New openings · The Carter Journal · 10 October 2026
New luxury hotels opening in 2026: 20 global addresses to know
From a Venetian palazzo to a private safari camp, these are twenty new chapters in luxury hospitality worth knowing about.
2026 brings a remarkable range of hotel openings: intimate cultural addresses, contemporary city retreats and resorts where the landscape is the main attraction. Our selection spans five regions and focuses on what makes each stay distinctive.
Opening information checked on 10 October 2026. We distinguish hotels already welcoming guests from announced openings, grand launches after preview stays and new brand chapters in existing properties. This is a researched guide, rather than a collection of first-hand reviews. For upcoming properties, confirm the opening date and available facilities for your stay.
Europe
Six Senses
01 · London, United Kingdom
Six Senses London
Opened March 2026
The Whiteley’s transformation brings a resort-style approach to Bayswater, close to Hyde Park and Notting Hill. Art Deco references, rich colours and British craftsmanship give the 109 rooms and suites a distinctive character. The substantial spa, indoor pool and Whiteley’s Kitchen, Bar and Café make this a compelling option for a London break with time to unwind. Choose it if you want the city’s cultural energy alongside a strong emphasis on wellness.
Orient Express · Giulio Ghirardi
02 · Venice, Italy
Orient Express Venezia
Opened March 2026
A restored 15th-century palazzo in Cannaregio provides a richly atmospheric setting for Orient Express’s Venetian arrival. Palazzo Donà Giovannelli brings together historic architecture and the romance associated with the brand, offering a different starting point from the city’s busiest waterfront addresses. This is a hotel to consider for art, architecture and a slower exploration of Venice. Its appeal lies in the building itself as much as the destination; ask about the specific suite and dining arrangements for your dates.
Airelles
03 · Venice, Italy
Airelles Palladio, Venice
2026 debut · now welcoming guests
Across the water from St Mark’s Square, Giudecca offers a quieter perspective on Venice. Airelles occupies a 16th-century property surrounded by gardens, with 17 rooms and 28 suites whose frescoes, antique furniture and Venetian fabrics favour a lavish, traditional aesthetic. The setting makes it a strong choice for travellers who want space and serenity between sightseeing. Consider it for a special occasion or a longer Venetian stay, especially if you enjoy hotels with a pronounced sense of theatre.
EDITION Hotels
04 · Cadenabbia, Italy
The Lake Como EDITION
Grand opening March 2026 · preview stays in 2025
A 19th-century palazzo on Lake Como’s western shore has been recast with contemporary interiors and views towards Bellagio. The floating pool, private dock and dining associated with Mauro Colagreco give the hotel an appealing balance of lakeside leisure and social energy. With 148 rooms, it is a livelier proposition than an intimate private villa. Put it on the shortlist if you like modern design and want boat trips, long lunches and the lake to shape your days.
Zannier Hotels
05 · Bandol, France
Zannier Île de Bendor
Opened 1 May 2026
After a five-year transformation, this private island off Bandol returns as a 93-key Zannier destination. Accommodation is spread across different parts of the island, each with its own character, so the experience is more varied than a single hotel building. The Mediterranean setting makes it appealing for travellers seeking an island atmosphere within reach of the French Riviera. Think relaxed coastal days, time for wellness and a sense of separation from the mainland; room location matters when choosing your stay.
Four Seasons
06 · Mykonos, Greece
Four Seasons Hotel Mykonos
Opened July 2026
Above Kalo Livadi Bay, Four Seasons introduces a retreat that combines Cycladic architecture with a quieter coastal setting. The hotel’s appeal is the balance between island life and privacy: time by the sea can sit alongside visits to Chora and Mykonos’s celebrated restaurants and beach clubs. It is worth considering for a Greek island holiday where the hotel itself is an important part of the trip. Compare room views and outdoor space carefully rather than choosing on category name alone.
