The Most Anticipated Hotel Openings of 2026

As 2026 begins, at 360 Private Travel, we’re already planning entirely new adventures. From impeccable restorations in some of our favourite cities, and resorts that appear to rise organically from their surroundings, to exceptional new wilderness safaris and a London debut from an iconic wellness brand, these are the hotel openings we believe will define the year ahead. Each offers thoughtful luxury underscored by connection, and design that prioritises experience over excess. Spanning the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa, this year’s most exciting openings reflect a renewed emphasis on intention, sense of place, cultural immersion, and sustainability.

From the heart of Kyoto and the endlessly beautiful Venetian canals, to sun-soaked Mallorca, via Botswana’s wild frontier, these are the luxury hotels to know and to book in 2026.

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Rocco Forte, Costa Smeralda, Sardinia

Sublime sea views and a contemporary new spa in Italy

Nestled in extensive grounds near the Sardinian gem Porto Cervo, this stylish new resort from Rocco Forte is set to become a Mediterranean classic and a highlight in Rocco Forte’s impressive portfolio. Costa Smeralda occupies a fabulous spot overlooking Sardinia’s azure coast, features a terrace bar ideal for taking in the sweeping views over Liscia di Vacca Bay, and terracotta paths for picturesque walks through the palm-filled gardens, leading to the private beach and the hotel pool. Interiors at Costa Smeralda promise to echo Sardinian aesthetics through local craftsmanship and natural materials, a design ethos that extends to its 64 rooms and suites, many of which offer views of the Mediterranean coast.

Rocco Forte, Costa Smeralda will offer tailored experiences, such as yacht charters and regenerative treatments (including thalassotherapy) in a state-of-the-art spa rooted in Mediterranean botanicals and the brand’s philosophy of natural, results-driven treatments.

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Amanvari, East Cape

An exclusive oasis in Mexico’s Baja Sur

This new Aman’s address sits as an oasis at the edge of Mexico’s Sea of Cortés, where the landscape, a confluence of the rugged Sierra de la Laguna mountains and sea, cactus-punctuated desert and verdant farmland, is utterly beguiling. There’s a three-kilometre stretch of private white sand beach, restaurants, a golf course, and, along with the villas, styled after local casitas with suntan hues, and elevated for views, an outstanding collection of private residences. Amanvari’s design takes its cues from the landscape, with an organic aesthetic, natural materials, floor-to-ceiling windows, elegant infinity pools, a yoga pavilion, spa with a temazcal, and tranquil common areas, all of which take full advantage of Baja’s diverse scenery.

Close to and around Amanvari, you can dive, watch sea turtles run along the beach, sail from the Aman yacht club, and bathe beneath glittering natural waterfalls. And between January and March, the waters become a front-row seat for one of Baja’s great natural spectacles, as humpback and grey whales migrate along the coast.

Orient Express Venezia, Venice

A palazzo transformed in Cannaregio

8 years in the making, the Orient Express Venezia hotel takes residence in a remarkable 15th-century palazzo, blending historical luxury and romance with the brand’s signature take on slow travel. There’s a lot to look forward to here, as one of Venice’s most anticipated openings in years, but perhaps most intriguing are the internal courtyard, terraces, garden and exceptional interiors, elevated by antique frescoes, Murano glass chandeliers, and a museum-worth of original features offering a distinct connection to Venice’s storied past. Despite its scale, there are just 47 elegant rooms, each a sanctuary of impeccable design, with details like painted frescoes, marble reliefs jutting from heavy frames, and luxurious finishes like marble bathrooms and exquisite Rivolta Carmignani linens.

The rooms are fabulous, of course, but ask your Travel Designer about the Signature Suites, which boast 19th-century frescoes and enviable views of Venice’s emerald canals.

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Capella, Kyoto

Honouring Japanese Culture

Taking design cues from Kyoto’s traditional machiya townhouses, Capella, Kyoto has 89 rooms, arranged around a serene courtyard brought vividly to life by iconic Japanese cherry trees. Nestled along the banks of the Kamogawa River, the hotel promises a fusion of contemporary luxury paired with traditional craftsmanship and aesthetics derived from the Miyagawa-chō district. Elegantly appointed interiors, rooms and suites each reflect Kyoto’s aesthetics: tatami-inspired flooring, bespoke woodwork, art and handpicked textiles and finishings in soothing natural colours. The Auriga Spa features an onsen ritual, quintessential for experiencing Japan’s centuries-old bathing rituals.

