From a reimagined palazzo on the Grand Canal to a new ultra-luxury lodge in Patagonia — the hotel openings that will define luxury travel this year.
Every year brings a handful of hotel openings that genuinely advance the art of luxury hospitality — properties that introduce new ideas, restore extraordinary buildings, or bring world-class design to destinations that have never had it. 2026 is an exceptional vintage. From a reimagined 16th-century palazzo on Venice's Grand Canal to a pioneering eco-lodge in the Torres del Paine, these are the addresses that will define luxury travel for the next decade.
Aman Venice — The Grand Canal's New Crown Jewel
Aman's long-awaited Venice property occupies a 16th-century palazzo that has been in private hands for centuries. The restoration — overseen by a team of Venetian master craftsmen — has preserved the palazzo's extraordinary frescoes, terrazzo floors, and carved stone fireplaces while introducing Aman's signature minimalist luxury. The 24 suites each have direct Grand Canal views, and the private boat service makes the city feel like a personal playground. The restaurant, helmed by a three-Michelin-star chef, is already the most anticipated table in Venice.
"The best new hotels don't just offer luxury — they offer a new way of experiencing a place. Aman Venice will change how people think about the city."
— Anastasia Nechaeva, Just Travel Concierge
Explora Patagonia — The New Standard in Wilderness Luxury
Explora's new lodge in Torres del Paine represents a quantum leap in Patagonian luxury. The 30-room property — designed by a team of Chilean and international architects — sits on a private peninsula in Lake Pehoé, with unobstructed views of the Torres del Paine massif. The all-inclusive programme includes guided treks, horseback riding, kayaking, and fly-fishing, all led by expert naturalists. The wine cellar, stocked with the finest bottles from Chile and Argentina, is the most impressive in the region.
2026's Essential New Openings
- Rosewood Doha — Qatar's most ambitious hotel project, in a tower designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect
- Six Senses Southern Dunes, Saudi Arabia — The first luxury wellness resort in NEOM, set in dramatic desert landscape
- Belmond Villa San Michele 2.0, Florence — The legendary hilltop monastery hotel, reimagined after a two-year restoration
- Four Seasons Taghazout Bay, Morocco — The Atlantic coast's most spectacular new address, above a world-class surf break
- Amanjiwo Extension, Java — New pool villas with direct views of the Borobudur temple complex at dawn
- The Brando Residences, French Polynesia — Private ownership opportunities in the world's most exclusive island retreat
Concierge Tip
New hotel openings often offer introductory rates and enhanced benefits for early guests. Our team monitors all major openings and can secure preferred rates and complimentary upgrades for clients who book in the first season. Contact us to be added to our new openings notification list.
