Every year brings a fresh wave of hotels vying for attention, but 2026 is shaping up to be a standout year. We tapped industry insiders and tastemakers to spotlight the properties they can’t stop dreaming about.
Right to left: Capella Kyoto, Airelles Venezia, and Erebero Hills
Right to left: Capella Kyoto, Airelles Venezia, Erebero Hills
“Fregate is already one of the most spectacular private islands on earth, but it’s never had the hard product to match. Now you’ve got the billionaire owner throwing money at it like it personally insulted him. It’s four years into a full rebuild, with no thought of ever making the money back — and that’s usually the recipe for the world’s greatest properties: passion projects. The setting is flawless; add in brand-new, vast, ultra–high-spec villas, world-class facilities and conservation at its core, and it’s almost guaranteed to be one of the best resorts on the planet when it reopens. Basically, the only bad thing will be the bill.”
-Tom Cahalan, Co-founder of Dorsia Travel
“The luxury brand’s first property outside of France, Airelles Venezia will be a much-welcomed new addition in Venice. It’s an intimate property with just 45 keys, in the restored former Bauer Palladio Complex. Located on Venice’s Giudecca Island, five minutes away from St Mark’s Square, the garden will be expansive for Venice standards, but he most impressive feature might be the three pools (many hotels in Venice do not have a pool), including a kids pool. Unique experiences include access to visit St Mark’s Basilica at night and hidden Venetian palaces, plus a pop-up cinema in the garden under the stars.”
-Hao Tang, Founder of BESVISOR
“Capella is famed for their unique owner-run style of hospitality and bold service ethos. Cultural authenticity and sense of place are some of the founding principles. The brand is growing internationally intentionally and not scaling overly quickly, which allows them to perfect their craft. Capella Kyoto will be their first property in Japan, and travelers can visit knowing they will have an authentic yet luxurious experience: This hotel will reflect the natural, holistic side to Japan, creating an environment for calm in an otherwise hectic city.”
-Charlotte Wells, Global Product & Operations Director of Unforgettable Travel Company
“As a longtime fan of Great Plains, I’m most excited about the new Zamara Private, a six-suite Réserve-Collection private villa opening January 2026. I’ve been travelling to Kenya’s iconic Maasai Mara Reserve annually for the past 20 years, but this state-of-the-art residence will redefine the Kenyan safari experience due to the incredible location for wildlife viewing, combined with the contemporary architectural design allowing complete privacy for a family or a small group. The rooftop terrace is truly a unique feature for enjoying private dinners under the African stars while absorbing the nocturnal sounds of nature. This villa is definitely on my hot list for all our clients seeking a private safari that has it all.”
-Paul Swart, President of Natural Migrations
“There are so many new openings on my radar, but I am really looking forward to the new Zannier on the island of Ile De Bendor. It is something completely different off the coast in the South of France. There is nothing like it down there, and it’s just something great to offer clients who don’t want to be on the St. Tropez coast with all the glitz (which isn’t for everyone) that goes with it.”
-Amanda Teale, Founder and Managing Director of Minerva Private Travel
“The legendary Little Governors’ Camp will be reborn as Wilderness Mara, and we are super excited that a brand like Wilderness is launching their presence in the Mara for the first time — particularly in the under-appreciated Mara Triangle: You’ve got the escarpment, full access to the Mara River, forests, grasslands, marshes, the salt lick and the border of the Serengeti. It is just extraordinary. To match the Wilderness name with this brilliant game viewing area is very special.”
-Andrew van den Broeck, Private Guide & Brand Manager at Yellow Zebra
“While it’s not a hotel, I’m most excited about the launch of the Orient Express Corinthian, the legendary brand’s first luxury sailing yacht. With just 54 suites and an inaugural voyage through Saint-Tropez and Cannes, it beautifully embodies the spirit of Mediterranean glamour while ushering in a new era of refined adventure. It’s a poetic continuation of the Orient Express legacy, where heritage meets the art of slow, sophisticated exploration.”
-Kevin Triboulet, Founder of Bound Travel, an affiliate of ACCOMPLISHED.
“The opening of Bulgari Resort Ranfushi is set to become one of the most important moments in ultra-luxury hospitality. The island is more than twice the size of similar segment hotels with fewer rooms and is designed by ACPV, the creative force behind every Bulgari property, which means privacy and exclusivity are at the very core of the concept. Every element carries the Bulgari signature from Bao Li Xuan and Hoseki to La Spiaggia, Nico Romito, the Bulgari Bar and Spa. Hoseki, in particular, is unforgettable. I experienced it in Tokyo, and it was the finest dining of my life. With leadership from Enver Arslan, one of the most respected names in Maldivian hospitality, Ranfushi will stand as the most exclusive and private island in the Maldives.”
-Daria Guristrimba, CEO of Globe7
“I love the look of Erebero Hills from Asilia Africa, opening on the northern edge of Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Each suite is designed to connect guests with the landscape, giving the sense that you are a part of the forest. The lodge is built primarily from bamboo, a renewable resource, and they have committed to a 45-acre reforestation project, a huge undertaking. They’ll create buffer zones, restore habitat and work closely with the local Batwa people to ensure the safeguarding of the entire ecosystem and the people and primates that inhabit it.”
-Venetia Martin, Managing Director at Journeys With Purpose
