Noteworthy luxury hotel openings to have on your radar in 2026

It feels like there’s a never-ending list of luxury hotel openings to ogle over, but only a handful actually cut through. 2026 is a big one for openings, and you can feel things shifting slightly – less about who can shout the loudest, more about places that just… land well.

We always come back to the same questions when something new opens. Would we actually suggest it? Would it work for the way our clients travel? And would we want to visit ourselves?

These are the ones that tick all the boxes…

Airelles Venezia, Venice (opening April 2026)

Airelles choosing Venice feels like a confident move at the right time. The brand already has momentum (Saint-Tropez, White Lotus buzz), and this opening puts them somewhere far more layered.

It’s set on Giudecca, facing St Mark’s across the water, which completely changes how Venice feels. You’re still central, but without the intensity – more space, more light, and a sense that you’re staying in the city rather than just navigating it.

The hotel itself is a restored 16th-century palazzo with gardens – which, in Venice, is a rarity worth mentioning. They’re also putting serious emphasis on food from day one, with multiple chefs involved, including Nobu Matsuhisa and Cedric Grolet. It feels like one of the more considered European openings this year, rather than just another name arriving in Venice.

We’ve absolutely loved watching the story unfold on social media, with their lovely campaign ‘Voices’, a series that brings together chefs, creatives and collaborators shaping the space, and gives a real sense of the people and thinking behind it before it’s even opened its doors.

Ikos Kissamos, Crete (opening April 2026)

A very strong addition to the Ikos portfolio – and one we’ve been eyeing up for what feels like forever.

We’ve worked closely with Ikos for years, and they’ve become a firm favourite with our clients for good reason. They’ve managed to take the all-inclusive model and do it properly – thoughtful food, slick service, and a level of consistency that makes travelling as a family genuinely easy.

Kissamos shifts things slightly. It’s on the western edge of Crete, where the landscape opens up – longer beaches, less development, and a bit more of a sense of space from the outset. Ikos have leaned into that here, with a larger footprint, generous layout, and everything feeling a little more spread out.

You still have all the elements they’re known for – multiple restaurants (with Michelin-starred chef input), beach clubs, childcare, concierge – but it doesn’t feel overly structured. It’s the kind of place where everything is taken care of, without it ever feeling rigid.

This is going to become one of the easiest, most reliable choices in the Med – especially for multi-generational trips where you want everything to just work.

Capella Kyoto, Japan (opened March 2026)

Capella entering Japan has been on the radar for a while, and Kyoto feels like the right place for them to land.

The location does a lot of the work. Miyagawa-cho is one of Kyoto’s historic districts – close to the temples and the river, but still with a neighbourhood feel to it. You’re right in the cultural centre, without it feeling overwhelming.

Capella have approached it in a way that feels very in tune with Kyoto. The design leans into traditional architecture and materials, with a focus on craftsmanship rather than anything overly styled. There are some strong details – private onsens in certain suites, a well-considered spa, and a mix of dining that feels thoughtful rather than overworked.

NIHI Rote, Indonesia (opening 2026)

NIHI expanding beyond Sumba was always going to get attention – and Rote feels like a natural next step.

It’s set on one of Indonesia’s southernmost islands, far less travelled than Sumba, which gives it that same sense of remoteness people were drawn to in the first place. Fewer crowds, more raw landscape, and a feeling that you’ve gone somewhere genuinely off-grid.

What’s particularly interesting is how they’re carrying their ethos across. NIHI Sumba has always been as much about people as place. And now the NIHI Hospitality Academy Rote will train and employ local communities.

Details are still unfolding, but if it follows the same path as Sumba – strong sense of place, highly personalised service, and experiences that are rooted rather than curated. This will be one people look at for something far more meaningful than your average beach escape.

Waimarino Lodge, Queenstown New Zealand (opening 2026)

This is a new opening in Queenstown that feels quite different from the usual lodge scene there.

Set on the edge of Lake Wakatipu, about 10–15 minutes from the centre, Waimarino leans into space and setting. There’s a mix of villas and private residences, all positioned to take in the breathtaking lake and mountain views. But it’s the overall feel that stands out. Less “hotel”, and more somewhere you properly sink into.

A lot of the focus is around how you spend your time there. The food offering is centred around KA restaurant, with a strong fire-led, garden-to-table approach, and there’s a clear push towards more immersive experiences – heli-accessed dinners, lake picnics, that kind of thing, but done in a way that feels quite personal rather than staged.

There’s also a strong sense of personality running through it. The cellar, the small-batch spirits, the team themselves – it feels like a place that’s being shaped by people with specific interests rather than a formula.

Queenstown has no shortage of high-end stays, but this feels like it’s trying to do something slightly more individual, which makes it one we’re keeping an eye on

Four Seasons Mykonos (Opening late Summer 2026)

Four Seasons’ arrival in Mykonos has been expected for a while. It’s one of those destinations that feels slightly incomplete without them.

It’s set just outside the main town, which is exactly where you’d want it. Close enough to dip into Mykonos when you feel like it, and just enough distance to step back into calm.

Mykonos has no shortage of high-end hotels, but not loads that combine impeccable service and style. Four Seasons always gets that right – well-run, well-spaced, and immaculately designed.

Early details suggest a mix of suites and villas, with strong emphasis on privacy, views and that quintessential white-washed façade. Which, in Mykonos, is half the point.

It feels like a natural fit, and probably one that will quickly become a go-to for clients who want Mykonos in a more considered way.

A few final thoughts

What’s been interesting this year is how varied these openings feel.

Some are building on names we already trust, just in places that feel like a natural next step. Others are a little more under the radar, but no less considered. The kind of hotels that tend to grow into themselves over time rather than arrive fully formed.

If something here has caught your eye, we’d be happy to talk it through. Whether that’s timing an opening properly, pairing it with the right destination, or shaping a wider itinerary around it. Fill out our enquiry form, and we’ll be in touch.