2026 Luxury Hotel Openings: A Global Guide for Travellers
15 Luxury Hotels Scheduled to Open in 2026
The turn of a new year brings with it an excitement for the latest luxury hotels scheduled to open around the globe.
These hotels are often a window into the next phase of experience, luxury, and wellness.
As experts in memorable moments and extraordinary experiences, we are always excited to see new offerings for our discerning clients.
From historic European icons reimagined by leading luxury brands to ultra-private island retreats and conservation-led safari lodges, we have curated a list of openings that reflect a shift toward experience-driven, culturally rooted and design-forward travel.
For our community of ultra-high-net-worth individuals, influential families and global organisations, these properties offer more than simply a place to stay.
They provide privacy, individualised experiences, and distinction.
This curated global selection highlights the most anticipated five-star hotel openings of 2026, spanning Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa, Australia and the Americas.
Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Cartagena
Brand
Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts
Location
Cartagena, Colombia
Opening Date
Early 2026
Why It Makes Our List
A fusion of Spanish colonial architecture with contemporary Four Seasons luxury.
This hotel spans several historic structures and speaks to a rich Caribbean tradition of art and culture.
Cartagena is only the fifth Four Seasons hotel/residence in Central & South America, and the second in Colombia. Therefore, we are excited to see their latest venture in a location where they have been specific with their choices.
Ideal For
Cultural travellers, multi-generational families, private celebrations, Latin America-lovers.
Danieli, A Four Seasons Hotel
Brand
Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts
Location
Venice, Italy
Opening Date
Mid 2026
Why It Makes Our List
Italy is a second home for the Four Seasons brand, with this hotel being its fourth Italian opening.
This will be one of Europe’s most iconic hotels re-imagined under the Four Seasons flag following an extensive restoration spearheaded by Pierre-Yves Rochon.
It is situated in a wonderful location (just a 6-minute walk from St. Mark’s Square) and combines Venetian Gothic palazzo splendour with an (expected) modern service, privacy and wellness.
Ideal For
Romantic getaways, discreet UHNW travellers, art and history collectors, executive retreats.
Four Seasons Resort Mykonos
Brand
Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts
Location
Mykonos, Greece
Opening Date
Mid 2026
Why It Makes Our List
At Blend Group, we love a picturesque view and the (near) guarantee of sun. Which is why an opening in Mykonos simply had to make this list.
A refined interpretation of Cycladic (Bronze Age culture and art) architecture offering a quiet and sophisticated alternative to Mykonos’ traditional party hotels.
Our clients value privacy and a relaxing environment. Four Seasons Resort Mykonos should offer just that.
Ideal For
High-net-worth leisure travellers, couples, private villa stays, yacht-based itineraries.
Four Seasons Resort at The Red Sea
Brand
Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts
Location
The Red Sea Project, Saudi Arabia
Opening Date
Early 2026
Why It Makes Our List
Our final Four Seasons property will be the latest part of Saudi Arabia’s ambitious luxury tourism development.
The Red Sea blends cutting-edge sustainability, untouched marine ecosystems and next-generation resort design.
Saudi Arabia is striving to become the next luxury travel hotbed, and this property will only improve its offering.
Ideal For
Explorers, luxury wellness travellers, early adopters, corporate visionaries.
Rosewood Hangzhou
Brand
Rosewood Hotels & Resorts
Location
Hangzhou, China
Opening Date
2026
Why It Makes Our List
The visual identity of this hotel is truly spectacular. For those seeking calmness and tranquillity, Hangzhou uses materials, textures, and spatial sequencing intended to create a calm, composed atmosphere.
This answers China’s growing demand for ultra-premium hospitality and business travel.
Built alongside the hotel is an art mall, office buildings and workspaces, luxury residences and cultural attractions, in addition to Rosewood Hangzhou.
Ideal For
Corporate leaders, international executives, cultural travellers.
