The most anticipated hotel openings of 2026

From luxury island villas in the Maldives to an off-grid Australian resort, these are the six new property openings we're most excited about.

As travel demand continues to rise around the world, so does the number of high-profile new hotel openings, giving travellers not only more choice but better options, too.

According to Rena Shah, head of lodging and experiences at Chase Travel, the best new hotels opening in 2026 aim to become an extension of their guests' lives, rather than simply aspirational escapes.

"Things like sleep quality, wellness that's built in rather than optional, good food that makes you feel better not worse and spaces that work whether you're travelling for fun or fitting travel into a busy schedule feel more important than ever," Shah explains. "I think we'll see hotels really nail this by designing experiences around how people want to feel when they leave: refreshed, grounded [and] energised instead of just impressed."

Simultaneously, because many hotels are getting more expensive, some properties are increasingly justifying their rates by offering the unusual, according to Fora travel agency co-founder Henley Vazquez.

"The cost of travel continues to rise, so when people take a trip, they're looking for one-of-a-kind experiences rather than the typical hotel," she says. "The hotels that stand out will be the ones that offer a strong point of view – whether that's redefining how guests engage with wellness or creating experiences that feel impossible to replicate elsewhere."

From a boutique hotel that wows with culturally inspired design to an eco-resort that delivers one jaw-dropping moment after another, there's a property opening in 2026 that's sure to enthral even the most discerning traveller. Here are six openings that we're most excited about in 2026.

Bvlgari Resort Ranfushi

Bvlgari Resort Ranfushi, Maldives

It's hard to imagine how you can improve a trip to the Maldives – a destination famous for some of the planet's most sumptuous resorts. But the Bvlgari Resort Ranfushi in the Raa Atoll aims to add a new layer of fashion-house polish to the tried-and-true Maldivian holiday. The 20-hectare, 54-villa property (33 on the beach, 20 overwater and the Bvlgari Villa on its own islet) will bring the glamour that Bvlgari hotels are known for through modern design and a laundry list of amenities when it opens at the end of the year.

For instance, the culinary lineup is immense: Michelin star-winning concepts in Bvlgari's sister properties will be brought to the middle of the Indian Ocean for this project: Il Ristorante – Niko Romito for Italian food, Bao Li Xuan for Chinese and the Japanese omakase experience at Hōseki. A spa, yoga pavilion and a library round out the resort.

"Bvlgari entering the Maldives feels like a cultural moment for luxury travel," says Vazquez. "It brings a level of Italian sophistication and design rigour that goes beyond the typical 'barefoot-luxury' formula. This is the resort people will talk about for its aesthetic precision, its fashion-house sensibility and how effortlessly it blends high design with the drama of the Maldivian landscape."

But it's not all about destination dining here; sustainability is also an important focus. The resort plans to start a farm on a smaller nearby island, and in collaboration with the University of Milano-Bicocca, it will also implement a coral restoration programme.

Six Senses London

Six Senses London, England

Following outposts in Rome and Kyoto, Bangkok-based Six Senses' expansion into urban markets reaches new heights in 2026 when it unveils two more projects in Europe, including one in Milan later this year. But the one making the biggest waves is the 109-room Six Senses London opening in March inside the Foster + Partners-restored The Whiteley – a Grade II-listed former department store occupying an entire city block in Bayswater.

Six Senses accounts for a small portion of this architectural revival (there will also be residences and a massive retail footprint), and aims to deliver next-level wellness in a pocket of the city that has yet to really see a hospitality concept at this scale. Its spa – which spans 2,320sq m across a single floor – will include a flotation pod, cryotherapy chamber, longevity-focused medical clinic, a variety of fitness studios and London's first in-hotel magnesium pool (perfect for fighting jet lag). Newer still is the debut of the Six Senses Place, its members' club.

"There's something compelling about the juxtaposition of a deeply restorative wellness space situated in the middle of a busy city like London," says Shah. "There's no doubt guests will walk away talking about buzzy features like the Alchemy Bar and the Biohack Recovery Lounge."

Soori Penang

Soori Penang, Malaysia

Malaysia's rich culinary traditions, layered history and tropical landscapes have helped fuel a tourism resurgence in recent years. Opening in January 2026, Soori Penang is poised to add to that momentum.

