The definition of “luxury travel” is changing. As hotels by big-name interior designers and five-star credentials alone are not enough. What matters now is authenticity, discretion and a genuine sense of place, qualities that are shaping the most compelling hotel openings of 2026.
For business travellers in particular, these new properties promise more than indulgence. They offer privacy for deal-making, space for recovery between long-haul trips, and destinations that reward staying an extra night. From heritage palazzi reimagined as private residences to remote safari lodges with reliable Wi-Fi, here are the openings that will set the tone for high-end business and bleisure travel next year.
The Vineta Hotel, Palm Beach
Opening: January
Oetker Hotels’ first US property brings a distinctly European sense of elegance to Palm Beach. Housed in a century-old Mediterranean Revival building near Worth Avenue, the 41-suite hotel leans into quiet glamour rather than resort theatrics. Spacious suites, roaming Champagne and gelato carts, and discreet service make it well-suited to executives extending a Miami work trip into something slower and more refined.
The Imperial Hotel Kyoto
Opening: March
Imperial’s first new opening in three decades is a masterclass in restraint. Set within a restored former theatre in Gion, the 55-room hotel favours local craftsmanship — cedar columns, tatami flooring and Kyoto-based designers — over imported star names. A private rooftop bar overlooking the city adds a quietly spectacular end to the working day.
Zannier Bendor, South of France
Opening: Spring
Owned by the family behind Pernod Ricard, this 17-acre private island off the Provençal coast blends Riviera glamour with cultural depth. Alongside a 93-room hotel sits a public-facing village of restaurants, bars and galleries. For business travellers, it offers rare seclusion within easy reach of Marseille, Toulon and the vineyards of Bandol.
Amanvari
Opening: Spring
Aman’s long-awaited Mexican debut sits on Baja’s quieter east cape, far from Cabo’s party scene. With just 18 casitas, private pools and swimmable beaches, Amanvari is tailor-made for high-level off-sites, recovery-focused retreats and ultra-discreet getaways — all within 90 minutes of Los Cabos airport.
The Red Palace
Opening: Second Quarter
Saudi Arabia’s most historically significant royal residence opens as a hotel for the first time. Built in 1943, the art deco palace becomes a 70-room property with private spa suites and palace hosts assigned to each guest. For executives navigating the kingdom’s fast-evolving business landscape, it offers unmatched access paired with complete discretion.
The Cooper
Opening: March
Charleston’s first true waterfront urban resort blends southern elegance with serious scale: a 7,000-sq-ft wellness centre, five restaurants and a rooftop infinity pool. Private marina access and curated culinary partnerships make it ideal for incentive trips, leadership retreats and extended US business itineraries.
Cambridge House Auberge Collection, Mayfair
Opening: Spring
One of London’s most anticipated openings, Cambridge House occupies a Georgian landmark overlooking Green Park. Expect 102 rooms with soaring ceilings, Roman-inspired thermal bathing facilities and a destination restaurant set to draw London’s power crowd. For business travellers, it offers a rare combination: old-world gravitas with modern wellness at its core.
Four Seasons Cartagena
Opening: May
Four Seasons brings big-brand polish to one of Latin America’s most atmospheric cities. Spread across eight historic buildings within the old city, the hotel blends colonial architecture with contemporary comfort. Rooftop pools, cultural programming and generous room sizes make it ideal for executives exploring emerging markets in the region.
La Réserve Firenze
Opening: June
Rather than a traditional hotel, La Réserve Firenze offers six exquisitely restored apartments inside a 600-year-old palazzo. With full kitchens, shared lounges and a discreet “secret bar”, it feels more like a private Florentine residence — perfect for longer stays, creative work trips or travelling with family.
The Malkai
Opening: Fourth Quarter
One of the most innovative openings of the year, The Malkai is a three-lodge circuit spanning desert, coast and mountains. Booked only as multi-day itineraries, each journey includes a dedicated guide-driver and seamless transfers. It’s experiential luxury designed for time-poor travellers who want depth without friction.
Singita Elela
Opening: December
Singita’s first lodge in Botswana arrives in the coveted Okavango Delta, within a vast private concession rich in wildlife. Just eight tented suites combine high design, strong connectivity and deeply local craftsmanship. For senior leaders seeking perspective, privacy and purpose, this is safari travel at its most sophisticated.
What these openings mean for business travellers
Across continents, the defining theme of 2026’s luxury hotel openings is intentionality. These properties are not chasing scale, but significance — offering environments where work, wellbeing and experience intersect. For Travelling for Business readers, they represent not just places to stay, but destinations that make the journey itself part of the strategy.