Multiple Regions Hotels, Lodges, Resorts
The most anticipated luxury hotel openings of 2026
hotels
lodges
resorts
Diving Club | Credit: Zannier Hotels | Luxury Hotel Openings 2026
New openings from Aman, Orient Express, Zannier, Waldorf Astoria and Rosewood set the tone for luxury travel in 2026, spanning reimagined palazzi, wild island retreats, high-altitude hideaways and design-forward urban escapes
With the start of the new year come fresh possibilities – to make a resolution, start a new hobby – or plan the next luxury holiday. A slew of luxury hotel openings in 2026 mean there are more compelling reasons to travel than ever before, whether you’re a safari-goer, spa lover or both. Think icons like Waldorf Astoria, Rosewood, Orient Express, and Aman – all of whom will open new doors across the globe in 2026, and with it offer ultra-luxe wellness sanctuaries, beachside retreats, nostalgic escapes, and design-forward stays in some of the world’s most desirable destinations. Here are our picks of the bunch to keep on your radar as you plan your 2026 adventures.
Asia & Australia
Kunda Himalayan Resort & Spa
Nepal
March 2026
Perched on a mountain ridge at 3,100 metres, opposite the Himalayas, Kunda delivers some of the most spectacular views of the 2026 openings. Isolation is guaranteed in Kunda’s eight thermal and geodesic domes, each equipped with a stove and a balcony with a private hot tub overlooking the Himalayan peaks. A 24/7 private butler service comes in handy when deciding whether to explore cultural sights, take a twelve-minute heli-ride to the Mount Everest base camp, or head for a horseback ride. Design features at Kunda include Newar-style hand-carved doors, stinging nettle fabric, and black Himalayan stone. Meanwhile, Kunda’s spa taps into the region’s concepts of wellbeing, from the aromatic steam room to using local herbs in its personalized treatments.
Waldorf Astoria Sydney
Sydney, Australia
Late 2026
Waldorf Astoria will make its long-awaited Australian debut in Circular Quay in late 2026 – and the guaranteed stunning views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House make the wait worthwhile. 220 rooms, a rooftop bar, two signature restaurants, a ballroom, a spa, as well as indoor and outdoor pools will spread over 28 floors. Peacock Alley, a signature space for Waldorf Astoria properties worldwide, will serve as a central gathering place. The building is designed by the legendary Japanese architect Kengo Kuma & Associates and Sydney’s Crone Architects, while Australian artists and artisans are invited to bring their local touch to interior designs. Meanwhile in Europe, Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch will see the historic monument open as a luxury hotel in a prestigious position opposite Buckingham Palace.
Europe
Orient Express Palazzo Donà Giovannelli
Venice, Italy
April 2026
April brings good news for luxury train enthusiasts and Italophiles as the Orient Express opens a 47-room hotel in a former Venetian palace, operated in partnership with Accor and LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy). Following the success of the La Dolce Vita Orient Express train in 2025, this 15th-century palazzo’s Neogothic verticality and Baroque flourish guarantee an elegantly theatrical stay. The hotel is located on the island of Cannaregio, and guests arrive by private boat through a 15th-century Gothic portal. The palazzo was built in 1436 as a noble residence, and it is restored by the architect and interior designer Aline Asmar d’Amman. 47 restored spaces include guestrooms, exclusive suites, grand salons, and two first-ever Orient Express Apartments.
The Piano Nobile hosts a series of rooms, from the Baroque-style Vittoria Ballroom, created for the 1548 wedding of Princess Vittoria Farnese, to the Library of Cultures, decorated with lapis lazuli pigments and gilded wood. Outside, Palazzo Donà Giovannelli’s façade, punctuated by a row of finely carved Gothic windows, shimmers above the Venetian canals.
Six Senses Milan
Milan, Italy
Late 2026
For a fashionable city break, Six Senses will deliver in late 2026 with a new hotel opening in a prime spot on Milan’s Via Brera, in the heart of the artistic Brera district. By day, the surrounding galleries, the nearby Duomo Cathedral, and the Pinacoteca Museum will keep guests busy, while by night, the hotel is set to be an inviting retreat complete with a state-of-the-art spa and a sky pool, as well as a rooftop bar. Among the hotel’s 68 rooms, 15 are suites, two with their own plunge pools. Interior design is by Tara Bernerd & Partners, and the Arabescato marble, antique brass, smoked glass, textured ceilings, and mosaic borders all nod to Milan’s status as a design-savvy fashion capital of the world.
Zannier Bendor
Île de Bendor, France
May 2026
Associated with France’s cultural glitterati, Île de Bendor – the private island once owned by the pastis magnate Paul Ricard and frequented by the likes of Salvador Dalí and Melina Mercouri – will re-emerge in full Riviera swing as Zannier Bendor. Dreamed up by hotelier Arnaud Zannier in collaboration with the Ricard family, the 93-key retreat mixes Provençal charm with contemporary elegance across three settings. Delos is all about the effortless chic of the 1960s French Riviera, Soukana is the resort’s wellbeing hub, and Madrague comprises two-storey houses with private gardens in harbour-side seclusion. The experience is completed with a 1,200 sqm spa including eight treatment rooms, indoor and outdoor pools, hammam, cold bath, plus meditation, yoga and Pilates studios. With its glamorous heritage, elegant design, and a focus on slow, sunlit living, Zannier Bendor is poised to be one of Europe’s most exciting openings of 2026.