Plaza Athénée Nobu Hotel & Spa
Brand
Nobu
Location
New York, USA
Opening Date
Expected 2026
Why It Makes Our List
The latest Nobu development will be situated in the historical Upper East Side. Conveniently positioned near the famous Central Park, museums, and high-end shopping.
Plaza Athénée Nobu Hotel & Spa will lean into the popular wellness theme with a traditional Japanese Onsen, spa, and wellness centre.
We are excited to see how the Nobu re-development of a structure built in 1927 will fit into the New York City landscape.
We expect the food offering in this establishment to be of the extreme quality commonly associated with the Nobu brand.
Ideal For
Business travellers, lifestyle-driven UHNWIs, brand-conscious guests.
Avani Mooloolaba Beach
Brand
Minor Hotels
Location
Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast, Australia.
Opening Date
Early 2026
Why It Makes Our List
For this pick we are heading down under. What more beautiful setting can you get than the famous Sunshine Coast?
This beachfront lifestyle hotel is expected to bring elevated luxury to one of Australia’s most desirable coastal destinations.
According to the Avani website, this hotel is intended to be “young, hip, and happening”.
Targeting the younger generation is clear from the outset, and with a focus on weddings, events, and partying until dawn, Avani Mooloolaba Beach certainly won’t lack energy.
Ideal For
Social travellers, corporate retreats & events, leisure-focused families.
Bulgari Resort Ranfushi
Brand
Bulgari Hotels & Resorts
Location
Ranfushi Island, Maldives.
Opening Date
2026
Why It Makes Our List
Like Nobu, Bulgari has expanded their empire into hotels & resorts, utilising their Italian design excellence and global brand power.
A list of luxury hotels wouldn’t be complete without a Maldivian retreat.
This 2026 opening promises to be Bulgari’s most exclusive resort yet, featuring private villas, a signature spa and ultra-personalised service.
Their 10th resort comprises 54 keys including an exclusive Bulgari Villa on its own island, 33 beach villas with individual swimming pools and 20 overwater villas.
Ideal For
Ultra-private escapes, honeymooners, legacy family travel.
Eha Retreat
Brand
Independent Luxury Retreat
Location
Hiiumaa Island, Estonia
Opening Date
Summer 2026
Why It Makes Our List
We have gone left-field with this pick, choosing a location not traditionally associated with luxury.
However, this minimalist, design-led wellness retreat will be rooted in nature, sustainability and silence, therefore offering a radically different luxury experience focused on restoration.
By now you will know that wellness is on the forefront of luxury travel in 2026, Eha focuses on this element with year-round retreat programming.
Retreats will be designed to align with the natural rhythms of the earth, following five distinct seasons: Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring, and Springrise.
Ideal For
Wellness seekers, creatives, digital detox travellers.
Capella Kyoto
Brand
Capella Hotels & Resorts
Location
Kyoto, Japan
Opening Date
March 2026
Why It Makes Our List
We stay with the theme of ‘calm’ but jump over to Asia to spotlight a hotel designed by renowned architect Kengo Kuma.
This luxury hotel will blend Japanese craftsmanship, spiritual calm and Capella’s signature personalised luxury.
Capella will invite guests to welcome tradition and expect the unexpected to create a truly individualised experience.
The 89 rooms are designed to be harmonious, with guests having access to the Auriga Spa where traditions meet modern wellness philosophy.
Ideal For
Cultural connoisseurs, wellness travellers, heritage-focused journeys.
Rocco Forte Costa Smeralda
Brand
Rocco Forte Hotels
Location
Sardinia, Italy.
Opening Date
2026
Why It Makes Our List
Costa Smeralda is the first of two Rocco Forte we have on this list, and it will be hoping to redefine Mediterranean Luxury in 2026.
Sustainability and respect for the local environment will be a key focus of the hotel and its decor.
Natural materials and local craftsmanship will be prevalent throughout the hotel’s 64 rooms and suites, with the seafront designed to complement the nature around it.
