Best of...

Best New Hotels of 2023: Top Picks from Around the World

2023 is shaping up to be another record year for travel, with rates soaring and prime availability vanishing. Our bookings team is working on dream trips to the South of France and Amalfi Coast, safaris all over Africa, multigen trips to the U.K., expeditions to the Arctic and so much more.

We will always return to favorites—like those on the Indagare Index—but we've narrowed down our list of the most exciting new and refreshed openings for this year. In Europe, there are not one but two new properties opening in the Serra de Tramuntana mountains of Mallorca; in Portugal, shoe legend Christian Louboutin will debut a 13-room hotel in a special Portuguese beach town; and Capri will see its first and oldest hotel, Hotel La Palma, completely reimagined by Oetker Collection.

Southern Ocean Lodge in Australia will reopen this year after a devastating fire in 2020; Belmond's Maroma in Riviera Maya has kept the signature white stucco exterior, but its refresh is essentially a rebuild. And luxury brands like Bulgari, Six Senses, Mandarin Oriental and Peninsula are expanding even further.

Read on for much more intel on the best new hotels in 2023 and let us know when you want to go next.

Contact your Indagare Trip Designer or Indagare, if you are not yet a member, to start planning a getaway to the best new hotels of 2023—this year and beyond. Our team can provide expert travel advice and assist with custom itinerary planning, restaurant recommendations and more.

UNITED STATES & MEXICO

The Fifth Avenue Hotel, New York City

This fresh debut from Flâneur Hospitality and real estate ​​entrepreneur Alex Ohebshalom is expected to open later this year within a historic building near Madison Square Park, which was once the Second National Bank (as well as a former home of Gilded Age socialite Charlotte Goodridge). The property will also extend into a new 24-story glass tower. The Fifth Avenue Hotel will champion color, panache and texture, masterminded by Martin Brudnizki. Lovers of bold patterns, bright wallpapers, funky fixtures and objets d’art will be quite at home in any of the 153 rooms; standout accents include a mother-of-pearl-inlaid bar cart with reptilian handles, a fruit-filled blown-glass chandelier and lamps in every form—from Chinese pagodas to Fabergé eggs. There will also be a main restaurant by Andrew Carmellini (the cool-spot king behind Locanda Verde, The Dutch, Carne Mare, Lafayette, Bar Primi and more)—alongside The Portrait Bar, The Study and The Conservatory for libations (and perhaps a game of Clue).

1 Hotel Hanalei Bay, Hawaii

Untamed and otherworldly, the “Garden Island” of Hawaii has more than earned its moniker, having lured in the adventurous tourists for decades with its misty rainforests, dramatic cliffs and golden beaches—but for the luxury traveler, something was missing. “1 Hotel Hanalei Bay is a long-awaited luxury option on Kauai, Hawaii's most wild island,” says Indagare’s Madeline Case. “The hotel stays true to the brand's "eco-chic" ethos” and, like all 1 Hotels, is 100 percent carbon neutral. Wellness—of the guests, the island and nature in general—is at the core of this new property. The thoughtful and airy design, low-impact spa and nature-based wellness excursions are at once a commitment to the guest’s well-being and a love letter to the transformative qualities of Kauai.

Warren Street Hotel, New York City

The latest from Firmdale Hotels, Warren Street Hotel is bringing designer Kit Kemp’s signature splash of color, patterns, and fabulous textiles to Tribeca. Inside a new 11-story building, its 57 rooms and suites will feature floor-to-ceiling windows, and some of the suites will have private terraces with views to One World Trade and the Hudson. Like its sister properties—which include The Crosby Street Hotel and The Whitby in New York (two of our most-booked hotels in the city) and five London favorites like Ham Yard Hotel—Warren Street Hotel is likely to become a neighborhood favorite for Afternoon Tea, served in its airy restaurant and orangery.

Reopening: Mii amo, Sedona, Arizona

At long last, the reopening of the “World’s Best Destination Spa” and the pride of Sedona’s Boynton Canyon is on the horizon. And after waiting for two years for this multi-million-dollar refresh, it’s safe to say that anticipation for the new Mii amo is at a high.

“The Mii amo team has re-thought every detail,” says Indagare’s Kathryn Nathanson, from adding private courtyards and hot tubs to most of their casitas to expanding the fitness wing and number of treatment rooms (as well the length of treatments). Even the Mii amo Journey (the multi-day spa experience) has received a facelift with new exclusive spaces, including a Relaxation Lounge, plunge pool and garden. “After working on the Mii amo at Home with Indagare video series since 2021… I am so looking forward to their grand reopening and the unveiling of the new Journey experience,” Kathryn says.

