The best new luxury hotels opening in 2023
From Europe to Africa and Asia to the Middle East and Australia, escape the humdrum and get away from it all at these top new international properties
There’s nothing quite like a luxury hotel – especially one that’s fresh from the architect’s drawing board and promising the opportunity to discover somewhere new or off the beaten track. From gorgeous independent boutique hotels to new openings from the world’s most famous hospitality brands, 2023 promises to be a bumper year for those looking to plan the trip of a lifetime. Book yours now with our guide to the best new luxury hotels opening in 2023.
EUROPE
Canfranc Estación, Canfranc, Spain
Be one of the first to discover the magnificent Canfranc region of Spain, tucked away far off the beaten track amid the majestic Aragonese Pyrenees. The area’s landmark train station has been transformed into a Royal Hideaway Hotel, a truly unique property with a quirky design that remains faithful to the building’s original use.
The hotel lobby resembles a ticket office while railway carriages set the scene for a series of standout restaurants. Located a short drive from the Candanchú and Astún ski resorts, the surrounding mountains are home to the famous Camino de Santiago and the pilgrim bridges, Los Peregrinos and Secrás.
Opening: January 2023
Visit: barcelo.com
Room rate: From £212 per night
Slieve Donard Hotel, County Down, Northern Ireland
Regarded as one of the most iconic hotels in Northern Ireland, with past guests including Charlie Chaplin, Tiger Woods, Catherine Zeta-Jones and King Leopold of Belgium, Slieve Donard Resort & Spa, which is located at the foot of the highest mountain in Northern Ireland, will reopen as part of the Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts collection, following a full reboot.
Overlooking the Irish Sea, 30 miles south of Belfast and 90 miles north of Dublin, the grand Victorian rooms offer stunning panoramic views over the mountains of Mourne and the County Down coastline. Expect an old-school feel with its drawing room, grand coffee room, reading and writing room, smoking room, billiard room, and hairdressing rooms, but all totally refurbished. Positioned adjacent to the world-renowned Royal County Down Golf Club, the destination offers fantastic walking, climbing and golf experiences, while the spectacular Tollymore Forest Park is just a few minutes away.
Opening: January 2023
Visit: slievedonardhotel.com
Room rates: From £218 per night
Casa Baglioni, Milan, Italy
Boasting a stellar reputation among Italy's finest art cities, this boutique, intimate property has been created by Italian architect Spagnulo & Partners and looks back to the city in the 1960s for inspiration. Housing just 30 suites and bedrooms, a living area, an impressive wine cellar and a restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Claudio Sadler, it is situated in the heart of Milan’s Brera design district.
Surrounded by luxury boutiques, art galleries, antique markets, and chic cocktail bars at every turn, this beautiful property will mark the brand’s third new opening in 18 months, further to the unveiling of Baglioni Resort Sardinia in June 2021 and Baglioni Masseria Muzza Puglia in May 2022.
Opening: January 2023
Visit: baglionihotels.com
Room rates: From €825 per night
One&Only Aesthesis, Athens, Greece
The first Grecian property from über luxurious hotel brand One&Only (and only its second in Europe), this chic resort on the dramatic Athenian riviera in Glyfada is just half an hour from Athens. Positioned along a sprawling private seafront, guests are guaranteed ultimate views of the Aegean from sunrise to sunset, framed by an exclusive beach club.
Drenched in mid-century glamour, the property will also be home to a Chenot Spa with tailored programmes and pioneering treatments. Ideal for young families, while also preserving space for adults only, it will no doubt be luring in the well-heeled – and well-travelled – from across the globe.
Opening: Early 2023
Visit: oneandonlyresorts.com
Le Grand Mazarin, Paris, France
The creative and vibrant neighbourhood of Marais will be welcoming its latest five-star neighbour next year, located at the corner of rue des Archives and rue de la Verrerie. Known for its family-run, boutique hotels, which have been disrupting the old guard with Crillon le Brave in Provence, Lou Pinet in Saint-Tropez and Le Coucou in Méribel, the flamboyant Le Grand Mazarin is fizzing with joyful, cosmopolitan eclecticism.
The 61 rooms and suites are all beautifully decorated, while the spectacular restaurant, bar and swimming pool will be drawing in the city’s most chic and sophisticated crowds. Sure to be a hotspot with locals and tourists alike, these properties scream ‘ooh la la’.
Opening: April 2023
Visit: legrandmazarin.com
Room rates: From €650.70 per night
1 Hotel Mayfair, London, UK
Having given its LA sister property a big thumbs up when we stayed last year, we have high hopes for the 1 Hotel Mayfair. Located on Berkeley Street and overlooking Green Park, it will be London’s very first mission-driven sustainable luxury hotel. Showcasing the best in sustainable design, it will be bringing the outside in wherever possible, with flooring in the guest rooms crafted from fallen trees from local parks – and no doubt there will be plants-a-plenty here, too.
The celebrated chef Tom Sellers, of Restaurant Story, will be heading up the in-house restaurant Dovetail, alongside a neighbourhood coffee shop lobby bar. Plus, guests can expect a bespoke fitness centre and a fabulous Bamford Wellness Spa.
