The best new hotels in the world

As a hotel aficionado, travel writer and frequent checker-in-er, I am always on the lookout for new hotel openings, and the ones that follow include some of the most exciting new stays coming our way (and some are already open). There are a lot of destinations and accommodations to choose from, so there is something for everyone on this list. Without further ado, these are the best new hotels around the world to save for your next transformative getaway.

1. White Elephant Aspen

Aspen, Colorado

With beautifully designed hotels in Nantucket and Palm Beach, the White Elephant group brings their impeccable service and signature design aesthetic to set up shop in Aspen, the iconic Colorado resort town. Here, guests can expect a contemporary chalet feel, with modern and playful flourishes like a brass elephant head protruding from the front desk. The 54-room property is merely steps from downtown, meaning you can explore Aspen with ease, partaking in the town's excellent food, drink, culture – not to mention breathtaking scenery – whenever the mood strikes.

2. 1 Hotel Austin

Austin, Texas

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Eco-conscious hospitality comes to Texas this year, with the arrival of the soon-to-open 1 Hotel Austin. The new hotel will continue the brand’s focus on sustainability, as seen in other locations including New York, West Hollywood and South Beach. This time, the focus on the natural world has an interesting contrast – the hotel will open in what will be the tallest tower in Texas, perched on the banks of Waller Creek and Lady Bird Lake.

3. &Beyond Sandibe and Nxabega Camps Under Canvas

Okavango Delta, Botswana

These two recently opened Under Canvas camps from luxury travel company &Beyond are on a private stretch in the Okavango Delta, surrounded by wildlife. With just three guest tents each, the camps are intimate, minimalist and respectful of the landscape. Guests can take guided walking safaris and safari game drives, and end the day with an al fresco fire-lit dinner. If you’ve always dreamed of going on safari, this is the way to do it.

4. The Cooper

Charleston, South Carolina

If the culinary delights and Southern charm of Charleston are calling you this year, you may want to consider staying at the city’s newest luxury hotel, The Cooper. The hotel’s harborside location inspired the coastal design of its rooms, and the maritime theme extends to the on-site marina and waterfront infinity pool. With restaurants, retail, a grand lawn and sprawling spa, The Cooper is shaping up to be a true destination hotel and will no doubt be popular for weddings and special events.

5. Four Seasons Cartagena

Cartagena, Colombia

Immerse yourself in Cartagena’s colonial past while enjoying the finest modern amenities when you stay at the Four Seasons Cartagena. Located in the artsy Getsemaní neighborhood, the hotel has eight restaurants and lounges, as well as a rooftop pool and spa. Guests have easy access to the Walled City, and the hotel can arrange special experiences, including catamaran cruises to nearby islands, nature treks, and street art tours.

6. ONE | GT

Grand Cayman

If you’re the kind of traveler who thinks, "yep, I could live here" the minute you settle into a new destination, you’ll get a great taste of what island life could be like at the ONE | GT in Grand Cayman. The brand new luxury hotel and residential development in downtown George Town is all suites, with an exclusive rooftop terrace and Grand Cayman’s only rooftop infinity-edge pool. Think sleek city style with an island soul.

7. Hotel Daphne

Houston Heights, Texas

The creative soul of Houston Heights meets the offbeat style of Bunkhouse Hotels in the Hotel Daphne, a 49-room guesthouse full of bold art and quirky character. Rooms at the pet-friendly property have a relaxed, residential feel, inspired by the neighborhood’s mix of Arts and Crafts and Folk Victorian architecture. Hotel Daphne's restaurant Hypsi pays homage to the private drinking clubs The Heights was once known for.

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8. Hoanib Elephant Camp

Kaokoland, Namibia

Rest your head in the untamed home of desert elephants at the Hoanib Elephant Camp, which debuted in Namibia in May 2026. The under-canvas tented camp provides climate-controlled comfort along with the chance to engage with the local Himba tribe and observe the resilient, desert-adapted elephants, who benefit from conservation projects funded by the property. 

9. WildLand Hope, Scottish Highlands

Loch Hope, Scotland

If savoring nature while contributing to its preservation is high on your list in 2026, you’ll want to check out WildLand Hope. The property features a restored historic hunting lodge as well as cottages and is part of the WildLand portfolio – land across Scotland developed by the Povlsen family with careful consideration of climate change, local habitat and wildlife. The retreat-style accommodations on Scotland’s northern coast are complemented by daily guided adventures and wellness rituals.

