Including tented camps, iconic revamps, beachside playgrounds and city centre retreats, these are some of the most exciting new hotel openings in 2025, hand-picked by the CF Team.
Found deep inside Zambian national parks and South African game reserves; on sandy shores in Mexico, the Caribbean, Saudi Arabia, Greece and beyond; and in iconic city locations including Dubai, Phnom Penh, Rabat, Toronto, New York – and right here in the centre of London – these are the hotels to add to your holiday plans this year.
London
Summer 2025: The Whiteley Six Senses Hotel and Spa, London
Announcing its first UK property, Six Senses occupies the historic Whiteley’s building, an iconic Art Deco department store in what will undoubtedly be an epic transformation and re-imagining – for not only the building but also the area. The property will feature 109 guest rooms and suites, alongside 14 residences. Guests will be treated to a variety of dining options, a gym, indoor pool, plus padel and tennis courts. The ground floor will host 20 new retailers and restaurants and, instead of the bland high-street staples of the past, will feature Japanese patisseries and art galleries. The spa will embody the dynamic contrasts of urban life, blending the energy of the city with tranquil spaces reminiscent of quiet parks and cafés; key features will include a 3,500-square-foot fitness area (provided by the Third Space), a 20-metre indoor pool, plus an Alchemy Bar and a relaxation room with dramatic vaulted ceilings. In addition to the spa, Six Senses London will introduce its first-ever membership concept, Six Senses Place, which merges wellness, community, and celebration. This exclusive members’ club will offer a central bar and lounge, co-working spaces, a restaurant and wellness and treatment rooms.
Late 2025: The Chancery Rosewood, London
The former US Embassy in London’s Grosvenor Square will be reinvented, at the helm Michael Bonsor formerly of Rosewood Holborn. The Chancery Rosewood is the hotel group’s highly-anticipated second act, finally coming to fruition after spades first hit the ground in Grosvenor Square back in 2017. The hotel has been created under the guidance of British architect Sir David Chipperfield with interiors by French architect Joseph Dirand. Expect 144 guest rooms and suites, as well as a Yabu Pushelberg-designed spa, five retail outlets, and a selection of meeting and events spaces including a state-of-the-art ballroom. According to Bonsor, “the transformation is really tied in to Grosvenor Square’s role in the British-American relationship. We’re looking at some phenomenal British and American artists to provide artworks and we’re so pleased that the eagle that Theodore Roszak created, with its 35-foot wingspan, is back on the roof. It’s an incredible opportunity to create something which has a very different aesthetic to anything that’s currently in the neighbourhood.” Rumour has it that the hotel is tapping into the culinary expertise of Caprice Holdings – of Sexy Fish and Scott’s fame – and New York favourite Carbone for its restaurant offerings.
Europe
Spring 2025: Orient Express La Minerva and La Dolce Vita Train, Italy
This is an important year for Orient Express; in spring they will embark on a big revival of the iconic brand with two exciting new ventures. Firstly, La Minerva Rome, the company’s first ever hotel, arrives in the heart of Rome. Set within a stunning, historic building, this property will be the ultimate in quiet luxury from which to explore the Eternal City (and to admire its magnificent skyline from the hotel’s rooftop terrace). Coinciding with the hotel opening is the launch of La Dolce Vita Orient Express, a spectacular luxury train that will offer curated two-, three- and four-day immersive itineraries to locations such as Venice, Portofino and Tuscany. You’ll find fabulous suites and Michelin-star cuisine on this beautifully designed train – that captures the spirit with which it shares a name. La vita è dolce, indeed. Exclusive (there’s room for just 62 passengers onboard) and incredibly elegant, this is possibly the chicest way to see Italy in 2025.
Spring 2025: The Lake Como EDITION, Italy
On the western shore of the prestigious Lake Como, The Lake Como Edition will be a 19th-century gem featuring 145 guest rooms, including lake-view rooms and suites and two bespoke penthouse suites. In addition, expect a vibrant lobby bar, indoor and outdoor restaurants, a floating pool, a spa sanctuary, and dining venues offering breathtaking views of Italy’s third largest lake, Lake Como, and the Bellagio mountains. This historic property will be transformed into a luxury lifestyle destination while honouring its rich heritage.
