This year’s hottest hotel openings are a varied bunch, from bumper-size projects that were half a decade in the making to little island retreats that have quietly cropped up.
Revival is a key theme, with former landmark hotels restored to their former glory on Capri and the Costa del Sol. Unbridled luxury also features with starry openings such as Cali Mykonos. Elsewhere, there’s a focus on pared-back stays with a new resort in Thailand attempting to recapture a time before mass tourism.
Here, we look at the world’s most anticipated new hotels in a year in which we can truly get excited about travel again.
Aman New York
Spa specialist Aman is opening its second urban hotel (after Tokyo) in Midtown Manhattan this spring. Set in the gold-topped Crown Building and designed by Jean-Michel Gathy, the hotel promises to nod to the brand’s Asian roots but still be resolutely New York. With 83 rooms, the property will accommodate more guests than most Aman hotels but this doesn’t mean less space, with even the smallest larger than most Big Apple apartments. Naturally, the 2,300-square metre spa is the star, but it will be jostling for attention with the huge open-air terrace on the 10th floor, three restaurants and a jazz club.
Opening May 2022; aman.com
Aman is opening its second urban hotel (after Tokyo) in Midtown Manhattan this spring
Credit: Aman New York
The Gleneagles Town House, Edinburgh
Scotland’s finest hotel is moving to the city, with an outpost in the heart of Edinburgh. Gleneagles Townhouse will house 33 rooms, an all-day restaurant plus members’ club and rooftop bar, Lamplighters, which will offer views over the city. Design leans into the building’s history (it was formerly home to the British Linen Company and later the Bank of Scotland), with original fireplaces and restored tiles, but keeps things fresh with contemporary Scottish artwork. Rooms feature grand canopy headboards and the best look over St Andrew’s Square.
Opening spring 2022; gleneagles.com
Gleneagles Townhouse will house 33 rooms, an all-day restaurant plus members’ club and rooftop bar, Lamplighters (pictured)
Credit: The Gleneagles Town House
Cali Mykonos
Greece’s glitziest isle will see another high-end opening this summer with Cali Mykonos, set on its own private beach on the more secluded eastern edge of the island. All 40 villas have sea views, a private pool and patio, perfect for private chef prepared meals. Meanwhile, the 110-metre infinity pool will be the setting for summer parties. A fleet of yachts and speed boats will also be on hand for rides and tours to other beaches, towns, and neighbouring lesser explored such as Tinos and Paros.
Opening June 2022; calimykonos.com
Cali Mykonos is set on its own private beach on the more secluded eastern edge of the island
Credit: Cali Mykonos
Hotel La Palma, Capri
Chic Capri’s first-ever hotel, originally built in 1822, is being relaunched by the Oetker Collection (of legendary hotels like Le Bristol in Paris and Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc). Hotel La Palma is aiming to once again become the centre of the island’s social scene and will do so in some style, with its own beach club, rooftop restaurant and newly built pool deck. The 50 rooms, downsized from 80 to allow for more space and a clutch of terrace suites, will be decorated in a neutral palette and dotted with quality Italian furniture, while scalloped parasols by the pool will bring a sense of whimsy.
Opening June 2022; oetkercollection.com
Hotel La Palma is aiming to once again become the centre of the island’s social scene
Credit: Hotel La Palma
Passalacqua, Lake Como
The much-loved Grand Hotel Tremezzo will gain a sister property on the shores of Lake Como this summer when Passalacqua, a restored 18th-century private villa, opens to guests. The 24 individually designed suites will be spread across the main villa, old stables and a lake house and will include the largest suite on Lake Como, complete with that essential: a music room with grand piano. Bathrooms are no slouch either, with sheets of marble sourced from caves in Verona (also used in The Vatican). The grounds offer a swimming pool, lakeside tennis court and, of course, a private dock where the hotel’s vintage boats are stationed.
Opening June 2022; grandhoteltremezzo.com
Grand Hotel Tremezzo will gain a sister property on the shores of Lake Como this summer
Credit: iStock
La Zambra, Costa de Sol
In its 90s heyday, the Byblos hotel, set between Marbella and Malaga, was frequented by the likes of the Rolling Stones and Diana, Princess of Wales. And now, after being closed for a few years, it will relaunch as La Zambra (part of Hyatt’s Unbound Collection) in the hopes of reclaiming its place as one of this crowded coastline’s top hotels. Design from father and son duo, Esteva i Esteva (who were behind the look for Majorca’s Torralbenc), will champion earthy Andalusian style. All 197 rooms have a terrace which overlook the golf course or Sierra Nevada mountains.
