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Our annual tradition continues with this year’s edition of our hottest new hotels of 2026 list.
…several long-anticipated debuts, the reinvention of iconic landmark properties, and bold new concepts that redefine how—and where—we experience place.
For the third year running, we’re taking a global look at the hotels shaping the future of luxury travel. And while each year it seemingly becomes more challenging to narrow the list of top openings down, this year’s was a true feat with several long-anticipated debuts, the reinvention of iconic landmark properties, and bold new concepts that redefine how—and where—we experience place. From Riviera retreats to imaginative rewilding camps across Africa and design-forward urban sanctuaries in top cities, the world’s most exciting new addresses fuse architecture, storytelling, and service in a way that moves our cherished industry forward.
Whether you’re a loyalist waiting on the next jewel in your favorite brand’s portfolio or an explorer seeking something wonderfully unexpected, these twenty-six openings promise thoughtful design, sense-of-place designed programming, and access to exclusive privileges unlocked when booked with your SmartFlyer advisor.
Use the navigation below to jump to the region that’s calling your name next:
The legendary Delano Miami Beach returns to South Beach with an entirely new vision, completely transformed since closing in 2020. Reviving Philippe Starck’s iconic minimalism while layering in a modern Riviera-inspired lightness, the property will feature reimagined guest rooms, a refreshed poolscape, and reinvented F&B concepts befitting Miami’s new era of glamour. Its oceanfront setting, wellness-forward programming, and signature Delano energy make this a long-awaited homecoming for the curious and creative traveler.
The Delano Miami Beach
The Delano Miami Beach
The Knox Hotel & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection (Knox Henderson, Dallas, Texas)
Projected Opening: Q3 2026
Arriving in one of Dallas’ buzziest neighborhoods, The Knox introduces Auberge Collection’s residential-meets-hotel sensibility to Texas. Expect thoughtfully layered interiors, a vibrant culinary program anchored by a signature restaurant and bar, and light-filled accommodations designed to feel like impeccably curated homes. With a prime position in Knox Street’s thriving creative corridor, this debut promises to become the city’s integral to the social heartbeat of the city.
Viceroy Sun Valley (Sun Valley, Idaho)
Projected Opening: July 2026
Set at the base of Dollar Mountain, Viceroy Sun Valley brings the first luxury hotel to one of America’s most storied ski destinations. The resort will pair Viceroy’s signature warm-modern design and intuitive service with trail-side access, après-ready gathering spaces, and a spa inspired by Idaho’s natural hot springs. Whether guests come for powder days, fly-fishing, or summer mountain biking, this new opening positions Sun Valley for a chic, year-round revival.
2026 NEW HOTELS: CENTRAL & SOUTH AMERICA
Explora El Calafate (Patagonia, Argentina)
Projected Opening: December 2026
Explora’s newest Patagonian lodge, Explora El Calafate, is set near the famed Perito Moreno Glacier, bringing the brand’s expedition-forward ethos to one of the most dramatic landscapes on Earth. Expect immersive treks, glacial explorations, and design that blurs the line between indoors and out. With guided experiences led by Explora’s expert team, this opening will serve travelers seeking elemental beauty paired with deeply thoughtful hospitality.
Alila Mayakoba
Alila Mayakoba
2026 NEW HOTELS: CARIBBEAN & MEXICO
Alila Mayakoba (Mayakoba, Riviera Maya, Mexico)
Projected Reopening: February 12th, 2026
Alila’s arrival in Mayakoba marks a striking evolution for this beloved enclave. With a complete redesign emphasizing organic materials, lagoon-view suites, and contemporary Riviera Maya cuisine, the retreat highlights Alila Mayakoba‘s signature serenity and sustainability. Its integration with Mayakoba’s wellness circuit, culinary scene, and protected mangrove ecosystems makes this a standout for design-forward travelers.
Park Hyatt Mexico City (Polanco, Mexico City, Mexico)
Projected Opening: August 2026
Rising over Polanco’s cultural corridor, Park Hyatt Mexico City is set to become one of the capital’s most significant luxury openings. Designed by Sordo Madaleno Arquitectos in collaboration with Yabu Pushelberg, the sleek tower will feature 163 rooms and suites, a signature Park Hyatt dining collection, and an indoor–outdoor spa with sweeping Chapultepec views. This urban sanctuary promises to blend Mexico City’s creative pulse with refined Park Hyatt elegance.
Hoanib Elephant Camp
2026 NEW HOTELS: AFRICA
Hoanib Elephant Camp (Kaokoland, Namibia)
Projected Opening: May 2026
Situated in Namibia’s remote northwest, Hoanib Elephant Camp will place guests at the heart of desert-adapted wildlife territory. Expect tented suites overlooking otherworldly landscapes, conservation-driven programming, and guided encounters with the region’s famed desert elephants. This is the kind of elemental, horizon-stretched Africa that adventure travelers dream of when they envision their bucket list trip to Namibia.