We can't wait to bring Indagare back to Sedona's red rocks this winter, starting with our sold-out Insider Journey hosted by Elizabeth Lesser and Melissa Biggs Bradley, beginning on January 29th. We will also be live streaming a special first look virtual tour of Mii amo 2.0 on February 14th at 12:00 p.m. ET.

Rebranding: Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort, Hawaii

The Big Island welcomes back a landmark property this year: Kona Village. As a new Rosewood Resort, the dedicated, 12-year renovation embraced the cultural and geological history of Hawaii through a fresh redesign and focus on sustainability. The 150 guest rooms are freestanding thatched roof bungalows (or “hales”) furnished in a distinctly Hawaiian and Polynesian style—think chic tiki bar—with wicker furniture, indigenous art and indoor-outdoor patios (some even have an outdoor shower). Guests will adopt the laid-back spirit of the Aloha State while dining beachside on regional farm-to-table cuisine or stopping by the new Asaya Spa. Sitting on 81 acres of lush jungle and pristine beach along the Kohala Coast, Kona Village is powered completely by solar energy. “We’re particularly excited for the on-property cultural center,” shares Indagare’s Madeline Case. “Which is dedicated to honoring the rich local culture of both Kona and the state of Hawaii.” Perfect for romantic getaways or big ‘ohana gatherings.

Reopening: White Elephant Nantucket, Massachusetts

One of Indagare’s most beloved New England escapes is set to debut a full renovation in time for its 100th anniversary later this spring. Each of the waterfront resort’s 66 rooms and 11 cottages are unveiling refreshed looks from Elkus Manfredi, the firm behind White Elephant’s recent expansion into Florida at White Elephant Palm Beach. In the guest rooms, expect décor that plays up Nantucket’s nautical history, with a color scheme of light blues, seafoam and seashell-white, woven textiles, as well as White Elephant’s signature heritage of subtle whimsy (yes, there will be elephant door knockers). For the cottages’ interiors, Manfredi took inspiration from indigenous Nantucket plants, such as hydrangea, honeysuckle and snapdragon. Throughout the resort, new art comes courtesy of a rotating Artist in Residency program. What hasn’t changed: White Elephant’s commitment to excellent service and its unparalleled waterfront location within walking distance to Nantucket’s best shops, restaurants and galleries.

Reopening: Maroma, a Belmond Hotel, Riviera Maya, Mexico

Set between jungle and sea, Maroma, A Belmond Hotel reopens this spring following a complete renovation. Designer Tara Bernerd has overseen the retrofitting of the resort’s interiors, including 10 new waterfront suites. Inside the resort’s soulful, white stucco buildings, guests will now find contemporary-style rooms balanced by traditional, artisanal crafts including hand-painted clay pots and “Satillo” floor tiles. At the spa (from Guerlain), treatment options will incorporate historic Maya wellness sound and healing rituals. And at the restaurant, an impressive 90 percent of executive chef Daniel Camacho’s ingredients will come from Mexico. Influenced by the clear, turquoise waters of the Yucatán’s treasured cenotes, the three pools on-property have been renovated with hand-painted Sukambi tiles in various cerulean hues. “Maroma has always been an Indagare favorite with super warm service and a picture-perfect beach,” says Indagare’s Sarah Minges. “They’ve made such a big investment in this renovation and we are just counting down to its reopening.”

EUROPE

The Peninsula, London

“It is essential that everyone who walks through our doors knows exactly which city they are in,” said Peninsula COO Peter Borer during a “first guests in” preview of The Peninsula London this week. As you enter off Grosvenor Place across from Wellington Arch and into a calm and soaring double-height Lobby, you are immediately linked to London on both sides with large hand-painted de Gournay murals inspired by Hyde Park, a five-minute walk away. The 190 rooms are the largest in London (“entry-level” feels like a suite), with impressive details, down to nail dryers in the dressing rooms and gold stitching on the sheets that evoke the design of Apsley House across the way.

