Ultimate Encounter

The Most Exciting New Hotels for 2021

From palaces and private villas to remote cabins and luxury urban retreats, these are the best new hotels opening around the world in 2021. 

It’s been a turbulent time for the global travel industry but that hasn’t stopped innovative hotel companies and hoteliers around the world from continuing their work on exciting new hotels, resorts, camps, and retreats. Now, as travel begins the long road back, we look at some of the most exciting new properties arriving in the year ahead.

Montage Big Sky

United States

Located at one of the US’s most popular ski destinations, Montana’s Big Sky Resort, and part of Spanish Peaks Mountain Club, Montage Big Sky (above) will feature 150 guestrooms and suites and 39 Montage Residences, making it the perfect hideaway for die-hard snow bunnies. Amenities at the new alpine retreat will include multiple dining venues, an 11,000sqft Spa Montage, a fitness center and indoor lap pool, an outdoor family pool, and those all-important hot tubs.

In winter, the property is ski-in, ski-out to Big Sky Resort’s 2,367-hectares (5,850-acres) of terrain, and in summer it’s just off Spanish Peaks Mountain Club’s Tom Weiskopf-signature golf course. There’s also an abundance of opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, fly fishing, snowshoeing, Nordic skiing, and other outdoor adventures, and the natural wonders and wildlife of Yellowstone National Park are nearby.

Azumi Setoda

Japan

A new Japanese ryokan retreat from Adrian Zecha, one of the inspirators behind the Aman brand, this new spa hotel is set to open this month. Located on Ikuchijima Island in the Seto Inland Sea the intimate new hideaway is centered around a 140-year-old ancestral home. An ode to traditional Japanese hospitality and architecture, expect plenty of earthy tones, cedar paneling, cypress soak tubs, and slate accents, as well as plenty of references to the local community, its traditions, and the seasons that define them. For the real bathhouse experience, the hotel’s sister onsen nearby is a great spot for a post-hike reprieve.

From palaces and private villas to remote cabins and luxury urban retreats, these are the best new hotels opening around the world in 2021. 

Basecamp Revelstoke

Canada

In Revelstoke, British Columbia, the newest addition to the Basecamp Resorts family, Basecamp Revelstoke, boasts boutique accommodations overlooking the Columbia River, a short walk from buzzy downtown. Designed for families, adventure seekers, and powder junkies alike, the hotel is surrounded by a bounty of natural splendors, enhanced by modern amenities like complimentary cruiser bikes and a sustainable design that effectively reduces environmental impact.

After a long day of shredding on the mountain, guests can lounge on their basecamp patio and barbecue with a glass of wine, then head to the rooftop hot tub to stargaze and watch the mountains, dreaming about the next day’s adventures.

From palaces and private villas to remote cabins and luxury urban retreats, these are the best new hotels opening around the world in 2021. 

Villa Dagmar

Sweden

With just 70 guest rooms, each individually designed, Villa Dagmar is set to open in Stockholm’s oh-so-cool Östermalmstorg district later this year. Created by the team behind Hotel Diplomat, and housed within a 19th century Art Nouveau building, the new hotel is all about Scandinavian simplicity and combines elegant interiors, a fitness center, and spa with the Mediterranean cuisine of Chefs Daniel Höglander and Niclas Jönsson. 

From palaces and private villas to remote cabins and luxury urban retreats, these are the best new hotels opening around the world in 2021. 

Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid

Spain

Following the most ambitious and extensive renovation to take place in the building’s 110-year history, Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid will open in Spring. The creation of Spanish architect Rafael de La-Hoz and French designer duo Gilles & Boissier, the 153-room hotel, formerly Hotel Ritz, will boast a spectacular new design and a range of facilities, including a heated swimming pool and fitness center while preserving the building’s striking Belle Époque character, originally conceived by Cesar Ritz.

As part of the three-year renovation, the historic Palm Court, with its signature glass dome, will return after an 80-year hiatus and will join five restaurants and bars designed, developed, and implemented by celebrated Spanish chef Quique Dacosta.

From palaces and private villas to remote cabins and luxury urban retreats, these are the best new hotels opening around the world in 2021. 

Thompson Hollywood

United States

If you’re looking for an excuse to jet off to La La Land then you’re in luck with the arrival of the Thompson Hollywood this Spring. This exciting new luxury boutique hotel is slated to open in the heart of the Vinyl District and will draw upon the world of old-school Hollywood glamour whilst maintaining a contemporary and stylish approach across 190 guest rooms and 24 suites by Tara Bernerd & Partners. The hotel will also reflect the musical roots and vibrancy of its historic locale indoors through a world-class culinary, nightlife, and entertainment offering that includes two immersive restaurants, a state-of-the-art fitness experience, and scenic views from the rooftop pool deck and lounge.

