In the ever-evolving world of luxury hospitality, the latest crop of new hotels doesn’t just raise the bar—it redefines it. From the sun-soaked beaches of Santa Monica to the secluded shores of Seychelles, these properties aren’t just places to stay; they’re destinations in their own right. Whether it’s the quiet opulence of The Surrey in New York, or the eco-chic sanctuary of Rosewood Miyakojima in Okinawa, each offers a fresh take on what it means to travel well.
This isn’t about the biggest lobbies or the flashiest amenities (though there are plenty of both). It’s about thoughtful design, impeccable service, and singular experiences that’ll linger long after checkout. These hotels set new standards, surprise even the most seasoned globetrotters, and—yes—justify the hefty price tags.
The Surrey, A Corinthia Hotel—New York, New York
The Surrey has returned, freshly polished and impeccably dressed—much like its clientele. After a multimillion-dollar revamp, this Upper East Side grand dame is now an ultra-discreet sanctuary where quiet luxury reigns supreme. The Martin Brudnizki-designed interiors whisper Art Deco elegance, favoring soft pastels over his usual maximalist flair. Rooms are spacious, refined, and serenely beige, but pops of personality (and expensive art) keep things from feeling too sterile.
Casa Tua, the hotel’s Italian-Mediterranean dining partner, serves a well-heeled crowd of gallery owners and fashion executives, who sip flawless martinis under flattering, low lighting. A hidden private club upstairs ensures the exclusivity factor remains intact. The service is unwaveringly attentive—staff will not allow you to lift so much as a coffee cup. With an impressive spa, a rooftop terrace, and Central Park and the Met just steps (like 50) away, The Surrey is where you go when you want to live on Madison Avenue like a local—one with excellent taste and a hefty bank account.
Regent Santa, Monica Beach—Santa Monica, California
Regent Santa Monica Beach has finally arrived as the American flagship of the storied Asian brand, replacing the old Loews with fewer rooms, bigger price tags, and a lot more “elevated” … everything. The $150 million overhaul means even entry-level rooms are palatial by Santa Monica standards, with amenities like monogrammed pillowcases, Dyson hairdryers, and enough toiletries to stock a small boutique. Michael Mina’s Orla delivers a Mediterranean-inspired menu at prices that remind you just how luxurious your stay is. The Guerlain Spa promises treatments with Himalayan orchid extracts—because regular facials simply won’t do. Service is polished, formal, and impressively intuitive, whether or not you’re a hotel critic. Expect a hefty $90 nightly resort fee, but at least it comes with a “beach butler” (just don’t ask for a cocktail—Santa Monica frowns on that). Santa Monica has been waiting for an offering like this, and it’s arguably the new gold standard of beachfront indulgence.
AREV St. Tropez—Saint-Tropez, France
AREV Saint Tropez is a dream—literally, if you translate its name. This boutique newcomer takes the nautical theme seriously, with interiors resembling a yacht so flawlessly decorated it might make actual boat owners question their choices. With just 50 rooms, the hotel feels intimate, yet lively enough for the occasional DJ-backed poolside revelry. It is Saint Tropez after all.
The Strand restaurant revives a local legend, serving Mediterranean fare alongside an extensive Champagne list, with an entire lounge dedicated to bubbly. The staff operates like an elite concierge team—available via WhatsApp to arrange beach transfers via electric buggy or deliver a much-needed post-party cappuccino. The pool, emblazoned with the phrase A Rêve in the Sun, sums up the experience: leisurely, stylish, and effortlessly indulgent.
Between the padel court, pétanque, and an olive-tree-shaded terrace, AREV gives you every reason to stay put. But should you venture out, St. Tropez’s boutiques and beach clubs are just minutes away.
Rosewood Miyakojima—Okinawa, Japan
Luxury-seekers with Tokyo-fatigue, take note—Japan’s newest high-end hideaway isn’t tucked into a city skyline but perched on a remote Okinawan peninsula, surrounded by postcard-perfect beaches and sea turtles with better real estate than you.
Rosewood Miyakojima brings the brand’s “A Sense of Place” philosophy to an island most travelers have never heard of outside of World War II history buffs, and certainly has never seen an international brand build a sand castle like this. The 55 villas range from a modest 645 square feet to a sprawling 2,152-square-foot retreat, each featuring a private pool for those who like their ocean views chlorinated and temperature-controlled.
With an Asaya spa, four restaurants, and access to Japan’s most stunning beaches, Rosewood Miyakojima aims to redefine luxury in Japan—or at least introduce well-heeled travelers to a new corner of it in the sand.
Mandarin Oriental, Mayfair—London, United Kingdom
If Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park is a grand dame in pearls, then its Mayfair sibling is her stylish, elusive niece who prefers whispered exclusivity over opulent fanfare. Tucked discreetly into Hanover Square, this 50-room, 22-suite retreat feels more like a billionaire’s private residence than a traditional hotel—except, of course, for the hybrid Bentley house car and subterranean spa the size of a small embassy.
