From Riviera hideaways to glittering city landmarks, the year’s most anticipated hotel openings are giving seasoned travellers new reasons to check in. Here are 11 standout properties set to debut in 2026.
The Malkai, Oman
Visit for: Omani landscapes and star-filled nights
Oman’s landscapes are some of the most stunning in the Middle East, and The Malkai makes the most of them. Set deep among dunes, the retreat, opening in autumn, is designed to frame the views rather than compete with them. Expect low-rise stone buildings and luxury tents, terraces that open straight onto the sand, and suites with private pools where guests can cool off between guided dune drives and camel treks. Desert excursions and spa treatments in a wellness space rooted in regional traditions will fill the hours by day, while nights are for stargazing sessions and conversations around the fire. It should make for one of the most compelling new ways to experience Oman.
Robb Recommends: The Owner’s Pavilion Suite (€8,700 per night)—a 255 sqm private retreat with three bedroom pavilions, a central living space and private pool, plus exclusive access to dedicated Defenders and curated Omani experiences. themalkai.com
Here Baa Atoll, Maldives
Visit for: A private-island escape
Fancy a Maldivian paradise entirely to yourself? That’s the idea behind .Here Baa Atoll. The tiny private island, opening in April in the UNESCO-protected Baa Atoll, will feature just nine residences scattered among palms, with the option to reserve the entire island. Each residence opens onto white sand and turquoise waters, with wide decks and private pools overlooking the lagoon. Snorkelling here will be exceptional—manta rays and reef life thrive in these protected waters—and the house team will arrange sailing trips, sandbank picnics or sunset cruises. Reserve the full island and it becomes your own private retreat, with chefs, spa therapists and boat crews on hand to take care of you.
Robb Recommends: Nowhere Private Island (from €45,720 per night) —book the entire island for an eight-bedroom presidential residence with private beach, 28m pool, Fehi Spa and space for up to 24 guests. here-maldives.com
Wilderness Mara, Kenya
Visit for: Expertly guided wildlife encounters
The Maasai Mara hardly lacks safari camps, but Wilderness Mara arrives with pedigree seasoned travellers will recognise. Set in prime wildlife territory, the Kenyan camp, opening in June, will overlook sweeping savanna plains where lions, elephants and roaming herds pass regularly. Suites will feature elevated private decks with wide views over the plains, mixing classic canvas-and-timber safari style with wellplaced comforts. Days will begin before sunrise, with expert guides heading out in search of the Mara’s famous predators, followed by long lunches and lazy afternoons back at camp before heading out again for sunset in the bush. Evenings will revolve around the firepit, with stories traded under the star-filled sky, where talk often turns to Wilderness’ incredible conservation programmes. Few safari operators take conservation quite as seriously.
Robb Recommends: The Family Suite (suites start at €1,155 per person, per night)—two tented bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and a shared deck overlooking the plains, ideal for families wanting space while staying close to the Mara’s wildlife. wildernessdestinations.com
Mandarin Oriental Punta Negra, Mallorca
Visit for: Bustle-free Balearic bliss, but close to the action
Mallorca has no shortage of coastal hotels, yet Mandarin Oriental’s arrival at Punta Negra feels like a notable upgrade. The property, opening in spring, sits on a pine-covered peninsula outside Palma, where gardens slope down to two small, private coves with remarkably clear water. Rooms and suites will open onto wide terraces with sea views, while the restaurants will focus on the island’s excellent seafood and produce. A generous spa and wellness programme will also feature, but the real appeal is the setting—a stretch of coastline that feels removed from the bustle despite being minutes from Palma’s galleries, restaurants and marinas. All of which should make it one of the island’s most talked-about openings this summer.
Robb Recommends: The Punta Negra Suite (€12,000 per night)—a 130 sqm sea-facing suite with panoramic Mediterranean views, expansive living and dining spaces, and a prime position overlooking the resort’s coves. mandarinoriental.com
Zannier Île de Bendor, France
Visit for: Provençal charm with Riviera views
A short hop by boat from Bandol, the tiny Île de Bendor, once the private island of drinks magnate Paul Ricard, has long been a curious outpost on the Riviera. Zannier Hotels has now given the island a thoughtful revival, turning it into a charming hideaway, set to open in May. Guest rooms will be spread across restored Mediterranean buildings around the harbour, with sun-washed stone walls, tiled floors and breezy terraces overlooking the sea. Restaurants will celebrate Provençal cooking and the day’s catch from nearby waters. Spend time swimming in clear coves, lingering over long lunches and heading ashore to explore Bandol’s vineyards. It’ll be well worth the boat ride.
Robb Recommends: The Delos Suite (€3,235 per night)—perched at the top of the Delos wing, this 55 sqm suite opens onto a sweeping panoramic terrace with Riviera views. zannierhotels.com
Airelles Palladio, Venice
Visit for: Lagoon views away from the crowds
Across the water on Giudecca, Airelles Palladio offers an unusual luxury in Venice: space. The hotel, opening in April, occupies a Palladian complex surrounded by gardens—a rarity in the lagoon—with views back across to St. Mark’s Square. Inside, the restoration reveals soaring ceilings, frescoes and elegant Venetian details, paired with the brand’s signature hospitality. Rooms will feel grand yet comfortable, while the restaurants will focus on regional flavours and local seafood. Private boats will shuttle guests across to the city’s museums and palazzi, though many may prefer lingering in the gardens with a spritz instead. The new opening will offer Venice regulars something different: all the city’s splendour, just removed from the bustle.
