The most exciting hotel openings of 2025

Year after year, more hotels open than one can possibly imagine, from sky-high stunners set in impossibly tall buildings to off-the-beaten-path boutique hotels, and from sprawling beachside all-inclusive resorts to new iterations of the points brands we all know and love.

Here at TPG, the travel team spends the first month of the year pulling together our individual lists of the hotels we’re most excited about all over the globe. We find out which ones are still on course to open (and which ones might be a little too optimistic about their timeline) and then duke it out to create one curated list of the most exciting hotels to open in the coming months.

Per usual, this year’s list runs the gamut: You’ll find family-friendly resorts near iconic theme parks, new properties from beloved points brands, ultraluxe island resorts that people wait a lifetime to visit — and so much more. And in terms of geography, this list contains properties as far aways as Sydney and the Maldives and as close to home as Houston and New York — or in destinations featured on our “Where to Go in 2025” list, like Indianapolis and Vienna. It’s an exceptionally big year for the Caribbean and Mexico, especially when it comes to popular points brands we already love, like Park Haytt, St. Regis, W and Waldorf Astoria.

For the rest of the year, this list serves as our guiding light as we send staffers to see if these hotels are really worth the hype and, more importantly, your hard-earned cash, points and miles. — Tanner Saunders, senior hotels reporter

Related: These are the best new hotels that opened in 2024

New hotels opening in the US

From Miami Beach to Indianapolis and all the way to Aspen and Washington state, these are the hotly anticipated hotels that have caught our eyes in the U.S. this year.

Andaz Miami Beach

Miami Beach, Florida

Expected opening: March

After a comprehensive rooftop-to-lobby overhaul of its three towers, the former Confidante Miami Beach on Collins Avenue will emerge as a new gem in World of Hyatt’s portfolio. The first Andaz in Florida, Andaz Miami Beach, will open in March with two revitalized pools, fresh outdoor spaces and an expansive spa.

Why we’re excited: The famed José Andrés Group will open Bar Centro, which will feature craft cocktails, as well as Aguasal, a Mediterranean dining venue at the Andaz that will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. — Andrea M. Rotondo

Rates at Andaz Miami Beach start around $368 or 21,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

AutoCamp Asheville and AutoCamp Sequoia

Asheville, North Carolina; Three Rivers, California

Expected opening: September (Asheville); March (Sequoia)

Nature-focused glamping brand AutoCamp is bringing its refurbished Airstream trailers and luxury cabins to two more wilderness destinations this year. AutoCamp Asheville puts guests in an ideal location for exploring the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains, while AutoCamp Sequoia sits just a 15-minute drive from the entrance to Sequoia National Park — and all the redwood trees, mountains and canyons beyond. Reservations are now available for stays starting March 15 for AutoCamp Sequoia and Sept. 1 for AutoCamp Asheville. 

Why we’re excited: Autocamp officially partnered with Hilton in 2024, so Hilton Honors members can earn and redeem points on their next stay in the great outdoors. — Mackenzie Roche

Rates at AutoCamp Asheville start at $278 or 70,000 Hilton Honors points per night. Rates at AutoCamp Sequoia start at  $236 or 102,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

The Cooper

Charleston, South Carolina

Expected opening: Fall

Charleston is getting its first luxury waterfront hotel just steps from the city’s famed downtown. Situated between Union Pier and Charleston Waterfront Park, The Cooper overlooks the Cooper River, for which the hotel is named. Expect loads of upscale amenities — including five on-site restaurants and a 7,000-square-foot spa  — across the 191-key hotel. Craving time on the water? The Cooper’s private marina will be home to luxury boats for guests, including a water taxi to nearby Daniel Island and a yacht for special dinners and events.

Why we’re excited: We’re already thinking about taking a dreamy sunset dip in The Cooper’s rooftop infinity pool with a cocktail in hand, enjoying unobstructed views of the harbor. — Kristy Tolley

Rates at The Cooper are not yet available.

Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Orlando

Now open

You can now say aloha to 268 all-new rooms at Disney World within the newly built Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Staying in this tower of rooms gives you access to brand-new room amenities and style (including the new open-air terraces, which are ideal for viewing the fireworks) while still placing you at the iconic Polynesian Village Resort, where you can go down the 142-foot Lava Pool waterslide, watch fireworks from the beach or visit the fun and thematic Trader Sam’s tiki bar.

Why we’re excited:  You can have the best of both worlds now by staying at a classic Disney World monorail resort but in fresh rooms that may cost less than you think when you book with rented Disney Vacation Club points. — Summer Hull

Rates at Island Tower start at $523 per night.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Pigeon Forge Resort

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Expected opening: June

The Smoky Mountains, Dolly Parton and made-to-order omelets — that’s what dreams are made of, at least in Pigeon Forge, where a new family-friendly Embassy Suites is set to open June 1. The latest iterations of Embassy Suites are elevated and sleek in design but still offer the brand’s signature elements: two-room suites, the best free breakfast in the business and nightly happy hours. And though this Embassy Suites is certainly refined, it’s just moments away from the kitsch and glitz of Pigeon Forge’s over-the-top tourist attractions and Dolly Parton’s iconic theme park, Dollywood.

Why we’re excited: We haven’t stopped — and we won’t stop — raving about Embassy Suites’ hot, included breakfast options, which took home the 2024 TPG Award for Best Free Hotel Breakfast. Touristy destinations like Pigeon Forge can get expensive, especially for large families, and Embassy Suites’ wide variety of free breakfast items can help stretch those vacation dollars even further. — Tanner Saunders

Rates at Embassy Suites by Hilton Pigeon Forge start at $282 or 60,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

Faena New York

New York City

Expected opening: Spring

Faena’s hotels in Miami and Buenos Aires are the epitome of cool, oozing with eclectic design that’s over the top yet totally cohesive. This spring, Faena will open on New York City’s West Side with 120 rooms and suites, a soon-to-be-announced restaurant from a celebrity chef, and the Tierra Santa Healing House, the hotel’s 17,000-square-foot spa. 

Why we’re excited: Faena might be hush-hush right now about the fine details of this forthcoming property, but if it’s a sliver as grandiose as its subtropical sister properties, it might just become the new hub of New York’s social, cultural and art scenes. — Tanner Saunders

Rates at Faena New York are not yet available.

Graduate by Hilton Dallas

Dallas

Expected opening: Spring

Hilton’s recently acquired college-themed hotel brand is making its way to the Lone Star State with the introduction of Graduate by Hilton Dallas near the campus of Southern Methodist University. The Dallas outpost will feature a mustang-themed check-in desk, cowhides galore, food and drink outlets, and an overall upscale but playful take on a Texas lifestyle hotel.

