star Maurits at the Park has taken up residence in a century-old former university building in the heart of Amsterdam, where historic and modern aesthetics meld seamlessly. 

The grand suite has well-appointed amenities. (Image: Patricia Mulder Photography)

In addition to 88 rooms and suites rendered in a bright and airy neutral palette, punctuated by original artworks by painter Raphaël Hermans, there is a collection of eateries and bars, reflecting the property’s gastronomic focus: a fine dining restaurant, brasserie, two bars. 

With a ‘noble simplicity’ (according to the design studio responsible for the interiors) and unfettered access to the parklands that surround it, including its melodic birdlife, the hotel offers guests a delightful indoor/outdoor experience that is unique within the city.

Dine sumptuous meals and pair them with some bubbly.

Palihouse West Hollywood

Palisociety has relaunched its very first hotel, Palihouse West Hollywood, after a change of address and a luxe revival. The property, which subscribes to the US boutique brand’s ethos of treating each hotel as a neighbourhood focal point, has emerged after being shuttered for three years with a new plum location on W.

Pali West Hollywood has contemporary-style bedroom suites.

Third Street and a renewed joie de vivre. Its mix of elevated, European-style and relaxed California cool plays out in its 95 guest rooms, three signature dining options and its ‘oh-so-LA’ pool deck, while its unique community focus guarantees that guests are plugged into the best the surrounding area has to offer.

There’s a mini kitchen where you can prepare your morning coffee.

Meno House, Gili Islands

Experience the bliss of a stay in a largely undiscovered island paradise at Meno House, located on the quieter side of Indonesia’s Gili Island. The couples-only property is made up of six luxury villas with interiors designed by Australian creative David Hicks that encapsulate a relaxed, barefoot luxury vibe. 

In its lush surroundings, guests can spend their time dining at the water’s edge at the al fresco beach restaurant and bar (sunset cocktails are also a highlight) or snorkelling at the thriving, colourful coral reef just offshore – where turtles glide past. 

Alternatively, set off on island hopping expeditions, horse riding, diving and fishing trips, or explore by bike or ‘cidomo’, the local horse-drawn carts; motorized vehicles are blissfully banned in the Gili Islands.

Lounge by the pool while gazing at the seascape.

Hôtel Dame des Arts, Paris

A member of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts group, the Hôtel Dame des Arts, located in Paris’s atmospheric Latin Quarter, is steeped in the history and creativity that the city’s bohemian Left Bank is famed for. 

Boasting 109 sleekly modern rooms and suites, each distinctively arranged with bespoke furniture pieces and unique artworks, and many with balconies looking out to the Eiffel Towel and Notre Dame Cathedral, the graceful property also offers a courtyard garden, rooftop bar, signature restaurant and a state-of-the-art fitness centre with a dedicated wellness area to keep you looking Parisian pristine throughout your stay.

Have a well-deserved getaway at Hôtel Dame des Arts. (Image: Erome Galland)

Vibe Singapore

Vibe Hotels has opened its first property outside of Australia with the launch of Vibe Hotel Singapore Orchard. Located in a residential enclave of Orchard Road, a mecca for luxury shopping, the property’s 256 rooms, lobby bar, pool bar and ROOS all-day dining restaurant have a relaxed, modern aesthetic and a convivial Aussie feel that encourages guests and locals to relax and interact (other Australian touches include Penfolds wine on offer and home-grown O&M bathroom amenities). 

The program of local activities available includes tours to discover hidden gems, private home dining experiences and Vibe Recommends, a comprehensive digital local guide.

Stay in the cosy Orchard Deluxe Room.

Europe

Valamar Amicor Green Resort, Hvar, Croatia

Valamar Amicor Green Resort on the island of Hvar is the first family-friendly resort on the Croatian Adriatic to be developed according to the principles of sustainable development. It was built using renewable materials, is powered by green energy and sits lightly on the landscape.

The island resort includes contemporary family villas and suites, all with private terraces. There are also three pools and an open-air cinema, all of which look out over the turquoise-tinted Adriatic Sea.

Valamar Amicor Green Resort is powered by green energy.

Passalacqua, Lake Como, Italy

The odds of spotting actor George Clooney will increase exponentially when you book a summer stay with soul-restoring views of Lake Como at Passalacqua, built as a private villa in 1787 for Count Andrea Lucini Passalacqua. The 24-suite property is the pretty little sister to the Grand Hotel Tremezzo, also reimagined by acclaimed Como hoteliers, the De Santis family. Time your visit to coincide with the summer months, which is when you’re most likely to get a glimpse of Clooney.