Villa Timeo Belmond
Sicily, Taormina
May 2026
In Taormina, a historic noble residence will open its doors in May 2026 after a complete redesign by the Paris-based interior architect Laura Gonzalez, renowned for her romantic yet strikingly bold style. Inspired by the city’s archaeological treasures and Sicilian aristocratic past, the light-filled interiors draw inspiration from the soft white stone of the Greek theater and the grand terraces of Palermo’s villas. The 21 rooms feature South-Italian stone floors, antique pieces, and classic Italian marble, while mid-century items finalise the look. Think Pierre Frey fabrics, Vaughan lighting, and Cox London furniture combined with Sicilian craftsmanship, including Le Malagioie ceramic lamps and Domenico Mori tiles. Lush terraces and a revamped pool deck overlook Naxos Bay, while indoors, Bar Clementina – with its Moroccan-inspired latticework and domed plaster ceiling – begs you to sit down for an aperitivo. Next door, the 150-year-old Grand Hotel Timeo, A Belmond Hotel, reopens after renovations and is complete with a brand-new Dior spa, available for the Villa’s guests, too.
Eha
Hiiumaa, Estonia
June 2026
Wellbeing in Estonia reaches new heights when Eha – an island retreat on Hiiumaa within the West Estonian Archipelago Biosphere Reserve – starts welcoming visitors in summer 2026. Designed by architect Tiit Trummal, its modern reed-thatched roofs, clean lines, and light-soaked spaces reinterpret Estonian traditions with a contemporary tone. Inside, UNT+CO and Studio Argus let the island set the mood with Nordic and Baltic materials, such as oak, linen, limestone, wool, and interiors that shift with Hiiumaa’s seasons. From yoga and saunas to hydrotherapy pools and a circadian rhythm room, Eha transforms wellness into an experience of stillness, nature and understated luxury.
South America
Amanvari
Baja California, Mexico
Spring 2026
Aman will make its Mexico debut with Amanvari, a luxurious hideaway on the untouched East Cape of Baja California. Set within the 1,500-acre private estate of Costa Palmas, Amanvari, which takes its name from the Sanskrit-derived words for “peace” and “water”, features a resort, private Aman Residences, multiple dining venues, and Aman Spa. Outdoors, a private stretch of white sand beach lines the turquoise waters. A palette of sand-hued materials echoes the surrounding landscape, and Mexican artisans will provide bespoke ceramics and original artworks for each space, grounding the resort in local craft traditions.
Middle East & Africa
Rosewood Red Sea
Amaala, Saudi Arabia
Early 2026
Set within the rapidly rising Red Sea’s Amaala wellness destination, Rosewood Red Sea is a desert-meets-sea dreamscape. Located 550 km north of Jeddah, the property is framed by the world’s fourth-largest coral reef and the Hijazi mountains. True to Rosewood’s ‘A Sense of Place’ philosophy, its 110 suites and villas and 25 luxe Rosewood Residences echo the textures, tones, and traditions of the region. Crafted by ACPV ARCHITECTS Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel, Rosewood Red Sea is built on sustainability to match Amaala’s goal of a zero-carbon footprint, with power sourced entirely from renewable energy. The resort’s Asaya Spa is its serene soul, offering a tranquil setting for restorative rituals and next-level wellbeing.
Erebero Hills
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda
August 2026
Perched on a secluded hillside overlooking the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Erebero Hills offers just eight forest-view suites. Each is glass-fronted with a private deck suspended amid the lush greenery. Sun-drenched interiors, king beds, and indoor-outdoor lounges frame uninterrupted panoramas, while thoughtful design touches like a dedicated boot room and an ensuite bathroom complete with a freestanding tub and indoor and outdoor showers elevate the experience. Beyond the suites, a lounge area and a pool invite slow, scenic afternoons. From conservation-focused safaris to honeymoon retreats and unforgettable gorilla-trekking adventures, this is the forest at its most refined.
&Beyond Sandibe and Nxabega Under Canvas
Okavango Delta, Botswana
March 2026
Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Okavango Delta is one of Africa’s most remarkable inland wetlands. Within this vast wilderness, &Beyond’s Sandibe and Nxabega Under Canvas provide two camps limited to just six guests in their 22,500-hectare land. The experience is intimate, ensuring a sense of exclusivity in one of Botswana’s prime wildlife areas. Safari activities begin directly from camp, with game drives and guided walks offering access to big-game territories. Both camps balance the understated character of canvas living with carefully considered comforts – warm water, WiFi connectivity, and handcrafted finishes that reflect the region’s natural materials and artisanal traditions. This is a quietly luxurious way to experience one of Africa’s most celebrated wildernesses.
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