From palaces and private villas to remote cabins and luxury urban retreats, these are the best new hotels opening around the world in 2021. 

The Prince Akatoki

Thailand

You’ll want to spend more than one night in the Thai capital with the arrival, in the fourth quarter, of The Prince Akatoki Riverside Bangkok. With a prestigious riverside location on the famous Chao Phraya River, the contemporary urban sanctuary will feature authentic Japanese hospitality across its 255 rooms and suites (which include a lavish 1,850sqft Presidential Suite); as well as multiple dining destinations, a whisky library, and one of Asia’s Sin City’s sexiest new rooftop bars.

A private pier allows for a unique water arrival, while an exclusive ferry service will whisk guests to Icon Siam, one of Asia’s largest malls, located directly opposite the hotel.

From palaces and private villas to remote cabins and luxury urban retreats, these are the best new hotels opening around the world in 2021. 

Patina Maldives, Fari Islands

Maldives

Set to open in Q2 2021, Patina Maldives, Fari Islands will be the inaugural flagship resort from Patina Hotels & Resorts, a sophisticated new lifestyle brand by Capella Hotel Group.  The resort is a radical new example of biophilic design from renowned Brazilian architect Marcio Kogan, founder of international award-winning Studio MK27. Inspired by the beauty and metaphorical significance of the island landscape, Patina Maldives is situated in the heart of the Fari Islands archipelago, located in the North Male Atoll, an elevated new Maldivian destination that celebrates nature, craft and connection. The resort will offer guests the freedom to explore the Fari Islands; to choose from privacy and seclusion, or to embrace a vibrant social scene on the Fari Marina Village and Beach Club.

From palaces and private villas to remote cabins and luxury urban retreats, these are the best new hotels opening around the world in 2021. 

Villa Igiea

Italy

If hiding from the world in a historic Sicilian villa appeals, we have just the thing. Rocco Forte Hotels will open Villa Igiea, a historical Art Nouveau palazzo overlooking the Gulf of Palermo, in May. Originally built in 1900 to be a private villa, the influential Florio family commissioned Italian Art Nouveau architect Ernesto Basile to restore the property, which has welcomed more than its fair share of artists, Hollywood elite, and royalty, into a lavish hotel.

Design firm Nicholas Haslam‘s Paolo Moschino will oversee the meticulous restoration of the property, including its frescoed bar, and grand mirrored ballroom, while the 100 rooms and suites will be designed to reflect a Sicilian oasis that is contemporary yet elegant.

From palaces and private villas to remote cabins and luxury urban retreats, these are the best new hotels opening around the world in 2021. 

Airelle Château de Versailles Le Grand Contrôle

France

If you’d like to live like a King – or perhaps an Emperor – next time you’re visiting the City of Light, you’ll be in luck with the opening of the intimate Airelle Château de Versailles Le Grand Contrôle, a clutch of just 14 luxurious apartments set on the actual grounds of the Palace of Versailles. Nestled in a building that was originally constructed in 1681 by Jules Hardouin-Mansart, and over the Orangerie, the palace’s famed manicured gardens, the new hotel will include its own library and museum, a Valmont wellness center, an indoor swimming pool, and a restaurant by acclaimed chef Alain Ducasse. You’ll also have access to behind-the-scenes tours of the palace. 

From palaces and private villas to remote cabins and luxury urban retreats, these are the best new hotels opening around the world in 2021. 

W Toronto

Canada

One of the city’s most anticipated openings, W Toronto will fling open its door this month in Yorkville, where work is always followed by play. Surrounded by iconic art galleries, the city’s best shopping, and world-class dining, the new luxury hotel promises to be an urban oasis of culture and style. Hit play with live music and DJs at the Living Room, vibe out in the W Sound Suite or rub shoulders with the city’s beautiful at the rooftop bar and restaurant. Guests can also detox at the FIT gym and fuel-up at the street-level coffeehouse, kitchen, and bar.

From palaces and private villas to remote cabins and luxury urban retreats, these are the best new hotels opening around the world in 2021. 

Four Seasons Resort Napa Valley

United States

Make for wine country this year with the opening of the Four Seasons Resort Napa Valley, a luxury enclave at the heart of one of the west coast’s most famous wine belts. Opening in Spring, the property will be Napa Valley’s first and only resort set within a working winery, and promises to deliver an authentic luxury retreat without pretense, where the best of wine, wellness, culinary, and design converge.