With its manicured gardens, hidden passageways, suites carved out of old stables and original exposed beams, Passalacqua remains a pleasure palace and celebration of Italian partisanship.

Spot George Clooney at Passalacqua.

Teranka, Balearic Islands, Spain

The island of Formentera is located in the Mediterranean Sea and is part of the Balearic archipelago. It’s where you’ll find Teranka, the new independent 35-room boutique hotel where bohemians like to hang out when they need a break from all that bopping in Ibiza.

Like the Instagram filter that fades photos, both the wild, windswept island and the hotel, located on Migjorn Beach, are desaturated of colour, rendered in a soothing earthy palette that is anchored in its surrounds. Stay happily horizontal on a day bed by the pool until dinnertime when you will find three-Michelinstarred chef Emmanuel Renaut working his magic at restaurant Vert Mer.

Teranka is on Formentera Island.

OMMA, Santorini, Greece

With its whitewashed walls, smoky grey furnishings, matte black accents, and arched door frames, this five-star property in Santorini is a bewitching blend of old and new. Occupying a plum spot, right on the edge of the volcanic isle’s west coast, it lies in a quiet pocket between the perennially popular village of Oia and the capital, Thira, and boasts 360-degree views of Santorini’s caldera and the Aegean Sea.

There’s a restaurant, a spa, a gym and a sizable pool onsite, but with many of OMMA’s rooms and suites featuring caldera views and private plunge pools of their own, it’ll likely be hard to tear yourself away from the four walls of your accommodation.

This five-star property in Santorini is a bewitching blend of old and new.

Paragon 700 Boutique Hotel & Spa, Ostuni, Italy

Magical Puglia has risen through the ranks to top Italy’s list of hottest holiday destinations. And gorgeous little Ostuni, with its tangle of tiny, cobbled hilltop laneways, is a worthy contender for your hard-earned annual leave. Enter Paragon 700 Boutique Hotel & Spa: a grand, centuries old, two-storey, red stone palazzo that’s been lovingly revived. Each of the 11 rooms and suites has been individually decorated. Expect lofty cathedral ceilings, sunken bathtubs, open fireplaces, a smattering of globally sourced antiques, and neo-classical frescoes from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Paragon 700 – Luxury Boutique Hotel in Puglia.

Hotel La Torre Del Canónigo, Ibiza, Spain

This opulent and historic hotel, nuzzled atop the fortified old town of Dalt Vila in Ibiza Town, threw open its doors to guests in April 2021, and promises all kinds of little luxuries. A modern, fine-dining restaurant with wow-factor terrace views that takes its cues from traditional Ibicencan cuisine; the promise of exploring the Balearic isle’s turquoise seas from aboard the hotel’s private yachts; a rooftop pool deck; and just 25 immaculately decorated rooms and suites with exposed stone walls, some featuring private terraces.

La Torre del Canónigo is a contemporary boutique hotel brimming with character.

The Londoner, London, UK

A new behemoth has landed on the English capital’s hotel scene. The Londoner is a five-star, 350-room, self-proclaimed ‘urban resort’ that not only offers a masterclass in understated design, but is also ranked as one of the greenest hotels in the country, generating its own electricity on-site and providing ethically sourced sustainable toiletries in guest rooms.

The hotel’s construction alone has created something of a buzz: there are six underground levels, which house everything from a cinema to a wellness space and gym, as well as a further nine storeys above ground.

Situated in the Big Smoke’s central haunt of Leicester Square, you won’t have to venture far for drinks, dinner or cultural exploits. But if idleness strikes, then you can always enjoy one of the hotel’s six restaurants and bars.

The Londoner is a self-proclaimed ‘urban resort’.

Ca’ di Dio, Venice, Italy

Arrive in style at this 66 room and suite hotel, which offers direct docking for boats. Encased within a Venetian palace set around three courtyards, parts of which date back to 1272, Ca’ di Dio’s owners were rather particular about the building’s restoration, ensuring that all materials used in the restoration project, and the hotel’s interiors (the marble in the bathrooms, the Murano glass lamps in the bedrooms) were sourced exclusively from Italy. Rooms are saturated with plush fabrics crafted by local artisans, and give off a wildly cosy and homely yet luxurious air. Choose from canal, courtyard or lagoon view rooms and suites.