August 2025: Penicuik House at Penicuik Estate, Scotland
Pencil in a trip north of the border this autumn to visit Penicuik Estate. This innovative rural retreat just a 30-minute drive from Edinburgh will make the dream spot for a family break. Enjoy a stay in one of the chic, (but child-friendly and excellently appointed) self-catering cottages, or at the estate’s striking Palladian house which sleeps up to 32 – the perfect place for a large get-together. Since 1654, successive generations of one family have managed this glorious place – and 2025 sees it take on a new form as a regenerative estate, which includes a 100-year nature restoration project to proactively respond to the local climate and biodiversity needs, alongside conservation. From foraging and guided walks to fireside feasts and cold water swims, this is a place to really take in all that the estates’ spectacular location has to offer through a range of nature and heritage-led experiences across 3,100 hectares of picture-perfect landscape.
Spring 2025: Brenners Park Hotel & Spa, Baden-Baden, Germany
It’s always exciting when an iconic destination, especially a Grand Dame hotel, reveals a complete transformation, and that’s exactly what awaits at Brenners Park Hotel & Spa this spring. An institution in health-conscious Baden-Baden since 1872, the hotel has been (finally, some may say) supercharged for the modern era, with redesigned suites to ensure a more luxurious stay that matches the exceptional service you can always expect to receive. In fact, everything including the roof, balconies and rooms themselves have been renovated with new electricals, air conditioning and bathroom facilities. That means your surroundings will feel as cutting-edge as the jewel in the hotel’s crown: the world-renowned Villa Stéphanie – Health & Wellbeing, which has long been considered a leading hub for medical expertise in Europe. Here you can enjoy not only pampering treatments in the spa, but advanced diagnostic health testing that powers the site’s preventative (and award-winning) healthcare programmes.
Winter 2025: Conrad Athens, The Ilisian, Greece
Formerly a Hilton, this hotel was an Athens landmark, its crowning glory the Galaxy Restaurant & Bar with views across Athens towards the Acropolis. Opening in 1963, and representing Greece’s entry into globally recognised luxury tourism, the Hilton shut doors for the final time in 2022 – ready to undergo a makeover – and is set to reopen in 2025 as 280-room Conrad Athens, The Ilisian. Featuring Conrad Athens hotel, Conrad Residences, Waldorf Astoria Residences and a private members’ club, expect nine bars and restaurants, including a reimagined Galaxy Bar which will be reestablished as The Galaxy Dispensary alongside next-door The Galaxy Supper Club for high-end dining. As well as a gym plus indoor and outdoor pool – the largest swimming pool in central Athens – the hotel will feature a rooftop fitness and training centre with a 700-metre running track, plus pickleball.
Summer 2025: Four Seasons, Mykonos, Greece
The second Four Seasons resort in Greece – following the success of Four Seasons Astir Palace in Athens – the Mykonos property will open on Kalo Livadi Bay, on the island’s quieter south east coastline. Ninety-four rooms, villas and suites overlook the sea, and the hotel features traditional Cycladic design by Nicos Valsamakis who, with more than 70 years of experience, is one of the most influential and important Greek architects. Winding pathways dotted with small piazzas (plateias in Greek, and a key feature of city planning across the country) lead to cubic buildings, whitewashed courtyards, and restaurants and bars designed by Rockwell Group: a modern Mykonian café, an Italian poolside restaurant and beachside dining. Relaxation and fitness amenities comprise an infinity pool overlooking the Aegean Sea, plus a spa, wellness rooms and a fitness area.
July 2025: Tella Thera, Crete, Greece
Low key and understated? Maybe. But that doesn’t mean this isn’t a design-led hotel. A labour of love by husband-and-wife duo, Loukas Tourkomanis and Chevon Low, who have worked at Airbnb and in forest restoration, Tella Thera’s laid-back, chic design blends into its surroundings using environmental and biophilic-conscious design. Using local-first materials inside and out (in-room wooden furnishings are made by a carpenter based just 7.3 kilometres away) and with planted rooftops above each suite (to decrease summer heat and act as an on-site garden for kitchen ingredients), this is a space that has carefully considered its environment, aiming to help preserve and support the area’s ecosystem. Located on the Bay of Kissamos, a one-hour drive from Chania International Airport, 20 suites come with private pools and views of the Aegean. In the kitchen, the eco-conscious theme continues with a zero-waste, plant-first menu serving creative dishes such as pesto made from carrot stalks and bread made from onion skin.