Opening: Spring 2023
Visit: 1hotels.com
Rosewood Munich, Germany
Housed between two landmark buildings – a former financial headquarters and a grand aristocratic residence – Rosewood Munich, is the first German property from the luxury hotelier. Situated in the heart of the historic city centre, its prime location is walking distance from central Marienplatz square, the Residenz city palace, the Bavarian State Opera, and the Maximilian and Theatinerstraße shopping districts.
Staying true to the property’s original, well-preserved façade, the smart, sophisticated space will boast an inviting lobby lounge and two distinct dining venues, including a destination restaurant and bar. The hotel will also feature a fabulous spa, as well as an indoor pool and fitness area.
Opening: Late 2023
Visit: rosewoodhotels.com
Nobu Hotel and Restaurant San Sebastian, Spain and Rome, Italy
With a strong focus on cuisine, local culture and architectural design, the San Sebastian outpost of the ‘once just sushi’ super brand brings Nobu to the authentic Spanish city for the first time. Overlooking La Concha Bay, the intimate hotel will be situated on the site of the famed Palacio Vista Eder – constructed in 1912 and designed by renowned architect Francisco Urcola – with just 20 luxuriously appointed guest rooms and suites, plus a signature 98-cover restaurant offering panoramic views sea and city views.
Rome, meanwhile, will be the brand’s first Italian hotel (and much larger, housing 122 guest rooms and suites) and has been crafted in collaboration with Grand Hotel Via Veneto, which will see the current offering transformed. Located on the historic Via Veneto, it comprises two stunning 19th-century buildings, combined to create a modern mix of luxurious hotel and energised living spaces – as well as a destination restaurant, of course.
Opening: Summer and Spring 2023 respectively
Visit: nobuhotels.com
AMERICAS
Umi and Xela Tulum, Mexico
Boutique hotelier Namron will be delivering two new magical properties to Tulum come January. The first, Umi, is a 14-bedroom Eastern-inspired treasure that sits on Tulum beach and is constructed from local materials. Blending Mexican and Japanese architecture (it will boast a Peruvian restaurant, yoga shala and Mexican beach club restaurant), its ethos will be to protect the biodiversity and nature of the region and cherish its spiritual powers.
Meanwhile, Xela – a soulful and bohemian 10-room private beach villa turned boutique hotel – evokes the authentic spirit of the area, but with a dynamic energy. The pinnacle of barefoot luxury.
Opening: January 2023
Visit: umitulum.com; xelatulum.com
Room rates: From $336 per night (Umi); $299 per night (Xela)
Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences Cartagena, Colombia
Something a bit different for many UK travellers, this new hotel is located on the doorstep of Cartagena’s historic walled city, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The resort has magnificently revitalised and restored several culturally significant buildings dating as far back as the 16th century, including the Cloister of Saint Francis (Claustro de San Francisco), the Club Cartagena (a 1920s Beaux-Arts masterpiece), and four theatres.
Perfectly positioned to explore the Caribbean coast and its beaches, including the famed Colombian archipelago, Islas Corales del Rosario, the rooftop pool will offer enviable views of the city’s bay and the ancient walled city. As well as 131 thoughtfully crafted rooms and 16 private residences, there will also be six unique AvroKO-designed food and beverage concepts to sink your teeth into.
Opening: February 2023
Visit: fourseasons.com
The Fifth Avenue Hotel, New York, USA
This historical gem of a property has been lovingly transformed by a collection of some of the most creative minds in the industry, and its opening marks a ground-breaking new chapter for the Big Apple landmark, as well as for the Madison Square Park area.
Interiors have been led by internationally acclaimed designer and architect Martin Brudnizki (the man behind The Ivy London and Annabel’s) while the sensational food offering has all been crafted under the culinary direction of renowned chef Andrew Carmellini (of Locanda Verde, The Dutch, Lafayette, Bar Primi, Rec Pier Chop House and more). So, you can expect the very best New York has to offer in terms of gastronomy, design, art, and hospitality, all under one roof.
Opening: Spring 2023
Visit: thefifthavenuehotel.com
Kona Village: A Rosewood Resort, Kona Coast, Hawai’i
Located on the Kona Coast of the Big Island of Hawai’i, this picturesque resort will open its doors in 2023, welcoming guests to its unique village-like space. Spanning an impressive 81 acres of stunning geologic landscape, the resort draws inspiration from the local area with a nationally inspired décor and a luxurious sense of seclusion – all less than 10 miles north of the Kona International Airport.
The hotel is big on sustainability and is set to be powered entirely by solar energy, while an on-site cultural centre will provide perspective on the natural and cultural significance of the surroundings. Plus, you can of course expect all the luxurious food, drink and wellbeing amenities that come part and parcel of a Rosewood experience.
Opening: July 2023
Visit: rosewoodhotels.com
Rooms rates: From $1,850 per night
MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA
Future Found Sanctuary, Cape Town, South Africa
Technically opened in December 2022, this latest addition to South Africa’s luxury hospitality scene was too good not to tell you about. A true architectural masterpiece tucked away on the slopes of Cape Town’s Table Mountain, this stunning sanctuary really does celebrate nature’s surroundings, honouring the quality of the area’s local elemental design and curated craftsmanship.
