The best and brightest hotel openings around the world

From a boutique property in Marrakech to a sustainable stay in Thailand and a heritage hotel in Burgundy, these are the hottest stays right now.

There are always new and exciting places to stay popping up around the world, here are the top hotel openings to check in and check out on your next overseas escape.

1. Regent Hong Kong

The reopening of the legendary Regent Hong Kong marks a new era for the destination and is symbolic of its revival. Guests began checking into Regent Hong Kong in March after designer Chi Wing Lo gave it a top-to-toe transformation; the grand opening is planned for later this year.

Set on the edge of Victoria Harbour, the newly reimagined hotel integrates the building’s storied heritage with a contemporary aesthetic and views worth coveting. The 497-room hotel is near to the hip and happening West Kowloon Cultural District and home to Michelin-starred Lai Ching Heen, renowned around the world for its Cantonese cuisine. There are no artworks in the rooms; the focus, instead, is on those framed views of the glittering cityscape.

2. The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern, Santa Ynez Valley

Mattei’s Tavern has a colourful history that harks back to its inception both as a popular stagecoach stop in 1886 and hidden hangout throughout the Prohibition era.

And while the storied saloon looks like it’s been torn from the pages of a Yellowstone script, the outpost continues its pioneering spirit with The Inn at Mattei’s Tavern recently revealing a Cali-esque nip and tuck.

Saddle up to the spot in Los Olivos, Santa Ynez Valley, to stay in a mix of old and new contemporary style suites, which are part of the Auberge Resorts Collection.

3. IZZA Marrakech, Morocco

IZZA will be an oasis of calm amid the colour and chaos of Marrakech’s medina when it opens its ornate doors this summer. IZZA comprises seven interconnecting riads (large traditional houses) with 14 individually designed rooms and three tranquil courtyards.

The property, which houses more than 300 framed pieces of art, is known as ‘House of Friends’ in honour of the intellectuals and creative types such as Jack Kerouac, Jimi Hendrix and Grace Jones, who visited Marrakech in the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s. From the colourful ottomans on the rooftop terrace to the mint-green tiles around the pool, it’s Morocco at its most evocative.

4. Outrigger Maldives Maafushivaru Resort

Eleven overwater villas at the Outrigger Maldives Maafushivaru Resort have been converted to include open-air hot tubs. Outrigger Hospitality Group added the premier beach property to its expanding portfolio in 2022.

Guests who book into the new room category (Sunset Over Water Villa with Hot Tub) will also enjoy the enhanced entertainment offering at the resort’s Edgewater Restaurant on a private island in the picturesque South Ari Atoll region.

5. COMO Le Montrachet, Burgundy

Award-winning architect and interior designer Paola Navone has written a new chapter for three beloved heritage buildings in Burgundy. COMO Le Montrachet is the newest addition to the COMO Hotels and Resorts portfolio and the first COMO property in France. The reimagined property in the Winelands of Burgundy includes 30 rooms and three buildings arrayed around a village square with access to the Grand Cru vineyards. Navone’s makeover is a slick celebration of French hospitality and style.

6. Aleenta Retreat Chiang Mai, Thailand

Aleenta means ‘a rewarding life’. And it is a term that underpins the ethos of the AKARYN Hotel Group, which has added Aleenta Retreat Chiang Mai, Thailand, to its ever-expanding portfolio of luxury boutique resorts. The bougie boutique resort has 44 rooms and suites, a restaurant serving healthy cuisine and a spa and wellness centre offering a range of holistic wellness retreats such as a three-day Vipassana meditation program. The brand also embraces initiatives aimed at supporting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

7. Ember Locke, London

Ember Locke is the latest design-led property from lifestyle brand Locke Hotels. The aparthotel, which accommodates 121 serviced apartments, is housed in a Victorian mansion in London’s colourful Kensington. Designed by local studios Atelier Ochre and House of Dré, the rooms have been designed as a series of ‘boudoirs’ featuring a bold colour palette and playful furnishings that echo West London’s heyday.

8. 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, Kaua‘i’

1 Hotel Hanalei Bay is the latest luxe and sustainable hotel to open under the mission-driven lifestyle hotel brand founded by pioneering hospitality tsar Barry Sternlicht. There is no shortage of hotels on Kaua‘i’s North Shore, but this oceanfront sanctuary stands out for its cutting-edge spa and medi spa offerings, making it the latest #destinationwellness hotel.

Guests seeking to stop and slow down at the sustainable sanctuary can take advantage of the dreamy Hanalei Bay location. Surf, swim, snorkel, cycle, paddle, kayak or simply soak up the sun off the legendary beach where Native Hawaiians have lived in harmony with nature for generations. The hotel has been designed to pay homage to its surroundings with a total of 144.6 tonnes of salvaged materials turned into furniture and sustainable art.