May 2025: Siro Boca Place, Montenegro
Having visited (and loved) SIRO’s original offering – the world’s first fitness hotel SIRO One Za’abeel in Dubai – our wellness director was thrilled to hear of this new European outpost. And it’s perfect for outdoor adventurers. Aiming to be the ultimate ‘destination fitness’ location, SIRO Boca Place is as much a high-tech training and recovery facility as it is a hotel. Inside, there’s the 1,600-square-foot Fitness Lab to push you to your limits; a 25-metre pool with a retractable roof for year-round swimming; the Recovery Lab, offering the latest treatments for enhanced recuperation; suites designed to facilitate sleep and mindfulness; and in-house nutritionists to make balanced eating a breeze. But, best of all, the transformative experiences on offer extend far beyond its front door. Making full use of its Montenegro coastal surroundings, there’s a full programme of outdoor activities to challenge and delight fitness and health-conscious travellers. That includes trail hiking in UNESCO-listed National Parks, canyoning, cycling and paddle boarding through the Blue Cave, and rafting on the Tara River, home to the world’s second deepest canyon.
Summer 2025: Soho Farmhouse, Ibiza, Spain
It’s hard to think of anything that Ibiza is missing – until now. Soho House have announced plans to open a Farmhouse there this year – the perfect addition to the White Isle’s scene. For many years there have been rumours of the members’ club taking residence on the island and, in 2025, it will open within a lush olive grove, in the rural area between Santa Gertrudis and San Rafael. We’re expecting white-washed buildings, an outdoor pool, a holistic wellness experience with gym, yoga deck and treatment rooms, and an organic kitchen-garden restaurant and bar. Plus plenty of loungers around a glistening pool as signature Soho House tunes play in the background.
Summer 2025: Oku Andalusia, Spain
With a hip beach-club vibe and and on-trend aesthetic, OKU hotels have been quite the hit among the style-crowd. Boho-chic vibes weave their way through every aspect of their properties, from serene yoga classes to rattan loungers and resident DJs. Following properties in Ibiza and Kos, the brand (whose name comes from a Japanese concept meaning ‘inner space’), is set to open two new spots in 2025: OKU Andalusia and OKU Bodrum, both located on exquisite beaches in the Med. The Spanish addition will mark the launch of OKU Hotels’ ‘family-friendly concept’ – it’s the first of a family collection which they intend to grow. OKU Bodrum will be an adult-only (16+) retreat.
January 2025: Zem Wellness Altea, Spain
‘Living a full life to 120 years is possible.’ That’s the tag line of Spain’s new pioneering wellness hub – ZEM Wellness Altea, a medical wellness clinic rooted in the principles of Mediterranean longevity. Led by specialists in nutrition (after all the benefits of the Mediterranean diet have long been understood), regenerative medicine, dermaesthetics and holistic health, the new centre offers a blend of results-driven preventative medicine, cutting-edge technologies and wellness-boosting experiences that are designed to form much more than a simple health programme. The aim: to help you reorder your priorities and form healthy habits beyond your stay. But, best of all, this is longevity made luxurious. From the cosseting suites with views across the bay of Altea and the expansive spa offering (and high-tech) treatments, to the fresh product sourced from the site’s own organic farm, the tailored health plans (even for weight control and cleansing) feel like a rejuvenating reset for your mind and body.
Winter 2025: Miiro Palais Vienna, Austria
If winter walks, cosy suppers and wonderful Christmas markets in one of Europe’s quaintest cities is up your street then add the new Miiro Palais Vienna to your radar. Launching in autumn 2025, this stunning-but-understated property will feature 62 bedrooms, including two suites with private balconies, a restaurant and a chic bar with outdoor seating – blankets for chillier evenings provided. Overlooking a quiet square in Vienna’s old town, and within walking distance of the best sights and opera houses, it’s a charming place to stay in Austria’s historic capital.
