Every year brings a wave of new hotel openings, but not all of them are worth paying attention to. This is a list of openings that actually stood out to us in 2025. Whether for the design, location, or overall impression, these hotels are worth travelling for.
10. Capella Taipei, Taiwan
Designed by André Fu Studio and located just a stone’s throw away from Taipei 101, Taipei Arena, and Songshan Airport, Capella Taipei may be one of the city’s most conveniently situated hotels. Since opening in April 2025, Capella Taipei has offered a level of refinement that feels relaxed rather than rigid. Rather than chasing scale or spectacle, this hotel taps into the idea of a modern mansion – elegant, intimate, and composed.
9. Orient Express La Minerva, Rome
As the first hotel ever launched by Orient Express, La Minerva had plenty to live up to – and it does so with confidence. Housed inside a 17th-century palazzo on Piazza della Minerva (mere steps from the Pantheon), La Minerva balances rich textures with soft theatricality. Intricate details such as hand-painted Roman skies are handled with restraint, adding quintessential Italian flair without resorting to gimmicks. It’s a strong opening statement from the luxury brand.
8. Patina Osaka, Osaka
Inspired by kisetsukan – the Japanese appreciation of seasonal rhythm – Patina Osaka encourages guests to slow down and tune in to their surroundings. Days here might start with a morning soundscape overlooking the city’s many green spaces, continue with a walk through Osaka Castle Park, and end with a tasting of pickles and preserved foods. Nothing is rushed, entirely by design – very good design, that is.
7. Tierra Atacama, Chile
The setting at Tierra Atacama does most of the talking. From salt flats and dunes to geysers, lagoons, and impressive volcano views (Licancabur is hard to miss), the landscape is as raw as it gets. Days unfold with desert hikes and slow afternoons, while nights bring clear star-filled skies. It’s in the middle of nowhere, yes, but that remoteness is exactly what makes it so special.
6. Aman Rosa Alpina, San Cassiano
Fresh from a major renovation, Aman Rosa Alpina is all about hitting the slopes in style. Set in the Dolomites, guests have access to Dolomiti Superski, guided snowshoe routes, and ice climbing adventures in the nearby Serrai di Sottoguda. It’s refined, outdoors-led, and very much about making the most of the surroundings.
5. Desert Rock Resort, Saudi Arabia
At number five, Desert Rock Resort in Saudi Arabia takes ambition very seriously. Nestled within the rock formations of The Red Sea, the engineering alone is seriously impressive. Rather than sitting on top of the landscape, each room is carved into it, so nothing feels imposed or out of place. If you want to feel like you’ve stepped straight into a Dune movie, this is the spot.
4. Collegio Alla Querce, Florence
Auberge Collegio Alla Querce is Florence at its best. Perched above Italy’s cultural heart, it boasts views of the Duomo from one side and the Tuscan hills on the other. The building itself has lived a few lives (Renaissance villa, boarding school, and now hotel), but none of that age can be used as fault here – it’s perfectly renovated.
3. Aman Nai Lert, Bangkok
Located within the leafy calm of Nai Lert Park, Aman Bangkok feels deliberately removed from the hustle and bustle of the city. As Aman’s first true city flagship in Southeast Asia, it sets a high bar. Designed by Jean-Michel Gathy and featuring just 52 suites, it doesn’t try to compete with the outside chaos, and all the better for it.
2. The Chancery Rosewood, London
A former US Embassy turned luxury hotel isn’t something you see every day, which already puts The Chancery Rosewood in rare territory. At this stage, it feels like most of London has heard about this opening – and for good reason. With generously sized suites, eight restaurants and bars, and an Asaya Spa, it’s one of the city’s most prominent hotel launches in years, breathing fresh energy into Mayfair.
1. One&Only Moonlight Basin, Big Sky
One&Only’s first American and first alpine property is set across 240 acres of the vast Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. As such, it’s no surprise that nature is firmly in charge here. Surrounded by dense pine groves and views of Lone Peak, Fan Mountain, and the Spanish Peaks, privacy comes as standard. Add easy ski access, a wide mix of room types, and even grizzly bears as your not-so-distant neighbours, and it’s clear why this level of luxury simply didn’t exist in the Rockies before.