Colony Palm Beach
Though the last few years haven’t been as full of travel and jet-setting as many of us would have liked (pandemic staycation, anyone?), the new year might just change that. Thanks to eased-up travel restrictions in many places, plus plenty of luxurious new hotel openings as well as incredible redesigns and renovations, 2023 seems like it’s going to be a banner year for travel. These well-appointed hotels all boast beautiful design and feature luxe amenities such as world-class spas, golf courses, white sand beaches, and more. Whether you want to fly to Hawaii for some fun in the sun, go glamping in Saudi Arabia, decompress at a spa in Arizona or head to Boston for a rock and roll-inspired weekend, there’s something for everyone on this list. Here are the best luxury hotel openings for 2023 to keep on your travel radar.
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The Boca Raton: Boca Raton, Florida
The Boca Raton recently opened its final hotel, Tower. This 27-story luxury hotel features 224 guest rooms that were completely transformed by Rockwell Group. Additionally, the Tower boasts incredible water views, a resident’s lounge with a lending library with books from Assouline, and dedicated floor butlers who can bring you bagels in bed from Sadelle’s. Also new to the property is Japanese Bocce Club, a restaurant from Mario Carbone that boasts beautiful interiors, world-class sushi, and an extensive sake menu.
Maroma, A Belmond Hotel: Riviera Maya, Mexico
Nestled between 200 acres of Mexico’s tropical jungle and white sand beaches overlooking the Caribbean waters of the Yucatan Peninsula, Maroma Resort & Spa will reopen on May 25, 2023 following an extensive renovation and redesign by Tara Bernerd and her team. The resort will honor Mexican tradition throughout its 72 rooms, suites and villas by featuring local art and authentic craftsmanship. The buildings’ architecture will be aligned to the Sacred Geometry of Mayan masons, and the newly renovated spa will feature ancient healing rituals inspired by nature.
The Colony Palm Beach: Palm Beach, Florida
In honor of the The Colony Palm Beach’s 75th anniversary, the “Pink Paradise” just unveiled a full redesign of its guest rooms. Kemble Interiors led the design and partnered with brands such as Society Social, de Gournay, Schumacher, Farrow & Ball, Matouk, Brown Jordan and more. The new guest rooms will feature four distinct design schemes (Bloom, Pink Deco, The Cabana, and The Blue Suite). For well-appointed interiors and classic Palm Beach charm, look no further.
Evolve by Ecoventura: Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Ecoventura’s newest sustainable luxury yacht, Evolve, will set sail for the first time on January 15, 2023. Once aboard, you’ll spend a week cruising through the crystal clear waters of the Galapagos Islands learning about the fascinating wildlife from two certified naturalists. Since animals wander freely throughout the archipelago, you might find yourself swimming with sea turtles, sunbathing with sea lions, or hiking with blue-footed boobies. After a day of adventuring, head back to the ship to enjoy a sustainably sourced meal; take a soak in the jacuzzi; or lounge on the sundeck with panoramic views. Since only 20 guests are permitted on the yacht, you’ll feel like you have the islands all to yourself.
Backstage at the Verb: Boston, Massachusetts
Backstage at the Verb effortlessly combines a luxury hospitality experience with ultra-cool classic rock vibes. The resort tapped David Bieber, director of special projects for Phoenix Media Group, to enhance interiors with curated artwork and his incredible collection of rock and roll memorabilia. When you stay in one of the music-themed trailers (think: rooms inspired by Dolly Parton, Janis Joplin, or Fleetwood Mac), you’ll feel like you’re heading on the road with your band—except you’ll have all the creature comforts of home and be conveniently located near Boston’s iconic Fenway Park. Half of the “fleet” of 10 trailers opened in late 2022, and the other five trailers are slated to open in 2023.
Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo Panama: Panama City, Panama
Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo Panama will open its doors to guests in January 2023. This gorgeous hotel, located on a waterfront enclave that is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and the former location of the Club Union Panama, will combine local culture and unparalleled French hospitality.
Nobu Hotel Marrakech: Marrakech, Morocco
Opening in January of 2023, Nobu Hotel Marrakech will be the lifestyle brand’s first venture into Africa. Located in the “Golden Triangle” in the Hivernage district, the 71-suite hotel was designed by French architect Jacques Garcia and reimagined by Mahmoud Slimane. The interiors will feature a mix of Baroque and Asian-inspired style, with nods from Nobu’s signature Japanese-inspired minimalist aesthetic. The hotel will have a Nobu Restaurant and Bar, a world-class spa, and a rooftop garden centered around a circular pool that boasts panoramic city views.