Hanalei Bay is known for its laid-back surf scene, but the luxury resort’s location also puts guests in prime position to explore the dramatic serrated peaks of the Namolokama and MĀmalahoa mountains. In addition to listening to the roar of the area’s iconic waterfalls, guests can partake in vibrational sound therapy sessions that echo the beauty of Hawai‘i’s famed Garden Island.

9. 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.

10. Maroma, A Belmond Hotel, Riviera Maya

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

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.

11. Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel 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. 

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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. Te Mānia, New Zealand/Aotearoa

Te Mānia by Black Barn Retreats is oriented towards the curves and creases of Tuki Tuki Valley in Hawke’s Bay.

It’s a rustic mix of glass, solid concrete and linear structures clad in Corten steel and soft shades of green and pink that tie the spaces together. Te Mānia sleeps two couples.

16. Pullman Singapore Hill Street, Singapore

Pullman Singapore Hill Street provides a platform for the brand to tell a story about the George Pullman sleeping car and the brand’s roots in luxury train travel.

Each of the 350 rooms at the hotel are modelled after private railway cabins invented by the US industrialist who indirectly inspired the brand.

17. Skove Canggu, Bali

The Luxe Nomad, Asia Pacific’s largest villa management and marketing company, has added Skove Canggu to its portfolio. The villa complex includes a contemporary take on the Balinese natah, a traditional inner enclave that is well suited to those travelling to Indonesia in large groups.

Skove Canggu includes 10 pool villas, four studio units and a two-bedroom penthouse with access to the communal pool and private plunge pool.

18. Royal Sonesta Washington DC Dupont Circle, USA

The Royal Sonesta Washington DC Dupont Circle is the first new hotel to open on Capitol Hill since 1984. Fans of The West Wing will appreciate that the boutique hotel is minutes away from the White House and Embassy Row in the dress circle suburb of Dupont Circle. A 10-storey atrium, sweeping glass facade and green roof add to the drama.

19. The Ritz-Carlton, Fukuoka, Japan

The Ritz-Carlton, Fukuoka rises high above Hakata Bay in the gateway city that has been attracting travellers for centuries. Not that we needed a reason to visit Fukuoka, which is known for everything from its shrines to its start-up scene and street food. The hotel’s 147 guestrooms and 20 suites feature a mix of traditional Japanese influences with the high levels of luxury associated with The Ritz-Carlton.

20. Our Habitas Atacama, Chile

A new Habitas property in Chile’s San Pedro de Atacama is made up of 51 guestrooms designed around the philosophy of supporting local artists. Guests at Our Habitas Atacama are invited to paraglide above the surrounding desert, enjoy immersive stargazing experiences and choose from a diverse program of sustainable activities. The hotel has a pool and wellness centre and dedicated communal spaces, too.

21. MS Collection Aveiro, Portugal

A wall at the MS Collection Aveiro – Palacete de Valdemouro hotel takes the form of a canvas for artist Alexandre Farto (aka Vhils) dedicated to the life and work of Portuguese writer and diplomat, Eça de Queiróz. The 40-room hotel, a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, is housed in the former Valdemouro Palace in Aveiro, where the literary giant once lived. The mural by Vhils can be seen next to the pool at the five-star hotel.

22. Hotel d’Inghilterra, Roma, Italy

The Hotel d’Inghilterra Roma – Starhotels Collezione recently reopened in the Italian capital following the first phase of its renovations. The historic five-star hotel has been welcoming Roman nobility and the British elite since the 19th century thanks to its location in the heart of Rome. The Roman spirit is evoked here in everything from the terracotta tones and earthy palette to the use of antique pieces that make the rooms feel warm, idiosyncratic and ultra modern.

23. Faena New York, USA

The twisting towers of the Faena New York are the latest addition to the Big Apple’s so-called Architecture Row, hovering near to The High Line and overlooking Hudson River. The design goes beyond being architecturally striking, with the winding structure of the towers working to maximise the views from each of the 120 stunning rooms and suites.

24. Park Hyatt Los Cabos at Cabo Del Sol, Mexico

Park Hyatt Los Cabos at Cabo Del Sol in Mexico is designed to inspire a heightened appreciation of the sun-splashed coastline of Baja California Sur. The resort has 163 luxury ocean-view guestrooms and suites, 19 villas and residences, sprawling lagoon-style pools, a world-class golf course and swanky spa. Start saving your pesos, pronto.

