The luxury hotel world has been busy. Very busy, in fact. And while we’re always pleased to hear about another spectacular infinity pool, it’s the more curious developments that have caught our attention lately.
Belmond is restoring a 17th-century Mexican hacienda with an ancient Maya pyramid on its grounds. Aman has finally announced the name of its first Maldivian resort, complete with an entire island dedicated to wellness. Over in Rome, the Experimental Group is bringing its particular brand of Parisian mischief to the Via Veneto, while Portugal continues its transformation into one of Europe’s most compelling destinations for design-led hospitality.
There’s also a noticeable shift in what luxury travellers are looking for. Hotels are becoming more closely connected to their surroundings, whether through architecture, local craftsmanship, ambitious conservation projects or a serious interest in longevity. And some of the biggest names in hospitality are choosing their next addresses with considerable imagination.
At RASK Travel, we keep a close eye on what’s coming next, partly because it’s our job, but mostly because we love discovering somewhere extraordinary before everyone else does.
From newly opened favourites to ambitious projects still taking shape, here are 16 luxury hotel openings on our radar for 2026, 2027 and beyond.
Opening dates reflect the latest information available as of October 2026 and remain subject to change.
1. NIHI Rote, Rote Island, Indonesia – Soft-Opened May 2026
NIHI Sumba has long occupied a special place in the luxury travel world. Its legendary surf break, barefoot extravagance and extraordinary work through the Sumba Foundation have made it something of a pilgrimage for well-travelled adventurers. Now, the team has headed further east, to Rote, an Indonesian island where fishing and seaweed farming have traditionally shaped daily life.
On Bo’a Beach, 21 villas and duplex estates sit among tropical gardens, with thatched roofs inspired by local architecture, private plunge pools and the Indian Ocean on their doorstep. There’s surfing at the celebrated Bo’a Barrel, diving, paddleboarding through mangroves and afternoons that might involve very little beyond a good book and a view of the water.
But the most ambitious part of NIHI Rote isn’t the accommodation. It’s the Rote Hospitality Academy, a non-profit vocational school founded in 2024 to train young Rotenese people in hospitality, English, culinary skills and tourism. The Academy is woven into the resort itself: students welcome guests, gain practical experience alongside experienced professionals and share their island’s traditions through music, dance and storytelling. Its ambition is to ensure that the people of Rote have a meaningful stake in the island’s growing tourism industry, with opportunities extending well beyond the resort.
There’s something refreshing about a hotel where the next generation of local hospitality talent is as central to the conversation as the infinity pools. NIHI Rote is still developing its guest experience, but its priorities are already making a compelling impression.
2. Four Seasons Hotel Mykonos, Mykonos, Greece – Opened July 2026
Between the beach clubs, the super yachts and the extraordinary lengths people will go to secure a table at Scorpios, Mykonos has turned summer into something of a competitive sport. Four Seasons, however, has chosen a different approach for its second Greek address.
Opened in July 2026, the hotel sits above Kalo Livadi Bay, where 15 acres of hillside have been transformed into a contemporary interpretation of a Cycladic village. The architecture is by Nicos Valsamakis, one of Greece’s most influential modernist architects, whose clean lines and whitewashed buildings feel entirely at home against the Aegean. There are 94 rooms, suites and villas, four restaurants and lounges, infinity pools and a private beach.
It’s the location that makes us especially curious. Kalo Livadi has its own lively summer scene, but the hotel’s position above the bay offers a little distance from the island’s more theatrical corners. Chora is around 20 minutes away, close enough for an evening wandering the narrow streets, stopping for cocktails and remembering why Mykonos became famous in the first place.
And for anyone who has stayed at Four Seasons Astir Palace in Athens, the arrival of a sister property in the Cyclades opens up the possibility of a very lovely Greek itinerary. As a Four Seasons Preferred Partner, RASK Travel can arrange exclusive benefits for our clients, including complimentary breakfast, hotel credits and potential room upgrades, alongside expert advice on combining the two properties into one beautifully considered Greek escape.
3. Nobu Hotel Madrid, Madrid, Spain – Opened September 2026
Madrid has become exceptionally good at grand hotel openings. Four Seasons brought new life to the historic Canalejas complex, Mandarin Oriental restored the Ritz to its former splendour, and Rosewood Villa Magna continues to occupy one of the city’s most coveted addresses. Now Nobu has joined the conversation, bringing black cod miso and a distinctly international crowd to Calle Alcalá.