The hotel has partnerships with several British brands. Interiors were spearheaded by Peter Marino on his first U.K. hotel, but more than 40 artists were commissioned from the Royal Drawing School for original artwork throughout. Designer Jenny Packham is known for show-stopping red carpet moments like her Goldfinger gown worn by the now-Princess of Wales at the 2021 James Bond No Time to Die premiere, and here, she has designed the entire wardrobe for the staff. Chef Claude Bosi (of London’s Bibendum fame) will helm the rooftop restaurant Brooklands, celebrating British aviation and automation—a scale model of the Concorde will anchor the space. Of course, the brand’s Asian roots are not lost—the interiors of the Canton Blue restaurant are seductive and special: the best tables are private booths set off from the main dining room, adorned with red, blue or yellow plates and cups.

They are also lucky to have a phenomenal managing director, Sonja Vodusek, who landed in London after global leadership roles in Tokyo, New York and Manila. Welcome to London, Peninsula.

Hotel La Palma, Capri

Hotel la Palma. Courtesy Oetker Hotels

Hotel la Palma. Courtesy Oetker Hotels

“Oetker’s Hotel La Palma has been the most anticipated opening for years bringing new luxury to Capri,” says Indagare’s Sarah Minges. “This will be a new place to see and be seen.”

The ethos of Oetker Collection–a brand that prioritizes sense of place (think Le Bristol in Paris or Jumby Bay Island in the Caribbean) will ensure a dazzling but soulful reimagining of the island’s first and oldest hotel. Interiors are by Francis Sultana, who worked closely with Italian artisans on every aspect of the redesign to evoke the glamorous 1950’s jet-set era in Capri. The 50-room hotel, steps from the lively Piazzetta de Capri, will have a terrace restaurant helmed by Michelin-starred chef Gennaro Esposito, a rooftop restaurant with sea views called Bianca, a pool deck and private beach club.

100 Princes Street, Edinburgh

We are thrilled to see a trio of openings over the past 12 months in Edinburgh (including Gleneagles Townhouse, Virgin Hotels Edinburgh and W Edinburgh). Coming next summer, 100 Princes Street from the Red Carnation Hotel Collection promises to be an amazing addition to the city’s hotel scene in a prime location in the heart of the Scottish capital. Designed by the team behind Ireland’s legendary Ashford Castle and taking inspiration from avant garde fashion designer Alexander McQueen, the boutique hotel (sister property to London’s Hotel 41) will have 30 guest rooms and suites—some with views of Edinburgh Castle. Built on the site of the former Royal Overseas Club, the hotel fittingly takes as its theme Scottish Explorers and will have its own tartan, a 200-bottle wine wall and a collection of Scottish whiskey. Slàinte Mhath to that.

Six Senses Crans-Montana, Switzerland

Courtesy Six Senses Hotels Resorts & Spas

Courtesy Six Senses Hotels Resorts & Spas

This February, Six Senses Crans-Montana will open its chalet-style doors in the Swiss Alps, welcoming winter enthusiasts to the area’s sun-kissed slopes descending from the Plaine Morte Glacier. The lodge’s 45 rooms and suites will feature muted earth tones, exposed local timber and, most importantly, large bay windows and private balconies or terraces to enjoy Matterhorn and Mont Blanc views. After a day on the pistes—with assistance from the ski-in/ski-out hotel’s Ski Concierge—guests will be able to unwind at the 21,500-square-foot spa, which will feature nine treatment rooms, an indoor-outdoor pool, hammam, yoga studio and fitness center (plus, compression boots, percussion massages and other tools to help with skiing and boarding recovery). For dining, the lodge’s two restaurants will offer Japanese cuisine (paired with sake cocktails) as well as Swiss classics. Six Senses will remain open all year, inviting visitors to experience Crans-Montana in the summertime, when the mountain’s activities switch to hiking and horseback riding, swimming in Alpine lakes and paragliding over the valley.

Bulgari Rome

“After staying at Bulgari Paris as my first Bulgari hotel this past September, there is no hotel opening in the world that I am more excited about than Bulgari Rome,” shares Indagare’s Kathryn Nathanson. “The Bulgari hospitality experience completely blew me away, from how the staff greeted me every time I walked through the lobby doors to the amenities in the room. The service felt as high-touch as I had experienced at a Singita safari lodge in Africa, and I was in the midst of a major, bustling city. I am counting down the days until I can experience what they have created in Rome.” The new Bulgari Hotel Roma will be situated in the Campo Marzio neighborhood, near the Spanish Steps and Piazza Venezia, and will house 100 rooms and suites as well as Il Ristorante, managed by Michelin-starred chef Niko Romito. The 1930s modernist building will be renovated and designed by architectural firm Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel—guests can expect spectacular designs created with large blocks of Imperial marble, with vibrant yellows, greens and crimson reds that showcase Bulgari’s identity as the Roman jeweler.