25. The View Agadir

Sit on your private balcony and prepare to be dazed by the contrast of cerulean seas against the whitewashed walls of this Agadir oasis.

The Moroccan resort measures up to its namesake with views over the Atlantic coast, best enjoyed with a cocktail in hand. The View Agadir has 272 guestrooms with floor-to-ceiling windows and striking earthy interiors.

26. Lanson Place

The flagship property of Lanson Place reopened in March following a major refurb. The new-look Hong Kong hotel, which has 188 rooms and suites, was reimagined by designer Pierre-Yves Rochon to reflect an elegant French aesthetic. The sophisticated sanctuary, part of the Small Luxury Hotels collection, is located amid the hubbub of Hong Kong’s busy Causeway Bay area.

27. Anantara Santorini Abu Dhabi Retreat

Anantara Santorini Abu Dhabi Retreat is a sleek new stay on the Abu Dhabi coast. The Santorini-inspired island hideaway halfway between Dubai and Abu Dhabi was a private residence in a former life and has just 22 rooms and suites, all with sea views. The exclusive adults-only resort has a private beach, outdoor pool, hammam, sauna, cold plunge pool and an indoor cinema.

28. Tempo by Hilton Louisville Downtown

Baseball fans will be in the box seat when they book a stay at the Tempo by Hilton Louisville Downtown NuLU, which is just a fastball down the middle from the Louisville Slugger Field baseball stadium in Kentucky. If you’re more into bourbon than baseball, the 130-room hotel is a great base from which to explore the birthplace of bourbon and distilleries dotted along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

29. Jannah Lamu, Kenya

The latest project in Kenyan designer Anna Trzebinski’s Constellation Hotel collection has opened its doors to guests in Shela Village on Lamu Island, Kenya.

Embodying a contemporary Swahili-chic essence, Jannah Lamu is a private and luxurious escape, comprising just two main buildings with seven keys and three lovingly restored Mozambican Dhows.

A love letter to a place close to Trzebinski’s heart, the designer hopes it will have a significant and positive social impact on the local village she loves so dearly.

30. Raffles Jaipur, India

The newest Raffles in India is a modern-day oasis. Raffles Jaipur offers guests the chance to retreat to the reimagined palace after jaunts around the city, which forms part of The Golden Triangle with New Delhi and Agra. The opulent 50-room hotel has been carved from pure, white marble and features painted cornice ceilings and bespoke furniture along with locally sourced artefacts. There are four main dining areas including the Writers Bar, just the spot to enjoy the Raffles signature gin sling.

31. DEOS Mykonos, Greece

DEOS Mykonos is named after the ancient Greek word for awe. And it’s jaw-to-the-floor awe at DEOS where each of the 40 suites are perched high on the hillside overlooking mystical Mykonos and the Aegean Sea. DEOS is a place of sophistication and solitude, making the end of every long day exploring Mykonos more meaningful. Wait for the first blush of dusk on your private deck. Enjoy a degustation dinner at Epico. And melt into the pool with seamless sea views after a massage with warm seashells at the spacious Sana Spa.

32. Henry’s Townhouse, London

Next year marks Jane Austen’s 250th birthday, making it a poignant time to stay at Henry’s Townhouse, the former home of the British author’s favourite brother, Henry. A new chapter for the 18th-century residence began in 2020 when owners Steven and Jane Collins restored the residence to its former glory. Celebrate the building’s storied history with a stay in the six-bedroom bolthole, in London’s Marylebone, which blends Georgian glamour with the amenities of a luxe boutique hotel.

33. Tawana, Botswana

Images of Botswana’s new Tawana camp make for an inspired screensaver for your desktop. It might not do much for your productivity, but it will certainly inspire you to start dreaming of that African safari. The luxurious new-build camp by Natural Selection celebrates both the cultural heritage and rich wilderness of the region. The lodge has just eight stylish rooms, as well as a walk-in wine cellar, lap pool, elegant lounge and lodge library. Head off from the camp on guided game drives in the remote Moremi Game Reserve.

34. Maxx Royal Bodrum Resort, Türkiye

Pack your best crochet bikini as Bodrum’s vibrant beach scene is set to draw even more sandal-wearing boho types with the opening of the glam new Maxx Royal Bodrum Resort. A Leading Hotel of the World, the new resort is home to the first Turkish outpost of Scorpios Mykonos beach club and includes a sprawling Maxx Wellbeing Spa and Maxxi Land children’s club. Guests staying in the 294-room hotel framed by pine forests will enjoy flashes of turquoise from their oceanfront rooms.

