The new design-led hotels that should be on your radar

January doesn’t just denote the beginning of a new year; it brings promise and possibility, including the chance to jet off to a hotly anticipated hotel. Whether the first flip of the calendar is one you’ve pegged for revelry or relaxation, there’s a design-savvy debut to match your 2026 kickoff mood. From an intimate bolthole in Mexico City to a sunny island resort in the Maldives, these are the new properties we’ve got our eye on this month.

The world’s best new hotel openings

January 2025

Andaz One Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand

For Andaz One Bangkok, a new lifestyle hotel on historic Wireless Road, Thailand interior design firm PIA drew inspiration from the pulse of the city, from the motorbike-jammed bustling streets to the hidden alleys. Envisioned as a base for ‘curious urban travellers,’ the design and energy aim to match the exuberance of the Thai capital. Colour and texture play an important role in expressing a sense of evolution. Arches – in mirrors, hallways and windows – nod to the curved lines of the Thai mid-century movement, while pops of sunny yellow and orange, bold works by Thai female artists and traditional window grills inject character and personality. As much a place to unwind as to sip cocktails at the swank lounge or swim in the outdoor infinity pool overlooking Lumphini Park, the 244 rooms are quiet with peaceful, leafy views.

Andaz One Bangkok is located at 201 Wireless Road, Lumphini, Patumwan, 10330 Bangkok, Thailand

Chesa Marchetta, Engadin Valley, Switzerland

In 2014, Iwan and Manuela Wirth, co-founders of the international gallery Hauser & Wirth, expanded into hospitality with the creation of Artfarm and, four years later, opened The Fife Arms in Scotland. The creative powerhouse couple has done it again with Chesa Marchetta, a cosy 13-bedroom retreat in Sils Maria, a small village in Switzerland’s Engadin Valley. Reimagined by the design-oriented duo and frequent collaborator Luis Laplace, of the Paris-based interior architecture firm Laplace, the seasonal refuge comprises four historic buildings dating back to the 16th century, decorated with arven wood panelling, traditional Engadin furniture and blankets from a nearby weaving collective. As to be expected, the art collection is exceptional: a mix of works by Old Masters and local artists, alongside murals by Corin Sands. There’s also a former barn turned 46-seat restaurant, adorned with stone and an exposed wood-beam ceiling.

Chesa Marchetta is located at Via da Marias 88, 7514 Sils im Engadin/Segl, Switzerland

Oculto, Mexico City, Mexico

Oculto, the latest venture from Vida Lenta – the hospitality group behind Hotel Dama in Condesa and Hotel Parián in Roma Norte – is an intimate boutique gem in Mexico City’s trendy Juárez neighbourhood. Fernanda Diaz, of Mexico City-based interior design studio Eran, conceived the hotel as both an intentional hideaway for travellers and a tribute to Mexican craftsmanship and creativity. Tucked behind an unassuming façade on Calle Versailles, the 21-room bolthole veers toward minimalism with polished concrete floors and clean lines, yet the interiors are anything but sterile. The palpable warmth comes from the thoughtful layering of locally sourced antiques and contemporary art, creating an authentic atmosphere that encourages slowing down while remaining unmistakably spirited, like CDMX itself.

Oculto is located at Calle Versalles 80, 06600 Mexico City, Mexico

Soori Penang, George Town, Malaysia

​For Soo K. Chan, ​the founder of award-winning firm​ SCDA Architects, Soori Penang​ – the follow-up to the flagship Soori Bali – is deeply personal. ​Situated in the oldest part​ of George Town, the UNESCO-designated historic heart of Penang, ​the extraordinary undertaking reinvents a​ collection of Khoo clan​ shophouses​, where the architect was born and raised, into an intimate 15-key ​luxury boutique hotel. Centuries-old craftsmanship shines, reflecting an unwavering reverence for the past, thoughtfully reinterpreted through a contemporary mindset. The generously proportioned one- to three-bedroom ​suites are imbued with heritage details, from motifs inspired by the ornate Khoo Kongsi temple to carved stone and onyx lanterns, complemented by custom-designed furniture and latticed shutters. Inner courtyards, with reflective pools and bespoke stone fountains, provide a tranquil place to unwind between excursions.