Located in quaint Calistoga, the resort will boast just 85 rooms and suites designed by Erin Martin, as well as TRUSS Restaurant and Bar,\ led by Michelin-starred executive chef Erik Anderson, the Spa Talisa, inspired by Calistoga’s 150-year history as a wellness destination, and an organic vineyard led by world-class winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown.

From palaces and private villas to remote cabins and luxury urban retreats, these are the best new hotels opening around the world in 2021. 

Fairmont Windsor Park

United Kingdom

Opening in the second half of the year adjacent to Windsor Great Park and Savill Gardens, the new Fairmont Windsor Park will be the UK’s leading wellness retreat comprising a sprawling spa spanning 27,000sqft with indoor and outdoor pools, 18 treatments rooms, a salt room, Hamman and Japanese foot spa. Led by wellness experts, guests can expect advanced consultations, transformative treatments, and personalized pathways to guide recovery and rehabilitation of the mind, body, and spirit.

Set in beautifully landscaped gardens, the new hotel will resemble an English countryside sanctuary, carefully blending modern elegance with mindful design following a multi-million-pound redevelopment of the former Savill Court Hotel. A home away from home, each of the 200 guestrooms and suites will be spacious, comfortable, and classic in design, furnished to a combination of natural stone and soft textures, with many offering sweeping views of the surrounding gardens Quintessentially British and true to its regal setting, the new retreat will also be home to a sumptuous Tea Lounge, sophisticated Champagne Bar, botanical Gin Bar, and a fine dining Restaurant to complete the picture.

From palaces and private villas to remote cabins and luxury urban retreats, these are the best new hotels opening around the world in 2021. 

explora El Chalten

Argentina

Offering access to both Argentinean and Chilean Patagonia, the new explora El Chalten is a 20-room hacienda-style hotel that will open in September in the Los Huemules National Reserve, a private 5,700-hectare spread in the hushed heart of the Electrico Valley, at the entrance to Campo de Hielo Sur. Surrounded by ancient forests, rushing rivers, and towering mountains, explora El Chaltén will offer an array of immersive outdoor activities for all levels and for all the senses, including hiking, overland trips, rock climbing, and even ice hiking.

Guest rooms are minimally yet stylishly designed and arrayed in wood with modern contemporary furnishings and jacuzzi bath-tubs to help ease those well-earned aches and pains, while the Argentinean Patagonia is the inspiration for the lodge’s menu, with healthy and satisfying lunch and dinner options offered daily at the restaurant, and local wine and spirits to enjoy at the Explorer’s Bar – the perfect space for reliving the journeys and experiences of the day and planning new ones together with explora guides.

From palaces and private villas to remote cabins and luxury urban retreats, these are the best new hotels opening around the world in 2021. 

Moskito Island

The British Virgin Islands

Sister property to the newly-rebuilt Necker Island, Sir Richard Branson’s British Virgin Island playground, and located just two miles away, Moskito Island will open in Spring, with just ten individual estates set on 50 hectares of Caribbean paradise. The luxury 11-bedroom Branson Estate was the first to launch on the island and includes three villas: Headland House, Mangrove Villa, and Beach Villa, offering a total of 11 bedrooms for at least 22 guests. In addition to each individual estate, there is a range of communal areas on the island for all guests to access and enjoy, including a Beach House, infinity pool and bar, tennis pavilion, dining pavilions, and a water sports center.

From palaces and private villas to remote cabins and luxury urban retreats, these are the best new hotels opening around the world in 2021. 

Ca’ di Dio Venice

Italy

Just a short distance from Venice’s Piazza San Marco, Ca’ di Dio will open this spring in the city’s contemporary arts district, a precinct linked to the prestigious Biennale. The fascinating history of the building dates back to 1272, and the project has been curated by renowned architect Patricia Urquiola with the aim of creating an original and distinctive concept: a Venetian “house” linked to the history of the city.

Although contemporary in style, which is unusual for Venice, the common areas will reveal bright travertine and perfectly preserved frescoes. In addition to lavish guest rooms and suites, look out for the ‘altana’, a covered roof-terrace, common in medieval Venice; and a signature restaurant overlooking the lagoon that will serve a modern take on typical Venetian dishes.

From palaces and private villas to remote cabins and luxury urban retreats, these are the best new hotels opening around the world in 2021. 

Ithaafushi Private Island Estate

Maldives

Nestled among white sands and crystal blue waters, the exclusive Ithaafushi Private Island Estate has recently opened adjacent to the Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi. The largest private island in the Maldives, the expansive Ithaafushi Private Island Estate features three elegantly designed standalone villas, accommodating up to 24 guests in estate-style living that’s accessible via a direct exclusive yacht journey.

