Inside 2026’s most anticipated design-driven hotel openings

Naomi Chadderton

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From a landmark restoration in Cartagena to a historic estate in Saint-Tropez, there’s plenty to look forward to in 2026.

Architecture and interiors are firmly in the spotlight as a new wave of hotels prepares to open its doors in 2026, spanning historic European palazzi, remote safari camps, sun-soaked Mediterranean retreats and urban cultural hubs.

We round up the most exciting properties from across the world where architecture, craftsmanship and a strong sense of place take centre stage.

Four Seasons Cartagena, Colombia

January 2026 

Interior view of a grand staircase under a glass roof, showcasing elegant columns and ornate details, with a central plant adding greenery.
Four Seasons Cartagena, Colombia (Courtesy of Four Seasons)

One of South America’s most anticipated new hotel openings, the Four Seasons’ brand is being introduced to Colombia’s Caribbean coast through an ambitious adaptive reuse project in the heart of Getsemaní. Four Seasons Cartagena takes its place among a remarkable ensemble of historic structures, including a centuries-old religious complex, former performance spaces and a landmark 20th-century social venue, all meticulously restored to honour their architectural legacy. Alongside this layered sense of history, guests can expect refined contemporary comforts, from destination dining and wellness facilities to rooftop pools and curated cultural experiences.

Lake Como EDITION, Italy

March 2026

Stylish hotel lounge with a green marble bar, elegant furniture, and large windows featuring soft green curtains.
Lake Como EDITION, Italy (Courtesy of EDITION)

Marking a radical departure from traditional Lake Como hospitality, the latest addition to the EDITION’s portfolio of hotels has been brought to life by Shanghai-based design firm Neri&Hu and Milanese architects De.Tales, who together have completely reimagined a 19th-century palazzo sitting pretty on the lake’s western coast in the town of Cadenabbia. Its design is inspired by the classic Italian concept of villeggiatura – the tradition of extended leisurely stays in the countryside or by the water – retaining the building’s original heritage exterior palate of cream, butter and clay while reinterpreting the marble-faced archways, terrazzo floors and prodigious greenery that blends the interiors with the spectacular natural surroundings. Guests can also expect 148 guest rooms including 25 suites and two penthouses, dining overseen by acclaimed Italian-heritage chef Mauro Colagreco, and Italy’s second Longevity Spa.

Read: The best design-led luxury hotel openings of 2025

The Zetter Bloomsberg, London

March 2026

A luxurious bedroom featuring a four-poster bed with a green canopy, adorned with elegant bedding and decorative pillows. The room has warm-toned walls, stylish lamps on either side of the bed, and a rustic wooden table in front. A doorway leads to another area, and a freestanding bathtub is visible in the corner.
The Zetter Bloomsberg, London (Courtesy of Letter)

One of the first new luxury hotels to open its doors in the British capital this year, The Zetter Bloomsbury occupies six interconnecting Georgian townhouses near Russell Square, bringing a distinctly residential sensibility to one of London’s most literary quarters. Designed by James Thurstan Waterworth, the 68-room hotel draws on Bloomsbury’s intellectual heritage, layering antique finds, vintage lighting and rich textiles within the buildings’ original Georgian framework. The result? A quietly eclectic, collected aesthetic where each room reflects the domestic origins of what were once private family homes.

COMO Le Beauvallon, Saint-Tropez, France

April 2026

Exterior view of the Le Beauvallon hotel, featuring a vibrant orange facade, palm trees, and landscaped grounds against a scenic backdrop.
COMO Le Beauvallon, Saint-Tropez, France (Courtesy of COMO Hotels group)

What was once a private estate frequented by Churchill and Hepburn will be returning to its hotel roots this April, when the uber-luxe COMO Hotels group will make its debut on the Côte d’Azur. Commanding a rare 10-acre estate on the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, this Belle Époque landmark boasts a private beach with stylish beach club, sweeping lawns, a five-star spa plus 42 individually designed suites and rooms, many of which feature highlights from the hotel’s collection of contemporary art built up over decades.

Luura Paros Cliff, Greece

April 2026

A minimalist bedroom featuring a large bed with a textured blanket, wooden ceiling beams, and an open window revealing a serene coastal view.
Luura Paros Cliff, Greece (Courtesy of Luura Paros Cliff)

Arriving on Paros’s windswept northeastern coast this spring, Luura Paros marks a design-led debut for Morgans Originals in Greece. Sculpted into the cliff by Elastic Architects, whitewashed walls cascade toward the Aegean, while interiors by Lambs and Lions Studio introduce a restrained, tactile glamour inside. The adults-only, all-suite resort features private pools throughout and an aesthetic rooted in Cycladic simplicity rather than pastiche, while contemporary art and collaborations with Parian ceramicists reinforce a sense of place. It’s an anti-Mykonos statement in modern Mediterranean luxury.