Encased within a Venetian palace.

USA

CONRAD LOS ANGELES, California

The development of The Grand LA, which includes the much-anticipated Conrad Los Angeles designed by architect Frank Gehry, cost $1.46 billion and took 15 years to complete. Located at the heart of LA’s art world, the hotel features 305 contemporary guestrooms, thoughtfully curated artworks, a rooftop terrace overlooking the cityscape and one of Downtown LA’s most expansive pools. Conrad Los Angeles will suit art-focused travellers who will appreciate being at eye level with the gleaming wings of the landmark Gehry-designed Walt Disney Concert Hall and enmeshed within the Grand LA’s new mixed-use entertainment and dining-out precinct.

The Grand LA took 15 years to complete.

Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort, Hawaii

Outrigger’s flagship property has reopened following an extensive $115 million facelift, which includes a dedicated A’o Cultural Center offering complimentary activities that celebrate Hawaiian culture. The family-friendly resort has also revamped its Herb Kāne Lounge and Kani Ka Pila Grille and has a refurbished pool and deck.

Outrigger has reopened following an extensive $115 million facelift.

The Grady Hotel, Loui­sville, Kentucky

Once a medicinal bourbon apothecary, and later home to milliners responsible for the Kentucky Derby’s iconic hats, this new Louisville hotel is steeped in history. Today, however, The Grady wears a sleek and contemporary yet invitingly warm look, all backlit bookcases, open fireplaces, velvet ‘Grady green’ banquette seating, dramatic light fittings and parquet flooring. Tucked into Louisville’s downtown Market District, this five-storey property features simple yet sleek guest rooms, and a number of inviting public spaces to enjoy, from a library area and art gallery to the hotel’s restaurant and bar, The Wild Swann.

The Grady wears a sleek and contemporary look.

Hotel Grand Stark, Portland, Oregon

A newcomer from independent mini-chain Palisociety – a small group of boutique properties scattered across the US – this hip hotel is perfectly matched to the buzzing young city of Portland. Minimalism is the maxim here, though there’s also a decidedly retro vibe throughout. The hotel lobby is arguably the centrepiece, where orange Breccia Pernice marble engulfs the back wall, contrasting with a dark green reception desk, which gives way to an art gallery styled space and the hotel’s Grand Stark Deli, which pumps out house-made English muffins, pastries, pancakes and plenty of coffee.

Hotel Grand Stark embodies the spirit of the Pacific Northwest.

Austin Proper Hotel and Residences, Austin, Texas

The Austin Proper’s 32-storey exterior might be all shiny and new, but its interiors feel anything but thanks to the stylings of interior designer Kelly Wearstler. There’s a luxurious yet lived-in feel throughout the property, thanks to the warm tones that grace the walls and the eclectic mix of textiles, plus lashings of locally sourced elm wood.

While away the day atop the rooftop pool deck, which promises sunset views and small-batch tequilas from the poolside Mexican restaurant and raw bar, before hitting the town. The Austin Proper is conveniently close to all the action, situated within downtown’s formerly industrial Seaholm District.

Poolside at Austin Proper.

Thompson Hollywood, LA, California

Mid-Century Modern style reigns supreme at this new hotel in the heart of Hollywood. Guest rooms and suites bathe in plentiful natural light, thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows, and some rooms even boast direct Hollywood Hills views, or their own private terrace. But arguably, the hotel’s biggest scene-stealer is its rooftop pool and lounge, with its striped lemon yellow parasols, which showers bathers and sunbakers with wraparound views of Hollywood and even Greater Los Angeles. There’s also a glamorous lobby bar and a breezy and bright terrace cafe/restaurant, with a modern French brasserie due to open shortly.

A new hotel in the heart of Hollywood.

Asia

SOULSHINE BALI, Indonesia

Fans of singer-songwriter Michael Franti might find it difficult to centre themselves while doing the downward dog alongside the American musician at the newly renovated Soulshine wellness retreat in Ubud, Bali. Michael and his wife Sara have recently added 17 luxury rooms to the boutique wellness retreat, where the main focus is on matching substance with soulful beats and incorporating self-awareness and mindfulness.

Fans of Eat Pray Love will appreciate the cinematic experience of staying in the contemporary Soul Room where Franti wrote the song The Sound of Sunshine. The peaceful retreat, which features furniture hand-carved by local artisans, is surrounded by rice paddies and ancient temples.

