The best design-led luxury hotel openings of 2025 so far

Naomi Chadderton

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With hotly anticipated hotel launches throughout the year, 2025’s hospitality scene is a masterclass in design.

From heritage restorations in Italy to sustainably built Balearic and Cyclades escapes, 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark year for design-led travel. These hotels aren’t just places to stay – they’re destinations in their own right, where bold aesthetics, craftsmanship, and cultural storytelling are taking centre stage. 

We’ve rounded up nine of the most impressive openings of 2025 so far, starting with the much-talked-about relaunch of one of Europe’s most legendary hotels.

Splendido, A Belmond Hotel, Portofino, Italy

A scenic view of a luxury infinity pool with orange umbrellas, overlooking a coastal area with yachts and a lush green island in the background.
Portofino’s famed Splendido reopened this year, with Martin Brudnizki overseeing the design (Photo: courtesy Splendido)

When Martin Brudnizki puts his hand to something, you know it’s going to be pretty special. It’s no surprise, then, that the reopening of Portofino’s most storied hideaway, Splendido, A Belmond Hotel, has been the talk of the town for months, with the 16th-century Benedictine monastery-turned-glamorous-sanctuary the most stylish place to stay on the Italian Riviera.

Elegant hotel lobby featuring arched doorways, decorative lighting, and a wooden reception desk, with a floral backdrop and cozy seating area.
Portofino’s Splendido (Photo: courtesy Splendido)

Showcasing the finest Ligurian craftsmanship with a contemporary twist, the property includes a wealth of local artisanal pieces, from botanical frescoes to bespoke design elements made in Carrara marble, Graniglia alla Genovese and locally sourced Lavagna stone. Highlights include an intricate, hand-painted botanical mural in the new Baratta Sedici bar, Italy’s first permanent Dior Spa, and stunningly curated guest rooms with ornate design touches that draw on the region’s rich design traditions such as traditional Midollino-weave headboards and furnishings sourced from local estate sales and auction houses. 

Montcalm Mayfair, London

A modern hotel lobby featuring stylish seating areas, decorative plants, and elegant lighting fixtures, with a large column and shelves displaying various decorative items.
Lobby of the Montcalm Mayfair (Photo: courtesy Montcalm Mayfair/Marriot)

Designed to introduce a new concept of ‘sensitive luxury’ to the British capital, Montcalm Mayfair – part of Marriot’s Autograph Collection – opened its doors earlier this year, led by award-winning architects Holland Harvey and interior designers Studio Est and Studio Mica. Working together to preserve the building’s historical integrity (the Georgian Grade II-listed facade was damaged in WWII and rebuilt in the 1970s) while incorporating modern amenities, the architecture and design team drew inspiration from its Georgian-era roots.

Interior of a stylish restaurant featuring green furnishings, circular tables, and a large decorative ceiling light, complemented by plants and artwork on the walls.
Lilli by Akira Back, Montcalm Mayfair’s signature restaurant (Photo: courtesy Montcalm Mayfair/Marriot)

Highlights include natural and earthy tones that come through in organic materials such as oak and marble, bespoke wallpapers and a floral and garden theme running throughout. Contemporary handcrafted furnishings are designed and produced by social-impact businesses, such as hand-made, naturally felled-wood furniture from Goldfinger Factory, and embroidered linen accessories made by refugee artists through SEP Jordan.

Read: Six Senses comes to the Loire Valley’s magical Les Bordes Estate

Stamna Sifnos, Cyclades, Greece

Outdoor seating area with bean bags and a small table, overlooking a tranquil sea view and surrounded by olive trees.
Stamna Sifnos opened in 2025 on the island of Sifnos in the Greek Cyclades (Photo: courtesy Stamna Sifnos)

One of the first luxury hotels to open on the Greek island of Sifnos, this design-forward retreat – a member of the Design Hotels group – pays tribute to the island’s artisanal heritage, crafted with sustainability in mind. As such, the architecture mirrors traditional Cycladic forms while integrating natural materials, such as olive wood, ribbed glass, and locally sourced marble – all designed by the Greek studio Tsimpos and Associates.

Stylish outdoor seating area featuring stone walls, a woven pendant light, and a small table with fruit and a magazine.
Stamna Sifnos (Photo: courtesy Stamna Sifnos)

Featuring 20 bespoke accommodations with sea views and handcrafted furnishings, every detail at Stamna Sifnos – from the colour palette inspired by pottery and gardens to the organic on-site gastronomy – reflects Sifnos’s cultural soul, offering guests a deeply rooted, beautifully minimalist and immersive design experience. 

Hotel Ancora, Dolomites, Italy

A cozy and stylish interior of a lounge featuring plush seating, elegant tables, and decorative curtains, with a view of greenery visible through large windows.
Hall and tea room at Ancora in the Italian Dolomites (Photo: courtesy of Ancora)

Originally founded in 1826 and considered a symbol of hospitality in Cortina, Ancora – which had been owned by four generations of the same family before it shut its doors back in 2003 – reopened to rave reviews this summer thanks to the vision of Renzo Rosso, founder of the fashion group OTB, and Vicky Charles at Charles & Co, the former design director at Soho House.

A beautifully decorated entranceway featuring an arched door frame with ornate golden floral patterns, leading into a stylish interior with wooden walls, a chandelier, and glimpses of luxurious furnishings.
The newly reoponed Ancora (Photo: courtesy of Ancora)

Reimagined with natural materials including wood and stone, warm colours and furniture choices that reflect a personal style, all 38 rooms are completely different from each other, described by Charles as being “bold but not noisy”. 