Amoh, a Luxury Collection, Rhodes, Greece

April 2026

A modern hotel with a reflective swimming pool, featuring wooden cabanas and sun loungers. The architecture includes a prominent entrance structure with geometric designs and is surrounded by olive trees under a clear sky.
Amoh, a Luxury Collection, Rhodes, Greece (Courtesy of Amoh)

Greece is most certainly having a moment this year when it comes to new luxury hotel openings, with Amoh, a Luxury Collection, one of the most highly anticipated. Built on the site of an ancient quarry on a secluded peninsula near the Lindos Acropolis, the resort, designed by London-based Studio LOST, channels a heritage of craftsmanship through local stone, warm, earthy tones and 197 rooms and suites. Dining spans four restaurants, including Glaze, where meat-led menus take cues from the ancient art of ceramics, while its wellness scene centres on the island’s elemental connection to water, complemented by private beaches, a serene indoor pool and a spa blending ancient healing with modern therapies.

JW Marriott Mount Kenya Safari Camp

May 2026

Exterior view of the JW Marriott hotel showcasing a modern design with large windows, surrounded by greenery, and featuring a welcome sign with a fountain.
JW Marriott Mount Kenya Safari Camp (Courtesy of JW Marriott)

Set within the 45,000-acre Solio Game Reserve, between Mount Kenya and the Aberdare range, this low-impact safari camp will introduce a refined new lens on conservation-led hospitality when it opens late spring. Comprising 20 luxury tents with private plunge pools alongside spacious two-bedroom suites, all come designed by LW Design using sustainable materials and energy-efficient systems, while guest experiences range from horseback safaris and night drives to guided nature walks.

Delano Miami Beach, US

Early 2026

A luxurious entrance of a modern building featuring grand columns, tropical plants, and a vintage light blue car parked in the foreground.
Delano Miami Beach (Courtesy of Delano)

Reopening in South Beach in early 2026 having been given the magical Elastic Architects’ touch, Delano Miami Beach’s renewed vision honours its storied past while sharpening its contemporary edge. The landmark’s Art Deco character is carefully retained, with original architectural details setting the stage for a crisp, modern interior language. Across 171 rooms and suites, fluid forms, bespoke lighting and a soft colour palette frame expansive views of the Atlantic or Miami skyline. while, anchored by the hotel’s legendary pool, the revival also introduces elevated wellness facilities and a new collection of dining and bar destinations, including the long-awaited return of the Rose Bar.

Eha Estonia 

Summer 2026

A serene interior space featuring a pool beneath a rounded archway, illuminated by a circular light fixture that creates an inviting atmosphere.
Eha Estonia (Courtesy of Eha)

Estonia might not be the first place you think of when it comes to pioneering wellness hospitality, but Eha is set to change that when it opens its doors this summer on UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Hiiumaa Island. Home to just eight suites and three forest cabins, the retreat has been meticulously designed by architect Tiit Trummal, with interiors by Studio Argus, UNT+CO and Vaikla Studio, to blend in with its natural surroundings. This translates to the likes of clean, Nordic-inspired interiors and panoramic views of the forest and sea. Based around the idea of healing, guests will enjoy immersive, seasonal retreats led by some of Estonia’s leading wellness experts, plus Green Michelin Star chef Peeter Pihel’s farm-to-table cuisine crafted from local ingredients, many sourced from the hotel’s own organic kitchen garden.

Rosewood Blue Palace, Crete, Greece

Date TBC

A scenic view of a landscaped terrace with a circular stone fountain, surrounded by lush greenery and palm trees, overlooking a tranquil sea and distant islands under a soft sunset light.
Rosewood Blue Palace, Crete, Greece (Courtesy of Rosewood)

Set on a hillside between the fishing village of Plaka and the harbour town of Elounda, Rosewood’s debut hotel in Greece reimagines a much-loved Cretan landmark as a design-forward coastal retreat. Transformed by K-Studio, which has drawn on local craft and landscape, the resort features 154 rooms and suites – many with private pools – alongside layered wellness experiences and destination dining, including sea-view venues overlooking Spinalonga Island.

The Standard Lisbon, Portugal

Date TBC

A vibrant rooftop bar with patterned flooring, surrounded by lush greenery and striped umbrellas, showcasing a modern bar counter amid comfortable seating.
The Standard Lisbon, Portugal (Courtesy of The Standard)

Set above the winding streets of Alfama, The Standard’s new Lisbon takes over the former College of St Francis Xavier, a landmark long woven into the city’s history. The transformation is led by architect Samuel Torres de Carvalho, who has preserved the building’s historic character while introducing a modern and contemporary touches, with the 170 guestrooms and 24 long-stay apartments finished in soft, earthy tones, and contrasted by boldly-designed public spaces defined by sculptural forms and saturated colour. A rooftop bar takes pride of place complete with sweeping views across Lisbon’s terracotta rooftops and the Tagus River.