The 50-room hotel opened in September 2026, occupying a building between Plaza de Cibeles and Puerta del Sol. Interiors by Studio Caramba favour dark greens, warm timber and beautifully layered lighting, while GRONDA has designed the three-level restaurant and bar spaces.
Naturally, the restaurant is the headline act. Nobu’s familiar Japanese-Peruvian signatures are joined by dishes incorporating Spanish ingredients, including Canarian sea bass and Mediterranean tuna. There’s even a Japanese interpretation of the gilda, that wonderfully sharp little Basque combination of olive, anchovy and pickled pepper.
But Madrid is a city where one excellent restaurant is merely the beginning of an evening. Between the Prado, the galleries of Las Letras, the tapas bars of La Latina and the city’s formidable late-night energy, Nobu’s central location makes an excellent case for a long weekend.
4. Experimental Roma, Rome, Italy – Opened October 2026
There’s a wonderful contradiction at the heart of Rome. The city is extraordinarily protective of its history, yet its best contemporary restaurants, galleries and hotels have absolutely no interest in behaving like museums.
Experimental Roma understands the assignment.
The Paris-born Experimental Group, whose portfolio stretches from cocktail bars in London to hotels in the French Alps and Balearics, has opened its first Roman address in a former bank near Via Veneto. The location comes with considerable cinematic baggage. This was the boulevard of Fellini’s La Dolce Vita, where paparazzi pursued film stars and Roman nightlife became an international spectator sport.
Designer Rodolphe Parente has drawn on that glamorous, occasionally outrageous history without turning the hotel into a period costume. Expect sculptural furniture, rich materials, marble, terracotta and playful references to 1970s Italian design. And, naturally, cocktails. Experimental’s reputation was built on knowing exactly what belongs in a glass, so the bar is likely to attract as much attention as the bedrooms.
Rome’s traditional grand hotels are magnificent, but we’re pleased to see more addresses that reflect the city’s contemporary creative energy.
5. Capella Nanjing, Nanjing, China – Expected Early 2027
Nanjing has been a Chinese capital more than once, and it wears those centuries of history in a fascinating way. Imperial tombs, Republican-era architecture, ancient city walls and contemporary skyscrapers all compete for attention. It’s a city with more stories than most visitors have time to uncover.
Capella’s forthcoming hotel is taking a suitably architectural approach. Designed by David Chipperfield Architects, Capella Nanjing will have 190 rooms, suites and villas arranged around a series of gardens, with a 360-year-old ginkgo tree at their centre. Timber, brick and travertine feature throughout, creating a dialogue between contemporary design and the surrounding historic neighbourhood.
The location, near Changjiang Road and the Presidential Palace, puts guests within reach of some of Nanjing’s most significant cultural landmarks. The hotel will also introduce Capella’s signature Living Room, an Auriga Spa, a winter garden and a collection of dining and social spaces.
There’s something ambitious about choosing Nanjing. China has no shortage of spectacular luxury hotels in Shanghai and Beijing, but Capella is giving travellers a reason to explore a city that played an extraordinary role in the country’s political and cultural history. And if you’ve experienced Capella Shanghai or Capella Hanoi, you’ll know that the brand has a gift for finding architectural character in places where others might see only a development opportunity.
6. Na Praia, Comporta, Portugal – Expected 2027
Comporta’s transformation from agricultural backwater to fashionable summer address has been one of European travel’s more intriguing developments. The rice fields remain, the storks still build their enormous nests above village rooftops, and the Atlantic is as gloriously unpredictable as ever. The restaurant reservations, however, have become much harder to secure.
Na Praia is approaching this increasingly desirable stretch of coastline with a serious commitment to its surroundings.
More than a decade in development, the 113-room hotel occupies a remarkable 340-hectare site between the Atlantic and a protected nature reserve, with two kilometres of beach and a landscape of dunes, pine trees, juniper and wild thyme. Studio KO, the architectural practice behind Marrakech’s Musée Yves Saint Laurent, has worked alongside Portuguese architects Estúdio Lisboa and landscape specialists Doxiadis+.
The architecture has been designed around the existing ecology, with the protection of the dunes and native vegetation influencing the placement of buildings. It’s a meaningful consideration in Comporta, where the very landscapes attracting international attention are also increasingly vulnerable to development.
What we’re looking forward to is seeing how this enormous site translates into an intimate hotel experience. The Atlantic coast here can be wonderfully elemental, particularly outside the height of summer, when the beaches empty and the landscape takes on an entirely different character.
Na Praia was originally announced for spring 2026, but more recent opening schedules point towards 2027.