Why we’re excited: Graduate hotels have always been something special, but now that the brand is officially part of the Hilton Honors family, you can experience that something special while earning and burning points. — Tanner Saunders

Rates at Graduate by Hilton Dallas are currently unavailable.

Hotel Saint Augustine

Houston

Now open

Last year, Hyatt ramped up its lifestyle hotel game when it acquired the boutique-forward brand Bunkhouse Hotels as part of its acquisition of Standard International. Earlier in January, Bunkhouse opened what’s arguably the coolest hotel in Houston, Hotel Saint Augustine, a 71-room stunner in the Museum District. 

Why we’re excited: At the moment, Bunkhouse hotels haven’t yet been incorporated into World of Hyatt. But once they are, Hotel Saint Augustine and its stylish sibling properties will give members even more fun places to stay. — Tanner Saunders

Rates at Hotel Saint Augustine start at $424 per night.

Hotel Willa

Taos, New Mexico

Expected opening: Spring

By early spring, the boutique hotel group Casetta should complete its transformation of a 1960s motel into Hotel Willa, a 50-key property in Taos’ historic district. The local art scene will be a focal point of the hotel’s design throughout the guest rooms, and there will be a gallery with an artist-in-residency program led by the Paseo Project. Guests can also look forward to rooms with terra-cotta walls, custom millwork and Parachute linens, and a pool overlooking the scenic Couse Pasture and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

Why we’re excited: Local chef Johnny Ortiz-Concha collaborated with his wife, Maida Branch of Siempre Design, on the hotel’s restaurant. Named after his mother, Juliette will serve Northern New Mexico cuisine made with seasonal produce sourced from an on-site garden and other local purveyors. — Lyndsey Matthews

Rates at Hotel Willa start at $309 per night.

InterContinental Indianapolis

Indianapolis

Expected opening: February

Opening this month, the 170-room InterContinental Indianapolis will restore charm and elegance to the 1920s-era Illinois Building, located just steps from Indiana’s Statehouse and Monument Circle. Along with the transformation of this historic building into a stylish luxury hotel, guests can expect two restaurants (including a rooftop bar that will be the highest one in the city), a state-of-the-art fitness center and a full-service concierge. 

Why we’re excited: Elegant guest rooms and suites will feature spa-worthy bath amenities, Nespresso machines, curated minibars and sweeping views of the downtown skyline. — Tarah Chieffi 

Rates at InterContinental Indianapolis start at $256 or 44,000 IHG One Rewards points per night.

One&Only Moonlight Basin

Big Sky, Montana

Expected opening: Summer

Set on a cool 8,100 acres of lush Montana landscape, One&Only Moonlight Basin brings a new level of luxury to Big Sky. The One&Only Sky Lodge, currently open, offers elevated (literally) all-day dining and apres options as well as a gondola transfer to Madison Base at nearby Big Sky Resort. Equal parts sleek and cozy, the decor in the hotel’s rooms, suites and private homes (all of which will open later this year) reflect the surrounding region’s natural beauty and offer panoramic views of that iconic Big Sky country.

Why we’re excited: A heated indoor swimming pool surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows — as well as a hot tub, cold plunge, sauna and steam room — will be the ultimate way to unwind after long days spent hiking in the summer or skiing in the winter at Big Sky Resort. — Ellie Nan Storck

 Rates for One&Only Moonlight Basin are not yet available.

Under Canvas Columbia River Gorge

White Salmon, Washington

Expected opening: May

This spring, Under Canvas, which officially joined World of Hyatt last year, will debut its first Pacific Northwest outpost. Pitching its iconic glamping tents on a 120-acre property in the White Salmon Valley, just an hour from Portland, Oregon, Under Canvas Columbia River Gorge will be located conveniently near both White Salmon, Washington, and Hood River, Oregon, giving guests access to hiking in the Cascades, kayaking on the Salmon River or slowing down to taste-test the local wines and ciders of the region. On the property, guests can enjoy morning yoga, nightly fire pits with complimentary s’mores, and local, seasonal bites.

Why we’re excited: Regardless of one’s camping skill level, Under Canvas provides the ideal opportunity for anyone to experience the outdoors in a comfortable setting. What’s more, guests will be able to wake up to sweeping views of Mount Hood’s magnificent peak. — Emilia Wronski

Rates for Under Canvas Columbia River Gorge start at $252 or 20,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

Universal Helios Grand Hotel

Orlando

Expected opening: May

Universal Helios Grand Hotel will overlook Universal Orlando’s soon-to-open third park, Epic Universe. Because of its proximity to the park, guests staying here can access a private entrance and be among the first to enter Epic Universe each morning. The design of this 500-room property in Universal’s higher-end Signature Collection will draw inspiration from Mediterranean art and architecture, with astronomical and mythological elements throughout. 

Why we’re excited: In a first for Universal Orlando, Universal Helios Grand Hotel will be located inside Epic Universe, offering exclusive views of the park from select guest rooms and the hotel’s rooftop lounge, Bar Helios. — Tarah Chieffi 

Rates at Universal Helios Grand Hotel start at $494 per night.

Waldorf Astoria New York

New York City

Expected opening: Spring

Arguably one of the most monumental hotel reopenings in years, the original Waldorf Astoria has been rebirthed following an extensive multiyear renovation that, according to some reports, cost more than $1 billion (maybe even $2 billion). Previously one of the social mainstays for New Yorkers — and the rich and famous worldwide — the next iteration of the Waldorf Astoria will see its art deco glory restored by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill with interiors by Pierre-Yves Rochon. The hotel will feature 375 rooms and suites, 375 private residences, a 30,000-square-foot spa, and a 43,000-square-foot ballroom.

Why we’re excited: It’s hard to describe the historic significance of the Waldorf Astoria New York, not only to the city but to the hospitality industry as a whole. But this hotel will not be stuck in the past, and we can’t wait to sample cocktails created by Jeff Bell of Please Don’t Tell and dine at Lex Yard, from chef Michael Anthony. The hotel is currently taking reservations for stays starting Sept. 1.  — Tanner Saunders

Rates at Waldorf Astoria New York start at around $1,786 or 150,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

White Elephant Aspen

Aspen, Colorado

Expected opening: Fall

With its first two properties on Nantucket, Massachusetts, and in Palm Beach, Florida, it’s only fitting that the White Elephant brand is adding another impossibly chic locale to its collection: Aspen. No matter the season, the hotel’s 54 modern rooms (think: pops of rust and charcoal hues, clay-washed walls, brass accents and leather upholstery) will be an ideal sanctuary for unwinding in style after a day on the slopes, bopping about the many boutiques in downtown Aspen or exploring the surrounding great outdoors.