Robb Recommends: The Suite del Doge (€55,000 per night)—a sprawling 450 sqm four-bedroom residence in Villa Frollo with frescoed ceilings, antique furnishings and extraordinary views across St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace.airelles.com
Orient Express Venezia, Venice
Visit for: Old-world elegance
The legendary Orient Express name returns in April with a Venetian hotel that embraces the chicness of its iconic train. Housed in a grand palazzo on the Grand Canal, the property will feature interiors inspired by the golden age of the original Orient Express—think polished wood, rich fabrics and plenty of cinematic flourish. Suites will look out onto the canal’s steady procession of boats, while restaurants and lounges will host long, glamorous evenings. Service promises to be impeccable throughout. Water taxis will pull up at the private jetty, delivering guests straight into the swirl of Venice before they retreat to the calmer atmosphere of the palazzo.
Robb Recommends: The Orient Express Suite (€20,000 per night)—a 145 sqm Grand Canal-facing residence with Murano chandeliers, a Neo-Baroque fireplace and museum-worthy Venetian art, including works by Busato and Zona. orient-express.com
Corinthia Rome
Visit for: Roman grandeur and historic surroundings
Corinthia’s new Roman outpost takes over a handsome historic building just steps from the Pantheon, putting guests right in the thick of the city’s historic centre. Inside the hotel, which opened in March, marble, high ceilings and sweeping staircases set a suitably grand tone. Rooms and suites are elegant and understated, with generous amenities and large windows overlooking the surrounding streets. Restaurants and bars are expected to draw a well-heeled local crowd, while a serene spa offers welcome respite after days navigating Rome’s galleries, piazzas and trattorias. For travellers who want the capital’s history on the doorstep, this is an appealing new option.
Robb Recommends: The Theodoli Heritage Suite (€18,000 per night)—a 150 sqm former council chamber with frescoed ceilings, stained-glass windows overlooking Parliament, and a grand piano anchoring its generous living and dining salon. corinthia.com
La Réserve Firenze – Apartments, Florence
Visit for: A private Florentine residential experience
La Réserve’s Florence debut takes the form of a discreet collection of serviced apartments in a historic palazzo close to the Arno. The idea is simple: the comfort of a private residence paired with the group’s signature hospitality. Expect high ceilings, original architectural details and elegant living spaces designed for longer stays. Kitchens, dining rooms and generous lounges make the apartments— set to open in October—ideal for families or groups travelling together. Concierge teams will arrange everything from gallery visits to private chefs, while the city’s best addresses, including the Uffizi and atmospheric riverside restaurants, are a short walk away. If you’ve ever dreamed of experiencing Florence like a local, this is the way to do it.
Robb Recommends: Apartment No. 3 (from €2,490 per night)—a 210 sqm twobedroom residence with soaring ceilings, a master suite adorned with original frescoes and a restored wooden-beam living space, blending contemporary design with classic Florentine style.
Six Senses London
Visit for: A wellness-led city break
In March, Six Senses finally landed in London, bringing its wellnessfocused philosophy to the restored Whiteley building in Bayswater—once one of the capital’s grandest Edwardian department stores. The ambience is one of imperious calm without being flashy: think natural materials, warm lighting and relaxed interiors, all encouraging guests to unwind. Rooms are spacious, soft-toned and understated, while dining at Whiteley’s Kitchen centres on vegetable-forward seasonal ingredients. But the real draw, as one might expect with such a wellness-focused group, is the spa—a 2,300-square-metre space with hydrotherapy pools, treatment rooms and longevitythemed programmes, as well as London’s first hotel magnesium pool. The spa alone is reason enough to check in.
Robb Recommends: The Whiteley Suite (from around €13,800 per night)—a spacious 291 sqm twobedroom residence stretching the length of the building, with marble bathrooms, open-plan kitchen and a terrace overlooking London’s skyline. sixsenses.com
Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch, London
Visit for: A front-row seat to royal pageantry
Few London addresses carry quite the same presence as Admiralty Arch, the grand Edwardian gateway linking Trafalgar Square with The Mall, which is set to open as a hotel in autumn. Waldorf Astoria is transforming the historic building into a hotel, giving travellers the rare chance to stay inside one of the capital’s best-known landmarks. Interiors will retain the building’s stately proportions while adding the brand’s signature polish, with rooms overlooking St James’s Park, Trafalgar Square or the ceremonial route to Buckingham Palace. Restaurants and bars will occupy some of the arch’s most dramatic spaces, while a spa will offer a tranquil escape from the crowds outside this historic gateway.
Robb Recommends: Suite details are still under wraps, but chefs Clare Smyth and Daniel Boulud are set to transform the hotel into a culinary destination through their respective restaurants, Core and Café Boulud. hilton.com