Soori Penang is located at 48 Lebuh Aceh, George Town, Penang, 10300, Malaysia

V Villas Maldives at Mirihi

International architecture and design firm Studio Gronda transformed an older resort in the South Ari Atoll into a stylish vacation paradise where tropical escapism is elevated with sun-dappled sophistication. The newly unveiled V Villas Maldives at Mirihi, debuting as part of Accor’s MGallery Collection, echoes the barefoot luxury essence of Maldivian holidays. In tune with the rhythms of island living, each of the 42 villas showcases contemporary open-air architecture, seamlessly integrating indoor and outdoor spaces. Throughout the property, guest sanctuaries are accented with timber floors, vaulted ceilings, natural textures and handcrafted furnishings. Accommodations range from overwater villas with private sun decks suspended above the lagoon to beachfront abodes shrouded by lush greenery, as well as multi-bedroom suites complete with private pools.

V Villas Maldives at Mirihi - MGallery Collection is located at Mirihi Island, 00190, Maldives

December 2025

Castel Badia, Dolomites, Italy

Located in the heart of the Dolomites, outside the town of Brunico, the thousand-year-old Castel Badia first began life as a Benedictine convent – the first female monastery in South Tyrol. It has now been given a new lease of life as a 29-key hotel by architectural studio Null17 and the interior design team Droulers, who have sensitively restored original design elements such as medieval windows, arches and frescoes, while creating 29 rooms inspired by the surrounding landscape. The spa is set within the dramatic ancient stone walls and offers treatments based on local medicinal herbs. The hotel’s two restaurants are both overseen by Chef Alberto Toè, formerly creative director at Milan’s Horto.

Castel Badia is located at Frazione Castelbadia, 38, 39030 San Lorenzo di Sebato, Italy

The Cole, Cape Town, South Africa

South African architect Robert Silke drew inspiration from the tropical mid-century modernism of Oscar Niemeyer and Le Corbusier to create the undulating façade of The Cole, a new beachfront hotel in Cape Town’s Sea Point neighbourhood. The soft tiramisu-like shades of the exterior are complemented inside by creamy hues that nod to the beach outdoors and layers of textures, including wood, tiles, and artisanal plastered walls, which honour a tradition in the Western Cape dating back to the 17th century. Bespoke curved furnishings and windows mirror the property’s sculptural balconies, designed to catch the last rays of the golden hour. Facilities include a lobby cocktail bar, spa, and, up on the 8th floor, a rooftop restaurant called Figo, featuring sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean.

The Cole is located at 1 Church Road, Sea Point, 8005, Cape Town, South Africa

Galdu Hotel & Spa, Finland

Sitting on the edge of Urho Kekkonen National Park, Galdu Hotel & Spa is an all-year-round retreat inspired by Lapland’s nature and tranquillity. Finnish architect Pekka Mäki conceived the hotel’s traditional log-framed design and gave each of the 31 rooms and suites floor-to-ceiling windows to maximise the Arctic light and landscape views. Each has been nearly entirely dressed with pared-back Scandinavian furnishings, although there is a smattering of ‘Japandi’-style pieces which combine Japanese minimalism with the functionality of Scandinavian design. The on-site restaurant highlights Lappish cuisine and local produce; here you can hunker down in front of a cosy fireside bar for winter days. Another sanctuary is the spa, with three saunas, a warm pool, an outdoor jacuzzi, and, for the brave, a cold plunge.

Galdu Hotel & Spa is located at Viskitie 1, 99830 Saariselkä, Finland

Waymark Hotel, Tennessee, USA

Housed in what was once the Chattanooga Savings Bank and Trust Company in downtown Chattanooga, Waymark Hotel is a new reinterpretation of the 1927 landmark. Although little of the building’s interiors have survived the last century, interior studio Dutch East Design have restored what does remain of the original bank building, namely the original terrazzo floors, decorative moulded ceilings, curved windows, and stone cladding in the corridors, pairing them with a neutral palette to showcase the historic design elements better. Down in the basement speakeasy bar, The Vault sits under a bright blue velvet ceiling, and up on the rooftop, Iris restaurant and bar offers views of Lookout Mountain from their wraparound balcony.