Banyan Tree AlUla: AlUla, Saudi Arabia
Banyan Tree AlUla is located in Saudi Arabia, but the incredible rock formations and peaceful desert surrounding the resort make it look like it’s on another planet. The mysterious and alluring all-villa resort opened in late fall of 2022, and is ready to welcome guests in the new year.
Fairmont Kea Lani: Wailea, Maui
The Fairmont Kea Lani recently renovated 413 of their one-bedroom suites and 37 of their two-story villas (they lovingly refer to this transformation as “ho’omaka hou,” or “a new beginning”). This multifaceted design project enhanced guest rooms while keeping the island’s heritage and culture in mind. The color palette mirrors surrounding beaches and the native foliage of Maui, while the textures, furnishings, and artwork blend ancient Hawaiian tradition with luxury accommodations. On January 6, 2023, all suites and villas will be ready for guests, and in the summer of 2023 the hotel will begin the transformation of the lobby and add a new culinary concept with Executive Chef Michael Lofaro.
Mii Amo—a destination spa in mystical Sedona, Arizona—has been closed for the last two years. After a massive $40 million renovation and expansion, the resort is ready to open its doors to visitors on February 2, 2023. The renovation will feature a 40{5a5867cc9cca71cf546db38f42fbf171004839e3542174405390d177276b4f49} larger spa with enhanced treatments, 16 fully renovated casita rooms and suites, a reflexology path, a new fitness studio, and enhanced public spaces.
Le Relais Bernard Loiseau: Burgundy, France
Renowned five-star hotel, Le Relais Bernard Loiseau, is located in the heart of Burgundy, France. The hotel recently completed the first stage of a major renovation, overseen by architect Arnaud Behzadi, and unveiled three rooms (two of which that were designed as “cocoon” suites with enclosed beds and nature-inspired decor) with a completely new look that features warm colors and traditional materials from the region. The multi-stage renovation will continue through 2023 and see the upgrade of the gastronomic kitchen of the renowned 2-Michelin-Starred restaurant La Côte d’Or, the dining rooms, bar area, lobby and more. The rest of the rooms will be renovated through 2023 and into 2024.
White Elephant: Nantucket, Massachusetts
White Elephant Nantucket is unveiling a multi-million dollar, top-to-bottom renovation to celebrate its 100th anniversary. Opening in May (just in time for the peak summer season), the resort’s 66 rooms and suites were conceived by Boston-based designer Elkus Manfredi and will feature a bright and airy design inspired by the island’s natural landscapes, colors, textures, and artistic legacy. Additionally, the design of the resort’s 11 cottages was inspired by indigenous flora and fauna (think: hydrangea and honeysuckle). We’re perhaps most excited to see the new original art throughout the hotel, which stems from the all-new Artist in Residency Program that launched in August 2022.
&Beyond Punakha River Lodge: Punakha, Bhutan
Bhutan recently reopened its borders to visitors and launched the 250-mile Trans-Bhutan Trail, so next year might just be the perfect time to visit. In September 2023, andBeyond will make its first foray into Asia with the opening of Punakha River Lodge. This resort is located deep in the Punakha Valley on the banks of the Mo Chhu River. It will feature six luxury tents, one honeymoon villa, and a family villa—all of which were built with traditional Bhutanese architectural style and the surrounding landscape in mind.
Southern Ocean Lodge: Kangaroo Island, Australia
After this South Australian resort was devastated in the 2020 Kangaroo Island bushfires, it’s slated to finally reopen in September 2023. The project, led by the lodge’s original architect Max Pritchard and his partner Andrew Gunner, will keep most of its original footprint, but the 25 luxury guest suites have been repositioned to offer even better views of the ocean and rugged coastline. Additionally, a new Ocean Pavilion suite will sit remotely and boast an outdoor terrace, wet-edge pool and up to four bedrooms and bathrooms. Sustainability sits at the core of this redesign, and hybrid solar and battery infrastructure will allow the lodge to run off the grid while reducing diesel fuel consumption by half. The resort has also cleared the coastline, planted fire-retardant succulents and native juniper, and installed a bushfire sprinkler system for extra safety.
Westin Rishikesh Resort & Spa: Rishikesh, India
The 145-room Westin Rishikesh Resort & Spa in India will be ready to welcome guests in early 2023. The interiors, which were designed by UCO Studio, feature a warm color palette and natural materials from local surroundings, such as river rocks brought up from the Ganges. Additionally, the interiors will spotlight Indian artisans—including hand-carved Jali screens and baskets woven by local craftspeople. The exotic and secluded resort is situated on 12 lush acres in the foothills of the Himalayas where the practice of yoga was founded. Here, you’ll find a luxury spa, a rooftop infinity pool with swim-up bar, lush gardens and plenty of green space.