7. Rosewood Blue Palace, Elounda, Crete, Greece – 2027
Spinalonga has one of the most extraordinary histories of any island in Greece. Once a Venetian fortress, later a leper colony and now an atmospheric archaeological site, it rises from the waters off northeastern Crete with an almost theatrical sense of place.
It’s also the view that has greeted guests at Blue Palace for years.
The much-loved Elounda resort is being reimagined as Rosewood Blue Palace, marking the brand’s first Greek property. Architecture practice K-Studio is leading the transformation, with 154 rooms and suites, including 85 with private pools. Greek-born, London-based designer Afroditi Krassa is responsible for the restaurants and bars, while Rosewood’s Asaya concept will bring a new wellness dimension to the property.
Crete is an especially satisfying destination for travellers who like to eat well. The island’s culinary traditions are deeply rooted in its landscape, from mountain herbs and wild greens to extraordinary olive oil, fresh cheeses and dishes that have changed surprisingly little over generations.
And beyond Elounda, there’s an entire island to discover. The archaeological wonders of Knossos, the Venetian streets of Chania, the villages of the Lasithi Plateau and mountain tavernas serving everything from casual gyros to traditional Cretan dishes.
As a Rosewood Elite partner, RASK Travel can arrange exclusive benefits for our clients, from complimentary breakfast and hotel credits to priority consideration for room upgrades, subject to availability. And with Rosewood Blue Palace set to become the brand’s first Greek address, we’ll be keeping a particularly close eye on its opening and the experiences awaiting our clients in Crete.
8. Milaroca, A Belmond Hotel, Riviera Nayarit, Mexico – 2027
Fashion, contemporary art, Pacific surf culture and a 105-acre tropical estate. Belmond’s forthcoming Milaroca is shaping up to be one of Mexico’s more unconventional luxury addresses.
The project comes from fashion designer Rosetta Getty and entrepreneur Barbara Machen, with Getty overseeing its creative direction. Just 57 guest pavilions will occupy the estate, surrounded by tropical vegetation and two kilometres of Pacific coastline. There will be six dining venues supplied in part by an organic farm, four outdoor pools and a wellness centre, alongside 27 private villas.
But the creative programme is what distinguishes Milaroca from the growing collection of luxury resorts along Mexico’s Pacific coast. Belmond has outlined plans for exhibitions, artist collaborations, cultural gatherings and elaborate seasonal celebrations, drawing inspiration from the artistic traditions and rituals of the region’s Indigenous communities. The ambition is to create somewhere that attracts artists, designers and musicians, not simply another collection of people who happen to own excellent swimwear.
Riviera Nayarit already has an established creative community, particularly around Sayulita and San Pancho, where galleries, surf shops and independent restaurants sit comfortably alongside traditional Mexican life. As members of the Belmond Bellini Club, we’re ridiculously excited about this one.
9. Katanchel, A Belmond Hotel, Yucatán, Mexico – 2027
Belmond has acquired a 17th-century hacienda in the Yucatán Peninsula. So far, so lovely. But this particular estate also contains a cenote, a sacred well and the remains of an ancient Maya pyramid. It’s difficult to imagine a more extraordinary starting point for a hotel restoration.
Set across 220 hectares near Mérida, Hacienda Katanchel takes its name from a Maya expression associated with asking for the arch of heaven, a reference to the site’s historical connection with astronomical observation. Belmond plans to restore the estate into an intimate hotel with 35 independent suites, retaining its architectural and cultural character.
Mérida’s pastel-coloured mansions and grand plazas speak to the region’s colonial history, while nearby archaeological sites reveal the extraordinary sophistication of Maya civilisation. The peninsula’s cuisine is equally distinctive, with achiote, sour orange, habanero chillies and traditional pit-cooking techniques producing flavours unlike those found elsewhere in Mexico.
Katanchel could provide an exceptional base for exploring this world, particularly for travellers who have already visited Mexico’s Pacific and Caribbean coasts. And while plenty of luxury hotels can offer a private pool, relatively few can invite you to explore an ancient archaeological landscape within their own grounds.
10. SHA Emirates, AlJurf, Abu Dhabi, UAE – Expected 2027
The UAE has become a serious contender in the global wellness industry, although SHA Emirates is taking the conversation much further than the usual spa menu.
The Spanish wellness brand, which established its reputation in Alicante before expanding to Mexico, is developing its third destination at AlJurf, a coastal enclave between Abu Dhabi and Dubai known as the Riviera of the Emirates. The project occupies a private island surrounded by newly planted woodland, with architecture by South African studio SAOTA and interiors by HBA.