Summer 2025: JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa
JW Marriott Crete Resort & Spa marks the brand’s debut in Greece, bringing a unique blend of luxury, exceptional service, and holistic well-being experiences to the beautiful island of Crete. Stretching across 100 acres of stunning coastline, the property will be located on the outskirts of Chania along Marathi Beach, seamlessly blending modern elegance with authentic Cretan heritage. The resort will feature 160 luxury rooms, suites, and villas, many of which with private pools, offering idyllic retreats with total seclusion for guests. The spa offering will be one to note, where guests can elevate their stay by immersing themselves in calming therapies and invigorating signature treatments, as well as the cave at Linovrochi, featuring medicinal waters for the ultimate relaxation and meditation. Taking guests on a gastronomic journey, the property will welcome six F&B outlets to the property including Cretan restaurant Anóee; an open-fire seaside restaurant, Fayi; the resort’s main restaurant offering a rich Mediterranean all-day menu, buffet and a la carte, in addition to Suncti; a seafront pool bar with cocktails, coffee and snacks. It’s a property you won’t want to leave with plenty of on-site activities including harvesting in the JW Garden led by the island’s local farmers, cooking classes, cheesemaking, water sports, fishing, wine-tasting or sunrise yoga.
USA & Canada
Spring 2025: Waldorf Astoria New York, USA
The Waldorf Astoria is one of the Big Apple’s most anticipated (re)openings for 2025 after four years of renovations and refurbishment, “reimagined from sidewalk to spire”. Set to throw open its well-frequented doors this spring, this Park Avenue landmark hotel has refined its appeal and exclusive vibe by almost quartering the number of rooms (making each much more spacious) while retouching the building’s existing Art Deco charm. The hotel’s amenities have also been updated, from the lobby to the expansive, ornate ballroom. Additionally, some of the hotel’s famous spaces are up for grabs with the Waldorf Astoria residences, designed by Jean-Louis Deniot, offering guests the chance to own a condominium in the building.
Spring 2025: The Vineta Hotel, Palm Beach, Florida
Oetker Collection, the luxury brand behind legendary hotels including Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Le Bristol Paris and Eden Rock – St Barths, will bring its famed European hospitality Stateside for the first time this year with The Vineta Hotel. Palm Beach is having somewhat of a renaissance, and this is a welcome addition with the transformation of the historic Palm Beach hotel formerly known as The Chesterfield, two blocks off Worth Avenue, renowned for its designer boutiques, art galleries and coveted restaurants – and minutes away from the beach. With 41 generously sized rooms, you’ll have a sense of a fresh Palm Beach with clean lines, a relaxed ambiance, and a stylish, younger feeling palette of colours. In addition to a new lounge, outdoor courtyard, and statement bar, guests can experience new dining concepts at the property’s signature restaurant, Coco’s, featuring newly created dishes inspired by the destination, alongside guest favourites from the legendary South of France hotel’s restaurant – Eden Roc Grill, Louroc, Giovanni’s, and Les Cabanes.
Spring 2025: Nobu Toronto, Canada
The name Nobu needs little introduction in the restaurant and hotel scene; chef Nobu Matsuhisa has led Japanese cuisine across the globe with over 50 stylish spots spanning pretty much every corner of the map, including the recently opened (August 2024) Nobu restaurant in Toronto, Canada. Following the success of the restaurant, Nobu Hotels are opening their first Canadian outpost in the heart of Toronto’s entertainment district. Towering above the city’s vibrant district, at 45 stories high the hotel is set to become a stylish sanctuary for discerning urban dwellers, with minimalist interiors in each of the 36 rooms and suites that overlook Toronto’s busy skyline. Of course, the dining here – which comprises of Nobu Bar & Lounge and Sakura Lounge – will continue to remain one of the property’s hottest attractions, accompanied by exciting wellness offerings.
