The 18 Best New Hotels In Europe, Africa and Asia For Summer 2026

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It’s difficult to know where to start when booking a holiday, especially if you’re looking for something that will feel truly special. Over-saturated Instagram dumps and AI hotel recommendations will only get you so far - if you want to discover a place that feels genuinely authentic and refined, you’ll need insider knowledge and a trained eye. That’s the sort of skill that takes years in the making.

Luckily, ELLE has curated a list of the most stylish, in-the-know hotel openings for this year, helping you to bypass the algorithmic noise. From idyllic Greek islands with fairytale sunsets to stylish bases for your next city break, one-of-a-kind treehouses in the Welsh wilderness for when you need to touch grass, and opulent safari experiences, look no further. With impeccable design and unmatched atmosphere, these properties are the best of the best. Read on for our pick of the finest new hotel openings of 2026.

Mix the best of Riviera elegance with laid-back Provençal magic at this swish, private-island resort. It has something for everyone – whether you’re looking for idle beach days with a book or action-packed rounds of pickleball on the court. There are 93 thoughtfully designed rooms and a sprawling holistic spa with a 30-metre pool, all surrounded by dazzling ocean vistas. Pack a Toteme swimsuit and an oversized Agolde blue shirt.

These chic sister hotels take serene travel to new heights. Covering 800 hectares of rural landscape, the neighbouring estates create the ultimate escape, complete with the soft whistling of birds and a crisp mountain breeze. Both properties are filled with character and nature-inspired finishes. Guests can choose between Binidufà, which is surrounded by rolling, lush green hills and Son Ermità, perched on the edge of a coastal scene amid palm trees surrounding and vast green farmland. Go here to switch off.

Not launching until September, Soho House founder Nick Jones has teamed up with Mark Wadhwa, creative director Alex Eagle and her interior design partner, Sophie Hodges, to launch his first hotel since stepping back from the members’ club. St. Clement will have 90 stylish rooms, 15 suites, one epic two-storey penthouse, a ground-floor brasserie Cafe Clement, late-night bar called Bobbi's and rooftop restaurant by former Sessions Arts Club chef Florence Knight. Expect fabulous views (inside and out), zeitgeist crowds and relaxed vibes.

Want to escape it all with the very best home comforts? These new design-led, eco-friendly woodland cabins in Catsfield, near Battle, offer bespoke nature-led getaways with luxury amenities like wood-fired hot tubs and Telka towels to dry off in. There's also a private swimming lake and dedicated yoga studios. Take your On kit and Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke and turn your phone firmly off.

Malta has been having a moment ever since this restored 18th-century palazzo opened in the spring as a resplendent 17-room boutique hotel, featuring a Mediterranean restaurant, two swimming pools and a spa with a hammam. Filled with Sicilian marble, Murano-glass chandeliers and hand-painted wallpapers, pack for the luxury getaway you deserve.

Following a decade-long restoration, this 17th-century convent is now one of the world’s best for slow living: an ethos that encompasses its design, dining and general vibe. The 88-room property unites historical architecture, great French cooking and wellness innovations - complete with terraced gardens, farm-supplied restaurants, Roman Baths and even a dedicated on-site herbalist. Pack The Row's gladiator sandals and linen Bermuda shorts for the chicest stay in France.

London’s hottest new opening is an art deco spectacle hidden in the middle of Fitzrovia. Every detail of this 81-room hotel is curated, with earthy paint tones, wood finishes and corridors lined with black and white photographs from past and present. Don’t leave without a visit to the speakeasy bar and order a martini with a gilda or a trip to the basement sauna for the ultimate unwind.

In the heart of the Eternal City, this new hotel has been given pride of place on Piazza del Parlamento. Just a short walk from the Pantheon and the Spanish Steps, this new 60-room, marble-adorned landmark blends culturally rich Italian history, architectural opulence and a modern menu offering the finest pasta in Italy. Housed in an old bank, the hotel repurposes the former underground vault into a neoclassical spa.

Set on a confluence of canals in charming Cannaregio, this new hotel in a renovated 15th-century palace has glamour at every turn. With leafy, shaded inner courtyards and a marble terrazzo, it’s the ultimate aperitivo spot, with fine dining led by Michelin-starred chef Heinz Beck. Many of the 47 rooms have Renaissance frescoes, gold leafing, carved wooden beams and beds adorned with draped canopies. A once-in-a-lifetime stay.

Snow-dusted peaks in the winter and vivid meadows in the summer are the breathtaking backdrop to Aman’s latest opening, located in the quaint village of San Cassiano. This is the place for adventurers who don't want to compromise on a touch of grandeur. With access to world-class snow sports and restorative woodland trails alike but with its soothing interiors and meticulous attention to detail, you will struggle to leave the hotel at all.

