The next few months will see numerous exciting luxury hotel debuts around the world. Some much-delayed resorts are finally opening (The Vineta Hotel in Palm Beach), while others scheduled for early 2026 seem more aspirational than actual (Amanvari in Baja, Mexico). We look forward to reviewing as many of the latest offerings as possible, but in the meantime, keep these promising properties on your radar.

Aspen Boutique

White Elephant operates three other hotels we recommend, two on Nantucket and one in Palm Beach, so we’re eyeing its fourth property with great interest. Set to open in February, the 54-room White Elephant Aspen stands in the heart of town on Main Street, not adjacent to a ski lift. But a private shuttle to the mountain will make hitting the slopes quite easy. Like the other White Elephant hotels, this one will have a Lola 41 restaurant, plus a “hidden speakeasy.”

Charleston Resort

Since we don’t currently recommend any hotels on the waterfront of Charleston, South Carolina, The Cooper has caught our attention. On the east side of the French Quarter, this 191-room hotel is much larger than any of our other suggestions in town. Once it opens in March, it will offer harbor views, a 7,000-square-foot spa, a charter yacht for day excursions and a rooftop infinity pool. We’ve always gravitated toward small hotels in Charleston, but this spot will be at the top of our list on our next visit.

French Riviera Retreat

In April, one of our favorite spa-resort companies will open a new hotel in a 1914 landmark on the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. Como Le Beauvallon will offer 42 rooms, many with sea views, set on a hill above 10 acres of gardens. A road runs between the main building and the water, but yachts will be able to pull right up to the estate. Though a shuttle boat will take guests eight minutes across the bay to the chic town of Saint-Tropez, we might prefer to relax by the expansive pool near the beach or in the extensive spa, the Como Shambhala Retreat.

Venetian Grandeur

The second hotel by Orient Express, opening in Venice in April, is closer to the train station than to Piazza San Marco, and it’s not even on the Grand Canal. But after our wonderful stay at the Orient Express La Minerva in Rome, we can’t wait to review the 47-room Orient Express Venezia. It occupies the Palazzo Donà Giovannelli, which resembles a miniature Doge’s Palace, and its interiors look as glamorous as those of La Dolce Vita Orient Express. Plus, its location in the Cannaregio neighborhood is convenient but out of the tourist fray — an ever more important consideration in busy Venice.

Maltese Palace

Right in the center of Malta’s largest island is Attard, an ancient village that’s now contiguous with Valletta, the country’s capital. And in the center of the village, the 17-room Casa Bonavita is scheduled to open in May. Noted designer Suzanne Sharp, who grew up in Malta, has been renovating this 18th-century palace for five years with the help of her husband. Reports of a swimming pool and full-service spa add to the allure.

Luxury in Israel

The opening of the Six Senses Tel Aviv got pushed back from late 2025, and hopefully we won’t have to wait much longer. Six Senses, best known for its tranquil spa retreats, has increasingly expanded into cities. This urban resort encompasses several buildings, the oldest of which date to 1909, but the 140 accommodations are in a contemporary 42-story tower with sweeping views. The impressive wellness facility and the 17th-floor pool look especially enticing. We’d also love to review the company’s other property in Israel, Six Senses Shaharut, which opened in 2021 in the Negev Desert.

Botswana Glamping

An &Beyond property in Bhutan won our 2024 Hideaway of the Year award, so we keep close tabs on what this brand is up to. Two of its newest properties, opening in March, are two of its smallest. &Beyond Sandibe Under Canvas and Nxabega Under Canvas both have only three tents, affording an unusually exclusive and intimate look at the extraordinary Okavango Delta in Botswana. They stand in contrasting ecosystems, providing access to different wildlife. The company recommends a seven-night Botswana itinerary, including these two camps and &Beyond Chobe Under Canvas, which sounds like a fine idea to us.

Thailand Island Escape

Kaia, a new eco-luxury hotel group, will unveil its first resort in the summer of 2026 on the island of Koh Phangan, just north of Koh Samui. The 31 tented suites and four two-bedroom villas occupy a steep emerald slope on the Thai coast, affording sweeping Gulf of Thailand views. The resort will focus on cultural, culinary and wellness activities, not on a beach. Instead of soft sand, boulders line the shore in front of the property, protecting a large free-form swimming pool. Kaia Koh Phangan might make a good pairing with the nearby Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, made famous by The White Lotus.

Kyoto’s Latest

The Capella brand has had a number of hits recently, notably its extravagant hotels in Hanoi and Bangkok. We’re interested to see if the new Capella Kyoto, which will open in March, can stand out in Japan’s most saturated hotel market. The 89-room property has an ideal location in Gion, the historic geisha district, and its architecture draws inspiration from traditional townhouses. The interior incorporates shoji screens, tatami mats and local artwork, complemented by Western-style beds and furniture. The six suites with onsen baths look especially sybaritic, but if they’re sold out, the full-service spa has onsen rooms as well.

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