Opening June 2022; lazambrahotel.com
The Byblos hotel – frequented by the likes of the Rolling Stones in its 90s heyday – will relaunch as La Zambra
Credit: La Zambra
COMO Le Montrachet, Burgundy
COMO Hotels’ first foray into France will be a sprawling chateau in the heart of Burgundy. An exclusive 31 rooms will be spread across four buildings in the village of Puligny-Montrachet, with pared-back interiors coming from Paola Navone. After a morning exploring the most famous Grand Cru vineyards guests can unwind in the COMO Shambhala spa, which will offer the brand’s world-leading treatments – perfect if you’ve accidentally overdone it on the red wine. Details on dining remain scant but will likely include signature light but fragrant dishes alongside classic French gastronomy.
Opening 2022 (date to be confirmed); comohotels.com
COMO Hotels’ first foray into France will be a sprawling chateau in the heart of Burgundy
Credit: Martin Morrell
Raffles London at The OWO
London’s most anticipated opening of the year is arguably the Raffles outpost at the Old War Office on Whitehall. The building once inhabited by Britain’s most famous statesmen and spies, from Winston Churchill to Ian Fleming, will be open to the public for the first time, having undergone a wholesale transformation. It will comprise 120 rooms and suites and a dizzying 11 restaurants and bars, the highlight of which will likely be the rooftop spot with panoramic views across The Mall and on to Buckingham Palace.
Opening late 2022; theowo.london
Raffles London at The OWO was once inhabited by Britain’s most famous statesmen and spies
Credit: Grain London Ltd
Lanserhof Sylt, Germany
Medical spa expert Lanserhof will launch its most ambitious project yet with a resort on the island of Sylt, often described as the Hamptons of Germany. Constructed over five years at a cost of €120 million (making it Europe’s most expensive resort), it will house 55 rooms and suites under a giant thatched roof. Cutting-edge treatments and therapies will be on offer and the programme will be overseen by Dr. Jan Stritzke, a specialist in cardiological rehabilitation for acute and chronic illnesses. Sylt itself will provide an inspiring backdrop for stays, with its restorative sea air and whale-watching opportunities.
Opening May 2022; lanserhof.com
Lanserhof will launch its most ambitious project on the island of Sylt
Credit: Lanserhof
The Homestead, South Africa
Safari holidays are back and leading the pack of new openings this year is The Homestead, a 12-suite luxury lodge located on South Africa’s Nambiti reserve. Situated four hours from Johannesburg, the reserve has the huge benefit of being one of the few ‘Big Five’ safari destinations in the country free from the threat of malaria. As well as classic game drives, experiences such as cooking classes, community elder visits, mountain camping and birding adventures can also be arranged.
Opening early 2022; homesteadlodge.com
The Homestead is a 12-suite luxury lodge located on South Africa’s Nambiti reserve
Credit: Pres_Design
Sommerro, Oslo
An Art Deco building, formerly home to an electrical company, is set to become Oslo’s most exciting hotel this autumn. Sommerro will champion Norwegian culture with a huge fresco from celebrated local artist Per Krohg, who will have several pieces dotted around the hotel. Aiming to be as much for visitors as Oslo residents, the 231-room property will house four restaurants, three bars and even an 100-seat theatre. Meanwhile, up on the roof will be the city’s first year-round rooftop pool, sauna, terrace, and restaurant – presumably well-equipped with heaters in winter.
Opening September 2022; sommerrohouse.com
The 231-room Sommerro property will house four restaurants, three bars and even an 100-seat theatre
Credit: Lars Petter Pettersen
Explorar Pawapi Koh Mook, Thailand
Although Thailand has been largely barren of tourists for the past two years, prior to the pandemic it was becoming increasingly difficult to find an unspoiled beachy corner of the country However, new brand Explorar has chosen the relatively undeveloped island of Koh Mook for its first property, which looks to recapture the early days of Thai tourism. Pared-back bungalows and villas are located directly on the white sandy beach, with an open-air restaurant offering the favourite local dishes and spa treatments taking place by the sea.
Opened January 2022; explorarhotels.com
Explorar has chosen the relatively undeveloped island of Koh Mook for its first property
Credit: Explorar Pawapi Koh Mook
One&Only Aesthesis, Athens
The Athens Riviera has always been somewhat of a whispered secret, but with a couple of big name openings over the past two years, it seems like the word is out. The latest brand to land in the area, only 30 minutes from central Athens, is One&Only, which will open a 21-hectare beach resort on the glamorous Glyfada seafront. The majority of accommodation will be secluded villas with private pools, suitable for couples or families, while the 1960s-style beach club will be open from sunrise to sunset.
Opening summer 2022; oneandonlyresorts.com
This article is kept updated with the latest information.