Why we’re excited: Thanks to White Elephant’s partnership with BMW, guests will be able to use complimentary courtesy cars to get around town. In the winter, they can hop on the BMW shuttle to head to the ski slopes in style. After all, this is Aspen. — Ellie Nan Storck

Rates at White Elephant Aspen are not yet available.

New hotels opening in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and South America

For those seeking a toes-in-the-sand, sun-centric getaway, there are plenty of new properties to look forward to that won’t require a long-haul flight.

Dream Valle de Guadalupe

Ejido El Porvenir, Mexico

Expected opening: Late 2025

Tucked away north of Ensenada, Mexico, on Baja California’s Ruta del Vino wine trail, Dream Valle de Guadalupe will be Dream Hotels’ first foray into Latin America — and a big win for World of Hyatt members wanting to unwind in a heated pool with a glass of Mexican wine in hand. With just 58 rooms and villas, the resort will be quaint and refined, a relaxing oasis in one of Mexico’s most underrated areas. 

Why we’re excited: Valle de Guadalupe is a destination on the rise, but points hotels are practically nonexistent in the area. Once open, Dream Valle de Guadalupe will make the region accessible to travelers with a stash of World of Hyatt points they’ve been dreaming of using. —Tanner Saunders

Rates for Dream Valle de Guadalupe are not yet available.

Dreams Playa Esmeralda and Secrets Playa Esmeralda

Miches, Dominican Republic

Expected opening: April

Joining the Dominican Republic’s already impressive all-inclusive scene, Hyatt’s Dreams and Secrets brands are venturing northwest to set up shop on the beaches of Miches. Dreams Playa Esmeralda, a family-friendly resort, will feature nine restaurants, seven bars and lounges, special clubs for teens and kids, and a water park. Next door, the adults-only Secrets Playa Esmeralda offers a slew of restaurants, more intimate pools and hot tubs, and a collection of accommodations with outdoor spaces and swim-up rooms. Secrets guests who opt for Preferred Club rooms can enjoy both resorts unrestricted.

Why we’re excited: Hyatt keeps raising the bar with its impressive collection of all-inclusive resorts — and opening both of these properties on the lesser-known beaches in the Dominican Republic means better properties without all the crowds. — Tanner Saunders

Rates at Dreams Playa Esmeralda start at $307 or 17,000 World of Hyatt points per night, based on double occupancy. Rates at Secrets Playa Esmeralda start at $604 or 21,000 World of Hyatt points per night, based on double occupancy.

Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman Resort & Spa

Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman

Expected opening: Late 2025

Hyatt is returning to Grand Cayman with 900 feet of pristine beachfront at the 382-room Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman, which will be very close to the famous Seven Mile Beach when it opens later in 2025. In addition to the beautiful beach, this hotel will have a club lounge, spa, multiple pools and several new restaurants.

Why we’re excited: There are currently no Hyatt properties in Grand Cayman, so the chance to stay in paradise in a standard room from 21,000-29,000 World of Hyatt points per night is very enticing indeed. — Summer Hull

Cash rates at Grand Hyatt Grand Cayman are currently unavailable. Award rates start at 21,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Expected opening: March

Ritz-Carltons are fancy enough, but the brand has an even more exclusive tier of Reserve-branded properties dotted around the globe, and the latest is slated to open March 1. The resort, whose name means “garden” in the Indigenous Chorotegan language, will be in the tony Peninsula Papagayo development (already home to an Andaz and a Four Seasons) on the country’s northwestern Pacific coast and will have just 107 enormous cottages and villas. There will also be a Mediterranean-style beach club and restaurant, a Peruvian restaurant called Puna from chef Diego Muñoz and Ambar, a unique alfresco bar venue set on platforms among the treetops overlooking the sea.

Why we’re excited: Get ready for wellness regimens, body scrubs and Ayurvedic experiences galore at the state-of-the-art Nimbu Spa & Wellness, where the treatment rooms have ocean views. — Eric Rosen

Rates at Nekajui, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve start at $1,710 or 143,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Park Hyatt Los Cabos at Cabo del Sol

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Expected opening: July 1

Park Hyatt’s first resort in Mexico is set to be a seaside stunner, perched along the rocky coast of the exclusive Cabo del Sol development (not far from the new Four Seasons Cabo San Lucas) overlooking the Sea of Cortez. Though sprawling, the hotel will have just 163 guest rooms and suites plus 19 residences, all with palatial dimensions that start at over 600 square feet, plus large outdoor patios and balconies. The restaurants will include Mediterranean and Mexican venues as well as pool and beach bars. 

Why we’re excited: The hotel can arrange for activities including San Jose del Cabo art walks, desert four-wheeler forays and whale shark snorkeling expeditions, as well as rounds on Cabo del Sol’s renowned golf course. — Eric Rosen

Rates at Park Hyatt Los Cabos start at $720 or 35,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

Rosewood Mandarina

Nayarit, Mexico

Expected opening: April

North of Puerto Vallarta on Mexico’s Pacific coast, the already impressive luxury hotel scene is adding a new brand to the mix: Rosewood. Now taking reservations for stays from April on, this all-suite Rosewood takes inspiration from Huichol and Cora cultures and will serve up cliffside cocktails, Japanese gastronomic experiences, and activities like zip lining and polo — as well as plenty of spa treatments. 

Why we’re excited: These aren’t your standard rooms, as every single accommodation type includes a plunge pool and ample outdoor space. — Tanner Saunders

Rates at Rosewood Mandarina start at $1,225 per night.

Salterra, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa

South Caicos, Turks and Caicos

Expected opening: March

This spring, the island of South Caicos will welcome its first resort in the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio with the opening of Salterra, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa. Salterra boasts 100 guest rooms and suites, a half dozen food and beverage concepts, expansive pools, a kids club, and a commitment to sustainability through its just-founded South Caicos Coral Reef Consortium. The second Marriott-affiliated resort in Turks and Caicos, Salterra offers travelers new opportunity and reason to make the trek to the smaller, quieter, “hidden gem” island — one that features the same white-sand beaches and clear, turquoise water beloved by visitors who frequent the larger, busier Providenciales.

Why we’re excited: American Airlines recently (Feb. 15) launched the first nonstop service from the U.S. to the island, making the voyage to the property easier. — Sean Cudahy

Rates at Salterra start at around $600 or 94,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Secrets St. Lucia Resort & Spa

Choc Bay, St. Lucia

Expected opening: June

If you like to travel using points, St. Lucia hasn’t always been the most accessible destination. But that’s all about to change, as the island will soon be home to the adults-only, all-inclusive Secrets St. Lucia. With 30 acres and 355 rooms, Secrets St. Lucia is likely to become a must-visit for those looking to log some island time without spending a ton of cash on lodging, restaurants and even cocktails — since that’s all included in the nightly rate.