Turtle Bay: O’ahu, Hawaii
Turtle Bay Resort in O’ahu recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. To commemorate this special occasion, the resort unveiled 408 redesigned guest rooms (all of which boast incredible oceanfront views). Whether you want to take surf lessons or soak up the sun, this incredible Hawaiian destination should be on your bucket list.
Hôtel Dames des Arts: Paris, France
Hôtel Dames des Arts will open its doors to guests in February 2023. This brand-new bespoke hotel has 109 guest rooms designed by Raphael Navot, who drew his inspiration from Saint Germain to create an artistic, playful, and sensory space. Natural light, custom hotel fragrance, DJ-curated playlists, delectable food, well-appointed interiors, and an incredible view of the Paris skyline will engage all of your senses. Additionally, the hotel is conveniently located on Paris’s Left Bank, so it’s just a 10-minute walk to Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Luxembourg Gardens.
Oil Nut Bay: British Virgin Islands
Oil Nut Bay is an idyllic 400-acre resort tucked away in the North Sound region of Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands. The resort is only accessible by boat or helicopter, so it’s perfect for guests who value privacy. Oil Nut Bay now boasts direct, private helicopter transfers from St. Thomas or San Juan in their international heliport, allowing guests to arrive in style or travel at leisure to nearby Caribbean islands. Additionally, guests staying here in 2023 will get to relax at the newly reimagined beach club and updated restaurant where they can enjoy a curated cigar menu, sushi-making classes, and an on-call rum butler.
Mills House: Charleston, South Carolina
The Mills House recently completed a multi-million-dollar renovation and joined the Curio Collection by Hilton as the portfolio’s first property in South Carolina. Located in the heart of Charleston’s historic downtown district, the pink landmark was originally established in 1853. Though the guest suites, rooftop pool, terrace, and restaurants have all recently been redesigned, the hotel still offers plenty of historic southern charm.
The Dorchester: London, England
The Dorchester has been a London icon for the last 90 years, and now it’s slated to debut its largest renovation since the ’80s next year. French designer Pierre-Yves Rochon is redesigning the hotel’s entrance, promenade, guest rooms and suites, along with a new Cake & Flower boutique. The legendary Martin Brudnizki Design Studio is redesigning the famous cocktail bar, which is now dubbed Vesper Bar.
The Georgian: Santa Monica, California
The Georgian, an iconic hotel that’s been a fixture in Santa Monica since 1933, is relaunching in January 2023. Instead of opting for a complete redesign, design firm Fettle is aiming to restore the hotel to its former glory and refine its presence for a new era. We’re especially excited for The Gallery at The Georgian, which will open next year and showcase an ever-evolving curation of work by international artists.
The Homestead: Nambiti, South Africa
The Homestead, a 12-suite lodge located on the Nambiti reserve in South Africa, is set to debut next year. The eco-conscious lodge’s architecture seamlessly blends into its natural surroundings. Beyond its well-appointed interiors, the luxury property will also offer safari game drives, wildlife photography, world-class dining, a spa with locally produced products, nearby hiking, and more.
Southall Farm & Inn: Franklin, Tennessee
Southall Farm & Inn, an experiential destination just outside of Nashville, recently opened its doors to guests. The 62 guest rooms and suites and 16 standalone cottages are situated on 325 lush acres of rolling farmland, orchards, greenhouses and heritage crop gardens. Though the hotel interiors are gorgeous, the surrounding agriculture is certainly the focus here. From incredible farm-to-table cuisine to a medicinal herb garden to earthy spa treatments, this is the go-to spot for nature lovers.
The Peninsula Hotel: Istanbul, Turkey
The Peninsula Istanbul will open in February of 2023 with 177 gorgeously appointed rooms spread across its four waterfront buildings. Book the luxurious Peninsula Suite if you can; it features its own hammam, rooftop swimming pool, and panoramic views over the Bosphorus.
Aspen Meadows: Aspen, Colorado
Aspen Meadows Resort will debut new guest rooms in early 2023, just in time to welcome guests for ski season. The extensive renovation pays homage to the resort’s Bauhaus roots while upgrading the guest rooms with modern amenities. Designer Michael Suomi of Suomi Design Works aimed to infuse the rooms with Scandinavian warmth, a primary color palette, and skier-friendly design (think: hooks to hang jackets, benches for putting on boots, and plenty of storage).
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