The scale is extraordinary. Plans include 120 suites, 137 private residences and a medical wellness facility with approximately 110 treatment rooms. Separate pavilions will focus on movement, nutrition and mental wellbeing, with a dedicated programme for younger guests.
SHA’s philosophy combines preventative medicine, medical diagnostics, nutrition and lifestyle interventions. Its programmes are designed around individual health assessments, with specialist input informing everything from meals to physical activity. It’s a very different proposition from a traditional resort holiday, and one that reflects the growing interest in longevity among luxury travellers.
The ambition behind AlJurf is fascinating in its own right. Thousands of trees are being planted along this stretch of Arabian coastline, part of a wider attempt to create a greener environment in a region more commonly associated with desert landscapes and ambitious urban architecture.
Whether you’re interested in a medically supervised wellness programme or simply curious about the future of destination health travel, SHA Emirates is a project worth visiting.
11. Rosewood Ranfaru, South Malé Atoll, Maldives – 2027
The Maldives has a knack for making extraordinary things appear almost routine. Underwater restaurants, overwater villas, private seaplanes, underwater wine cellars. At some point, even the most extravagant resort announcement begins to sound suspiciously familiar.
Rosewood Ranfaru has our attention for a different reason: the way its accommodation is being designed for people travelling together. The brand’s first Maldivian resort will occupy a chain of islands in South Malé Atoll, connected by a lagoon and reached by a 35-minute yacht journey or a short seaplane flight. There will be 120 beachfront and overwater villas, ranging from one to five bedrooms, each with a private pool. Some will occupy entirely private islands.
That range of accommodation makes Ranfaru particularly promising for families and groups of friends. The Maldives has become increasingly sophisticated at catering for multigenerational travel, and Rosewood’s Explorers Club, family swimming pools and extensive watersports facilities suggest that children will have lots to occupy them.
Adults, meanwhile, can look forward to the Asaya wellness facilities, beach club and collection of restaurants.
12. Amanolu, Vaavu Atoll, Maldives – 2028
For years, one of the more curious omissions from Aman’s global portfolio has been the Maldives. The brand helped establish the modern language of remote luxury, yet somehow managed to avoid one of the world’s most celebrated private-island destinations.
That changes in 2028 with Amanolu.
Set in Vaavu Atoll, the resort will feature 52 guest accommodations and just 16 private residences, each occupying an entire island. These are not your average holiday villas. Each residence will have five bedrooms, a private beach, a 25-metre swimming pool, dedicated staff accommodation and its own arrival berth.
The architecture comes from Kerry Hill Architects, the practice behind some of Aman’s most celebrated properties. The design takes its cues from the atoll’s geography, with natural stone, pale timber, woven materials and generous spaces that dissolve the boundaries between indoors and outside.
Perhaps the most intriguing decision is to dedicate separate islands to wellness and recreation. The spa will have its own environment, while an activity island will accommodate water sports, diving, racquet sports and other facilities.
Vaavu Atoll is also known for its rich marine environment, and we’re looking forward to learning more about the conservation work that will accompany the development. For devoted Aman travellers, this has been a long time coming.
13. Ikos Cortesia, Algarve, Portugal – Expected 2028
After the enormous buzz surrounding Ikos Kissamos in Crete, the group’s next opening is already giving loyal Ikos guests something else to look forward to. This time, they’re heading to Portugal, bringing their much-loved all-inclusive formula to the Algarve.
The resort is planned near Praia da Falésia, where rust-red cliffs meet pine forests and a long stretch of golden sand. It’s classic Algarve territory, with fishing villages, golf courses and some excellent seafood restaurants within easy reach.
Ikos has spent years rewriting the rules of all-inclusive holidays. Michelin-starred chefs help shape the menus, the wine lists are extensive, and the Dine Out programme invites guests to swap the resort’s restaurants for local favourites, with the meal included in their stay. There’s also the Local Drive Adventure, which gives guests the use of a car for a day to explore at their own pace.
We’re curious to see how that translates to Portugal. A morning exploring the coast, lunch at a little seafood restaurant overlooking the Atlantic, perhaps a glass of vinho verde, and back to the resort without having to think about the bill.
For families who love the ease of Ikos but fancy a change from the Greek islands or southern Spain, Cortesia is one to keep in mind.