Why we’re excited: When it opens, the resort will include 24-hour room service, six bars and nine restaurants, with cuisine ranging from fresh-caught seafood at Oceana to Pan-Asian bites at Himitsu. — Summer Hull

Rates at Secrets St. Lucia start at $637 or 25,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

Silversea Cruises’ Puerto Williams hotel

Puerto Williams, Chile

Expected opening: Late 2025

Silversea Cruises is building a 150-room luxury hotel just south of Puerto Williams to serve as an upscale home base for guests booked with the line’s Antarctica Bridge program. This program flies passengers over the often-rocky Drake Passage to board their ship in Antarctica. The hotel, which will overlook the Beagle Channel and mountains of Patagonia, is designed to blend into its forest setting; its design will incorporate local materials and traditional art styles.

Why we’re excited: Not only will this be Silversea Cruises’ first hotel, but it will also become the southernmost hotel in the world when it opens its doors in late 2025. — Erica Silverstein 

Rates for Silversea Cruises’ Puerto Williams hotel are not yet available.

The St. Regis Aruba Resort

Noord, Aruba

Now open

Butler service, canopy beds and sweeping ocean views await at The St. Regis Aruba Resort, located right off the island country’s iconic Palm Beach. With 252 rooms, including 52 suites, this tropical St. Regis property is elevating Aruba’s hotel scene to a new level of luxury, and offers multiple infinity pools to lounge by, a St. Regis Spa and, like all St. Regis properties, a destination-focused take on the bloody mary, this time one made with habanero chile and fresh papaya. 

Why we’re excited: Aruba’s St. Regis will push the brand forward with its first-ever casino, featuring table games and slots, and an outpost of the famed Japanese-Korean restaurant Akira Back from the critically acclaimed chef of the same name. — Tanner Saunders

Rates at The St. Regis Aruba Resort start at $844 or 79,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

The St. Regis Cap Cana Resort

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Expected opening: April

With the April debut of The St. Regis Cap Cana Resort, the Dominican Republic continues to build its reputation as a warm-weather beach haven with more than its fair share of luxury properties that can be booked with points. The new-build houses 174 guest rooms (starting at 560 square feet) and 26 suites (starting at over 1,000 square feet). It remains to be seen how easy or difficult it will be for Marriott Bonvoy elite members to snag coveted upgrades at this resort.

Why we’re excited: The St. Regis Cap Cana will wine and dine guests with nine food and drink venues. Plus, book directly with Marriott for a stay May 1 through July 24, and get 10,000 bonus points. (Be sure to book the right room rate to get the points.) — Andrea M. Rotondo

Rates at The St. Regis Cap Cana Resort start at $881 or 104,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

W Punta Cana, Adult All-Inclusive

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Expected opening: April

W’s first all-inclusive resort is opening this spring, bringing the Marriott brand’s hip energy to the northern end of Punta Cana. The adults-only beachfront property will have 340 guest rooms and suites with private balconies, swim-up access and plunge pools. W loyalists can expect familiar amenities like an Away Spa and a Wet Deck pool club with an oceanfront infinity pool, plus a second Chill Pool with a swim-up bar offering a seltzer fountain and wellness-focused drinks. There will be 13 food and beverage outlets, including Scena, an open-kitchen concept serving Dominican fare, an Asian noodle bar and a rooftop bar serving Peruvian Nikkei small bites and cocktails.

Why we’re excited: As all-inclusive resorts continue to evolve to focus on elevated, luxury experiences, seeing how the W brand fits into this space will be exciting. — Lyndsey Matthews

Rates at W Punta Cana start at $616 or 137,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique

Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Expected opening: May

Costa Rica is having a moment, and this forthcoming hotel is part of the reason why. Situated near the tip of a picturesque peninsula along the country’s northwest Pacific coast, and nestled between a jungle-covered slope and a white-sand beach, the hotel will feel sprawling yet intimate thanks to the fact that it will have just 148 rooms and 40 suites, whose beach-chic decor makes ample use of local stone and wood. There will also be six restaurants, including La Finca for Costa Rican flavors and, of course, a location of the brand’s signature Peacock Alley, serving specialty cocktails and small bites.  

Why we’re excited: There will be plenty to keep guests occupied, whether it’s adrenaline-fueled mornings hiking or zip lining through the jungle, lazy afternoons lounging around the multitiered pools and on the quiet beach, or healing treatments incorporating Costa Rican botanicals at the relaxing spa. — Eric Rosen

Rates at Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique start at $1,527 or 120,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

Zemi Miches All-Inclusive Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton

Miches, Dominican Republic

Expected opening: June

Zemi Miches All-Inclusive Resort will honor Dominican culture throughout the property, from the Caribbean-inspired cuisine at on-site restaurants to guest room decor and even within the activities schedule. The hotel’s overall design, including its 500 guest rooms, is inspired by the culture of the Taino people, who were indigenous to the Caribbean.

Why we’re excited: The hotel’s location, tucked away on the shores of the secluded Playa Esmeralda, is ideal for travelers in search of a secluded beach with soft sand and crystal-clear water. — Tarah Chieffi 

Rates at Zemi Miches All-Inclusive Resort start at $459 or 100,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

New hotels opening in Europe

It’s a big year for the hotel scenes in both Italy and Greece, in particular, but there is plenty to look forward to across the continent of Europe. From luxurious accommodations in Mallorca, Spain, to popular points brands popping up in glamorous destinations like Lake Como, Italy, we’re ready to book our Europe trips for 2025.

Aman Rosa Alpina

San Cassiano, Italy

Expected opening: 2025

Few places in the world are as awe-inspiring as Italy’s UNESCO-listed Dolomites mountain range — and few hotel brands conjure up a sense of luxury and refinement quite like Aman. So our ears perked up when Aman announced it was making its mark on the magnificent mountainous region by renovating a storied ski lodge in San Cassiano just steps away from the slopes and a stone’s throw from world-class hiking. 

Why we’re excited: Though details about Aman’s iteration of Rosa Alpina are sparse at the moment, the original hotel was already impressive and boasted three Michelin-starred restaurants. We’ll have to wait to see how Aman injects its peerless approach to hospitality into the picturesque resort, but you can bet it’ll be grand. — Tanner Saunders

Rates at Aman Rosa Alpina are currently unavailable.

Collegio alla Querce, Auberge Resorts Collection

Florence, Italy

Expected opening: March

This spring, Florence will welcome a new hotel that, true to Auberge form, blends the old, the new and the hyperlocal. With just 83 rooms, Collegio alla Querce’s understated, neutral-toned accommodations will feature Renaissance-era art, Italian antiques and marble tubs — and some will even have personal wine cellars. But we’d venture to guess that it will be the expansive windows offering views of immaculate gardens and Florence’s iconic countryside that will make it hard to part with one’s room or suite. 

