From a botanical wonderland in the centre of Singapore to a traditional Caribbean village-inspired hideout in Grenada, these are the most anticipated new hotel openings of the year.
Travel is on the cards for 2023 and, whether it’s taking you to far-flung island destinations or inner-city sanctuaries, we’re rounding up the hotel openings around the world that we’re most looking forward to. From revitalised heritage hotels and futuristic skyscrapers to luxury group flagships and wellbeing-centric retreats, there’s much to ensure this year is a well-travelled one.
Best new hotels in Asia
Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach, Thailand
When you can book from: now open
Located on Tawanron Beach, a mere two-hour drive southeast of Bangkok, this resort invites you to discover a more tranquil and family-friendly side of Pattaya. The region is known for its striking natural scenery, and you get the best of both worlds here, with about 14 acres of lush tropical gardens (home to centuries-old trees) as well as pristine beachfront. You’ve got the option of holing up in either traditional Thai-style teakwood villas or beachfront suites, where local design touches – including art by Thai artists and natural materials sourced from the area – are married with the contemporary features expected of a five-star resort (think deep-soaking bathtubs).
Environmental impact and sustainability play a major role at this resort, which touts a zero single-use plastic policy and is committed to reducing its use of energy through motion sensor LED lighting, smart AC systems, and the harvesting of rainwater for reuse. Responsibly farmed ingredients are the order of the day at the resort’s six dining destinations, which include the popular beachfront sustainable seafood grill Fish Club and traditional Thai restaurant Wok Wok.
Insider’s tip: book a teatime experience at Ruen Thai, the resort’s traditional teahouse, where you can sit back and recharge surrounded by banyan trees.
Miraaya Wellness & Golf Retreat, Nepal
When you can book from: now open
The second outpost of one of the world’s most coveted wellness destinations and pioneer in eco-luxury holistic medi-wellness hospitality – The Farm at San Benito – Miraaya Wellness & Golf Retreat carries the mantle of Nepal’s first boutique golf retreat. When you’re not unwinding amid the tranquil property’s leafy green grounds or hitting the fairways for a round of golf, the area’s main attraction – the holy Shashwat Dham (a Hindu religious site) – is just a minute’s walk away.
The resort is home to 24 comfort-driven rooms and lagoon villas, as well as its main drawcard: a nine-hole golf course (one of only seven in the country) where a professional instructor is on hand to help you tee off. The resort also has a spa, where you’ll indulge in traditional Nepali massages and beauty rituals which incorporate the healing properties of local medicinal plants and herbs. Drawing on its sister property’s ethos and concept, the resort offers access to a range of complimentary wellness-centric activities such as yoga and meditation, while serving local dishes made from organically grown, nourishing ingredients.
Insider’s tip: join one of the nature walks led by the resort’s expert guides to experience sounds and smells native to the Terai jungle and enjoy the meditative effects of reconnecting with nature.
Artyzen Singapore
When you can book from: Q4 2023
The ultra-modern Artyzen Singapore – with its foliage-adorned rooftop garden including an infinity pool – is among the city’s most anticipated openings of 2023. With a prime Orchard Road address, this design-led hotel occupies what was once the tropical-garden mansion of the late Tan Hoon Siang (an orchid trader and the grandson of Singaporean philanthropist Tan Tock Seng).
Paying tribute to the building’s botanical heritage, the 20-storey hotel has been designed to be a vertical oasis, replete with balconies covered in lush greenery, and topped by a garden in which the resident mixologists and chefs can source freshly grown herbs and spices. True to Artyzen Hospitality Group’s philosophy of embracing the ‘art, culture, and emotional wisdom’ of each location, the hotel’s aesthetics – especially the art – and culinary experiences have been curated to reflect the local Peranakan heritage. This includes an innovative take on traditional Straits cuisine on the menu at Quenino by Victor Liong.
Insider’s tip: if you’re feeling brave, take a dip in the 25-metre cantilevered infinity pool, where the partially transparent floor affords vertiginous views of the busy streets 20 floors below.