Central America & The Caribbean
January 2025: Zel Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Caribbean
The opening of the first lifestyle all-inclusive hotel in the Caribbean, Zel Punta Cana marks an exciting new chapter for the Zel brand by Rafael Nadal and Meliá Hotels International. Situated in a prime location just under 30 minutes from Punta Cana International Airport and a short walk from the pristine white sands of Bávaro Beach, the hotel draws inspiration from the Mediterranean’s warm hospitality and vibrant outdoor culture, inviting guests to indulge in an effortless lifestyle. Following the successful openings of Zel Mallorca and Zel Costa Brava, this new property centres around community and active wellbeing, with 190 nature-inspired rooms, including Master and Swim-Up Suites, complete with private gardens and direct pool access. Guests can enjoy two sparkling swimming pools, five professional-grade tennis courts, dedicated meeting spaces, a full-service spa, a beach club, weekend wellness retreats, and an upcoming fitness residency initiative, plus six distinct dining venues including Brown, featuring a Mediterranean-style buffet, or Nokyo, boasting exquisite flavours of Japan.
April 2025: Rosewood Mandarina, Mexico
Away from Mexico’s ever-popular, bustling capital Mexico City, Rosewood Mandarina seeps into the peaceful atmosphere of Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit comprising 200 miles of coastline stretched along the country’s west Pacific Coast. Wedged between the jungle and Canalan Beach, the hotel is set to be a spot where the environment takes centre stage. Outdoor activities will immerse guests in the importance of the surrounding mountains plus local pre-Hispanic Huichol and Cora cultures. Inside the property, with 134 suites – each featuring a private terrace and plunge pool, and overlooking the beach or jungle vistas – this is set to be a harmonising and relaxing retreat. Outside of the beautiful rooms and adventure-packed to-do list, you’ll find plenty of amenities, including five bars and restaurants, four pools and an Asaya spa.
Middle East
14 March 2025: Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, UAE
Once, in this very spot, stood a Dubai institution: 360 Bar, home to relaxed evenings watching the sun set and more than a few late night parties – all with views of the iconic Burj Al Arab hotel. Now, Jumeirah, who operate the sail-shaped adjacent Jumeirah Burj Al Arab and wave-shaped Jumeirah Beach Hotel, are opening a third hotel in the area – Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, with super-yacht inspired architecture by Dubai-based Killa Design. With 386 rooms and suites, 82 hotel apartment suites, an 82-berth superyacht marina (one berth per suite?), private beaches, a three-story Talise spa, a fitness area, plus indoor, outdoor, family-only and VIP swimming pools, it’s safe to say every detail of any stay will be taken care of here. But perhaps the most exciting element of the hotel is its dining; 11 restaurants and nine bars will include steakhouse, The Cullinan; Greek dishes at Iliana; Indian at The Bombay Club; venetian at Rialto; and Asian at both Umi Kei and Madame Li. Truly, you may not want (or need) to leave this hotel once you’ve settled into your room.
Winter 2025: Lux Al Bridi Resort Sharjah, UAE
One of the more unique hotel openings on this list, LUX* Al Bridi Resort is a series of 35 safari-style tented retreats, each designed to look like sand dunes to blend into its desert location. Located in the UAE emirate of Sharjah – known as a cultural hub thanks to its forward-thinking art museums and status on the UNESCO’s Creative Cities network – guests at LUX* Al Bridi will have the desert on their doorstep, and the opportunity to dune surf, star gaze, horse ride, go animal spotting at Sharjah Safari, and take a four-wheel drive across the dunes. Back at the resort, rest and relaxation is central thanks to a spa, a private beach and plant-based meals. It’s worth noting that Sharjah is a dry emirate, and alcohol is prohibited.
Late 2025: The Six Senses Triple Bay, AMAALA, Saudi Arabia
Architecturally inspired by traditional coastal ports and villages in Saudi Arabia (complete with thatched sun roofs and cubed brick structures), but built with the top-quality services, amenities, and features the Six Senses brand is known for, Six Senses Triple Bay, AMAALA is the first phase of the upcoming Triple Bay development. A sprawling property of 64 rooms, six suites, 30 villas, and 25 branded residences, the new Six Senses overlooks the white sand beaches of Hijaz Cove and across the Red Sea, with the faint outline of the mountains in the backdrop. Across the hotel, you’ll find juice bars, a coffee roastery, a bakery, a water bar, and a shisha house, as well as the Southeast Asian-style signature restaurant. As expected for a Six Senses property, wellness offerings are nothing short of incredible: everything from a cryotherapy chamber and infrared sauna to herbal steam rooms and a longevity clinic will be on offer.
