Somehow, 2024 is drawing to a close and with it goes another bumper year for hotel openings – The Lana in Dubai, London’s The Emory and Regent Santa Monica all stand out as highlights. But as one year ends, a new one dawns: It’s time to get excited about the most anticipated hotel openings of 2025.
The industry is showing no signs of slowing and travelers’ appetite for luxury is seemingly never waning. From grand icons reborn in NYC to whisky-fuelled secrets in Scotland, the world’s hotel scene remains as diverse and intriguing as ever.
Without further ado, these are the new hotel openings that should be on your 2025 bucket list.
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Europe
The Newman, London
The past few years have been busy ones when it comes to London’s luxury market, and, while 2025 may not have quite as many openings in the calendar, there’s still plenty to write home about.
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Slated for a summer launch, The Newman comes courtesy of all-new hospitality group Kinsfolk & Co, which marches onto the scene with grand ambitions: an 81-room hotel with a cocktail bar, brasserie and entire wellness floor, in the heart of bustling Fitzrovia. The top suite is set to be a showstopper and will cover and entire floor, with its own rooftop terrace.
[See also: Oberoi Announce First UK Hotel Opening in 2027]
1 Hotel Copenhagen
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Uber-cool Copenhagen is set to welcome a new international brand to its streets in 2025 in the form of 1 Hotel – the eco-minded hotel group with properties in Miami, London, New York, Toronto and more.
Although slated for a summer opening, details remain sparse. What we do know: The 282-room hotel (including 30 suites) will sit in the heart of the city, a stone’s throw from attractions such as Tivoli and Nyhavn. There’s promise of a Bamford Spa and fine dining courtesy of (currently unnamed) Michelin-accredited chef, too.
Ardbeg House, Islay, Scotland
A wild, windy isle on Scotland’s west coast, Islay is, to many, the heartland of peated Scotch whisky. The island currently has nine distilleries so visiting for the day is not recommended – a few nights is a must to take them all in. Fortunately, Islay has a good number of options for overnight guests with Ardbeg – a 200-year-old, LMVH-owned distillery – the latest to throw its hat into the ring.
The group purchased what was once the Islay Hotel, and will re-open it in summer 2025 as Ardbeg House – a 12-bedroom hotel complete with restaurant and bar. The property’s redesign is being handled by Russell Sage Studio, which also worked on Glenmorangie House and Distillery, The Fife Arms and The Goring so you can expect luxe meets eccentricity throughout.
Americas
One&Only Moonlight Basin, USA
Marking One&Only’s first venture into the USA, the opening of One&Only Moonlight Basin comes with much excitement. Located in Montana’s premier ski resort, the hotel will have direct gondola access to Big Sky’s 5,800 acres of piste, as well as top-tier mountain golf.
The hotel itself will encompass 73 guest rooms, 19 villas and a residential community of private homes. Interiors will be cozy (roaring fires in every room!) yet modern, with oversized windows framing the mountain views beyond. Amenities are set to include a hidden whiskey shack in the woods, an observatory and a forest-to-plate restaurant.
[See also: Iconic New York Hotel The Surrey Reopens as a Corinthia]
Waldorf Astoria New York, USA
The word ‘icon’ is brandished liberally in the hotel world, but Waldorf Astoria New York is one property that is undisputedly deserving of it. First opened in the 1930s, the hotel stood as an Art Deco icon for just shy of a century but, in 2017, it shut for a comprehensive refurb. The grand hotel is finally set to re-open in spring 2025 with a serious amount of anticipation building.
Spearheaded by Pierre-Yves Rochon, the refurbishment has seen the property go from over a thousand rooms down to 375 (as well as 375 private residences), all of which carefully cling on to all the glitz and glamour of the original hotel. There will be a huge spa, plentiful event space (the property hosted the Met Gala once upon a time) and a signature restaurant by chef Michael Anthony.
Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique, Costa Rica
Down in Central America, another Waldorf Astoria property is gearing up to begin welcoming guests in 2025: Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique. Penned for a spring opening, the new hotel is located on the Playa Penca cliffside, with a strikingly modern architectural identity.
There will be a total of 148 guest rooms and 40 suites, each with impeccable ocean or rainforest views. Guests are set to be spoiled for choice: the hotel will offer six restaurants, a gym, a signature spa, direct beach access and a kids club. No one will be getting bored around here.
[See also: Primland, Auberge Collection Opens First Luxury Residence]
Africa
Few & Far Luvhondo, South Africa
The debut opening from new safari company Few & Far (from the people behind Under Canvas), Few & Far Luvhondo lodge is slated to launch in South Africa’s Soutpansberg Mountains early next year.
Comprised of just six suites, the lodge will sit in the heart of the wilderness for an immersive safari experience. Inside, the interiors are earthy yet sophisticated. There will be no scrimping on luxury amenities, either: expect fine dining in the bush, as well as a comprehensive wellness program. A state-of-the-art cable system (described at a cross between a zip line and a ski lift) will sit some 130 ft in air, offering a new way for guests to take in South Africa’s rich landscape
Asia
Capella Kyoto, Japan
Billed for a fall opening, Capella Kyoto will mark the group’s first foray into Japan. Located in the Miyagawa-chō district, the hotel will put guests in the heart of Kyoto’s world-renowned cultural landscape.
The opening feels very far away so few details have been shared so far but, as it stands, guests can expect 92 rooms over four levels. Soothing interiors will be brought to life by renowned firm Kengo Kuma and Associates, which has sought to respect the ‘important legacy of Kyoto’s geisha traditions’ through the hotel’s design.
[See also: Four Seasons Hotel Osaka: A Towering Oasis of Tranquility]