Marriott International
07 · Budapest, Hungary
The St. Regis Budapest
Opened April 2026 · new brand chapter in Klotild Palace
The historic Klotild Palace becomes the setting for St. Regis’s Hungarian debut, bringing palace architecture and the brand’s service traditions to central Budapest. An indoor pool, hammam and Finnish sauna connect the spa experience with the city’s bathing heritage. This is a natural candidate for a culture-led weekend with a grand hotel as its base. Choose it if historic surroundings and a formal sense of occasion appeal, while checking the view and layout of your particular room.
Hilton
08 · Athens, Greece
Conrad Athens The Ilisian
Reopened as Conrad April 2026 · former Hilton Athens
This is a new chapter for an established Athenian landmark rather than a newly built hotel. The former Hilton Athens has returned as Conrad Athens The Ilisian, pairing its architectural identity with contemporary rooms, dining and leisure spaces. For travellers combining museums, restaurants and time by the pool, it offers an alternative to a small historic-centre address. Acropolis-facing accommodation is especially worth comparing; confirm the exact view in the room category quoted rather than assuming every room shares it.
Asia
Capella Hotels and Resorts
09 · Kyoto, Japan
Capella Kyoto
Opened March 2026
In the historic Miyagawa-cho district, Capella’s 89-room Kyoto hotel takes its cues from the traditional machiya townhouse. Rooms surround a peaceful courtyard, while Japanese artworks and craft give the interiors a close connection to place. Six Onsen Suites add the possibility of private bathing. This is an appealing choice for travellers who want Kyoto’s cultural traditions to inform the stay, with Kenninji Temple and the district’s performance heritage close by. Allow time for the hotel’s cultural programming as well as sightseeing.
Imperial Hotel
10 · Kyoto, Japan
Imperial Hotel, Kyoto
Opened 5 March 2026
The Imperial Hotel’s new Kyoto address preserves and adapts the Yasaka Kaikan, a registered cultural property in Gion. Its 55 rooms make it an intimate addition to a brand with a long Japanese hospitality history. Natural materials and considered interiors accompany restaurants, bars and wellness facilities within a building tied to the neighbourhood’s artistic life. Consider it if you prefer a smaller hotel with architectural heritage and a strong sense of location, rather than a large contemporary resort outside the centre.
Hilton
11 · Nagoya, Japan
Conrad Nagoya
Opened July 2026
High above Sakae, Conrad Nagoya brings skyline views and contemporary design to the heart of the city. The 170-room hotel occupies the upper floors of The Landmark Nagoya Sakae, with a spa, indoor pool and a dining collection that includes sushi and teppan kaiseki. Direct connection to Sakae Station is useful for exploring. It suits travellers adding central Japan to a wider itinerary and those who enjoy the contrast of a busy city below and a spacious retreat above.
Hilton · hotel preview
12 · Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Waldorf Astoria Kuala Lumpur
Scheduled 30 October 2026
Waldorf Astoria’s Malaysian debut is planned as an all-suite address in Kuala Lumpur’s Golden Triangle. The announced 268 suites begin at 80 square metres, making generous residential-style space central to the proposition. Bukit Bintang shopping and city dining are close at hand, while the hotel’s pool and wellness offering aim to provide a retreat from the streets below. It is one to watch for a city stay with substantial room space; confirm the opening and which facilities will be operating before booking.
Mandarin Oriental · architectural preview
13 · Metro Manila, Philippines
Mandarin Oriental Makati, Manila
Scheduled late 2026
Mandarin Oriental’s return to Manila centres on a parkside address in Makati, near Ayala Triangle Gardens. The announced design uses warm timber, woven details and Filipino craftsmanship, with entry-level rooms starting at 50 square metres. Plans include five dining concepts and a 25-metre outdoor pool. This looks particularly relevant for travellers combining business and leisure or beginning a wider Philippine journey. Treat it as an upcoming opening and check the final date, room availability and family configurations for your intended stay.