Designed to offer regenerative experiences and wellbeing getaways that nurture the senses, it’s a haven for relaxation and inspiration, where luxurious private villas are enveloped by expansive gardens, which form part of the Cape Floral Kingdom. Guests can expect private chefs supported by a talented horticulturalist, a tea sommelier, a scent specialist, and a wellness guru, who has designed a range of regenerative experiences from sensory spa treatments, yoga and guided meditation to waterfall walks, forest bathing and sound healing.
Opened: December 2022
Visit: futurefoundsanctuary.com
Room rates: From R9,000 (approx. £430) per night
The Lana, Dubai, UAE
Set to be the latest jewel in the Dorchester Collection’s crown, The Lana will cut a striking figure among the gleaming skyscrapers of the vibrant Business Bay area, beside the Dubai Canal. Interior inspiration is taken from the sparkling waters of the local marina, with every detail designed to create a unique sense of space, light and fluidity, while tall windows frame views of the Burj Khalifa or the golden, sun-baked desert.
Unique concepts include a beautiful patisserie and a signature evening restaurant on the 18th floor, as well as a rooftop pool and bar: the best place to watch the buzzing metropolis below.
Opening: January 2023
Visit: dorchestercollection.com
R48 Hotel & Garden, Tel Aviv, Israel
This boutique, 11-suite hotel has been carefully preserved and restored by local architecture firm AN+ and features interior design and furnishings by Studio Liaigre, along with landscape and garden design by Piet Oudolf, the visionary landscape architect behind New York City’s High Line.
Highlights of the property include an intimate rooftop pool, an upscale dining restaurant and an all-day brasserie-style venue, as well as a lush Mediterranean garden and a carefully curated art collection, showcasing works by local artists from different backgrounds. Expect a boujis new hotspot that will emanate all that is cool and eclectic about the white city.
Opening: March 2023
Visit: r48.co.il
Room rates: From $1,550 per night
ASIA
Aleenta Retreat Chiang Mai, Thailand
A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, this gem is set to elevate the luxury wellness offering in northern Thailand with medical-level wellbeing programs and all the bells-and-whistles of a five-star resort. Located between the ancient city of Chiang Mai, the famous Vipassana meditation centre and the Wat (temple) Umong Forest, it is surrounded by stunning natural countryside.
Tastefully combining traditional Thai design with modern facilities, each villa will be crafted from traditional teak wood, manifesting a sophisticated, sustainable design concept. The in-house licensed doctors, nurses and master healer will be on-hand to assist guests through holistic health approaches encompassing diet and nutrition, mental wellbeing and physical fitness.
Opening: January 2023
Visit: aleenta.com
Vakko Hotel & Residences, Istanbul, Turkey
An exciting debut hotel project from Turkey’s top fashion, luxury goods and lifestyle brand Vakko, this cool new property will consist of just 31 suites and is set to reflect the brand’s luxurious standing while offering guests the chance to immerse themselves in the national heritage brand.
Located in the heart of the Nişantaşı neighbourhood, directly above the signature flagship store and its adjoining cafe-restaurant, it’s but a hop skip and a jump from the city’s major cultural commodities, including museums, art galleries and historic and religious landmarks.
Opening: February 2023
Visit: vakkohotel.com
Room rates: From £810 per night
Mondrian Singapore, Singapore
Trendy hotel brand Mondrian will be making its debut opening in Southeast Asia come spring, injecting the vibrant Singapore neighbourhood of Duxton Hill with its signature blend of art, elegance, and culinary flair. Rising above the historic Chinatown shophouses with sweeping views of the colourful, sparkling city skyline, its design draws inspiration from the heritage conservation area’s traditional architecture as well as showcasing the work of local artists.
As well as over 300 rooms, guests can expect a buzzing cocktail bar, an Italian steakhouse, and a glamorous rooftop pool bar inspired by 1970’s Hollywood. Rooms and suites, of which there will be 302, meanwhile, will come equipped with Malin+Goetz toiletries, Lavazza coffee machines and all the mod-cons.
Opening: Spring 2023
Visit: sbe.com
AUSTRALASIA
The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne, Australia
Sure to put a spring in the step of this ultra-cool, European-style city, the soaring Ritz-Carlton will add a twinkling addition to the luxury hotel scene in Melbourne, showcasing views of the glorious skyline, as well as Port Philip Bay and the Bolte Bridge. The second Australian outpost from the brand, following its first opening in Perth, guests will check in to one of the property’s stunning rooms from a so-called sky lobby on the 80th floor.
Elsewhere, visitors can expect a stunning in-house restaurant with a library-style bar, an indoor infinity pool and a spa with a fitness centre, sauna, two vitality pools and a yoga studio. Be sure to explore the enchanting metropolis below, buzzing with bars and restaurants, as well as a vibrant art and theatre scene. Good day mate indeed.
Opening: March 2023
Visit: ritzcarlton.com