Summer 2025: The Red Sea EDITION, Shura Island, Saudi Arabia
On Shura Island in Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea, The Red Sea EDITION marks the second EDITION property in Saudi Arabia. The resort will offer a modern design, with a curved façade and wood exterior that carefully blends into the natural environment of beaches and greenery. Built atop white-sand dune of the island, The Red Sea EDITION will offer 240 guest rooms (including spacious suites), each designed to promote an indoor-outdoor style living with veranda spaces and direct access to the beach and surrounding Red Sea. Around the hotel you’ll find top tier amenities including a gym, swimming pool, spa, and two restaurants.
May 2025: Rosewood Doha, Qatar
At the end of last year the Qatar Ministry of Transport announced plans to better connect Doha’s Lusail Corniche, Pearl Island and Doha Corniche – previously areas prone to traffic. This is good news for Rosewood Doha, who are set to open towards the north of the network (Lusail Corniche) during 2025. The hotel’s two-tower design is inspired by the coral reefs found in its surrounding sea, and will house 155 hotel rooms, 162 serviced apartments for those wishing to stay a little longer, plus 276 residences. The wellness concept, Asaya, takes its name from the Sanskrit word for setting intentions and offers a holistic approach to health and wellbeing that includes personalised programmes, plus Asaya Kitchen for health-conscious meals. Joining Asaya in the hotel’s dining offerings are a Mediterranean restaurant, a cigar lounge and an on-site market-like concept.
Africa
Spring 2025: The Homestead, South Africa
Nambiti Game Reserve in the heart of KwaZulu-Natal has long been one of South Africa’s most celebrated conservation projects, offering malaria-free encounters with the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino) along with over 50 other wildlife species – all just four hours from Johannesburg. This year The Homestead, an ultra-luxury, eco-conscious lodge, will be the final property to open in Nambiti (no more will be built due to conservation reasons) making it an extra-special addition to the reserve. Featuring 12 luxury suites (including a three-bedroom family suite) that harmoniously blend contemporary design with nature, The Homestead is a child-friendly place that encourages kids to learn more about the area and wildlife. Private safaris with experienced, knowledgeable guides can be combined with an array of activities such as photography classes, stargazing, yoga and participating in conservation initiatives. This is definitely one to add to any South African adventure itinerary.
Autumn 2025: Waldorf Astoria Rabat Salé, Morocco
The Waldorf Astoria Rabat Salé is not only set to be a much anticipated new hotel in Morocco’s ever-expanding Bouregreg Valley, but is also set to be part of the tallest building in the country. Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, the glass curved Mohammed VI Tower (a signature design by the firm) sits opposite the late Zaha Hadid-designed Grand Theatre of Rabat, and will span 55 floors. The hotel will take over 18 floors of the building, and come complete with 55 guest rooms, a spa, and infinity pools. The new Waldorf Astoria will also offer guests the opportunity to enjoy local activities with a personal concierge service, with nearby amenities including a marina, mall, and museums.
Open Now: Singita Kilima, Tanzania
The latest property to join Singita and its remarkable collection of African lodges and camps is the brand-new opening of Singita Kilima, ideal for those looking for an intimate Serengeti experience. A remote, exclusive-use property cocooned by nature in Tanzania’s Grumeti Reserve, it provides an intimate Serengeti experience maintaining its commitment to ecotourism and conservation. Sheltered by a forest of ancient trees on a remote hillside overlooking the Serengeti plains with the luxury of a front-row seat to the Great Migration, the new property, whose name means “mountain” in Swahili, can accommodate up to 10 guests across five suites. Aligned with Singita’s Wholeness concept, wellness experiences include dedicated spaces for yoga and fitness, alongside treatments that draw on the restorative power of the surrounding landscape. Private heated pools in select suites and an infinity pool overlooking the plains provide additional opportunities for relaxation. And, recognising the growing trend in multigenerational safari travel, Kilima offers specialised programming for younger guests where they can participate in the Mini Rangers Course, learning tracking skills and bush survival techniques, as well as cooking classes, guided nature walks and supervised arts and crafts sessions.