Africa
Banyan Tree Escape
14 · Ruaha National Park, Tanzania
Ubuyu, A Banyan Tree Escape
First guests August 2026 · launch phase
On the banks of the Great Ruaha River, Banyan Tree’s first safari retreat offers a small-scale alternative to a conventional resort. Artisan-crafted villas, outdoor decks and private-pool options connect the accommodation to the surrounding landscape. Dedicated Escape Hosts shape activities around guest interests, from wildlife to food and cultural discovery. It is worth considering for travellers who value privacy and an unhurried safari rhythm. The larger villas also make it relevant for families or friends travelling together.
Singita · architectural preview
15 · Okavango Delta, Botswana
Singita Elela
Scheduled 2026 · opening to be confirmed for your dates
Singita’s first Botswana property is conceived around eight private camps in the Okavango Delta, ranging from one to four bedrooms. Each is planned with its own vehicle, guide, tracker and Camp Manager, making privacy and a flexible daily rhythm the central attraction. Raised, circular camps and expansive views are intended to keep the landscape present throughout the stay. It is an especially interesting prospect for a family safari or a small group wanting a dedicated team and a highly personal itinerary.
The Americas
Aman
16 · Baja California, Mexico
Amanvari
Opened August 2026
Aman’s first Mexican resort sits on Baja’s East Cape, where desert, mountains and the Sea of Cortez meet. Its coastal setting offers a different mood from the busier parts of Los Cabos, with the landscape taking centre stage. Casa Grande and the resort’s pool spaces give the hotel a strong visual identity, while land and marine exploration widen the possibilities beyond a beach holiday. Consider Amanvari for an intimate escape where privacy, architecture and a dramatic natural setting are priorities.
Four Seasons
17 · Cartagena, Colombia
Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Cartagena
Opened April 2026
In Getsemaní, beside Cartagena’s Walled City, Four Seasons has brought a collection of historic buildings into a new hotel setting. Colonial and Beaux-Arts architecture are part of the appeal, with rooftop leisure spaces, the Umari spa and a broad dining offering adding contemporary comfort. This is a city stay rather than a secluded beach resort. Choose it for colourful streets, architecture and restaurants, perhaps as the cultural chapter of a longer Colombian journey with a separate coastal escape.
The Cooper / Beemok Hospitality Collection
18 · Charleston, United States
The Cooper
Opened March 2026
Charleston’s waterfront gains a 191-room hotel with a private marina, rooftop infinity pool and a residential take on Southern style. The Cooper brings harbour views together with downtown access, making it an attractive option for travellers who want restaurants and historic streets without giving up time by the water. Its spa and four dining concepts broaden the stay beyond a room with a view. Consider it for a relaxed American city break, especially if boating and coastal scenery appeal.
Middle East
Six Senses / IHG
19 · Red Sea coast, Saudi Arabia
Six Senses AMAALA
Opened July 2026
Between desert cliffs, beaches and a mangrove-fringed lagoon, Six Senses AMAALA brings 100 suites and villas to a striking Red Sea setting. Saudi coastal architecture informs the design, while the extensive spa and wellness spaces make slowing down a major part of the proposition. Nature-led experiences and accommodation for families and groups give it a broader appeal than a couples-only retreat. Consider it for a resort-focused stay, with transfers, room layout and preferred activities discussed together before you choose.
Raffles Hotels and Resorts
20 · Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Raffles Jeddah
Opened 2026
Overlooking Jeddah’s corniche, Raffles pairs contemporary design with Hijazi architectural details and uninterrupted Red Sea views. The 182 rooms and suites each have a private terrace, making the water an important part of the experience rather than a distant backdrop. Restaurants, patisserie and separate spa facilities for ladies and gentlemen add to the appeal. It is a strong candidate for travellers wanting a refined waterfront city base, with Jeddah’s cultural life alongside the comfort of a substantial luxury hotel.
Which new hotel is right for your trip?
A new opening can be exciting, but the best choice still depends on your dates, room requirements and the kind of holiday you want. A city landmark, a remote safari camp and an island resort solve very different travel briefs. Share the hotels that appeal to you, along with your priorities, and we can explore suitable options.
Images are credited to the hotel or operator beside each entry. Upcoming-property previews include architectural visualisations. Opening dates and facilities can change; we can help confirm the latest details for your stay.