Raffles London at the Old War Office

This year, the iconic Old War Office will be reborn as Raffles London, the first UK property for the hotel group. Originally completed in 1906 by British architect William Young, guests will walk the same storied hallways as some of Britain’s most influential leaders (one suite is situated in the former office of Winston Churchill). Throughout the five-year renovation, key historic elements like the hand-laid mosaic floors and marble staircase have been completely restored, while amenities—including a spa and fitness center—have been added. The 120 rooms and suites were meticulously curated by renowned interior designer Thierry Despont, staying true to the classic and sophisticated Edwardian style of the building. There will be eleven restaurants onsite, including a rooftop venue that’s perfect for a bite or drink and panoramic views across Whitehall, Horse Guards Parade and Buckingham Palace. James Bond (007) lovers will appreciate the connection to the legendary franchise—Ian Fleming was inspired to write the series after working in the building for Britain’s Intelligence Service.

One&Only Aesthesis, Athens, Greece

Opening summer 2023 , One&Only Aesthesis will open on the Athenian Riviera, about 10 miles south of the Parthenon. This coastal hideaway’s design will incorporate heavy use of stone and timber to bring in important motifs in Greek mythology. Meanwhile, its 127 rooms, suites and villas, guests will be surrounded by mid-century-inspired furnishings, high ceilings, freestanding baths and private terraces with garden or sea views. A major theme throughout the property will be total relaxation, especially at the Beach Club (where a restaurant will serve Mediterranean cuisine). The resort will also include a spacious fitness center with tennis courts and a gym with personal trainers at the ready, as well as a KidsOnly club for younger travelers.

Related: The Future of Hotels: Q&A with Luxury Hotel Insider Brett Armitage, CCO at Kerzner International

La Fantaisie, Paris

With its name, La Fantaisie, this new Parisian hotel has a lot to live up to. Set to debut in May in Paris’s 9th arrondissement, or Faubourg-Montmartre, the interiors are by Swedish designer Martin Brudnizki, known for his fantastical, colorful spaces. He has touched every aspect of the design—the 63 rooms, 10 suites, and public areas promise to transport guests to a “dreamlike world.”

On the food side, Dominique Crenn left her native France to move to the U.S. in the 1980s and became the first and only female chef to earn three Michelin stars. With this project, she is returning to France to open zero-waste, zero-plastic flagship restaurant Golden Poppy. There will also be a spa, in partnership with French brand Holidermie.

Mandarin Oriental Costa Navarino, Greece

In the last few years, more and more well-traveled insiders have been talking about Costa Navarino in Greece, a region known for unspoiled landscapes, beaches and waterfalls, and archaeological sites like Ancient Olympia, where the games began. With the 99-room Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino opening this spring, the destination is poised to welcome more international visitors. Among the property’s highlights: 48 pool villas with outdoor terraces; five restaurants and bars; and a 16,000-square-foot wellness center with indoor-outdoor pool. Costa Navarino is a 3.5-hour drive from Athens and located on the western side of the Peloponnese region—you can also fly into Kalamata airport, one of the best named airports in the world, if you love olives.

The Peninsula, Istanbul

A Turkish Delight on the Bosphorus, the Peninsula, Istanbul mirrors the marriage that Istanbul thrives on: reverence to the destinations storied—and lengthy—past and a fierce commitment to modernity. Four historical buildings form the foundation of this new waterfront property and have been restored with an eye toward maintaining the buildings’ integrity and embracing modern Turkish design (think artwork by prominent Turkish artists, ornate and geometric rugs and mother-of-pearl accents). And though the property may be a short stroll from city highlights like the Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque, guests may find it difficult to leave the premises, their attentions otherwise occupied by the 18,000-square-foot spa, 82-foot riverfront swimming pool, extensive workout and mindfulness programs and rooftop restaurant serving Turkish-Asian fare—not to mention the afternoon tea service, a Peninsula specialty.