10. St. Clement

London, England

St. Clement may be London's most talked-about hotel opening (and there have been many) because it marks Soho House founder Nick Jones' first foray into hospitality since stepping down as CEO of the members club. St. Clement is clubby, homey and chic – as part of a larger development at 180 The Thames, there are also residences, a health club with a pool and more amenities to come. There is all-day dining at Café Clement, with al fresco seating, or find a more moody atmosphere at Bobbi's Bar. On the banks of the Thames, some rooms showcase iconic views, like the towering London Eye across the river.

11. Delano Miami Beach

Miami Beach, Florida

The spring reopening of Delano Miami Beach marks a new era for South Beach boutique hotels. As one of Miami’s most iconic landmarks, the Delano’s all-white, minimalist look set the standard in the 1990s. Now, its fresh design reflects a more current and mature quiet luxury. That said, the splashy bars and restaurants and high-energy pool scene are sure to draw a who’s who of the global see-and-be-seen set.

12. HOSHINOYA Nara Prison

Nara, Japan

HOSHINOYA Nara Prison in Japan has been transformed from an early 20th century penal facility into a luxury resort, which opened in June 2026. Its 48 suites combine nine to 11 former cells each, but the remnants of that history are barely noticeable in its reimagined and resplendent state. Clean lines, wood finishes, sumptuous furnishings elegantly coexist within this architectural landmark's hand-laid brick walls. The onsite restaurant, housed in the former dining hall, serves artistically plated Japanese-French cuisine. At the adjoining Nara Prison Museum, guests can see exhibits that reflect on the harsh realities of imprisonment.

13. SongTeller Hotel

Nashville, Tennessee 

Dolly Parton's venture into hospitality continues with the mid-September 2026 debut of her SongTeller Hotel in Nashville is a cause for celebration – and an instant book-now for your fall travels. Parton describes the hotel as her love letter to the city, envisioning it as a place where musicians and guests can come together. In addition to rooms and suites, SongTeller will have two intimate music venues, Parton’s Live and Jolene’s.

14. Casa Renoir

Noosa, Australia

Noosa has long been a luxurious enclave on southern Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, and its newest stay, the intimate six-villa Casa Renoir, is a chic addition to the scene. Designed as a boutique wellness hotel, the property is inspired by the Southern Italian lifestyle, with olive and citrus trees, and elegant stone-walled architecture to shade guests from the Aussie heat. 

15. Explora El Calafate

Patagonia, Argentina

Patagonia is your playground when you stay at Explora’s El Calafate, a new lodge located in the Chorrillo Malo estancia, about 31km (19 miles) from the town of El Calafate. The 20 guest rooms with stunning views of nature provide soothing retreats where guests can return after exploring the surrounding pampas and the Andes. Explora provides expert guides to escort you to see the Perito Moreno Glacier and other little-known landscapes.

16. The Cormorant at 55 South

Puerto Williams, Chile

Getting to Antarctica can be a daunting aspect of the trip, but when Silversea Cruises debuts the “southernmost hotel” just in time for cruising season, the journey will be eminently more comfortable and luxurious. The Cormorant at 55 South rounds out Silversea’s Antarctica Fly Cruise package, with a stylish place for guests to rest before or after crossing the Drake Passage. Instead of being stranded at the airport when inclement weather strikes, guests can relax at the hotel before the big adventure begins. 

17. Baccarat Rome

Rome, Italy

When it opens late this year, Baccarat Rome will be the crystal barware company’s second foray into hotel land (the first is in New York), with the refurbishment of an 1889 landmark building once known as the Hotel Majestic. The new hotel will feature the finest chandeliers, a jewel-box spa, a restaurant overlooking Via Veneto and a rooftop bar and lounge. Doors open at the end of the year.

18. COMO Le Beauvallon

St-Tropez, France

If you’re going to visit St-Tropez, you might as well go full-tilt and stay in an art-filled palace. The COMO Le Beauvallon is inside a Belle Époque landmark from 1914, perched on the Riviera coast. Immerse yourself in an Asian-inspired spa treatment at the hotel’s COMO Shambhala Retreat or position yourself poolside or at the Beauvallon sur Mer Beach Club and wave to the guests arriving by yacht.

19. PUBLIC West Hollywood

West Hollywood, California

For a splashier stay in LA, the PUBLIC West Hollywood is set to become a star-studded scene. Its location on the Sunset Strip and its Ian Schrager-branded pedigree all but guarantee major buzz. Similar to the original PUBLIC hotel in downtown NYC, this outpost has a modern minimalist aesthetic, multiple A-list food and beverage venues and a sprawling rooftop terrace sure to draw a chic crowd.