The Waymark Hotel is located at 736 Broad St Chattanooga, TN 37402, USA

November 2025

Bay Shores Peninsula Hotel, Newport Beach, California, USA

The 1960s Bay Shores Peninsula Hotel reopens this month, imbued with the same laidback Cali style that defined its original era. CPD Studio were handed the keys to the 25 rooms and suites, which nod to vintage surf motels with a blend of retro pastel hues, seaside striped wallpapers, and checkerboard tiled cushions. The pink doors, seafoam walls, and handcrafted sconces have been created by Australian ceramicist Robert Gordon, whilst the curated art collection is courtesy of California photographer Mariah Brink. In the public spaces, green and marble flooring, natural stone and vintage furnishings are lit by light fixtures specially chosen from Urban Electric to cast a soft, retro glow. Twin rooftop venues The Penny and The Pearl offer panoramic views across Newport and the harbour, and downstairs the all-day café serves morning coffee, Mediterranean-inspired lunches and sunset cocktails. NLS

Bay Shores Peninsula Hotel is located at 1800 W Balboa Blvd, Newport Beach, CA 92663, United States

Ciel Dubai Marina, Dubai, UAE

Standing at a dizzying 377m high, Ciel Dubai Marina opens this month as the world's tallest hotel and home to the world’s highest infinity pool. Architect studio Norr imagined the skyscraper’s height-defying ‘eye of the needle’ shape, which houses 1,004 rooms and suites, all with floor-to-ceiling glass windows to show off the sweeping views of Palm Jumeirah, the Arabian Gulf, and the Dubai skyline. The rooftop pool is complemented by a spa and wellness centre, a fully equipped gym, and eight restaurants and bars. NLS

Ciel Dubai Marina is located at Marsa Dubai, Dubai Marina, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Izu Retreat by Onko Chishin, Higashiizu, Japan

Originally opened in 1966, when the historic onsen town of Atagawa was enjoying a boom as a tourist hotspot, Izu Retreat by Onko Chishin has been revived as a boutique address with 16 Pacific Ocean-facing suites, each with its own private onsen baths. Architect Kota Segawa has tapped into the hotel’s past and combined Japanese minimalism with vintage chandeliers and furnishings from the original hotel to add a visible patina that celebrates the hotel’s history. Fragments of concrete (locally called ‘gara’) taken from the building during the refurbishment have been transformed into artworks, along with a collection of vintage documentary photographs and Izu Kyuko Railway promotional posters from Atagawa’s tourism golden era that are now on display throughout the hotel. NLS

Izu Retreat by Onko Chishin is located at 1271-2 Naramoto, Higashiizu, Kamo District, Shizuoka 413-0302

Palazzo Ottaviani, Florence, Italy

The latest addition to the Lungarno collection is not a hotel but a collection of ten exclusive apartments to offer an experience of Florentine living. Florence-based studio Luigi Fragola Architects reimagined a previously abandoned 1950s rationalist building to create a collection of individually designed residences, which draw inspiration from the nearby Santa Maria Novella train station, a key example of Italian modernism. Neutral tones have been married with layers of rosewood, travertine, deep blue velvets, and brass, presented in clean geometric lines which nod to the modernist design codes, whilst the addition of a few classical furnishings strikes a balance between historical and contemporary. The finishing touches are a collection of curated books and objets d’art alongside a series of large-format artworks specially commissioned by four Florentine artists. NLS

Palazzo Ottaviani is located at Piazza degli Ottaviani, 4r, 50123 Florence, Italy

Waldorf Astoria Helsinki

Marking the brand’s debut in the Nordics, the Waldorf Astoria Helsinki sits across four historic buildings originally designed by Finnish architects Evert Lagerspetz and Armas Siitonen. Inside, 116 rooms blend Nordic minimalism with sober shades of neutral and greige and rich leather accents, while the attic-style duplex suites still retain their original wooden beams, now preserved by the Finnish Heritage Agency. Facilities include the Peacock Bar, a nod to the legendary Peacock Alley at the recently reopened Waldorf Astoria New York, and The Waldorf Astoria Spa, where guests can hop between a sauna, steam room, cold plunge and Jacuzzi pools for a traditional Finnish experience. NLS

Waldorf Astoria Helsinki is located at Mariankatu 23, 00170 Helsinki, Finland