Singita Elela (Okavango Delta, Botswana)
Projected Opening: Late 2026
Singita’s long-anticipated debut in the Okavango Delta promises a game-changing entrance by the brand into Botswana. With water-encircled suites, cutting-edge sustainability design, and safari experiences guided by some of Africa’s top naturalists, Singita Elela is poised to become one of the continent’s most coveted openings. Expect Singita’s signature restorative calm, intuitive service, and landscape-first philosophy.
Singita Elela
Singita Elela
Wilderness Mara (Mara Triangle, Kenya)
Projected Opening: June 2026
Wilderness Mara marks the newest Kenyan camp anchored in one of Africa’s most wildlife-dense regions. Elevated design, panoramic views, and a modern interpretation of tented luxury create a front-row seat to the Mara’s year-round migrations. Emphasizing conservation partnerships and low-impact architecture, the property blends wilderness immersion with a polished, contemporary aesthetic.
HOTEL THE MITSUI HAKONE
HOTEL THE MITSUI HAKONE
2026 NEW HOTELS: ASIA
HOTEL THE MITSUI HAKONE (Kowakudani, Hakone Town, Japan)
Projected Opening: Late 2026
HOTEL THE MITSUI HAKONE brings Japanese artistry and ryokan heritage to a forested hillside overlooking Mount Hakone. With thermal waters feeding its expansive onsen, Kengo Kuma–influenced design, and a hushed refinement that celebrates craft, this hideaway captures the essence of slow, intentional travel. Its proximity to Tokyo paired with deep immersion in nature will make it a sought-after retreat.
The Langham, Custom House, Bangkok (Bangkok, Thailand)
Projected Opening: Late 2026
Housed in one of Bangkok’s most historic riverfront buildings, The Langham’s new flagship property reimagines a century-old landmark into a glamorous urban sanctuary. Interiors will pair Langham’s classic pink-hued elegance with contemporary Thai sophistication. Expect a destination spa, signature afternoon tea, and a riverside atmosphere that reflects Bangkok’s vibrant cultural rhythm.
The Langham, Custom House, Bangkok
The Langham, Custom House, Bangkok
Park Hyatt Phu Quoc (Phu Quoc, Vietnam)
Projected Opening: April 2026
Spread across sixty-five acres of protected coastline, Park Hyatt Phu Quoc blends Vietnamese craftsmanship with contemporary elegance. Oceanfront villas, serene lap pools, and a culinary program rooted in island produce set the tone for quiet luxury. Designed as a sanctuary for families and couples alike, the resort promises barefoot ease paired with elevated Park Hyatt service.
Corinthia Rome
Corinthia Rome
2026 NEW HOTELS: EUROPE
Octant Vila Monte (Algarve, Portugal)
Projected Opening: April 2026
Octant’s new flagship brings bohemian-chic sophistication to the Algarve’s eastern coastline. Think whitewashed architecture, lush gardens, and design infused with Portuguese craftsmanship. With a focus on slow living, culinary immersion, and proximity to sun-drenched beaches, this opening promises escapism at its most elegant.
Zannier Bendor (Île de Bendor, Bandol, France)
Projected Opening: May 1st, 2026
Zannier brings its poetic, minimalist aesthetic to a private island off the coast of Bandol. With just eighty-four rooms and suites designed to mirror the island’s natural textures, the property offers an intimate world of barefoot luxury. Expect vineyard-to-table dining, Mediterranean calm, and the understated refinement Zannier loyalists adore.
Zannier Bendor
The Grace (Westport, County Mayo, Ireland)
Projected Opening: Spring 2026
Set along Clew Bay, The Grace introduces a new era of contemporary Irish hospitality. The property will showcase views of Croagh Patrick, a destination spa inspired by Atlantic wellness traditions, and interiors that spotlight Irish makers and materials. It’s an elevated retreat for travelers craving elemental landscapes with a modern sensibility.
The Grace
The Grace
Corinthia Rome (Rome, Italy)
Projected Opening: February 2026
One of Rome’s most ambitious restorations, Corinthia Rome will bring new life to a historic government building moments from Via del Corso. Featuring suites shaped by classical Roman proportions, grand wellness spaces, and destination dining led by internationally renowned chefs, the hotel blends monumental architecture with warm modernity. It’s slated to become one of the Eternal City’s defining new addresses.
Corinthia Rome
Corinthia Rome
Baccarat Rome (Rome, Italy)
Projected Opening: 2026 (TBC)
Bringing its crystalline Parisian glamour to the Eternal City as only the brand’s second outpost, Baccarat Rome will reinterpret a storied palazzo through the brand’s unmistakable red-punctuated elegance. Expect shimmering chandeliers, haute-design suites, a jewel-box spa, and a restaurant that channels Baccarat’s celebratory spirit. It’s poised to attract design lovers seeking maximalist luxury.