14. Six Senses The Forestias, Bangkok, Thailand – Opening Date TBC
Fresh from being voted the world’s best city in the Condé Nast Traveller Readers’ Choice Awards 2026, Bangkok hardly needs another reason to visit. Between the street food stalls, rooftop bars and glorious chaos of Chinatown, there’s always something happening. So the idea of building an entire forest community on its outskirts is quite a departure from the usual hotel development.
Six Senses The Forestias forms part of an ambitious project in Bang Na, where a large area of woodland is being created around residential neighbourhoods, walking trails and shared green spaces. Six Senses has announced a hotel and 27 branded residences overlooking a lagoon, bringing its approach to wellness into an urban setting.
The wider development is designed around the relationship between people and nature, with biodiversity, multigenerational living and access to green space at its heart. It’s an intriguing experiment in a city where finding a quiet corner can sometimes feel like a sport in itself.
We’re curious to see how Six Senses brings its signature wellness philosophy to Bangkok. The brand has made a name for itself in remote locations, from the mountains of Bhutan to the islands of the Maldives, but this project is asking a different question: can the principles of a nature retreat work in one of Asia’s busiest cities?
15. Six Senses Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal – Opening Date TBC
Lisbon has become something of a playground for architects and hoteliers with a soft spot for old buildings. Former convents, aristocratic palaces and handsome townhouses have been finding new lives as places to stay, and the results have been excellent. Six Senses is the latest to get involved, taking on not one, but two historic palaces near Avenida da Liberdade.
Palácio Lavra dates to the 17th century, while neighbouring Palácio de Pedrosas was built in 1764 for an Italian merchant and later served as a postal building. Together, they’ll form a 114-room hotel with private gardens, a rooftop terrace and restaurants. The restoration has centuries of architectural character to work with, and we’re hoping the designers resist the temptation to polish away all the quirks. A slightly eccentric staircase or an unexpected patch of original tilework can be worth more than another immaculate marble bathroom.
The location is equally tempting. Príncipe Real’s independent boutiques, the galleries of Chiado and the grand boulevard of Avenida da Liberdade are all within easy reach. And Lisbon is a city that encourages a certain amount of wandering. You might set off in search of a particular restaurant and find yourself an hour later in a tiny wine bar, ordering another plate of something you hadn’t planned on eating.
We’re looking forward to seeing what becomes of these two old palaces. Lisbon already has some wonderful boutique hotels, but a restoration of this scale, with Six Senses behind it, could be a very handsome addition to the city’s hotel scene.
16. Six Senses Belize, Ambergris Caye, Belize – Opening Date TBC
Another Six Senses on our radar, and this time we’re heading to Belize. Despite having the world’s second-largest barrier reef system, ancient Maya cities and some of the Caribbean’s finest diving, this little Central American country still flies surprisingly under the radar.
Six Senses is planning a resort across two locations off Ambergris Caye. Secret Beach will be home to restaurants, beach activities and social spaces, while a short boat ride away, a private island will feature 45 villas, including overwater accommodation, alongside a spa and protected mangrove habitats.
There’s plenty to explore beyond the resort. Snorkel among nurse sharks and stingrays at Shark Ray Alley, dive the famous Great Blue Hole or head inland to the Cayo District, where Maya ruins, jungle lodges and extraordinary cave systems await.
We’d be tempted to make a proper journey of it, combining a few days exploring the rainforest with some time on the Caribbean coast. Belize has all the ingredients for an exceptional adventure, and we’re looking forward to seeing this new address take shape.
So, Where Are We Checking In Next?
Sixteen hotels, several continents and a few very good excuses to start looking at flights.
What’s caught our attention about this latest collection of openings is how different they are. NIHI Rote is investing in the next generation of local hospitality talent, Belmond is breathing new life into a historic Mexican hacienda, and Aman is finally making its long-awaited Maldivian debut. Meanwhile, Rome and Madrid have fresh addresses for a long weekend, and Portugal’s hotel scene shows no signs of slowing down.
Of course, opening dates have a habit of moving, and the first few months of a new hotel can be a story in themselves. That’s where having the right people looking after your travel plans makes all the difference.
At RASK Travel, we work closely with many of the world’s leading hotel groups, including Four Seasons, Rosewood, Belmond, Aman and Six Senses. Through our preferred partnerships and industry relationships, we can help you navigate new openings, choose the right rooms and suites, and enjoy exclusive benefits where available.
Whether you’re planning a return to a favourite destination or fancy being among the first to check into somewhere new, we’d love to hear what’s on your radar. Get in touch with RASK Travel, and let’s make some plans.