Just 15-minutes seaplane from the international airport at Malé, every aspect of the new island retreat has been expertly choreographed. The villas include one palatial four-bedroom residence – complete with two king bedrooms, two queen bedrooms, jacuzzies (plural), and direct beach access – while the estate epitomizes privacy, with a small army of Personal Concierges meeting your every whim.

Guests can dictate their life at the estate to their every whim, with a huge array of activities on offer, ranging from diving, yacht excursions, and yoga sessions, to in-villa spa treatments organized by a dedicated wellness concierge, and sunset cocktail parties on a remote sandbar. 

From palaces and private villas to remote cabins and luxury urban retreats, these are the best new hotels opening around the world in 2021. 

explora Mountain Homes

Bolivia

Another exciting project is explora’s Mountain Homes in Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni, slated to open in April. The Mountain Homes will be hidden away in isolated locations in the Andes Mountains, offering guests access to these peaks and the remarkable Uyuni Salt Flat. Each Home will be made up of separate structures housing 2-4 guest rooms and common areas, including a lounge and kitchen.

Explora will have two Mountain Homes and one explora Lodge in Uyuni, forming part of explora’s privately guided multi-day trip, the explora Travesía or ‘nomadic journey’, which lasts between 8-10 days and connects Chile and Bolivia, starting or ending at explora Atacama.

From palaces and private villas to remote cabins and luxury urban retreats, these are the best new hotels opening around the world in 2021. 

Zannier Hotels Bãi San Hô

Vietnam

Zannier Hotels has opened its first beach resort with the arrival of Zannier Hotels Bãi San Hô in Vietnam. The resort takes its name from the private one-kilometer bay it overlooks and features 71 villas, inspired by traditional Vietnamese dwellings that have been ecologically built using age-old techniques. All feature pared-down interiors that include Vietnamese paintings, silk prints, and furniture handcrafted from reclaimed wood and bamboo. Half the villas also include private pools.

Spend your days harvesting oysters, learning how to cultivate rice, taking a trip aboard a traditional longboat, or hiking to the ancient ruins of the Champa Kingdom and Nhan Tower, before returning for authentic Vietnamese fare at Bà Hai – meaning ‘Grandmother Hai’ – which sees chefs use traditional recipes handed down from their mothers and grandmothers.

From palaces and private villas to remote cabins and luxury urban retreats, these are the best new hotels opening around the world in 2021. 

Lindos Grand Resort & Spa

Greece

Opening in May on the Greek island of Rhodes, Lindos Grand Resort & Spa will boast 120 sleek and modern rooms with breath-taking views across the sandy shores of Vlycha Bay, private infinity pools, a healing Thalasso Spa offering vegan-friendly, natural treatments, and an array of fine dining options. An adults-only paradise and the epitome of eco-chic, Lindos Grand Resort & Spa’s carefully considered design naturally blends into its serene hillside setting with locally sourced materials that collect and store rainwater throughout the winter months.

Tech-friendly and innovative, all rooms and suites will operate through a sleek smartphone system, allowing guests to control room temperature and lighting at the touch of their fingertips whilst lazing on the beach, as well as offering easy access to the hotel’s E-concierge services through a single click. Guests can tour the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights, take a unique Jeep Safari experience to the Seven Springs, learn about local winemaking (the island was the first wine-producing region in Greece), try their hand at scuba dive with PADI certified instructors, or enjoy a range of thrilling water sports such as windsurfing and water-skiing.

From palaces and private villas to remote cabins and luxury urban retreats, these are the best new hotels opening around the world in 2021. 

Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans

United States

Famed for its music and its food, Four Seasons Hotel New Orleans will invite travelers to enjoy a new take on New Orleans this year. Located in a landmark tower designed by Edward Durell Stone – a heritage icon with a central downtown location on the banks of the Mississippi River – the new hotel will boast 341 spacious guest rooms and suites as well as 92 residences. There will also be two signature restaurants, an elegant lobby bar, a rooftop swimming pool, and a contemporary spa with eight spa suites.

From palaces and private villas to remote cabins and luxury urban retreats, these are the best new hotels opening around the world in 2021. 