Six Senses Rome

Nearly a dozen major luxury hotels are scheduled to open throughout Rome in the next few years. The most eagerly anticipated property, set to welcome guests March 2023, is the Six Senses, the brand’s first hotel in Italy, housed within a UNESCO-protected 18th-century Baroque palazzo on the Piazza di San Marcello, just steps from the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon. Designed by the legendary Patricia Urquiola, the Six Senses will have 96 airy, contemporary guest rooms and suites, an open-kitchen trattoria and bar, BIVIUM, and a botanical garden and rooftop terrace, with spectacular 360-degree views. And, certo, there will be a destination spa, inspired by the ancient Roman baths.

Violino D’Oro, Venice

We are luxury for the gentle soul. Welcome to our homes.” More a whispered promise between friends than a company motto, the words of the family-owned Italian hotel group Collezione Em are at the heart of what will be their newest property, Violino D’Oro. And in a similar vein of stepping into a friend’s home and seeing their life written in picture frames, knick-knacks and keepsakes, the design of Violino D’Oro will evoke the sense of stepping into Venice’s home, its illustrious history spelled out through artistic works of the masters from bygone centuries and from today. This artistry takes the shape of paintings and glasswork, fabrics and tilework—and with only 32 guest rooms and suites, visitors will have the chance to enjoy the peace of the property and the history of Venetian artisans uninterrupted.

Hôtel Le Grand Mazarin, Paris

Joining the soulful, lively Le Marais neighborhood this year is Le Grand Mazarin, the first Parisian address of Maisons Pariente, a family-run collection of five-star hotels. The hotel will open with 50 rooms and 11 suites, all with their own unique character—think green pastel walls contrasted with pops of warm colors, tasteful animal print details and woven tapestries in place of canopies over the bed. Designed by interior architect Martin Brudnizki, the hotel’s eccentric personality is meant to feel like a return to French classicism—inspired by the literary salons of past times—while acting as a comfortable and private abode within the heart of Paris. The property will have a restaurant that can seat up to 236 patrons, including space on a terrace and patio, along with two bars, a heated swimming pool, hammam, jacuzzi and fitness room.

Vermelho Hotel, Melides Portugal

“A boutique hotel inspired by the color that changed everything,” is how Christan Louboutin’s Vermelho Hotel in Melides, Portugal is described on its Instagram profile. And the long-awaited property, created with Madrugal, a company known for one-of-a-kind hotels focused on heritage and identity, has had fashionistas buzzing ever since the iconic shoe designer bought the property six years ago. We can’t wait for the 13-room property to open: we’re certain it will be as stylish and original as his shoes—and will put this sleepy beach town in the Alentejo on the map.

Reopening: Grand Hotel Son Net, Mallorca, Spain

For those who have experienced Finca Cortesin, the stunning Andalusian resort a half-hour’s drive from Marbella, the Grand Hotel Son Net, its new sister property on Mallorca, will be a must-visit. Set to open in May 2023, the former 17th-century manor house-turned-charming-31-suite-hotel in the village of Puigpunyent—just 15 minutes drive from Palma—will have everything you expect from modern manor living: art-filled interiors, lush gardens (just like Finca Cortesin), a vineyard, a small farm with vegetable and herb gardens, a wellness center and three pools.

The house has a long history of ownership by prominent Spanish families and has been reimagined by Spanish designer Lorenzo Castillo. Even better, for those of us seeking out destinations in the traditional off seasons, the hotel will be open year-round.

Son Bunyola, Mallorca, Spain

Courtesy Son Bunyola

Courtesy Son Bunyola

This June, Sir Richard Branson is opening a new hotel in Spain–Sun Bunyola, a brand-new property on Mallorca’s northwest coast, amid 810 acres of glorious mountains, olive groves and citrus trees. The expansive estate will be a true retreat from which to explore the beautiful Serra de Tramuntana region of Mallorca, awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 2011. While restoring a 15th-century finca building (a historical monument fundamental to the local area), the hotel will retain all of its original features, and will combine existing elements, local materials and new designs to celebrate and preserve the heritage of the Mallorcan landmark. There will be 28 rooms in the main manor house that offer mountain or sea views, and guests may enjoy the property’s two restaurants, lounges, swimming pool and outdoor dining terraces, ideal for taking in the exquisite surroundings. There are already three luxury private villas—Sa Punta de S’Aguila, Sa Terra Rotja and Son Balagueret—available for hire year-round to create a personal home-away-from-home experience.

Indagare Tip: Grand Hotel Son Net and Sun Bunyola are located a 40-minute drive from each other.

