The 50 Most Exciting
New Hotels of 2026

A great hotel can shape an entire journey. Instead of a stop on the itinerary, it becomes the reason for the trip. These statement hotels tend to come with a higher price tag, but they all but guarantee you’ll never forget the experience.

A wave of highly anticipated luxury stays are opening in 2026, from remote expedition gateways to safari lodges and high-profile island resorts.

In southern Chile, Puerto Williams is set to open as the world’s southernmost hotel, constructed as a launch point for Antarctic expeditions. In East Africa, Pinnacle Kigali — a nine-suite property in Rwanda’s capital — will be a refined bookend for trips to Volcanoes National Park and its mountain gorillas.

Island and coastal resorts are also on the rise. High-end hospitality group Zannier is converting a private island off the coast of southern France into a luxury destination this summer. Elsewhere, internationally recognized brands are establishing new addresses: a host of anticipated properties are opening across Europe and beyond, including historic palazzo conversions and brand debuts in cities like Venice and London.

The list that follows highlights 50 hotel openings that merit planning trips around this year. It isn’t exhaustive, but these will be some of the hottest reservations in 2026.