Cervo Mountain Resort

Switzerland

The preferred choice of the stylish ski set for years, Zermatt’s Cervo Mountain Resort, a member of Design Hotels, has reopened after an extensive renovation, conversion, and extension of the existing buildings led by Armin Fischer and Andrea Kraft-Hammerschall of German interior design studio Dreimeta. The redevelopment has added 18 new rooms and suites and remodeled a further 36 into modern interpretations of the Alpine lifestyle with warm colors, wooden surfaces, and natural materials that coalesce with timelessly modern accents and views of the Matterhorn.

Further cementing Cervo’s original spirit of adventure and exploration, the hotel reopens with a concentrated focus on sustainability, an enhanced culture program, an expanded food, and beverage concept, a new state-of-the-art spa. 

From palaces and private villas to remote cabins and luxury urban retreats, these are the best new hotels opening around the world in 2021. 

LUX* Chongzuo, Guangxi

China

Opened last month, the new LUX* Chongzuo, Guangxi introduces guests to the idyllic landscapes of the Sino-Vietnamese border. Surrounded by lush tropical gardens, with stunning views of the region’s majestic karst formations, the new resort will offer guests the chance to enjoy the art of slow traveling and to connect meaningfully with the local community, culture, food, and music.

Located in Guangxi province and separated from Vietnam by the picturesque Mingshi River, the resort is less than two hours drive to the Nongguan Nature Reserve, home to the critically endangered white-headed langurs, and 30 minutes from Asia’s largest transnational waterfall, the world-famous Detian Waterfall.

Boasting 50 suites and six villas, guest accommodation enjoys river-facing balconies and is constructed using natural materials like wood and stone, accentuated with copper accents. Look out for the cuisine of award-winning chef George Qu, and leave time for a dip in the 35-meter infinity pool, a treatment at the LUX* Me Spa, and cocktails at the rooftop bar.

From palaces and private villas to remote cabins and luxury urban retreats, these are the best new hotels opening around the world in 2021. 

Aman New York

United States

As if you needed another excuse to head to the Big Apple, Aman will unveil a new urban sanctuary and the rebirth of an architectural icon in the very heart of Manhattan this Spring. Designed by renowned architect Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston to pay homage to the Crown Building’s striking architecture, Aman New York will feature 83 rooms and suites, each with working fireplaces and views out over the vast sweep of parkland and the world’s most recognizable skyline.

On the upper floors, there will be 22 private Aman Residences, whose owners will enjoy unlimited access to all hotel amenities including the Aman Club. The hotel is also expected to have three principal dining venues, a jazz club, a three-level Aman Spa with a 20-meter indoor swimming pool surrounded by fire pits and daybeds.

From palaces and private villas to remote cabins and luxury urban retreats, these are the best new hotels opening around the world in 2021. 

Nobu Hotel Marrakech

Morocco

Acclaimed chef Nobu Matsuhisa and actor Robert De Niro will continue the expansion of their hotel group with the arrival of the Nobu Hotel Marrakech, the brand’s first foray into Africa. Where rich heritage meets the brand’s contemporary flair, Nobu Hotel Marrakech will be located in the Hivernage district, just steps from the historic heart of the city, souks, and vibrant Djemaa el-Fna.

The hotel, formerly The Pearl Marrakech, will house 71 spacious guest rooms and suites, a selection of dynamic dining venues and rooftop spaces, a luxurious spa, and a fitness center with indoor and outdoor swimming pools, providing a unique luxury lifestyle destination. Other Nobu Hotels in the works include Atlanta and Toronto.

From palaces and private villas to remote cabins and luxury urban retreats, these are the best new hotels opening around the world in 2021. 

CAYO Resort & Spa

Greece

Opening for its first full season in 2021, the highly anticipated CAYO Exclusive Resort and Spa boasts four gastronomic restaurants, a mind-body balancing spa, and unrivaled vistas of the iridescent Spinalonga islet. Perched on its own private swathe of seafront, Crete’s most stylish new hotel overlooks charming Elounda Bay, and its unique terraced architecture blends seamlessly into the mountainous landscape while offering unparalleled access to the island’s tapestry of beaches, historic treasures, and hilltop villages.

Italian designer Gian Paolo Venier has blended cool greys, soft blues, and greens with brushed marble, chic glass, and stone in a nod toward the historical locale and architecture of the nearby ancient city of Olous. Awash with natural daylight, rooms offer uninterrupted views of the ocean, complete with private terraces and heated plunge pools.

With a farm to fork ethos, CAYO’s four restaurants use the freshest seasonal produce, locally sourced from selected eco-friendly farms and the resort’s own organic garden. Curated by Chef Lefteris Lazarou, the first Greek chef to be awarded one Michelin star, dishes range from authentic Greek to modern Mediterranean fare. Be sure to leave time for a visit to the spa, where ancient rituals are combined with cutting-edge treatment techniques, based around the concept of the spiritual, cultural, and natural environment.