Rebranding: Rosewood Schloss Fuschl, Austria

Courtesy Rosewood Hotels & Resorts

Courtesy Rosewood Hotels & Resorts

The legendary, centuries-old Hotel Schloss Fuschl, situated on the shores of Lake Fuschl, Austria (a 20-minute drive from Salzburg, or a four-hour drive from Vienna), is expected to reopen in late 2023 under the Rosewood brand (marking the company’s second property in Austria after the opening of Rosewood Vienna in 2022). Within a fairytale-worthy castle dating back to the 15th century (first built as a royal country escape), Rosewood Schloss Fuschl will offer 98 guestrooms, including 46 suites and six chalets, with idyllic, verdant views from a perfect point overlooking the lake’s deep, blue-green waters and the surrounding mountains, as well as a signature restaurant and bar and Asaya spa—including indoor and outdoor swimming pools.

Reopening: The Dorchester, London

It’s a new dawn at The Dorchester, which has just unveiled a first look at its opulent new interiors—only the first phase of the property’s largest renovation since the 80s. The lobby, Promenade, now abounds in ebony and gold, with accents of powder blue, princess pink and no shortage of silver mirrors to reflect every inch of glitz and glam—a makeover owed to Pierre-Yves Rochon. This lavish atmosphere extends into the Artist’s Bar, but takes a turn at Vesper Bar, a snapshot of the 1930s and an ode to the infamous love affair between James Bond and the French Vesper in Casino Royale—after all, the hotel was a favorite spot of Bond creator Ian Fleming. And this is not the end for the Dorchester’s newest chapter, as guests can expect the new rooms and suites (with designs inspired by English gardens) to debut in March.

New Villas: Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, France

The Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, a Four Seasons Hotel is set in one of the most magical hotel locations on the planet, the peninsula of Cap-Ferrat between Nice and Monaco. This summer, they will open two new private villas to offer a total of three villa options, perfect for families seeking space and privacy—but with Four Seasons-level room service and amenities.

The two-bedroom Villa Clair Soleil will have a sea-facing terrace, a private pool and gym. For larger families, the five-bedroom Villa Beauchamp also has a 52-foot-long swimming pool, a cinema, sauna, hammam and fitness center. Next to the villa is the Pavilion, a two-bedroom guesthouse with private terrace, allowing for additional family or visitor privacy, as needed.

The villas’ interiors are inspired by the abundant, natural and beautiful hotel gardens that surround them—all spearheaded by Parisian designer Sybille de Margerie, whose previous projects include the Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa and Le Barthélemy in St. Barth’s.

AFRICA

Angama Amboseli, Kenya

Courtesy Angama Amboseli.

Courtesy Angama Amboseli.

“Angama Amboseli is going to be a gamechanger on the luxury safari circuit for Kenya,” shares Indagare’s Kathryn Nathanson. Located on a centuries-old migratory path between Amboseli National Park and the Chyulu Hills, Angama Amboseli has unparalleled access to the dwindling population of magnificent Super Tusker elephants. Guests will enjoy the breathtaking scenery of Mount Kilimanjaro from the 10 tented suites (even the shower has a view) and feel right at home with the luxurious amenities like double vanity, writing desk and drink armoire. The property design—primarily canvas, concrete and rattan—blends seamlessly into the environment; one of the most unique features is a drinking trough at the edge of the pool, where wildlife and guests can interact at leisure. The intimate lodge includes a safari shop and art gallery, along with a fire pit for spending the evenings sipping drinks or roasting marshmallows under the stars.

Indagare Tip: Angama Amboseli is a family-friendly destination with available connecting suites, a game room and childcare onsite.

The Homestead, South Africa

Within the protected historic Nambiti Private Game Reserve, The Homestead presents an exciting eco-luxury opening in one of our favorite safari destinations. Named for the 19th-century homestead ruins upon which the camp was built, The Homestead offers just 12 luxe lodges—half of which were specifically designed for couples and solo travelers, with their own infinity pools, and half of which were created with connecting options, with families in mind; the focus here is as much on the interior design (crafted by local South African firm Egg Design) as the incredible nature that surrounds. In addition to the main lodge, which will house the restaurant, bar and pool, there will also be a spa using products from both Dermalogica and a local organic brand, Terres d’Afrique. Outside, the experience program will maximize the diversity of the Nambiti, which has a unique variety of grasslands, woodlands, wetlands and escarpments, protecting over 50 species of mammals, including lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, Cape buffalo, kudu, pangolins, hyenas, zebras and 300 species of birds. Along with personalized game drives (which will be elevated by nearly silent electric 4x4s, allowing travelers to get much closer to the animals), top activities will include visiting Africa’s most important battlefields, animal photography and local cooking classes, stargazing and hot-air ballooning, mountain camping and even hands-on participation in the property’s sustainability initiatives.