Mediterranean cuisine, private yacht charters, guided tours, and wine tastings will be the primary attraction and activities for guests in 2026.
Ideal For
Summer leisure travellers, yacht owners, sustainable travellers.
Palazzo Castelluccio, Noto
Brand
Rocco Forte Hotels
Location
Sicily, Italy.
Opening Date
Expected 2026
Why It Makes Our List
For our second Rocco Forte property we hop southeast from island to island, finding ourselves in Sicily where in 2026 we expect the opening of a restored Baroque palazzo.
The 18th century renovation is situated in the historic town of Noto and will include 31 elegant rooms.
Guests can expect the property to be decorated in line with surroundings and history using rich fabrics, and antiques sourced from the finest auction houses.
Ideal For
Slow luxury travellers, cultural enthusiasts, European touring.
Singita Elela
Brand
Singita
Location
Okavango Delta, Botswana, Africa
Opening Date
December 2026
Why It Makes Our List
Guests will have to wait until the end of 2026 to experience the latest Singita lodge, but we expect this wait to be worth it.
This ultra-exclusive safari lodge will offer conservation-led luxury, limited guest numbers and deeply personalised wildlife experiences.
A new region for Singita, the brand (on their website) says they will move their design and guest experience forward in honour of this new region.
Guests will have year-round access to 43,000 hectares of wilderness, and an opportunity to stay across eight camps ranging from one to four bedrooms.
Ideal For
UHNW adventurers, conservation-minded families, private safaris.
Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch
Brand
Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts
Location
London, England
Opening Date
Spring/Summer 2026
Why It Makes Our List
Next, we head to Blend Group’s home. England’s capital city of London where a historic London landmark is being transformed into one of the city’s most prestigious luxury hotels.
Admiralty Arch is the entrance to the famous walkway leading up to Buckingham Palace, which is why the 100-room hotel will be firmly on the list for UHNW London travellers.
For fine dining lovers, culinary direction will come from Michelin-starred chefs Clare Smyth and Daniel Boulud.
Ideal For
Global executives, diplomatic stays, luxury city breaks.
The Leela Jaisalmer
Brand
The Leela Palaces
Location
Rajasthan, India.
Opening Date
Expected 2026
Why It Makes Our List
Our final stop on the global tour of 2026 openings leaves us in Asia, where a new palace-style property from The Leela will offer immersive Indian luxury and heritage hospitality.
This will be an 80-room resort located in the beautiful desert of Rajasthan. Whilst the desert location will offer calm and seclusion, it is not far from an airport for international travellers.
According to a press release in November 2025, “the resort will feature elegantly designed rooms and tented villas, an expansive spa, a salon, a dedicated kids’ club, a swimming pool, multiple dining venues, a large man-made lake, a pillarless ballroom, and generous outdoor lawns and courtyards ideal for destination weddings, milestone celebrations, and curated experiential gatherings.”
This will be an exciting addition of The Leela properties.
Ideal For
Cultural travellers, experiential luxury seekers, destination weddings.
2026: A Defining Year for Luxury Travel and Hospitality
This list features 15 luxury hotels scheduled to open in 2026. We have spotlighted properties from all corners of the globe and showcased the clear focus on individualism and wellness.
This is only a positive sign for UHNW travellers, families, and corporate organisations looking to level up their luxury travel experiences over the next two years.
You will see that the variety of hotels and resorts cater to guests with different needs. Yet all our picks link with our community’s values of discernment, quality, and tailored experiences.
Explore 2026 with Blend Group
At Blend Group, we are not an observer. We are experts in the field of luxury, premium entertainment, and memorable moments.
For almost a decade we have supported our global community with the belief in a tailored approach for each of our clients, allowing us to create high quality experiences and lasting relationships.
If luxury travel to these hotels, or any other properties in the world, is on your agenda in 2026, get in touch with our dedicated team today and start your journey with Blend Group.