From palaces and private villas to remote cabins and luxury urban retreats, these are the best new hotels opening around the world in 2021. 

Zafiro Palace Andratx

Spain Opening in Spring, Zafiro Palace Andratx is a new, all-suite, 5-star palace hotel that promises to bring a breath of fresh air to the Mallorcan coastline. Set in Camp de Mar, a picturesque village sheltered by mountains and full of natural charm, the hotel is steps away from a sandy beach and 10-minutes from the ancient town of Andratx, with its quaint narrow streets and rural heritage. All 304 contemporary suites are spacious and light-filled, – some even have private pools and private terraces.

Look out for the exclusive adult’s only Oasis Pool with Bali beds, the 18-hole championship Andratx Golf Club, and five delectable themed restaurants boasting a wide choice of selections, from local Spanish cuisine to Mediterranean and Asian specialties.

From palaces and private villas to remote cabins and luxury urban retreats, these are the best new hotels opening around the world in 2021. 

Soneva Jani

Maldives

Although not technically a new resort, Soneva Jani welcomes 27 new Water Reserves, new dining concepts, and an expanded Soneva Wellness Centre. The twenty-seven new over-water villas can be accessed via a winding jetty off the southern tip of the resort’s main island.

The new villas have been carefully positioned to maximize privacy and create a true sense of seclusion, and range from One Bedroom Water Reserves to a sprawling Four Bedroom Water Reserve, with each featuring vast indoor and outdoor living spaces and sweeping terraces, a private pool (some with slides straight into the lagoon), outdoor bathrooms. Some reserves also have a retractable roof over the master bed for stargazing.

From palaces and private villas to remote cabins and luxury urban retreats, these are the best new hotels opening around the world in 2021. 

Regent Phu Quoc

Vietnam

Opening in April, Regent Phu Quoc promises to be a refuge of calm for the mind and body. Cocooned in the white sands of Long Beach, the resort offers perfect sunset vistas – best viewed from the rooftop bar, sublime accommodation, world-class dining, and an expansive Spa that includes a Pedi:Mani:Cure Studio by Bastien Gonzalez.

Dramatic yet discreet, each of the resort’s suites and villas – which range from one-bedroom havens to expansive seven-bedroom ultra-villas – has been elegantly designed to create a plush, serene sanctuary. If you can tear yourself from your room, the resort will also offer six dining outlets, including Oku, a French-Japanese Salon de Boeuf; Rice Market, which serves Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine; and Bar Jade, which will be home to artisanal spirits and cocktails.

From palaces and private villas to remote cabins and luxury urban retreats, these are the best new hotels opening around the world in 2021. 

Can Ferrereta

Spain

Located in the Mallorcan town of Santanyí, Can Ferrereta will welcome guests this Spring and open up this lesser-known part of the island’s southeast for the first time. Housed within a meticulously restored 17th-century building, the stunning 32-room hotel is surrounded by verdant gardens and is home to Mediterranean restaurant Ocre, a poolside all-day dining restaurant and bar called La Fresca, and a beautifully designed Sa Calma spa with a hammam, indoor pool, and gym.

Reminiscent of a grand summer house, with space, natural light, and textures blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor living, Can Ferrereta’s has been reimagined by Mallorca-based Bastidas Architecture and Spanish design house WIT, who have infused the property with rustic wooden beams and original stonework in juxtaposition with sleek furnishings and contemporary art. Rooms are dressed in light fabrics and dark furniture to create a sense of simplicity and modest village life, whilst maintaining comfort and refined sophistication throughout. Look out for the signature Pool Suite with its own private sundeck, garden, and pool.

From palaces and private villas to remote cabins and luxury urban retreats, these are the best new hotels opening around the world in 2021. 

One&Only Portonovi

Montenegro

Allowing fans of the brand a new Adriatic escape, One&Only Portonovi is due to open in May in Montenegro. Part of the 24-hectare lifestyle development Portonovi, which is set on picturesque Boka Bay, adjacent to the UNESCO-listed Kotor, the resort promises to be a year-round retreat for lovers of luxury and will feature ocean-facing guest suites, insightful dining in partnership with chef Giorgio Locatelli, and an Espace Chenot Health Wellness Spa.

From palaces and private villas to remote cabins and luxury urban retreats, these are the best new hotels opening around the world in 2021. 