Regent Hong Kong
When you can book from: March 2023
A local icon, Regent Hong Kong is said to have set the standard for luxury hospitality in the fragrant harbour when it first opened its doors in 1980. It rebranded to InterContinental in 2001 before ceasing operations in 2020 and beginning a two-year renovation. Led by Hong Kong-born architect and designer Chi Wing Lo, this refurbishment aims to revive the hotel’s glory as it reopens as the Regent Hong Kong.
You can expect the majesty of the original hotel, toned down by the addition of understated decor and a serene aesthetic. The hotel’s Avenue of Stars address and its unobstructed views over Hong Kong’s skyline remain highlights of a stay here. The hotel’s reinvention also sees it shine a spotlight on homegrown collaborations, including touting locally crafted Gweilo Beer and sourcing coffee from local organic and fair-trade brand The Coffee Academics, artisanal teas from TeaCha, and 100% plant-based kombucha from Hong Kong’s first kombucha brewery.
Insider’s tip: while the hotel’s 497 rooms and 85 suites are not yet available for bookings, four of the dining outlets have already opened their doors. This includes Harbourside, the hotel’s well-loved buffet, which has been revived with seasonality and ethical sourcing in mind.
Best new hotels in the Americas
Maroma, A Belmond Hotel, Riviera Maya, Mexico
When you can book from: May 2023
An idyllic retreat set where jungle meets sea, Maroma will be reopening its doors in May, nearly a year after closing in April 2022 to undergo renovations. This Belmond-owned hideaway in Riviera, Maya has been entirely redesigned to honour its Mexican heritage. British designer Tara Bernerd worked alongside local artisans to preserve the original character of the property and highlight local craftmanship through features such as hand-blown glass chandeliers and traditional Saltillo floor tiles.
You’ll find the only Guerlain Spa in Latin America here, boasting a menu of exclusive treatments designed around the Mayan wellness philosophy. Local talent is also on display at Casa Mayor restaurant where chef Daniel Camacho reinvents traditional Mexican cuisine with an emphasis on ingredients, with fresh seafood, sustainably sourced from the Yucatán peninsula.
Insider’s tip: keep an eye out for dishes, drinks – and even spa treatments – that feature harvested honey from the Melipona bee. The hotel is working alongside Fundación Selva Maya and Mayahuum to protect Melipona bees, which are key to the ecology of the Yucatán peninsula. What’s more, in partnership with Guerlain, the property is introducing the “Women for Bees” UNESCO-supported programme, which aims to empower women through beekeeping entrepreneurship initiatives.
Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort, Hawaii, USA
When you can book from: now open, for stays from July 2023
In line with Rosewood Hotels’ ‘a sense of place’ philosophy, this resort – initially built in the 1960s but lain dormant since 2011 – has been reimagined to better embody the island’s culture, natural environment, and history. Hawaii-raised architect Greg Warner helmed the renovation, which saw him revisiting hales – traditional Hawaiian thatch lodges – built with indigenous materials.
Sustainability is key to the ethos of the resort, which aims to be 100% powered by solar energy, and works hand-in-hand with the local community to display the culture of Kona. Farm-to-table cuisine and local seafood will be the stars of the resort’s dining venues, which include the original Kona Village Resort’s Shipwreck Bar.
Insider’s tip: a range of outdoor activities are available for you to make the most of your stay. These include non-motorised water sports and complimentary bicycle rental.
Six Senses La Sagesse, Grenada, Caribbean
When you can book from: Q1 2023
Marking Six Senses’ Caribbean debut, this sprawling 27-acre resort sits on a headland, set between two sheltered beaches to the south of Grenada. Effortlessly blending into its surrounds, the resort’s design matches the natural topography of the land – you’ll find no building taller than a palm tree. Each room here faces the ocean, guaranteeing views over turquoise waves and the refreshing Caribbean breeze through billowing curtains.
In line with Six Senses’ commitment to sustainability, the resort aims to run on a self-sufficient and plastic-free basis, while ingredients for its restaurants (including much-hyped ‘The Signature’) are picked from the herb gardens and indigenous fruit trees, and seafood is sourced from local anglers. Opportunities to discover more about the vibrant Grenadian culture abound, with options to make rum at The Sand Bar, learn about healing botanicals at the Alchemy Bar or head out on a curated adventure courtesy of the Experience Centre – which offers shipwreck dives, spice walks, and cocoa tours.
