Hotel openings to have on your radar for 2026

Waterfront escapes

It’s one of those unwritten rules everyone agrees on — life is just better next to the water. Lake Como EDITION, open in preview, makes the most of its setting with sweeping Bellagio views, a floating pool and a private dock that puts scenic boat tours firmly on the agenda. The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Como adds another reason to visit with beautiful gardens, a historic walking trail and easy access to the lake.

Rocco Forte Sardinia will arrive on the Emerald Coast, with sea views firmly front and centre. A state-of-the-art spa, local-led dining and a rooftop bar round out the picture.

In Calvià, Mandarin Oriental Punta Negra, Mallorca is set to open above a calm bay, with sea-facing rooms and plenty of reasons to stay put (two ocean-view pools and Matsuhisa’s Nobu-style creations spring to mind).

Greece offers two very different moods, from the beachside energy of Four Seasons Mykonos to the pared-back calm of adults-only Luura Paros Cliff.

Fancy going further afield? Bvlgari Resort Ranfushi is on track for the Raa Atoll, where dining is expected to be as much a draw as the setting, while Amanvari on Mexico’s East Cape pairs desert landscapes with seriously stunning sea views.

Wellness wonders

Some hotels promise relaxation, others build it into the blueprint. Six Senses Amaala, opening along the Triple Bay area, does the latter, with wellness running through the experience, from a longevity clinic and cryotherapy chamber to a sound dome and extensive thermal areas. Food plays its part too, with a focus on natural, locally-sourced ingredients and dishes that taste as good as they make you feel.

Over in Dubai, Six Senses The Palm will centre around a social and wellness club, with a sprawling, coral reef–inspired spa and biohacking in a beachfront setting.

In Brera, Six Senses Milan is set to offer high-tech treatments that leave you glowing and a sky pool for sunset dips. It’s only a short hop to Rome, where Rosewood Rome hides a modern Roman Bathhouse inside a former bank vault on Via Veneto, with the Asaya Spa above, set to make a convincing case for staying in a little longer.

If crystal-clear waters and a slower island pace are on your 2026 wishlist, Rosewood Blue Palace is the one for you. Expect an Asaya spa alongside space for movement, yoga and hydrotherapy. Three outdoor pools are planned to open up wide views across the Aegean, the sort that reward lingering rather than laps.

Off the beaten track

From the team behind NIHI Sumba, NIHI Rote is set to open on Indonesia’s secluded Rote Island, right on Bo’a Beach. If you’re searching for sun, sand and sea, this boutique all-villa resort has it in spades, with easy access to world-class surf breaks for those who like their beach days with a bit more bite.

Set deep in the Okavango Delta, Singita Elela, Singita’s first Botswana outpost, is the kind of place where adventure shapes the day. Expect private game drives, exhilarating bush walks and mokoro safaris through the waterways, all led at your own pace. Back at camp, evenings are likely to be spent stargazing, dipping into the wine cellar or unwinding in your private plunge pool.

Discover Collection Oman will open in Ras Amud on the Musandam Peninsula, an area better known for its fjord-like coastlines than five-star hotels. Just 32 villas will overlook the Sea of Oman and the Hajar Mountains, with days shaped by the landscape, from exploring the coastline by boat to treatment rooms carved into the rock below.

Heritage heavyweights

Everyone knows good things take time, and Orient Express Palazzo Donà Giovannelli is set to prove it. After eight years of restoration, this 15th-century palace (once home to the Duke of Urbino) will reopen next year, bringing frescoed interiors, private gardens and a sense of occasion back to the Grand Canal. It’s part of a wider Venetian revival, with the legendary Danieli returning under the Four Seasons name and Airelles Venezia bringing its own take on palazzo living to Giudecca. 

Elsewhere in Italy, Baccarat Hotel Rome is giving Via Veneto a glossy new landmark. Set in the historic Hotel Majestic, the crystal house’s first European hotel pairs Belle Époque bones with signature Baccarat glamour.

Further west, COMO Le Beauvallon is set to reclaim its place on the French Riviera. The 1914 Belle Époque mansion, once favoured by artists, film stars and high society, will reopen in 2026 as a low-key Côte d’Azur classic, complete with palm-lined gardens, a beach club and a private pontoon.

And, in the Swiss Alps, Four Seasons is preparing to take the reins at The Park Gstaad, marking an exciting new era for the region's first five-star hotel, which originally opened in 1910.

Over in Palm Beach, The Vineta Hotel, is being reimagined by Tino Zervudachi into something fresh but still firmly rooted in its Mediterranean Revival past. Steps from Worth Avenue, it’s set to bring a little old-school glamour (and a lot of character) back to town.

Urban icons & culture-rich stays

Capella Kyoto will bring you straight into the spirit of Gion with a modern-day machiya that opens up the city in a warm, grounded way. Steps from Kenninji Temple and the famed Kaburenjo theatre, its calm courtyard rooms, private onsens and slow, thoughtful spa rituals will invite you to settle in.

Pendry Mexico City is set to land in the trendy Roma Norte district with sharp looks, a strong art game and a sense of place that promises to go beyond the usual capital-city sheen. The rooftop pool is likely to become a favourite hangout.

In Miami, Delano is getting ready to make its return, refreshing its iconic all-white aesthetic with new energy and the return of the much-loved Rose Bar.

Austin’s Knox Hotel, part of the Auberge collection, will channel local spirit with art-led interiors, low-key charm and a feel that’s more neighbourhood hangout than see-and-be-seen.

Family favourites

Some hotels just get what makes a great family holiday — Ikos Kissamos is one of them. Set along Crete’s quieter western coast, this all-inclusive resort has space to roam, multiple pools and menus by Michelin-starred chefs. And let’s take a moment to appreciate the all-ages kids’ clubs and baby gear on tap.

In Vietnam, Park Hyatt Phu Quoc brings a gorgeous stretch of golden sand (perfect for sandcastle building), private villas and a dedicated kids’ village into the mix, making family stays feel easy from the start.

Want to be first through the doors? Little Emperors members can register interest by contacting bookings@littleemperors.com. Stay up to date with the latest hotel openings here.