Paradero Todos Santos

Mexico

An intimate 35-room retreat set in a sleepy Mexican surfing mecca, the new Paradero Todos Santos is wreathed by its own sprawling botanical gardens, ensuring the new Yektajo & Valdez Architects-designed boutique hotel melts into the surrounding landscape. With interiors by B Huber, the new retreat is all about reconnecting with nature and includes a signature Ojo de Agua Spa that uses artisanal water in its treatments, and a restaurant that laces ingredients from its own gardens into its selection of Oaxacan’inspired dishes. Look out for great surf breaks, mountain biking trails, and an innovative taco crawl excursion. 

From palaces and private villas to remote cabins and luxury urban retreats, these are the best new hotels opening around the world in 2021. 

The Woodward

Switzerland

The Oetker Collection is set to open a new luxury house of slumber on Lake Geneva’s Quai Wilson, offering stunning views of Mont Blanc. Housed in a 1901 building by architect François Durel in a post-Haussmann style, The Woodward is the creation of world-renowned architect Pierre-Yves Rochon and includes just 26 individually designed suites, some with marble fireplaces and bookcases, as well as an expansive Spa by Maison Guerlain, and the city’s largest indoor pool. Foodies should look out for L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, which will only cater to 36 diners at a time, and Michelin-starred chef Alain Verzeroli’s Le Jardinier.

From palaces and private villas to remote cabins and luxury urban retreats, these are the best new hotels opening around the world in 2021. 

Six Senses New York

United States

Also opening in Manhattan, Six Senses New York will bring the brand’s wellness-focus to North America for the first time. Part of architect Bjarke Ingels’ two-towered The XI complex, the urban resort will include 132 contemporary guest rooms and suites, stunning views of The High Line and the Hudson River, a comprehensive Six Senses Spa, and two signature restaurants.

From palaces and private villas to remote cabins and luxury urban retreats, these are the best new hotels opening around the world in 2021. 

Rosewood São Paulo

Brazil

Scheduled to open in 2021 as Rosewood’s first property in South America, the Rosewood São Paulo will be situated in the city’s historic Cidade Matarazzo, a complex of elegant buildings dating back to the early 20th century that is being transformed into private residences, high-end stores and entertainment venues.

With design input from Pritzker Prize-winning architect Jean Nouvel, designer Philippe Starck, and renowned Brazilian artists Beatriz Milhazes and Saint-Clare Cemin, the new hotel will boast 180 guestrooms and suites, as well as two restaurants – including one located on a veranda overlooking the lush hotel gardens – an elegant bar and a caviar lounge.

Recreational facilities will include two swimming pools – one on the roof and the other set amongst the landscaped grounds – and a large spa with six treatment rooms and a fitness area.

From palaces and private villas to remote cabins and luxury urban retreats, these are the best new hotels opening around the world in 2021. 

Reykjavik Edition

Iceland

Perfect for a few nights of city exploring after that Greenland or Arctic cruise, the new Reykjavik Edition promises to capture the essence of Iceland’s cool little capital. Located adjacent to the striking Harpa Concert Hall on the city’s waterfront, the new 253-room hotel by Marriott will feature design by Ian Schrager Company as well as Roman & Williams and T.arch, and will incorporate plenty of Icelandic elements into its contemporary persona. Look out for a spa housed on the sixth floor, a private rooftop lounge with views across the capital, and three restaurants that make the most of Icelandic produce. 

From palaces and private villas to remote cabins and luxury urban retreats, these are the best new hotels opening around the world in 2021. 

Amanvari

Mexico

Aman continues to expand its footprint in the Americas with the arrival, on Baja’s East Cape, of Amanvari. Far from the tourist hordes of Cabo, and adjacent to the new Four Seasons, Amanvari will feature just 20 ‘pavilions’ as well as a clutch of private residences set within a beachfront mangrove jungle.

Framed by the majestic Sierra de la Laguna mountain range, and hugged by the golden sand dunes of its own stretch of beach, Aman’s first Mexican retreat has been designed by architects Heah & Co, who have created intimate, luxurious stilted bi-level pavilions, each with ample living space inside and out (some even have a cantilevered pool).

From palaces and private villas to remote cabins and luxury urban retreats, these are the best new hotels opening around the world in 2021. 

Raffles Udaipur

India

Adding to Rajasthan’s sprawling collection of palaces, the new Raffles Udaipur, the brand’s first property in the country, will be an elegant 101-room retreat set at the heart of a tranquil lake. Often referred to as the Venice of the East, Udaipur is famous for its rich cultural heritage, lakes, temples, and palaces, and the new hotel, which will be colonial-esque in its design, will feature Raffles signatures, ranging from a 1,100 square meter Raffles Spa, and iconic Long Bar, to a Writers Bar along with a rooftop restaurant and an all-day dining restaurant, a swimming pool, and deck.