Why we’re excited: For those who want to fully embrace la dolce vita, look no further than the Palazzo Moderno, an enormous accommodation spanning three floors with over 6,000 square feet of interior space (including an elevator, naturally) and 1,700 square feet of terrace — featuring both a private driveway and a rooftop pool. — Ellie Nan Storck

Rates at Collegio alla Querce start at around $1,020 per night.

Conrad Athens — The Ilisian

Athens, Greece

Expected opening: Late 2025

When then-first lady Jacqueline Kennedy graced the opening of the Hilton Athens back in 1963, it changed the landscape of Greece’s luxury hotel scene. Fast forward 60 years, and Hilton is once again changing the game with the launch of The Ilisian, a renovation, expansion and reflagging of the original Hilton into the Conrad Athens hotel — plus both Waldorf Astoria- and Conrad-branded residences set to open near the end of 2025. In its entirety, the mixed-used complex will have 10 bars, restaurants and lounges; a membership club; plenty of wellness-focused amenities; and Athens’ largest pool. 

Why we’re excited: Some rebranding and renovation projects strip a hotel of its original identity, but Hilton is holding on to beloved pieces of the property’s past and bringing it into the future, like refining and reframing the Galaxy Bar into a fresh gastropub concept and introducing an upscale sister restaurant called the Galaxy Supper Club. — Tanner Saunders 

Rates for Conrad Athens are not yet available.

Fairmont Golden Prague

Prague  

Expected opening: April

Prague’s Brutalist gem in the city’s UNESCO-listed Old Town has been completely reimagined in a multimillion dollar renovation that sees it opening as a sustainably minded Fairmont with 320 sumptuous rooms and suites plus six dining options, a vast Fairmont Spa and the sole outdoor pool in the middle of the city. The hotel is showcasing Prague’s creative scene for guests not only through site-specific art installations and Czech handicrafts — such as blown-glass chandeliers — in its decor, but by holding regular film screenings, too.

Why we’re excited: When it opens in April, the hotel will be the European flagship for Fairmont Gold, and the only hotel in Northern and Central Europe to claim the beloved private club lounge with its special perks and thorough service. — Kathryn Romeyn

Rates at Fairmont Golden Prague start at around $475 per night.

Four Seasons Mykonos

Mykonos, Greece

Expected opening: Summer

Greece is always a good idea — and it’ll only get better once Four Seasons starts welcoming guests this summer to the popular island of Mykonos. The resort has a powerhouse team working on the project that stretches from beautiful beaches up gorgeous cliffs. Though the main focus at this resort should be relaxing in the sun, guests can also enjoy Rockwell Group-designed restaurants and bars, a spa, and an infinity pool.

Why we’re excited: Four Seasons Mykonos is the perfect sibling resort to the Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens on the Athens Riviera, one of TPG’s top destinations for 2025. Visit the Parthenon, then hop on a ferry to Mykonos for a Four Seasons doubleheader. — Tanner Saunders 

Rates for Four Seasons Mykonos are not yet available.

JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa

Crete, Greece

Expected opening: August

Authentic Cretan heritage is the name of the game at the JW Marriott Crete, the brand’s first property in Greece. From the overall design (think: soft white and tan hues mixed with olive green accents) to an open-fire seaside restaurant, this resort will be firmly rooted in — and representative of — the island it calls home. 

Why we’re excited: Swim-up suites with infinity pools overlooking the Aegean Sea. It’s really that simple. — Tanner Saunders

Rates at JW Marriott Crete start at $290 per night. Marriott Bonvoy point rates are not yet available.

Kimpton Main Frankfurt

Frankfurt

Expected opening: Spring

Kimpton will make its German debut this spring when this 155-room Kimpton Main Frankfurt opens in the financial district. Though it’s ideally situated for business trips, don’t expect a drab business hotel. The guest rooms and public spaces are drenched in bold primary colors and accented with pops of chrome. Kimpton loyalists can expect familiar brand amenities like complimentary social hours each night in the lobby and pet-friendly policies. There are also yoga mats in every room and loaner bikes on hand. 

Why we’re excited: Besides a lobby bar and all-day brasserie downstairs, the hotel will also have a rooftop bar, Lazuli.— Lyndsey Matthews

Rates at Kimpton Main Frankfurt start at $195 or 35,000 IHG One Rewards points per night.

The Lake Como Edition

Lombardy, Italy

Expected opening: Spring

After opening one of Rome’s buzziest hotels, Ian Schrager and Marriott are bringing the Edition brand to the glamorous shores of Lake Como. Housed in a 19th-century building, the hotel aims to bring the brand’s sleek luxury lifestyle to the lake, with a lively lobby bar, multiple dining outlets, a floating pool and 145 rooms and suites, including two bespoke penthouse suites.

Why we’re excited: Most of the five-star hotels on Lake Como are heritage properties, so the destination could use an injection of youthful style — precisely what Edition does best. — Laura Itzkowitz

Rates for The Lake Como Edition are not yet available.

Mandarin Oriental Punta Negra, Mallorca

Mallorca, Spain

Expected opening: Spring

A total reconstruction and redesign of what used to be H10 Punta Negra, Mandarin Oriental’s first outpost in the Balearic Islands will be situated atop the cliffs of the picturesque Costa d’en Blanes peninsula. With 131 guest rooms (including 44 suites and nine bungalows), multiple restaurants, nature-inspired spa programming and three outdoor pools, we have no doubt that the property will be the talk of the island come spring, when it’s expected to open.

Why we’re excited: In addition to the fact that the hotel is a Mandarin Oriental and therefore bound to become one of Mallorca’s grande dames, those clifftop sunsets over the Bay of Palma — especially if you score a water-facing plunge pool with your accommodations — will be nearly impossible to beat. — Ellie Nan Storck

Rates for Mandarin Oriental Punta Negra are not yet available.

Mandarin Oriental, Vienna

Vienna

Expected opening: Summer

This summer, the Mandarin Oriental, Vienna will open with 86 rooms and 52 suites in an early 1900s art nouveau building a few blocks from St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The hotel’s interior design combines an elegantly understated blue and cream palette with gilded accents and geometric designs on the headboards, reflecting the turn-of-the-century Viennese Modernist era. The Mandarin Oriental’s signature spa features eight treatment rooms, a fitness center and an indoor pool. 

Why we’re excited: We can’t wait to experience the on-site dining scene: A glass-covered courtyard at the heart of the hotel will house two restaurants, a coffee lounge and a bar. — Lyndsey Matthews

Rates at Mandarin Oriental Vienna are not yet available.