Soulshine has added 17 luxury rooms to its offering.

Fairfield by Marriott Wakayama Susami, Japan

The Marriott Wakayama Susami overlooking the Pacific Ocean is conveniently located near to some of the best reef breaks and point breaks in Japan. If you’re not in Wakayama on the western coast of the Kii Peninsula to hang 10, the prefecture is also famed among foodies for its signature local cuisine such as mehari-zushi (a rice ball covered with pickled takana) and kenken katsuo (bonito), which is in season from spring to early summer.

The 90-room hotel, with echoes of a modern, minimalist ryokan, is a great jumping-off point for the Kumano Kodo Ohechi pilgrimage route, which threads along the western coast of the Kii Peninsula.

Stay at the Marriott Wakayama Susami.

The Dubai EDITION, Dubai, UAE

Flinging open its doors in November 2021, The Dubai EDITION is one of a plethora of newbies in the pipeline for the luxury Ian Schrager-led and Marriott-backed hotel chain. Located next to the superlative Dubai Mall in downtown, the 275-room property’s piece de resistance is its lobby, featuring 15-metre high vaulted arch ceilings, a gargantuan chandelier and a white spiral staircase. Rooms and suites, meanwhile, are a much more subdued affair, featuring a modern, minimalist design and a palette of neutrals. Like all good Dubai hotels it features a number of high-end international eateries, including Italian and French, plus a poolside bar and lounge, and a speakeasy-style bar.

The Dubai EDITION screams luxury.

Mamaka by Ovolo, Bali, Indonesia

The self-proclaimed first urban resort on Bali’s Kuta Legian Beach, MAMAKA By Ovolo promises all the fun, flair and added extras we’ve come to expect of the hotel brand (hello free minibar, free self-service laundry, and jazzy, colourful interior design). The property’s top of the range rooms feature Indian Ocean views, while others boast terraces, but even the entry-level queen rooms are bright and inviting if you’re working with a smaller budget. There’s also a two-storey street-side beachfront bar and kitchen, Street 32, onsite, which has a mish-mash of Asian and Western classics lining its menu.

MAMAKA By Ovolo promises fun, flair and added extras.

Four Seasons Hotel Tokyo at Otemachi, Japan

Tokyo is not a city short of luxury hotels, but this newcomer from the Four Seasons is a handsome addition. Located in the city’s oldest neighbourhood, Otemachi, which is today known as the city’s financial district, the Four Seasons lies just steps from the Imperial Palace and its gardens. Each and every room and suite in this 39-storey skyscraper (the Four Seasons occupies the top six floors) offers city views, with some overlooking the palace itself.

Entertain your palate at one of the hotel’s four restaurant and bar concepts, which take guests through from morning espresso to afternoon tea overseen by a tea sommelier and onto dinner inspired by regional Italian fare, capped off with French-inspired, mixologist-crafted tipples.

Capella Hanoi, Vietnam

Even from the outside, the corner building that houses the Capella Hanoi, with its stone detailing and gold accents is eye-catching. But inside, things get bolder still. Patterned rugs and hand-painted murals adorn each and every guest room, the inspiration drawn from the 1920s and the so-called ‘opera era’. In fact, each of the 47 rooms at this Bill Bensley-designed hotel are individually styled with memorabilia, photographs and set displays that recall the drama of the opera. Situated in Hanoi’s buzzing Old Quarter, there’s plenty to explore on your doorstep too.

Eye-catching accents at the Capella Hanoi.

Raffles Udaipur, Rajasthan, India

As you might expect for the latest Raffles Hotels & Resorts opening, there’s a rather regal feel to the 101 rooms, suites and signature suites at its new outpost in the so-called City of Lakes. The hotel group’s first foray into the Indian subcontinent, the Raffles Udaipur is situated on a 8.5-hectare private island, amid manicured gardens and close to a 400-year-old temple, where greater flamingos, painted storks and pied kingfishers roam. This palatial property offers guestrooms with uninterrupted lake views, private gardens, balconies, plunge pools and an east-west design aesthetic.

Raffles Udaipur, your private oasis.

Oceania

Aore Island Resort, Vanuatu

Close the door on the real world and seek shelter at the family-run Aore Island Resort off the coast of the island of Espiritu Santo on Aore Island, a scuba-diver’s paradise. Everything from the paint to the crockery to the gardens, roofs and shade huts have been reimagined at the resort to celebrate the ni-Vanuatu way of life. Conscious travellers will appreciate the rustic resort is now 100 per cent off-grid and features a new jetty, where guests can dine under Vanuatu’s vast night skies.