35. Six Senses Con Dao, Vietnam

Six Senses Con Dao has unveiled its elegant new spa and dedicated holistic wellness area. The resort on the Vietnamese island of Con Dao features nine overwater structures, private steam and sauna rooms and spacious relaxation areas. There’s also a juice bar, yoga pavilion and meditation sala. The spa menu includes a mix of western treatments and eastern philosophies, plus the resort’s signature Vietnamese touch therapy.

36. Verno House, Budapest

Verno House is a noteworthy new addition to the Vignette Collection in the pretty city of Budapest. The luxurious laid-back hotel has drawn from a soothing palette of mountain greens, ochre and earth tones to deliver on its ethos of ‘Old World charm meets modern luxury’. In addition to the Michelin Guide-recommended restaurant Flava, the 48-room hotel housed in an elegant 19th-century building has a Finnish sauna, steam room and whirlpool.

37. Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa

The new Westin Bora Bora Resort & Spa opened its doors in September. The completely renovated Bora Bora beach resort has beautiful Mt Otemanu as its backdrop and overwater bungalows with glass floors that celebrate the stunning location. Visit the Eco Center at this French Polynesian paradise to see the work being done to rehabilitate turtles, enjoy water sports in the private lagoon or simply sit by the infinity pool sipping cocktails at the reimagined Le Meridien.

38. The Mining Exchange Hotel, USA

The Mining Exchange Hotel in Colorado Springs has been sprinkled in gold dust after its recent revitalisation. The building, established in 1902 as a stock exchange, was once a hub for mining magnates. As a high-end hotel, it now caters to outdoorsy types drawn year-round to Colorado Springs for its proximity to Pikes Peak and the Garden of the Gods. Expect cameos from the thousands of athletes that visit the so-called Olympic City USA each year to use its training facilities.

39. Regent Canggu, Bali

Guests at IHG’s new Bali Regent Canggu might want to remain draped over their day bed for the duration of their stay at this stunning new beachfront resort. It’s easy enough to be slothful when right before you is the blue-green jewel that is the infinity pool lined with palm trees and pretty frangipani trees.

The beachfront resort, which opened in oh-so-cool Canggu late last year, has 150 oceanside rooms including suites, two-bedroom penthouses, and expansive villas with private pools as well as a Beauty Hub and Health Club. Digital nomads need not apply.

40. Sir Prague Hotel, Czech Republic

There are streets and lanes that run like tiny tributaries from the Sir Prague Hotel into the city of Prague’s New Town. The precinct is known for its Art Nouveau and modernist architecture so guests at the hotel might find themselves drawn into the Dancing House, designed by Croatian-Czech architect Vlado Milunić in cooperation with Frank Gehry. Or the Municipal House marked by its mosaic exedra. The 76-room member of Design Hotels set along the Vlata River has an indoor courtyard, restaurant and bar, gym and sauna.

41. Huka Lodge, New Zealand

New Zealand’s iconic Huka Lodge at Taupō has reopened in its centenary year following a $22.5 million refurbishment led by Baillie Lodges. The transformation of the grand old dame includes a River Room designed to better embrace its location on the banks of the Waikato River. The river, which rushes and roars past the luxury lodge, remains a lure as a world-class destination for fly fishing. Don those designer waders. The new-era Huka Lodge also includes Huka Spa Huts and an upgraded terrace replete with a feature fireplace.

42. Raffles Sentosa, Singapore

Raffles Sentosa Singapore is the first all-villa property to open on Singapore’s ‘island in the city’. Despite being just 15 minutes from the heart of Singapore, guests can expect to experience the primeval beauty of the tropics during a stay at the secluded sanctuary set amid 10 hectares of lush gardens. There are 62 contemporary villas all with private pools and terraces, along with five F&B options and the swanky Sentosa Spa.

43. Cape Weligama, Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s Cape Weligama has unveiled a new look to celebrate the Relais & Chateaux property’s 10^th anniversary. The luxury clifftop resort is part of the Resplendent Ceylon collection conceived by the Fernando family, behind the Dilmah tea brand. In addition to the 39 reimagined suites and villas, the resort includes three stunning family-friendly Cape Residences with private infinity pools and steam rooms. Cape Weligama is set to become even more of a destination for surfers who appreciate having a front-row seat to the waves wrapping around soaring cliffs.

44. Warren Street Hotel, USA

Warren Street Hotel, Firmdale Hotels has made a bold entrance in the Big Apple. The hotel has been reimagined by Kit Kemp, the group’s founder and interior designer together with her husband Tim. The member of Design Hotels makes a splash on the Hudson River with its blue facade topped with a bold yellow hue. Expect the unexpected with the interiors, which are filled with bold colour clashes and prints and a museum-worthy collection of art.