Orient Express La Minerva

Rome

Expected opening: Spring

Following the forthcoming La Dolce Vita train launch this spring, Orient Express continues its takeover of Italy with its very first hotel, featuring 93 rooms and suites in Rome’s circa-1620 Piazza della Minerva palace. Renowned architect Hugo Toro has paired contemporary, sleek vibes with art deco elegance throughout the luscious hotel, where dining outlets include a rooftop Mediterranean restaurant and a hidden speakeasy. The spa features a Turkish hammam. 

Why we’re excited: The location, not even a block from the Pantheon, is ideal, but its history as one of the most opulent Roman hotels dating to 1811 — where many writers, artists and icons have stayed — is also captivating. — Kathryn Romeyn

Rates at La Minerva start at around $1,348 per night. 

Six Senses Milan

Milan

Expected opening: Late 2025

Six Senses is a gateway to wellness and sustainability wrapped in a carefully crafted (and often cheeky) sense of luxury. In Milan, Six Senses is bringing that feeling to the artist district of Brera in the form of 68 rooms and suites, a state-of-the-art spa, seasonal restaurants, and a rooftop pool and bar. 

Why we’re excited: Six Senses’ city hotels offer a resortlike atmosphere where you can enjoy the best of a major city like Milan and then escape the crowds and retreat to a wellness oasis in the heart of the action. — Tanner Saunders

Rates at Six Senses Milan are not yet available.

Thompson Rome

Rome

Expected opening: September

The Eternal City is on a hotel-opening spree, with big-name brands touching down left and right; the latest is Thompson, which is good news for Hyatt loyalists. Located in the former headquarters of the Communist Party near Piazza Venezia, the 69-room hotel will have a modern, masculine design inspired by the building’s own entrance hall from the late 1970s, not to mention three dining venues, including a signature restaurant and a rooftop bar. 

Why we’re excited: We can’t wait to sip Negronis with 360-degree views of Rome’s ancient ruins and church domes at the hotel’s rooftop bar. — Laura Itzkowitz 

Rates at Thompson Rome are not yet available.

W Florence

Florence, Italy

Expected opening: June

Over the last few years, a handful of quirky, modern-minded new hotels have diversified Florence’s hotel scene, and the arrival of the W is sure to make a big splash in that category. Centrally located a stone’s throw from Ponte Vecchio, it aims to be a social hub that draws locals as well as visitors to its ground-floor W Lounge, rooftop bar and Japanese restaurant by chef Akira Back.

Why we’re excited: Sometimes you need a break from pasta and panini; we expect Back’s namesake restaurant to become one of the hottest tables in town. — Laura Itzkowitz 

Rates at W Florence start at around $445 or 70,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

New hotels opening in Asia

From the bustling streets of Bangkok to the Maniyagarh Hills of India and Singapore’s lush Mandai Wildlife Reserve, these are the hotels we can’t wait to visit across Asia this year.

Aman Nai Lert Bangkok

Bangkok

Expected opening: April

Tucked into Bangkok’s serene, 7-acre Nai Lert Park, Aman’s second property in Thailand boasts a uniquely verdant location that will immerse guests in this energetic metropolis while providing a luxurious respite from the nearby hustle and bustle. The Jean-Michel Gathy-designed spaces include 52 pristine suites starting at over 1,000 square feet — some of the most spacious accommodations in the city.

Why we’re excited: Few brands “do spa” as expertly as Aman. We have a feeling that the on-site spa and wellness center, which clocks in at over 16,000 square feet and includes a Medical Wellness by Hertitude Clinic, will be the crown jewel of this property. — Ellie Nan Storck

Rates at Aman Nai Lert Bangkok start at $1,218 per night.

JW Marriott Kaafu Atoll Island Resort

Kaafu Atoll, Maldives

Now open

The second iteration of the JW Marriott brand in the Maldives, the family-friendly JW Marriott Kaafu Atoll Island Resort is an approachable luxury resort just 15 minutes by seaplane from the main international airport. Each pool villa or overwater villa includes a private plunge pool, turquoise doors and floor-to-ceiling windows. The resort offers a variety of international dining experiences, clubs for kids, loads of activities and a spa.

Why we’re excited: Since the resort is open and taking reservations, it’s a good chance to snag great rates using Marriott Bonvoy points, including some as low as 70,000 points per night (though mostly during the wet season). Top that with the fact you don’t need to pay for expensive seaplane transfers, and this resort might just be a pretty solid bang for your buck. — Tanner Saunders

Rates at JW Marriott Kaafu Atoll Island Resort start at $841 or 70,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree

Singapore

Expected opening: April

When you think of Singapore, you might picture the vibrant metropolis’s slender skyscrapers and bustling restaurant scene, but come April, luxury chain Banyan Tree will be opening its 100th property in the lush Mandai Wildlife Reserve. In addition to a signature Banyan Tree Spa for those seeking wellness, the resort will be home to Forage, a restaurant serving trust-the-chef tasting menus; many of the ingredients will be grown in the hotel’s rooftop garden.

Why we’re excited: The resort will have 338 rooms decorated with antique, nature-inspired lithographs. What’s more, 24 of them will be podlike tree house suites with their own private outdoor spaces overlooking the canopy. — Eric Rosen

Rates at Mandai Rainforest Resort start at around $225 per night.

Nihi Rote

West Timor, Indonesia

Expected opening: Late 2025

What award hasn’t Nihi Sumba — the Indonesian hideaway founded by hotelier James McBride and entrepreneur Chris Burch — won, thanks to its blend of castaway cool, ends-of-the-earth panache and architecture inspired by traditional designs of the local people? In fact, it’s even an old favorite of TPG’s founder, Brian Kelly. The resort is getting an extension of sorts, albeit on an entirely different island called Rote, which is in West Timor about a two-hour flight from either Bali or Jakarta, southeast of both Sumba and Flores. So it won’t be easy to get there, but when you do, you can expect a sumptuous stay in one of the 22 thatched pool villas, as well as unique offerings like surf lessons along world-class breaks, spa “safaris” that include jungle journeys on the path to relaxation and family-friendly activities. 

Why we’re excited: This isn’t just a secluded getaway for the rich and famous. The new resort will also establish a permanent vocational training facility for local residents interested in hospitality, called Nihi Rote Hospitality Academy, with the goal of supporting island communities and improving the local economy. — Eric Rosen

Rates for Nihi Rote are not yet available.