Aore Island Resort is now 100 per cent off-grid.

Park Hyatt Auckland

New Zealand’s first Park Hyatt, this waterfront bolthole has set the bar high. While the hotel’s interiors feature a modern, somewhat minimalist design, they also subtly showcase nods to Maori culture, from the intricate backlit waka (canoe) carved by Rotorua artist Lionel Grant that takes centre stage at the hotel’s entrance, to the custom-designed tukutuku (woven wall panels) that decorate each and every guest room. The Wynyard Quarter property also features four restaurants and bars, a day spa, a fitness centre, and a 25-metre infinity pool.

The waterfront gem of New Zealand’s first Park Hyatt.

Africa

Sanctuary Tambarare, Kenya

Sanctuary Retreats has opened the newest resort in its collection in Kenya. Sanctuary Tambarare is located near the grassy plateaus of the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in the shadow of Mt Kenya. After a day on safari, enjoy views of the rugged landscape from the comfort of your luxurious safari tent replete with Maasai-inspired artworks and billowing white curtains.

Sanctuary Tambarare is the newest resort in Kenya.

Kisawa Sanctuary, Benguerra Island, Mozambique

If attention to detail, a feeling of exclusivity, and conservation are important to you, look no further than Kisawa Sanctuary. Situated 14 kilometres off the coast of Mozambique, the idyllic Indian Ocean isle of Benguerra promises plenty of privacy, not to mention pristine landscapes. Kiswawa sits on 300-hectares of beachfront and coastal forest, but features just 22 one-, two-, and three-bedroom bungalows, each with its own private beach, an open-air deck, an infinity pool, an outdoor day area and a kitchen.

The family-friendly property opened in tandem with its own marine research centre (the Bazaruto Centre for Scientific Studies), and endeavours to grow as much produce as possible on-site, sourcing the rest from within a 300-kilometre radius. And traditional building methods were employed during the sanctuary’s construction by a local workforce, of which half was female.

Look no further than Kisawa Sanctuary.

L’Escale Resort Marina & Spa, Mahe Island, Seychelles

A tropical island paradise, the Seychelles isn’t a destination that needs much introduction. Open since January 2021, L’Escale, however, is the only resort in the country to make the SLH (Small Luxury Hotels) collection. The 25 guest rooms and suites are simple in design, letting the mountain and ocean views do all the talking from your open terrace or balcony. If your budget has some stretch in it then opt for the Spa Pool Villa, which affords guests butler service and a private deck with a plunge pool. Also of note is the resort’s comprehensive two-storey spa, featuring a steam room, a hammam, a sauna, a heated infinity pool, a Jacuzzi and relaxation areas.

Make each one count with L’Escale Resort Marina & Spa.

Latin America

One&Only Mandarina, Riviera Nayarit, Mexico

Open since late 2020, the treehouses and cliff-top villas at One&Only Mandarina merge seamlessly with the surrounding pristine rainforest canopy. In fact, almost everything about this sprawling and remote luxury resort feels in tune with nature, from the infinity pool that enjoys commanding views over the Pacific Ocean to the resident spa that’s situated in a volcanic rock garden and replete with natural springs.

Situated on Mexico’s dreamy Pacific coastline, most rooms have their own private plunge pool. Lap up the serenity from your private villa, or go to town on the wealth of experiences offered: the resort has zeroed in on ancient wellbeing therapies, spirituality and mindfulness.

Cliff-top villas at One&Only Mandarina.

Six Senses Botanique, Mantiqueira Mountains, Brazil

Brazil might be best known for its beaches and the vast green lung that is the Amazon, but this eco-retreat – wedged roughly between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro – offers something a little more off the beaten track. Sitting pretty 1,200 metres above sea level, at the confluence of three river valleys, in the magical Mantiqueira Mountains, the Botanique offers just a couple dozen suites and villas, adding to its super exclusive feel. Our pick? The Panorama Suite, with its floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the vast green hills topped with misty halos.

Guests at Botanique can expect farm-to-fork dining, and a plethora of wholesome outdoorsy activities (think forest foraging, horseback riding, birdwatching and hiking). It’s the first resort in the Americas for Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, Botanique.

​Brazilian Flair and Indigenous Style.