Designed by award-winning architect Soo K Chan of SCDA Architects, the 15-room boutique hotel occupies a restored compound of 19th-Century shophouses in George Town, Penang's Unesco-listed historic capital.

Tucked inside Khoo Kongsi, an important Hokkien clanhouse, Soori Penang pays homage to heritage through decorative details, such as the inner courtyard with a reflecting pool, stone fountains inspired by traditional rice grinders and replicas of the lion sculptures found on a nearby temple. Chan's commitment to celebrating local culture extends to Journeys by Soori, a collection of excursions that highlight the region's unique traditions. One itinerary, Journey of the Gods, takes guests by rickshaw to places of worship that reflect Penang's spiritual diversity.

Ever Bloomfield

Ever Bloomfield, Australia

Off-the-grid travel is emerging as a defining trend for 2026 among adventurers and jet-setters. Ever Bloomfield, a new property hidden in the northern fringes of Queensland and opening by the end of the year, could be the perfect place to live out that fantasy. Located at the intersection of the Daintree Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef (both Unesco World Heritage sites), the 14-bungalow sanctuary has secured a rare, long-term permit to operate across these exclusive and highly protected ecosystems. 

Not only does it offer a wilderness-first stay, it also provides some truly once-in-a-lifetime excursions, including heli-excursions to ancient Quinkan Rock Art sites, reef safaris and guided rainforest treks in tightly regulated areas of Hope Islands Reef and Weary Bay. The all-inclusive model covers meals, transfers, an in-room bar and shared day trips. Those looking for a more personal experience can sign up for private tours at an additional cost.

Chase Daniel

Hideaway Round Top, Texas

Round Top is a tiny town of 90 people between Houston and Austin that has long been a treasure-hunter's dream thanks to its legendary antique fairs. Previously an open secret among decorators and architects, these shopping events are now drawing hundreds of thousands of travellers (including celebrities such as actor Matthew McConaughey and designer Kelly Wearstler) to Central Texas every year. Until recently, however, lodging options nearby were limited.

Enter Hideaway Round Top, a 21-acre luxury farm retreat opened in January by seventh-generation Texans Emily and Rick Seiders. Located adjacent to The Compound (a 57-acre event space that hosts antiques vendors during some of the fairs) and about two miles south of Round Top's town square, this countryside escape features a three-bedroom farmhouse plus two standalone cottages, which can be booked individually or together for groups of up to 19 guests.

More like this:

• Eight of the world's most extraordinary tiny hotel rooms

• Is this the world's wildest Airbnb?

• How hotels could help solve your summer childcare crunch

The Seiders are hoping to connect visitors to the area's nature-first lifestyle. Spacious wraparound porches and cosy bay windows reveal sweeping panoramic views of the region's rolling landscapes, as well as the property's pool, communal fire pit, courtyard with a barbecue and a large pond with yoga deck and fishing pier. Inside, guests will find antique quilts and floral tiles that reinforce a country-chic aesthetic.

The Cormorant at 55 South

The Cormorant at 55 South, Chile

Antarctica tourism continues to grow, but the experience has traditionally involved long sea voyages and cramped ship cabins. In November, luxury cruise operator Silversea will open the world's southernmost hotel: the 150-room The Cormorant at 55 South in Puerto Williams, Patagonia.

A hotel launched by a cruise operator is an industry first, but as demand for "the last continent" shows no signs of slowing, the hotel will serve as a pre- or post-sailing base that eases passengers with an immersive stay in the region. In conjunction with the opening, Silversea will introduce a chartered flight from the Chilean capital of Santiago to Puerto Williams, allowing guests to fly over the notoriously rough Drake Passage.

"There is absolutely no luxury option if you want to fly to Antarctica," says Jack Ezon, founder of luxury travel agency Embark Beyond. "This hotel will offer amazing amenities and the perfect place to stop before and after you fly over Drake's Passage from the bottom of the world."

-- 

If you liked this story, sign up for The Essential List newsletter – a handpicked selection of features, videos and can't-miss news, delivered to your inbox twice a week. 

For more Travel stories from the BBC, follow us on Facebook and Instagram.