The Oberoi Rajgarh Palace, Khajuraho

Madhya Pradesh, India

Expected opening: Summer

It’s not every day that intrepid travelers get to rest their heads in a 350-year-old royal dwelling — but at The Oberoi Rajgargh Palace, that’s simply par for the course. Located on 60 acres of lush hillside, perched over a rain-fed lake, guests can be sure that the views from any of the 66 rooms or on-site dining venues will be a sight to behold. For those who do manage to venture away from the palatial accommodations and manicured grounds, the UNESCO-listed temples of Khajuraho and the Panna Tiger Reserve are both a quick drive from the property.

Why we’re excited: We’re not sure which to be more excited about: an on-site restaurant that offers panoramic views of the nearby tiger reserve, or an infinity pool overlooking the lake below. — Ellie Nan Storck

Rates for The Oberoi Rajgarh Palace are not yet available.

Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Expected opening: September

Hyatt is soaring to new heights in Malaysia, quite literally, with the September opening of the Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur on the top floors of Merdeka 118, the second-tallest building in the world. At the hotel, guests will be able to enjoy seafood at The Dining Room on the 75th floor, relax in the spa’s Himalayan salt chamber and take in sweeping views of the Malaysian capital from one of the hotel’s 252 rooms and suites.

Why we’re excited: On the 99th floor, an infinity pool stretching over 80 feet might just offer one of the best swims on the planet. — Tanner Saunders

Rates at Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur start at about $315 or 20,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

Raffles Sentosa Singapore

Singapore

Expecting opening: March

The original Raffles Hotel opened in Singapore way back in 1887, and it’s taken all this time for the city to get another outpost of its hometown brand. This one is on tourist-friendly Sentosa Island, which is home to Universal Studios Singapore and the S.E.A. Aquarium, among other attractions. The all-villa hotel will have just 62 accommodations starting at a jaw-dropping 2,260 square feet, with private pools and other show-stopping features as well as signature Raffles butler service.

Why we’re excited: The five dining venues will include Italian, Cantonese and Japanese omakase restaurants, while the 13-room spa will proffer holistic treatments in a converted landmark building. — Eric Rosen

Rates for Raffles Sentosa Singapore are currently unavailable.

Regent Bali Canggu

Bali, Indonesia

Now open

Though it soft-opened in December, the Regent brand’s reentry to Bali — 150 super-spacious suites and villas right on the beach in hip Canggu — is expected to be fully realized by spring. The property will feature the world’s very first Regent spa (a retreat serving up comprehensive and dynamic wellness services), nine pools in addition to all the private ones, hand-carved teak bathtubs, a handful of distinctive eateries including the exclusive Regent Club, and a kids club. 

Why we’re excited: Two of the five restaurants were conceived by Irish chef Andrew Walsh — whose Singapore foodie destination, Cure, holds a Michelin star. His Spanish tapas spot and Bali take on Cure should elevate the dining diversity of not only the resort but the island as a whole. — Kathryn Romeyn

Rates at Regent Bali Canggu start at $770 or 46,900 IHG points per night.

Regent Kyoto

Kyoto, Japan 

Expected opening: Late 2025

The site of Regent Hotels & Resorts’ first address in Japan — an 86-room escape with a calming yet opulent overtone — is a legendary Kyoto garden that was originally the work of a famed gardener, Kumakichi Kato. Multiple restaurants join a storied existing boite, as well as a spa, fitness center and easy access to nearby sites including the Kyoto Imperial Palace and Heian Shrine.

Why we’re excited: The property encompasses one of the city’s best restaurants, Tsuruya, set in wooden buildings that were first residential accommodations for the Japanese imperial family and their guests, including Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana. — Kathryn Romeyn

Rates at Regent Kyoto are not yet available. 

Shangri-La Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Now open

Venerable Asian luxury hotel chain Shangri-La started the new year off strong with the Jan. 1 opening of its newest location in the Cambodian capital. Set along the Mekong River and with 303 rooms and suites, the hotel’s design pays homage to traditional Khmer architecture and arts with French art deco accents mixed in. Five bars and restaurants will begin opening in March, including an outpost of Shangri-La’s signature Cantonese restaurant, Shang Palace, plus a rooftop bar (a rarity in the city) called Altitude.

Why we’re excited: In a city as busy as Phnom Penh, the spa will be an oasis of tranquility thanks to a soothing design anchored by carved marble and ribbed walnut accents and a menu of treatments incorporating high-end international brands like Kerstin Florian. — Eric Rosen

Rates at Shanrgi-La Phnom Penh start at $161 per night.

Waldorf Astoria Osaka

Osaka, Japan

Expected opening: April

Japan’s very first Waldorf Astoria will open in April in Osaka, just in time for the 2025 World Expo, which will take place in the city. The new hotel will comprise 12 floors of a 39-story tower adjacent to Osaka Station in the Grand Green Osaka mixed-use development. The hotel will have just 252 rooms and suites with contemporary Japanese decor that calls to mind the country’s mountainous hinterlands, mysterious forests and brooding coastlines thanks to blond wood furnishings and accents of green, blue and brown.

Why we’re excited: Guests will be able to dine in one of three restaurants, including a truly breathtaking location of the Waldorf Astoria brand’s Peacock Alley, which will have triple-height ceilings, panoramic windows and even an outdoor patio. — Eric Rosen

Rates at Waldorf Astoria Osaka start at $662 or 100,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

New hotels opening in Africa and the Middle East

From intimate, luxurious safari lodges to a superyacht-inspired city resort, get ready to check in to these exciting new properties across Africa and the Middle East.

AndBeyond Suyian Lodge

Laikipia, Kenya

Expected opening: July

While many safarigoers in Kenya gravitate toward the well-known national reserves of Amboseli and Maasai Mara, the Laikipia Plateau in the country’s center provides a more sedate chance to encounter the country’s big game, including rare rhinos and Grevy’s zebras. Safari operator andBeyond is bringing its distinctive brand of outdoor luxury to the region’s 44,000-acre Suyian Conservancy with an all-new camp composed of just 14 kitted-out tents, which should open in July.

Why we’re excited: Aside from the animal sightings, guests can participate in cultural activities including visits with local pastoral tribes. — Eric Rosen

Rates at andBeyond Suyian Lodge start at around $1,500 per night, based on double occupancy.

Canopy by Hilton Cape Town Longkloof

Cape Town

Now open

There are still only a handful of truly wonderful points hotels in this beloved African destination, but now there’s one more thanks to the January opening of the Canopy by Hilton, which also marks the brand’s first property in South Africa. Situated in the trendy Longkloof district, guests will be within close proximity to many top attractions, though there’s plenty to keep them busy thanks to on-site boutiques, a fully stocked fitness center and a casual restaurant. 

Why we’re excited: The bright decor in the guest rooms is inspired by the unmatched floral diversity of the UNESCO-listed Cape Floristic Region. — Eric Rosen

Rates at Canopy by Hilton Cape Town Longkloof start at around $145 or 38,000 Hilton Honors points per night.