Guests should anticipate immersive cultural experiences, including curated tea ceremonies, private temple visits, and culinary explorations of Kyoto’s celebrated kaiseki, as well as three fantastic restaurants at the hotel.

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Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Cartagena

On the Doorstep of the Walled City

Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Cartagena occupies a collection of restored historic buildings in vibrant Getsemaní, weaving modern luxuries into centuries-old architecture, like a 16th-century temple and the 1920s Beau-Arts Club Cartagena. Interiors incorporate local materials, artisanal details, and a warm, sun-faded palette that reflects the city’s coastal setting, past colonial grandeur and distinctive cultural heritage. There are 8 dining venues set within historic sites (a restored cinema, for example), serving everything from New York-style steak and Neapolitan pizza to Colombian staples, and there’s a rooftop bar with the relaxing aesthetics of a garden conservatory, elevated by classic cocktails and city views.

Beyond its design, the hotel offers privileged access to Cartagena’s cultural heart, with colour-saturated streets and grand plazas juxtaposed by the vast, handsome blues of the Caribbean lapping at its shores. And it’s located for after-hours walks through the Walled City, via the 16th-century walls, and introductions to Cartagena’s vibrant music and culinary scenes.

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four-seasons-hotel-cartagena

Mandarin Oriental Punta Negra

Refined Design Meets Mallorca’s Raw Beauty

Set atop a beautiful peninsula between Palma and Portals Nous, Mandarin Oriental Punta Negra will offer a distinctly Mediterranean expression of the brand’s timeless style, with terraced gardens cascading towards the sea, and panoramic views across Mallorca’s crystalline shores. Spread across 3 hectares, there’s a deep sense of privacy interwoven into the atmosphere here. Smaller rooms boast sea and garden views from private balconies, while the larger suites have spacious panoramic terraces, ideal for sunset-timed dinners. Interiors are elegant yet understated, with a good splash of Balearic character: pale woods and sun-washed textures that effectively echo the surrounding landscape.

The Mandarin Oriental Punta Negra features a destination spa with comprehensive treatments, an indoor pool and three outdoor pools spread across the resort.

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mandarin-oriental-punta-negra

Elela, Okavango Delta

An exciting new safari destination in Botswana

At 360, Singita is a name we return to often when designing luxury safari experiences, and Elela is one of the most exciting additions to the brand’s portfolio. Elela, meaning “to flow” in Setswana, a name inspired by the Delta’s remarkable seasonality, enjoys an enviable spot in Botswana’s breathtaking Okavango Delta, and as with all Singita properties, Elela is underpinned by a commitment to conservation and community, offering an opportunity to explore a fragile ecosystem while supporting its preservation. Taking its inspiration from the phenomenal nature here, the lodge has been painstakingly designed to facilitate intimacy with the land, providing unrestricted access to the Delta’s enchanting patchwork of grasslands, islands, lagoons and, of course, its wildlife.

Convivial communal spaces include a lounge, dining room, a private pool, and decks, and each retreat has a personal guide and host, perfect for planning game drives, bush walks and activities such as fishing, stargazing and helicopter flights with incredible birds-eye views of the Delta.

Elela-Okavango-Delta-overview
Elela-Okavango-Delta

Six Senses, London

Urban Wellness in the Capital

Six Senses London marks an exemplary entry to the UK market with a distinct reimagining of the Art Deco landmark Whiteley building (with help from Foster + Partners), a Grade II-listed former department store, as a destination for urban wellness and mindful, design-driven hospitality. There are 109 rooms and suites with features like freestanding baths, floor-to-ceiling windows and, in the Notting Hill Suite, two furnished terraces with sweeping vistas of the London skyline. There are 14 branded residences too, offering an excellent take on an urban retreat and a compelling opportunity for a Six Senses elevated Pied-à-terre in the capital.

The subterranean Six Senses Spa is a highlight, offering everything from cryotherapy and flotation and a dedicated magnesium pool (a first for a London hotel), to movement studios, and personalised longevity programmes. Another first, Six Senses Place, offers private club amenities to members.

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At 360 Private Travel, we work alongside leading hotel partners to stay ahead of what’s coming next. With access to preferred benefits and first-hand insight, we’re perfectly placed to introduce you to the hotels set to define luxury travel in 2026 and beyond. Speak to your Travel Designer, tell them which hotel you’d like to experience first, and we’ll do the rest.

Follow along and tag us #360PrivateTravel

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