From landmark restorations to remote wilderness retreats, Stephenie Gee curates a list of eight standout luxury hotel debuts shaping the year 2026

Amanvari, Mexico

Aman brings its laid-back lifestyle to the East Cape of Baja California, Mexico, with the opening of Amanvari: an 18-key retreat and collection of branded residences. Continuing Aman’s focus on merging nature and architecture, Elastic Architects has designed thoughtfully considered villas that blur the boundary between indoors and out, showcasing Aman’s signature tranquil aesthetic through sandy-hued interiors, layers of natural stone and tropical woods, and bespoke Mexican ceramics and artworks. The Aman Spa will continue the brand’s focus on longevity, while multiple dining venues will celebrate Italian, Japanese and local cuisine

Azuma Farm Koiwai, Japan

Opened in April, Azuma Farm Koiwai is a new boutique nature retreat developed through a collaboration between Azumi Japan and East Japan Railway Company. Conceived as an intimate countryside escape set within a secluded eight-hectare section of the storied grounds of Koiwai Farm in Iwate Prefecture, one of Japan’s most historic farmstead landscapes, the property features just 24 rooms that mirror the locale. Here, experiences are designed around the rhythms of land and season, immersing guests in Iwate’s 130-year agricultural heritage through meaningful encounters with nature, craft and community, including horseback riding, forest walks, Nanbu Tekki ironware crafts, and dining sourced from the surrounding mountains, farms and Sanriku coast

Bvlgari Resort Ranfushi, Maldives

A new chapter in Indian Ocean luxury is on the horizon with Bvlgari Resort Ranfushi, the brand’s first property in the archipelago and a notable step in its long-term hospitality strategy. Spanning 50 acres of lush tropical landscape, the resort is a masterpiece by ACPV Architects, comprising 54 ultra-refined retreats, including 33 beach villas with private pools, 20 overwater villas and a singular Bvlgari Villa set on its own private island. As with all Bvlgari properties, gastronomy is integral to the experience. Four distinct dining concepts define the culinary program: Niko Romito’s elevated Italian cuisine at Il Ristorante, Chinese fine dining at Bao Li Xuan, an intimate Japanese omakase experience at Hōseki and Italian coastal cuisine at La Spiaggia.

Capella Kyoto, Japan

In the heart of Kyoto’s historic Higashiyama district, Capella Kyoto marks the hotel group’s inaugural property in Japan. Designed by Kengo Kuma & Associates and Singapore-based Brewin Design Office, the 89-key hotel serves as an urban continuation of Kyoto’s existing fabric, reimagining the city’s traditional machiya through light, craft and quiet spatial rhythm. Upstairs, guest rooms trade the drama of the neighbourhood’s public spaces for warm tones of wood, richly textured upholstery and handcrafted details rooted in Kyoto’s craft culture – think headboards woven in Nishijin silk by Hosoo, a Kyoto textile maker founded in 1688, and shoji screens that separate the bedroom from the bath, where a deep soaking tub waits. Views towards temples, streets, gardens and distant mountains further reinforce the project’s relationship with the surrounding cityscape.

Emirates Wolgan Valley, a RitzCarlton Lodge, Australia

Two leaders in travel, Emirates and Marriott International, come together to open Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge, in mid-2026. The 40-key, all-inclusive retreat marks a bold expansion of the luxury brand into conservation-led, low-density wilderness travel, anchored within a sprawling 7,000-acre private conservation reserve. Each of the private lodges will come with its own pool, generous indoor-outdoor living spaces, bespoke amenities and immersive, conservation-led experiences guided by a dedicated naturalist hub. Design leans into the language of the Australian homestead, with low-rise pavilions and timbered forms that sit lightly in the landscape. Inside, natural materials, muted tones and tactile finishes echo the surrounding bushland, while contemporary detailing keeps the mood firmly in modern luxury rather than rustic retreat.

Hoshinoya Prison, Japan

In a bid to preserve the only surviving structure of the Meiji government’s Five Great Prisons, the former Hoshinoya Nara Prison, built in 1908 during the Meiji era, is transforming its historic walls into a timelessly elegant stay. The hotel will open its doors in June as the only hotel in Japan set within an Important Cultural Property, featuring 48 guest rooms formed by merging former cells and softened with wood, fabric and gentle lighting. One of the largest configurations brings together 10 individual cells into a single guest room, allowing thick masonry walls to frame a sequence of rooms for rest, dining and quiet work. A publicly accessible museum will also occupy part of the site during daytime hours and will present archival material related to the prison’s history. Dining is kaiseki with Nara produce, and hotel activities will revolve around architecture and heritage tours into former cell blocks and communal spaces.

Hotel The Mitsui Hakone, A Luxury Collection Hotel & Spa, Japan

Hotel The Mitsui is expanding its presence in Japan with the upcoming opening of Hotel The Mitsui Hakone, introducing a new level of luxury to the scenic grounds of Kowakudani, Hakone – a location deeply tied to the legacy of the Mitsui family. The hotel will occupy a vast site of 135,000 square metres surrounded by the natural beauty of Hakone’s mountains and forests, featuring 126 guest rooms, all with access to natural onsen waters sourced from the site. The sophisticated interiors are being developed in collaboration with renowned design studio Yabu Pushelberg, promising a harmonious blend of elegance and comfort. This large-scale luxury retreat will be a distinctive addition to the area, offering a rare, immersive experience in nature.

JW Marriott Ranthambore Resort & Spa, India

Set to unveil towards the year’s end, the JW Marriott Ranthambore Resort & Spa will redefine the great outdoors with a design narrative rooted in the romance of the wild. Located in Sawai Madhopur in close proximity to the famed Ranthambore National Park, the resort features an intimate collection of 127 sanctuaries, including tented suites and private villas that mirror the rugged beauty of the landscape. Guests can immerse themselves in the “JW Garden” philosophy, where farm-to-table dining meets Rajasthani heritage, or find rejuvenation at the restorative Spa by JW. Whether you’re tracking the majestic Bengal tiger on a guided safari or unwinding in the elegant Safari Lounge, the resort provides an unparalleled gateway to India’s most iconic wildlife destination.

Also see: The best UK summer travel guide for 2026