Caption by Hyatt Sydney

Sydney

Expected opening: Late 2025

Marking just the fifth Caption location globally, this casual-chic hotel should be geared equally to leisure travelers on the go as well as road warriors looking for a comfortable base from which to work remotely. Decor in the 174 colorful rooms and suites will include motifs created by famous tattoo artist Samy Baby, while there will be plenty of public spaces to socialize and cowork, including an installment of Caption’s signature Talk Shop restaurant and lounge.

Why we’re excited: The Haymarket district where the hotel is located is also home to Sydney’s Chinatown and within easy reach of the city’s sights and attractions, not to mention nearby neighborhoods like Surry Hills. — Eric Rosen

Rates at Caption by Hyatt Sydney are not yet available.

The Eve Hotel Sydney

Sydney

Expecting opening: February

Since it opened in 2018, the Calile Hotel has become one of Brisbane’s trendiest spots thanks to a swinging pool scene, fabulous restaurants and sleek but bright rooms. Now, the folks behind it will open their first Sydney venture, the 102-room The Eve, which debuts in the Surry Hills neighborhood this February. The hotel gives off a midcentury Palm Springs, California, vibe thanks to a sun-splashed, lounger-lined pool; chic rooms with wood paneling, stone floors and jewel-toned tiling; and a rooftop open-air Mexican restaurant, Lottie, that is sure to become the place to see and be seen. 

Why we’re excited: With colorful vaulted ceilings, impressive artworks and a menu that veers from caffeinated drinks during the day to handshaken cocktails at night, the lobby’s Bar Julius can easily be your go-to hang on your next visit Down Under. — Eric Rosen

Rates at The Eve Hotel Sydney start at $323 per night.

Few & Far Luvhondo

Limpopo, South Africa

Now open 

Most safari experiences entail long days bumping along dirt or gravel roads in search of elusive animals before siestas back in a rustic but comfortable tent. Turning that paradigm on its head, however, is this new venture in South Africa’s primordial Soutpansberg Mountains (one of the globe’s most ecologically diverse pockets), from the founders of U.S. glamping outfitters Under Canvas. The lodge, which opened in January, will have just six suites arrayed along a cliffside and feature first-of-their-kind experiences like a solar-powered cable-car system — inspired by the nests of weaver birds — that can take guests along a nearly 5-mile game-viewing route above the treetops. 

Why we’re excited: It’s not just about the animals; this hotel takes dining seriously, too, and will offer a fine-dining, farm-to-table program that includes special occasions like cookout breakfast, traditional boma braii barbecues and dinners out in the bush paired with South African wines, of course. — Eric Rosen

Rates at Few & Far Luvhondo start at $1,800 per person, per night.

Gorilla Forest Lodge, An A&K Sanctuary

Bwindi, Uganda

Expected opening: May

Come May, the only luxury lodge actually inside Uganda’s mountain-gorilla-thronged Bwindi Impenetrable Forest gates reopens with a new name and new look: 10 enlarged and transformed suites plus dining. The accommodations feature floor-to-ceiling windows and large decks for observing and connecting with nature, as well as decor that plays up the destination’s singular environment, such as ceilings of woven banana leaves and textured walls that look like clay. 

Why we’re excited: In keeping with A&K Sanctuary’s ethos, the property practices composting, rainwater collection and repurposing materials, among other eco-friendly initiatives, while still delivering on exceptional luxury. — Kathryn Romeyn

Rates at Gorilla Forest Lodge start at $520 per person, per night, based on double occupancy.

InterContinental Table Bay Cape Town

Cape Town

Expected opening: Late 2025

One of Cape Town’s most venerable properties, the Table Bay Hotel, which was inaugurated along the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in 1997 by Nelson Mandela, is getting a new lease on life thanks to its makeover (currently underway) into an InterContinental. When it is completed, the hotel will house 306 rooms, including 45 new suites, an elevated pool terrace and bar, a spa, and a club floor and lounge, plus a new slate of restaurants. 

Why we’re excited: Although a luxurious new points hotel in a popular destination is always exciting, perhaps this hotel’s biggest selling point is its location near the V&A Waterfront, which is home to dozens of high-quality restaurants, boutiques by local designers at The Watershed, and ferries to Robben Island, where Mandela and many others were imprisoned. — Eric Rosen

Rates for InterContinental Table Bay Cape Town are not yet available.

Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab

Dubai

Expected opening: March

In Dubai, the theme is usually bigger, better, bolder. And Jumeirah, the Dubai-based hotel company behind the Burj Al Arab, one of the most recognizable hotels in the world, is opening a superyacht-inspired resort in March. At 12 floors tall, the resort features 300 rooms and 86 suites, restaurants serving a wide range of cuisines, multiple pools, and a three-level spa — among plenty of other hotel wonders. 

Why we’re excited: There’s no shortage of incredible hotels in Dubai, but this property is almost a homecoming of sorts for Jumeirah, set to reestablish its place as the hometown hero — one that also has parking for superyachts. — Tanner Saunders

Rates at Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab start at $445 per night.

Park Hyatt Johannesburg

Johannesburg

Expected opening: June

The Park Hyatt Johannesburg actually marks the transformation of the esteemed former Winston Hotel by design firm extraordinaire Yabu Pushelberg, whose work you might recognize from the Park Hyatt New York. This particular Park Hyatt might be the label’s most intimate, with just 31 rooms and suites, though it will also feature the Dining Room restaurant, serving sizzling steaks and fish, a cigar lounge and an outdoor terrace lounge. 

Why we’re excited: The hotel is in Johannesburg’s vibrant Rosebank district, where you can find plenty of excellent dining and shopping within easy (and safe) walking distance. — Eric Rosen

Rates at Park Hyatt Johannesburg start at $490 or 20,000 World of Hyatt points per night.

The Sundays

Whitsundays, Queensland, Australia

Expected opening: April

Over the years, Hamilton Island has become one of the premier destinations for visiting the Great Barrier Reef thanks to its bevy of hotels and residences ranging from budget options to contemporary villas, as well as the crop of activities outfitters who have set up shop there. A new hotel will join their ranks this April when The Sundays, a 59-room boutique resort, opens along tranquil Catseye Beach, from the same folks who opened Qualia (also on “Hammo,” as the locals call it), one of Australia’s most distinctive luxury lodges.

Why we’re excited: When visitors aren’t exploring the island itself (everything is a relatively easy stroll, hike or golf cart ride away), they can spend their days on snorkel and scuba expeditions, sailing through the Whitsundays archipelago, taking advantage of complimentary water activities, and generally soaking in the Queensland sun.  — Eric Rosen

Rates at The Sundays are currently unavailable.