Hidden in the hills on the border of Wales and England, this treehouse offers two generous bedrooms, open-air bathing in a wood-fired hot tub and a glossy Smeg fridge stocked with supplies. Don’t expect Wi-Fi (this place is off-grid), but there are forest hikes and canoes on the River Wye to keep you plenty entertained. Pack Scrabble and your walking boots.

Set across 11 Georgian townhouses, this vibrant destination offers a refuge in Scotland’s capital. Expect bold colour palettes and interiors with a modern edge. For those seeking a more spacious, private stay, choose one of its new three-bedroom apartments that offer a home-from-home in Scotland's most charming city.

The Soho House group’s first Japan opening is set across four floors, featuring 42 bedrooms, a club space, a wellness studio, a rooftop pool and a terrace with views across Aoyama. It’s a celebration of Japanese crafts – look out for the pool tiled with Tajimi ceramics, kimono-fabric bed cushions and washi paper used as wall coverings – blended with Soho House’s signature styles. Don’t miss the artwork created by local artist Toru Otani.

If unwavering glamour is your goal, consider a visit to the banks of Suzhou Creek, where China’s second Bulgari property towers over the city. It brings a touch of Italian finesse to the busy riverside: Roman baths in its 2,000-square-metre spa and fitness centre, the Niko Romito restaurant, which celebrates the rich heritage of the country’s cuisine, and a lush garden exterior for a romantic dolce vita getaway.

Perched atop sunny cliffs over the Aegean Sea, this secluded, adults-only hideaway is ideal for finding quiet moments amid aquamarine waves, cobbled streets and a salty breeze. Allow your curiosity to take over here, choosing between a sailboat trip to hidden bays, windsurfing across clear waters and immersing yourself in local ceramics workshops. Or, for those seeking a truly peaceful rest, dive into its world of Mediterranean wellness with a curated treatment beside the sunlit pool.

Looking for the ultimate family hideaway? Tucked away in the Staffordshire Moorlands, The Tawny hotel’s recently launched The Owlets – five cottages with a shared heated swimming pool, private alfresco dining with barbecues and fun garden games – has it all. Find the perfect balance of solitude and style, blending the independence of an intimate self-catering countryside sanctuary with seamless access to the main resort's 3 AA Rosette restaurant and wellness experiences.

This newly restored 16th-century inn, set among the rolling hills of the Cotswolds, is replete with low-beamed ceilings, roaring fires, aged wooden floors and a menu of Scotch eggs and Gruyère toasties. The 19 rooms feature antique treasures, extra-large beds and vintage tubs; slip into a hot bath and switch your phone to ‘do not disturb’.

Immerse yourself in wildlife at this intimate 1920s-style mobile safari experience in the Okavango Delta, a Unesco World Heritage Site. The camp, which sleeps six guests, is inspired by the golden age of safari, but provides super-king beds, double showers and fast Wi-Fi. Enjoy daily game drives and walking expeditions to see lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes and hippos.

'Burgundy is one of France’s most prestigious wine regions, but it’s in the midst of a creative renaissance. The food scene holds its own, with passion-project coffee roasters in hilltop towns, wine bars from Parisians who’ve traded the city for a slower pace and family-run institutions with global inspiration. Hoteliers have caught on, opening boutique hotels for unique stays.'

'Opened by four friends in April 2026, Sibbjäns is a regenerative farm stay on Sweden’s Gotland island, blending rustic design with seasonal, farm-to-table dining. The hotel offers 22 rooms (each named after important women in the founders’ families), nature-led wellness and experiences including fishing, horse riding and kite surfing.'

'I have long loved Sardinia as a holiday destination, not just for its old-school glamour and crystal waters, but for the island’s characterful towns rich in history and art. Its natural contrasts are extraordinary – from rugged mountain ranges to sculptural coastlines. We recommend several villas, including Salinedda Six in the north and Lia in the south.'

'Lake Como has always been a beloved destination, but with a flurry of hotel openings, it’s really getting the limelight it deserves. When Passalacqua opened in 2022, it became a bucket-list hotel, which also meant everyone started talking about the lake. It won’t be the latest newcomer for long: The Lake Como Edition just opened; Raffles and the Ritz-Carlton are both coming soon.'

During Lena's tenure at ELLE, she has been building the brand’s cultural content and special projects including benchmark events; ELLE Weekender, The ELLE List and The ELLE Style Awards. During her time at the magazine, she’s commissioned essays from Zadie Smith, interviewed everyone from Miley Cyrus to Jodie Comer and made viral videos like ‘More Women’ that shone a light on gender inequality and was seen by millions. As an editor, Lena specialises in travel, music, arts, film and all culture and is an active BAFTA member having sat on a jury for many years. She has written for numerous titles including The Guardian, Vogue and The New York Times.