From palaces and private villas to remote cabins and luxury urban retreats, these are the best new hotels opening around the world in 2021. 

andBeyond Punakha River Lodge

Bhutan

If Bhutan isn’t already on your bucket list then you’re a madman. This tiny Himalayan kingdom is unlike any other destination on earth and with the arrival of the andBeyond Punakha River Lodge from one of Africa’s top safari operators, there’s even more reason to visit.

With just six tents, a two-bedroom villa, and a special honeymoon suite, the new camp will feature sustainable architecture married with luxurious interiors by Jo’berg’s Fox Browne Creative. You’ll spend your days hiking to the Tiger’s Nest monastery or white water rafting on the Punakha River before returning to local cuisine laced with the freshest Himalayan ingredients. Epic.

From palaces and private villas to remote cabins and luxury urban retreats, these are the best new hotels opening around the world in 2021. 

Gleneagles Townhouse

Scotland

Gleneagles is coming to Edinburgh in Autumn! The iconic sporting and country estate (above) is launching its first-ever city outpost at 37-39 St Andrew Square, originally home to the British Linen Company and later the Bank of Scotland. With outstanding architectural features designed by notable architects and sculptors such as David Bryce and Alexander Handyside Ritchie, the iconic building is being reimagined to become Gleneagles Townhouse.

Presenting the perfect urban gateway, Gleneagles Townhouse will have 33 bedrooms, each uniquely designed to imbue a sense of understated luxury with an appreciative nod to the heritage of the building, a vibrant all-day restaurant perfect for breakfasts, long lazy lunches, and spirited dinners, and two striking bars, including a rooftop terrace where guests will enjoy extraordinary views over the city, previously only held by the rooftop statues!

Gleneagles Townhouse will also be home to our members club – a community with a passion for exchanging ideas, discovering new obsessions, collaborating together, and simply having fun, with access to exclusive private spaces and on-site gym and wellness.

From palaces and private villas to remote cabins and luxury urban retreats, these are the best new hotels opening around the world in 2021. 

Alila Marea Beach Resort

United States

As the brand’s first new-build resort in the Americas, the Alila Marea Beach Resort will open in Encinitas, outside San Diego, and will join fellow California property Alila Ventana Big Sur. Situated along coastal bluffs and overlooking Grandview and South Ponto Beaches, Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas will be a luxury oceanfront hotel with 130 guestrooms, including 16 suites.

Also look out for an ocean-view restaurant with a rooftop patio, a pool with a pool bar and an infinity-edge hot tub, a luxury Spa Alila and spectacular wedding and events venues, all with panoramic Pacific Ocean and lagoon views.

From palaces and private villas to remote cabins and luxury urban retreats, these are the best new hotels opening around the world in 2021. 

Hotel La Palma

Italy

Capri’s first hotel, built in 1822, is to be transformed by Oetker Collection and owners, Reuben Brothers, into Hotel La Palma, an elegant and exclusive 50-room-and-suite island retreat. Located steps from the famous Piazzetta, the new hotel, which opens in April, will comprise a rooftop restaurant and bar, its own beach club, a newly built pool deck, a spa, and high-fashion boutiques.

Hotel La Palma has been conceived as a unique, elegant Mediterranean retreat for the modern traveler, with by two acclaimed architects, Rome- based Francesco Delogu of Delogu Architects and Adam Tihany and Alessia Genova of New York’s Tihany Design. Be sure to book at a table at chef Gennaro Esposito’s signature restaurant and mark the passing of day to night at Bianca, a glamorous, newly created rooftop restaurant and bar open ’til late with spectacular views over the sea and Capri Village.

From palaces and private villas to remote cabins and luxury urban retreats, these are the best new hotels opening around the world in 2021. 

Six Senses Shaharut

Israel

Six Senses Shaharut is set to open in the south of the Negev Desert in the Arava Valley and will feature just 58 suites and villas with one Retreat Villa. Designed to integrate into the desert topography and preserve the natural terrain, the villas are built from, and inspired by, local rock and pigments, with the landscaping featuring cacti and indigenous desert blooms.

The Six Senses Spa Shaharut includes single and double treatment rooms plus male and female steam, sauna, and hammams. On-site attractions include the fascinating Earth Lab, camel stables, and an open-air amphitheater. The desert setting presents a host of activities from overnight camel camping to extreme sports, hiking, jeep safaris, and wine tours.

For more Accommodation inspiration click here.

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