Insider’s tip: book a treatment at Six Senses Spa at La Sagesse to experience an approach to wellness that draws upon age-old Carribean healing traditions and is performed using indigenous plants and herbs.
Best new hotels in Europe
The Peninsula London, UK
When you can book from: mid 2023
If London is on your travel to-do list, then the city’s latest luxury hotel is cause for much excitement. With a prestigious address in Belgravia’s ‘golden strip’, The Peninsula London’s appeal lies in its centrality – it overlooks Hyde Park Corner and offers easy walking access to landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, Harrods, and Big Ben. The design-led space comprises 190 rooms and suites envisioned by award-winning American architect Peter Marino, with the idea of reflecting the heritage and stately grandeur of the neighbourhood.
Dining is a big deal here, and options abound. A definite highlight of your stay – the Peninsula Group’s cherished afternoon tea will be served daily at The Lobby, while the hotel’s Cantonese restaurant pays homage to the group’s original property, which opened in Hong Kong in 1928. Contemporary British cuisine with a view of the Buckingham Palace Gardens can be found at Brooklands, the Claude Bosi-helmed (of two Michelin-starred Claude Bosi at Bibendum fame) rooftop restaurant.
Insider’s tip: in each of The Peninsula Hotels’ property, guests can expect to find environmentally friendly amenities featuring a bespoke scent using native botanical ingredients and created in partnership with a local fragrance curator.
Six Senses Rome, Italy
When you can book from: early 2023
Palazzo Salviati Cesi Mellini, an 18th-century historical building just five-minutes from the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain, is set to reopen its doors as Six Senses group’s flagship Italian property. Restored to its original splendour – with a distinctly contemporary sensibility envisioned by architect Patricia Urquiola, who’s known for her focus on responsible design developments – the 96-room property offers a stand-out luxury experience rooted in Italian heritage. Cue imaginative horticulture, locally sourced travertine limestones, sun-filled terraces, and soaring ceilings.
Roman cuisine and locally sourced ingredients shine under a new light at BIVIUM Restaurant-Café-Bar, which plates up a wide range of plant-based options. Your spot of choice for sunset aperitivo, NOTOS Rooftop’s appeal lies in its 360-degree views of Rome’s historic centre. Wellness with an ancient Roman twist is on the menu at the spa, where modern treatments are married with time-honoured remedies including bathing in a caldarium (hot plunge pool), a tepidarium (a warm bath), and a frigidarium ( a cold plunge pool).
Insider’s tip: as a community project, Six Senses Rome has supported the renovation work to revive the façade of San Marcello Al Corso church next door. Known for its holy crucifix and Baroque interiors, the church is a historical gem which we recommend visiting during your stay.
Best new hotels in Africa
Future Found Sanctuary, Cape Town, South Africa
When you can book from: now open
Set on the slopes of the Table Mountain National Park, Future Found Sanctuary is a mountain sanctuary with a focus on wellness. Comprising two luxury villas – each designed to exist in harmony with the landscape – which can be booked for exclusive use or by the room, the retreat invites you for a five-star stay that highlights the beauty of its natural surrounds.
Experience the healing properties of the indigenous fynbos flora first-hand through spa treatments, while relaxation can be achieved through practices such as guided meditation, Tai Chi, and immersion in the estate’s natural cold-water pool. And, with its mountain setting, you have several scenic hikes leading directly from your doorstep. The roughly four-acre estate is also home to a yoga studio with floor-to-ceiling windows, the Sensorium Spa, heated and natural pools, a fitness centre, as well as no less than five different gardens supplying fresh herbs, veggies, and fruits to the property’s chefs.
Insider’s tip: the retreat’s team includes a chef, a nutritionist, a sleep scientist, a biokineticist, and experts in different healing arts. They all work hand-in-hand to create a bespoke wellbeing experience that’ll help you make the most of your stay.
Thinking about booking a trip overseas? With Westpac Concierge, you’ve got access to travel experts from across the globe who are primed to help you plan your trip – from booking flights and hotels to securing reservations at the world’s top restaurants. What’s more, you could be eligible for this service, simply click the button below to find out.