Spring 2025: Anantara Kafue River Tented Camp, Zambia
Exploring the wide-ranging and wildlife-packed national parks of Africa is set to take on a new vibe with the Anantara Kafue River Tented Camp in Zambia’s Kafue National Park. Rather than stretched over safari planes, this tented adventure sits 3.5 metres over the banks of the Kafue River and two river islands. An intimate space, with just 12 spacious tents to book (including the signature presidential villa), this is set to be an exclusive stay in many ways, and comes complete with a plunge pool, as well as a boat and skipper. Importantly, the camp has been built and designed with the help of local business and staff, helping ensure it remains in harmony with the natural surrounds.
Asia
January 2025: JW Marriott Kaafu Atoll Island Resort, Maldives
Located just 15 minutes away from Velana International Airport by speedboat, JW Marriott’s second property in the Maldives is aiming to make the honeymooners’ paradise more accessible (at least in location) than ever before. An exceptionally private and romantic destination where you can rest and unwind together, JW Marriott Kaafu Atoll Island Resort is made up of just 80 villas. There’s also a deep respect for traditional culture, with buildings that continuously incorporate aspects of Maldivian design while allowing unrivalled comfort and spectacular ocean and lagoon views. The same can be said of the ocean-side Spa by JW, where floating treatment rooms (including those designed for couples) and soothing treatments combine for ultimate relaxation. You’ll also be spoilt when it comes to dining, with six restaurants and bars serving Japanese, Indian, South American and other international cuisines.
April 2025: Waldorf Astoria Osaka, Japan
Osaka is Japan’s foodie playground, a place where street food goes hand-in-hand with a more relaxed attitude towards social norms than (much of) the rest of the country. Located in the city’s Umekita area, Waldorf Astoria Osaka marks the brand’s debut in Japan. Designed by Andre Fu, the hotel is spread over 12 floors of a 39-floor building and home to 252 bedrooms starting at 50-square foot, plus three restaurants, including Waldorf’s signature restaurant, Peacock Alley. Osaka is host to Expo 2025 (13 April – 13 October 2025) and as such has seen a growth in new hotels over recent years. Marriott International opened the first W Hotel in Japan in 2021, while Four Seasons Osaka opened in August 2024. While in Osaka, visit the vibrant Dotonbori area for street-food favourites okonomiyaki and takoyaki, and take time to visit nearby Nara and Kyoto, both about an hour away by (well-connected) trains or car.
Summer 2025: The Oberoi Rajgarh Palace, Madhya Pradesh, India
Modern design meets 350 years of Indian royal history at the carefully restored Rajgarh Palace, Khajuraho. Previously home to the royal family of the Rajgarh State, the palace is elevated over 60 acres among the Maniyagarh Hills, a short distance from Panna National Park where wild tigers roam. At the 1800s-built property, all of the striking interior features from the period have been preserved, including structural features, while the garden’s original flora and ancient trees have also been maintained to preserve the building’s stately glamour. Across the expansive property, you’ll find modern luxuries too, including an infinity pool, a lakeside restaurant, and The Oberoi Spa. The Oberoi Rajgarh Palace is also a short drive from the ancient temples of Khajuraho that trace 1,500 years of the region’s history – beautiful spots for a day trip. Wildlife enthusiasts will be pleased to hear that this year The Oberoi Hotels are also opening The Oberoi Vindhyavilas Wildlife Resort, also in Madhya Pradesh, in March 2025, which will boast 21 accommodations amongst a 20-acre resort in the heart of the Bandhavgarh National Park and tiger reserve.
January 2025: Ran Baas Patiala, Punjab, India
If you have ever wondered how India’s Maharajas lived, a stay at Ran Baas Patiala will answer all your questions, as a previous home to royal-tier members of society and guest house to the royal palace of Patiala, Qila Mubarak. The palace is structured around a grand courtyard, boasts complex pillars and archways, and the intricate paintwork of the bygone era. Each of the 35 suites are uniquely designed in line with the building’s inherent regal attitude, featuring marble floors, detailed wallpaper, and tall ceilings. A standout of the hotel is the 18th-century art gallery, Rang Mahal, where breakfast is served.
Lead Image: Singita Kilima, Tanzania
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