What a year 2023 has been. A bumper crop of new hotels (London had a particularly noteworthy year: Raffles at OWO, 1 Hotel Mayfair and its first Peninsula property) all threw open their doors to begin welcoming guests hungry for luxury. With the year’s close, however, we are once again looking forward and bringing you the most exciting new hotel openings of 2024.
And, boy do we have some good ones for you. While rural escapes remain popular, bringing with them complete privacy and seclusions, cities are back in a big, bold and flashy way – the majority of the properties you’ll find below are in buzzing metropolises.
One trend that isn’t showing any sign of going away, however, is a focus on wellness. Travelers have come to expect five-star hotels to not only have a pool and a spa, but also top-name partnerships with leading wellness brands, innovative treatment programs and state-of-the-art fitness facilities – this and more can be expected from 2024’s best hotel openings.
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1 Hotel Melbourne, Australia, Winter 2024
One of our favorite hotel openings of 2023 was a 1 Hotel special, so we are naturally very excited about the sustainably led group’s biggest venture of next year: 1 Hotel Melbourne. Although not due until December, the brand’s first Australian venture is already getting tongues wagging with its grand plans for 277 guest rooms, as well as 114 branded residences, all set on a prime spot on the Yarra River.
Like other 1 Hotels, the new opening will be guided by biophilic design principles and will include the likes of local recycled and reclaimed timber, with an extensive art program. Amenities will be extensive – expect a Bamford spa, an indoor pool and several destination dining options.
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The Emory, London, Spring 2024
London’s reign as new hotel hotspot isn’t showing any signs of stopping, with 2024 projected to usher in plenty more big-name openings. One of the most significant is The Emory. Slated for a spring opening, the hotel will be the latest addition to the Maybourne Hotel Group – which counts the likes of Claridge’s, The Berkeley and The Connaught – and is set to be one of the city’s most exclusive addresses. The Emory will be all-suite (60 of them in total, set over nine floors) and will be a departure from the classic Maybourne style with its distinctly modern, glass-heavy architecture.
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Located on Knightsbridge, just a hop, skip and a jump from The Berkeley, the hotel will overlook grand city views, best absorbed from its private rooftop space. Back inside, dining is set to come courtesy of Jean-Georges Vongerichten, and there will be a subterranean wellness space open to guests only.
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Nobu Hotel and Residences Toronto, Canada
In recent years, it might have felt like virtually every city worth visiting has welcomed a Nobu to their ranks – the restaurant-led hotel group has had more openings than one person could keep track of. One nation that has for some reason eluded Nobu, however, is Canada – but no longer. Nobu Hotel and Residences Toronto is on its way, bringing with it the group’s signature blend of understated luxury and chic style.
Located on Mercer Street, the property will be spread across two dramatic towers and will be comprised of 660 residential units. The 36-suite hotel will sit at the top of the West tower, and will feature a private lounge and wellness facility, as well as (of course) a Nobu restaurant. This one will have a separate bar, private dining rooms and an outdoor terrace. The group certainly isn’t doing its Canadian debut by halves.
[See also: Back to Nature: Inside 1 Hotel Toronto]
Singita Milele, Tanzania, Spring 2024
Set to begin welcoming guests from May (just in time for the Great Migration), Singita Milele will mark the eighth in the group’s exclusive collection of safari lodges and camps. The five-suite private villa will be set in the midst of the vast 350,000-acre Singita Grumeti reserve in northern Tanzania.
The wildlife viewing possibilities are set to be jaw-dropping – lion, giraffe, cheetah, zebra and rhino all call the reserve home – but the in-villa amenities promise exceptionally high standards too. Guests can expect a movie room, a fitness center, private Jacuzzis, an infinity pool and all-inclusive service.
Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, early 2024
Another new London hotel, another titan of the industry – this time, it’s Mandarin Oriental. The group’s second hotel in the English capital will be a far more boutique affair than the grand Knightsbridge original with just 50 room and suites (admittedly on top of 77 branded residences), all precisely designed by architects Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, with interiors by Tokyo-based studio Curiosity and UK-based designers Studio Indigo.
Mandarin Oriental Mayfair will also be home to the first Akira Back restaurant in the UK, as well as a rooftop terrace with skyline views, and a spa with an 82-ft pool, steam room and sauna.
The Twenty Two New York
Following a blazing London launch in early 2022, The Twenty Two – a wacky members’ club, hotel and restaurant – has announced plans for a second property, this time over the pond in New York.
Said plans (including location, room number and amenities) remain sparce, but if the Yank sibling is anything like the British original, you can expect a hypnotic combination of outlandish décor (think, an entire room covered in one wallpaper, ceilings and all); exclusive entry requirements and top-notch dining.
Soneva Secret, The Maldives, January
When it comes to barefoot out-and-out luxury, Soneva is the original provider. However, despite coming up to its 30th anniversary, the brand isn’t resting on its laurels, and continues to push the boundaries for sustainable travel – the newest in the group, Soneva Secret, is arriving on Maldivian shores in the new year.
The first resort in the remote Haa Dhaalu Atoll, Soneva Secret will have just 14 overwater and island villas, each with retractable roofs for stargazing, spa treatment rooms, adjoining children’s rooms, and dedicated butler and chef service.
[See also: Elite Traveler Reveals Top 50 Eco Suites]