ASIA & AUSTRALIA

Bulgari Tokyo

On the top seven floors of a gleaming new high-rise in Ginza, Bulgari Tokyo will bring the brand’s sumptuous-sleek, Italian-born aesthetic to Japan. Bulgari has once again tapped Milan-based architecture firm Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel for its latest opening, which will feature 98 guest rooms and suites. A 16,000-square-foot spa will likely become one of guests’ favorite areas of the new hotel, with multiple treatment rooms, a fitness center and a competition-length indoor pool. As in other Bulgari, guests will also be able to enjoy Italian cuisine at Il Ristorante and cocktails at The Bulgari Bar. Both spaces will have an outdoor terrace overlooking the streets of Ginza, where world-famous shopping (as well as easy access to the Imperial Palace and Tokyo Station) await.

Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea, Saudi Arabia

A cultural transformation is occurring in Saudi Arabia, and this seismic shift is largely being driven by Crown Prince Mohammed Ben Salmane’s Vision 2030—an ambitious plan to transition the conservative kingdom into a modern nation and to diversify its economy away from a dependence on oil to other industries, principally tourism. As part of this initiative, an incredible number of luxury hotel brands are slated to make groundbreaking arrivals in the Kingdom in the coming years. A major development expected in early 2023 is the Six Senses Southern Dunes, a futuristic desert camp designed by the British firm Foster + Partners, that will open on Saudi’s Red Sea coastline—with aqua views to the west and, all around, vast dunes stretching to the Hijaz Mountains. The 76 accommodations will include open-plan guestrooms with outdoor terraces and one-to-four-bedroom villas—all set over sand and arranged around a beautiful “Oasis,” where the signature Six Senses Earth Lab, seasonal restaurant and bar, activity spaces and more will be housed. A unique addition is the “Artisan Village,” which will offer immersive experiences focused on the region’s Nabataean history and cultural heritage, including arts and crafts, dance and music. Highlights of the spa program will include cold plunge pools—a welcome escape from those hot desert days—and a “Holistic Anti-Aging Center,” as well as specialty treatment spaces and an outdoor pool lounge with cabanas. In line with the mission of Vision 2023 and its Red Sea Project, sustainability and environmental preservation will also be a major focus of development.

andBeyond Punakha River Lodge, Bhutan

Safari company andBeyond is expanding into Asia, opening in Bhutan’s Punakha Valley later this year. The riverfront camp’s six safari-style tents will be suspended within traditional Bhutanese timber structures, and will feature Himalayan touches like painted and gilded detailing in the woodwork, handwoven Bhutanese textiles and frequent appearances of the blue poppy, Bhutan’s national flower. There will also be two non-tented villas, as well as a spa located within an orange orchard near a stream. Open year-round, the lodge will allow visitors to go rafting, kayaking and fishing along the Mo Chhu River, as well as hiking and biking on the Punakha Valley’s vast network of trails.

Reopening: Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island, Australia

A portion of our hearts broke when wildfires destroyed Southern Ocean Lodge in January 2020. Three years later, the Australian coastal retreat is returning. Thankfully, much of S.O.L. 2.0—as the owners playfully dub the project—will remain faithful to the original property when it opens later this year. The same architects, Adelaide-based Max Pritchard and Andrew Gunner are behind the latest incarnation. Sandblasted limestone floors, spotted gum-tree wood furnishings and walls of glass are still the defining features of the 25 spacious guest suites, which have been reoriented from their previous foundations to provide even better views over Kangaroo Island’s windswept coast. The spa is shifting locations, too, with space for extra treatments rooms along with a fitness center, sauna and hot and cold plunge pools. The main lodge building itself, however, is staying nearly exactly the same as before, with its suspended fireplace and impressive floor-to-ceiling windows.

Contact your Indagare Trip Designer or Indagare, if you are not yet a member, to start planning a getaway to the best new hotels of 2023—this year and beyond. Our team can provide expert travel advice and assist with custom itinerary planning, restaurant recommendations and more.

Portions of this article were published in partnership with Peninsula Hotels.

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