The Shelborne by Proper, Miami

Signage of the Shelborne hotel, surrounded by palm trees and a blue sky.
A modern pool surrounded by lush palm trees and lounge chairs, featuring a diving board in the center and shades of turquoise and white decor.
A modern lounge area featuring stylish furniture, including a patterned sofa and unique armchairs, surrounded by indoor plants and large windows that allow natural light to fill the space.
The iconic Shelborne has returned to Collins Avenue, Miami (Photos: courtesy of Shelborne by Proper)

Following a $100 million renovation of the original Shelborne, this redefined Art Deco gem is the first of a wave of new hotels set to transform Collins Avenue’s popular six-block strip of hotels and boutiques. Comprising 251 rooms, suites and villas, most of which boast ocean views, the project comes courtesy of ADC Atelier, who worked their magic on the newly created 4,000-square-foot grand lobby bar – which incorporates the historic restoration of the 18th Street facade and double-height windows – and custom details such as travertine floors, bespoke furnishings, handcrafted ceramics and ceramic sconces in the guest rooms. The property’s original features have also been carefully brought back to life, including the restored facade and the iconic pool, complete with its classic diving board.

Soho Farmhouse Ibiza

A tranquil poolside scene featuring lounge chairs with green cushions and beige umbrellas, surrounded by lush greenery and palm trees.
A cozy living room featuring a brown velvet sofa with pillows, an elegant marble coffee table, and various artworks on the walls, including a large tapestry and a stylish chandelier overhead.
Soho Farmhouse Ibiza arrived in the Balearics this year (Photos: courtesy of Soho House)

Perhaps the most anticipated European hotel opening of the year, the exclusive Soho House group has touched down in Ibiza with a Balearic take on its Cotswolds-chic Soho Farmhouse. The new Soho Farmhouse Ibiza is set in an olive grove on a nine-acre estate in the centre of the island and nestled between the villages of Santa Gertrudis and San Rafael. Home to 14 bedrooms set across the main building and two villas, each accommodation blends seamlessly with the surrounding landscape, combining the charm of traditional Ibizan finca-style architecture with the convenience of contemporary amenities. Elsewhere, the multiple spaces for members to relax, work and socialise include two swimming pools, a library filled with books on art and design and alfresco restaurants serving up fresh, Mediterranean-inspired cuisine.

Vista Ostuni, Puglia, Italy

A bright dining area featuring a round marble table set with fruit, pastries, and glasses of orange juice, with large windows draped in dark curtains offering a view of greenery outside.
Interior view through an ornate doorway leading to a sunlit living room with large windows and a cozy orange sofa.
A stylish interior featuring curved white sofas, a rattan chair, and contemporary glass tables in a spacious room with arches and soft drapery.
A stylish interior of a bar featuring a wall of shelves filled with bottles, colorful seating options, and a sophisticated ambiance.
Vista Ostuni opened in Puglia, Italy in 2025 (Photos: courtesy of Vista Ostuni)

For the third hotel from luxury Italian independent hotel group Vista (it also boasts locations in Lake Como and Verona), renowned architect Roberto Murgia has meticulously restored a 14th-century stone palazzo into Vista Ostuni – a 28-room year-round hotel complete with Michelin-starred culinary concept by Chef Andrea Berton. The expansive wellness offering includes a Biologique Recherche spa, rooftop infinity pool and tranquil Mediterranean gardens designed by Erik Dhont. One of the newest additions to the Leading Hotels of the World group, the five-star hotel in the heart of Ostuni – otherwise known as Puglia’s White City – blends centuries-old heritage with a refined vision of contemporary Apulian hospitality, all under one utterly stylish roof. 

Rosewood Doha

A stylishly designed interior view of a modern hotel room featuring a cozy seating area, decorative vases, a lamp, and a large window showing an urban skyline.
Rosewood Doha opened in Qatar in 2025 (Photo: Rosewood Doha)

Qatar’s luxury hotel scene is booming right now, with Rosewood Doha the latest addition to the list. Architecturally inspired by the organic forms of coral and the fluid patterns of traditional pearl diving, the hotel is an expression of Qatar’s natural beauty and cultural heritage complete with 155 guest rooms and suites, 162 apartments and 276 residences, all thoughtfully designed to create a sense of home, calm and connection. Brainchild of architect Ibrahim Jaidah, materials were chosen to evoke the coast and the desert, while artwork also plays an important part – most of it shaped by collaborations with leading Qatari artists, whose works appear throughout suites, residences, and public spaces. As is to be expected, the culinary scene here is top-notch too – expect Mila, a 24-hour Levantine brasserie, Asaya Kitchen for Mediterranean cuisine, and the 1920s Shanghai-inspired Koo Madame.

Aman Rosa Alpina, Dolomites, Italy

Panoramic view of mountains reflecting in an infinity pool, surrounded by lush green trees and wooden buildings.
A modern living room featuring two beige sofas, a black coffee table, and a large window showcasing a green forest view, with a sleek fireplace and decorative elements.
Aman Rosa Alpina has opened in the Italian Dolomite mountains Photos: courtesy of Aman)

The Aman Group is never one to do things by halves, so it’s no surprise that the opening of Aman Rosa Alpina has been years in the making. Formerly known as Rosa Alpina, and still overseen by the Pizzinini family who have been at the helm since 1939, longtime Aman collaborator and renowned architect Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston was entrusted with the design and, inspired by the resort’s calming natural surrounds, he created a haven defined by floor-to-ceiling windows, local craftsmanship and natural materials including stone and timber. The hotel’s 50 rooms and suites also draw inspiration from the Dolomites – the Aman Suite being the most impressive, complete with two king bedrooms, ensuite bathrooms with a soaking tub, dining area for six guests and a large south-facing terrace.