Rosewood Rome (Rome, Italy)
Projected Opening: 2026 (TBC)
Rosewood Hotels’ highly anticipated Roman debut is set within the historic former headquarters of the Italian Social Security Agency. With a soaring central courtyard, refined suites, and culinary concepts rooted in Roman tradition, the property will marry heritage with Rosewood’s signature residential warmth. Expect polished romance and a new benchmark for luxury in the capital.
Rosewood Rome
Rosewood Rome
Na Praia (Comporta, Portugal)
Projected Opening: May 2026
Set along the wild Comporta coastline, Na Praia is a study in effortless, sun-washed living. Organic architecture, sandy-toned suites, and a culinary program spotlighting local fishermen and farmers make this retreat quintessentially Comporta. With dunes, pine forests, and Atlantic breezes as its backdrop, this is barefoot luxury at its chicest.
Danieli, A Four Seasons Hotel (Venice, Italy)
Projected Opening: Summer 2026
Few openings have been as anticipated as Four Seasons’ takeover of the iconic Hotel Danieli. A meticulous restoration will bring new brilliance to its Gothic façade, opulent Sala Duca D’Aosta, and suites overlooking the Venetian lagoon. Elevated dining, a reimagined rooftop terrace, and Four Seasons’ signature service will usher this landmark into a dazzling new era.
Château de la Commaraine (Burgundy, France)
Projected Opening: 2026
Set within a 1,000-year-old estate in Pommard, Château de la Commaraine will offer an immersive expression of Burgundy’s winemaking heritage. The restored château will feature just twenty rooms, vineyard-driven gastronomy, and exclusive access to the domaine’s storied Premier Cru plots. It’s an intimate, atmospheric escape for oenophiles and romantics alike.
Château de la Commaraine
Château de la Commaraine
COMO Le Beauvallon (Grimaud, Saint-Tropez, France)
Projected Opening: April 24th, 2026
COMO’s Côte d’Azur debut transforms a Belle Époque estate overlooking the Bay of Saint-Tropez. With just seventy rooms and suites, the retreat blends Riviera glamour with COMO’s wellness-driven approach—think a world-class spa, yacht access, and elegantly understated dining. It’s poised to become a new staple of the French summer season.
COMO Le Beauvallon
COMO Le Beauvallon
Rosewood Blue Palace (Crete, Greece)
Projected Opening: June 1, 2026
Set along Crete’s cobalt coastline, Rosewood Blue Palace reimagines a beloved resort through a contemporary, island-chic lens. Suites cascade down toward the sea, each emphasizing light, texture, and tranquility. With Mediterranean dining, a next-level Asaya spa, and easy access to Spinalonga Island, this is the new jewel of the Greek isles.
Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch (London, United Kingdom)
Projected Opening: 2026
A landmark transformation years in the making, Waldorf Astoria’s takeover of Admiralty Arch will introduce one of the most architecturally significant hotels in Europe. Overlooking The Mall, the property will feature palatial suites, refined dining, and a spa concept that brings Waldorf’s timeless elegance into the heart of London. Dining also promises to be standout, with concepts from both Clare Smyth and Daniel Boulud.
London’s Admiralty Arch
St. Regis London (London, United Kingdom)
Projected Opening: Summer 2026
St. Regis’ London debut brings the brand’s legendary glamour to an exquisitely restored property near Buckingham Palace. Expect butler-attended suites, a signature champagne sabrage ritual, and design that celebrates London’s golden age. With its grand address and storied lineage, this opening is set to redefine modern British luxury.
2026 NEW HOTELS: AUSTRALIA
Ocean Dunes on King Island (King Island, Australia)
Projected Opening: Late 2026
Perched between roaring Bass Strait waves and rolling, windswept greens, Ocean Dunes will introduce a unique hybrid: world-class golf paired with understated luxury hospitality. Expect dramatic ocean-view suites, warm Australian design, and immediate access to one of the country’s most anticipated new courses. King Island’s rugged beauty sets the tone for an elemental coastal escape.
Hotels on the Water: 2026 Bonus Openings
Aqua Lares: This boutique ice-class expedition yacht debuts with East Africa sailings from November to April, covering the Seychelles, Aldabra Atoll, Zanzibar, and coastal Tanzania. From June to September, she pivots north to Svalbard and the Arctic Circle for intimate, design-driven polar exploration.
Explora III: Launching July 2026, Explora III will explore Iceland, Greenland, Northern Europe, and the far north with its signature blend of spacious design and immersive destination programming. Expect refined onboard living paired with adventurous, culture-rich itineraries.
Four Seasons Yachts: Four Seasons introduces a new standard of residential-style luxury at sea, complete with expansive suites, elevated dining, and curated access in top global destinations. It’s the brand’s iconic service ethos, now reimagined on the water.
Orient Express Sailing Yachts: Launching June 2026, Orient Express Corinthian brings French craftsmanship to sea as the world’s largest sailing yacht, cruising the Mediterranean before crossing to the Caribbean. Expect fifty-four sea-facing suites, the only Guerlain Spa at sea, Michelin-level dining, and exclusive cultural moments like Venice Film Festival access and Saint-Tropez’s Les Voiles.