Rooms are plush yet understated, with gold, navy, and silk floral wallpaper that gently remind you that you’re in a Mandarin Oriental, not an oligarch’s pied-à-terre. Akira Back’s restaurant serves truffle-laced, umami-packed everything, while ABar Lounge and Dosa cater to cocktail connoisseurs and chef’s-table obsessives.
With no grand entrance, no crowds, and no obvious signage, this is a hotel for those who prefer their luxury served softly, with a side of discretion. Mayfair’s sleekest new address isn’t looking for attention—it’s already got it.
The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort—Longboat Key, Florida
The St. Regis Longboat Key takes Florida luxury up a notch—or at least a few thousand gallons, courtesy of its 350,000-gallon snorkeling lagoon teeming with stingrays and tropical fish. Built on the site of the legendary Colony Hotel, this resort blends St. Regis’ signature polish with a touch of Old Florida whimsy, nodding to Sarasota’s circus history in everything from wallpaper to pool floaties.
Rooms are spacious, sophisticated, and could be anywhere in the Marriott universe—save for the fact that your butler will happily launder your swimsuit while you enjoy a cocktail at the Monkey Bar. Dining runs the gamut, from a steakhouse with a rooftop Nikkei spot, with Gulf views to an Italian restaurant inspired by the Adriatic. The thermal spa invites deep relaxation, while the Winding River ensures kids (and indulgent adults) can float the day away. In short, it’s exactly what you’d expect—plus a few delightful surprises.
Beach Club at The Boca Raton—Boca Raton, Florida
If Boca Raton’s Harborside is where guests go to play pickleball and compare hedge fund strategies, the Beach Club is where they go to forget all that. The result of a $130 million facelift, this 210-room oceanfront retreat delivers a brighter, breezier, and blissfully stress-free alternative to Boca’s more buttoned-up side.
Rooms are coastal elegance without the kitsch—think marble, cerused woods, and just enough coral velvet to remind you you’re in Florida. The pools (three), beach (private), and cabanas (plush) make it difficult to choose where to recline, though the butler-esque service ensures you won’t have to move much either way. Marisol and Onda bring a Mediterranean-meets-Caribbean culinary flair, and Sorbetto, a pink Fiat-turned-boat, ensures guests can float around Boca in style.
For those who believe “vacation” should be a verb, there’s paddleboarding, beach volleyball, and jet skis. For everyone else, there’s a piña colada with your name on it.
The Lana, Dorchester Collection—Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The Lana is what happens when Dubai meets discretion—a rare sight in a city where luxury is usually measured in gold-plated square footage. This is Dorchester Collection’s first Middle East outpost, and it swaps over-the-top excess for refined restraint. The lobby is all pink marble and gilded honeycombs, service is telepathic but never fawning, and suites come with Buckingham Palace-grade mattresses and bathtubs positioned for Burj Khalifa views.
Dining is a parade of Michelin-level indulgence, from Jean Imbert’s French Riviera nostalgia to Martin Berasategui’s Basque mastery. There’s even a Dior Spa on the 29th floor, because nothing says relaxation like a facial with Bordeaux vine sap.
The rooftop High Society pool bar is the place to be at sunset, but there’s no beach, no water park, and no rollercoaster inside your suite—which, in Dubai, makes The Lana practically a wellness retreat. Luxury, but make it quiet.
Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island—Platte Island, Seychelles
The Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island is the kind of place where even the turtles have five-star accommodations. This tiny private island retreat is equal parts eco-paradise and luxury hideaway, where the biggest decision of your day is whether to sip a cocktail at Lalin Bar or watch baby hawksbill turtles shuffle to the sea from your villa’s private deck.
The 50 villas are castaway-chic with serious square footage, all set back from the beach to protect nesting turtles (so you’ll have to walk a few extra steps to dip your toes in the water—tragic, truly). Dining is surprisingly ambitious for an island this size, from plant-based tasting menus at Moulin to Creole classics at Maison des Epices. Activities? Reef walks, catamaran rides, and the occasional guided coconut harvesting session.
If your idea of “roughing it” includes a private infinity pool and room service omelets, Platte Island is calling.
Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve—Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica
For travelers who like their rainforest rugged—but only to a point—Nekajui, the meaning of “lush garden” in the local Chorotega dialect, Nekajui (NEK-ah-wee), a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, delivers Peninsula Papagayo’s wild beauty in a hyper-curated package. Set above Bahia Huevos, this 107-room retreat offers treetop spa treatments, private plunge pools, and a nature experience designed to be admired, not endured.
Rooms and suites balance Guanacaste’s hacienda aesthetic with every modern indulgence, while dining spans from refined Peruvian at Puna to toes-in-the-sand Iberian bites at Niri Beach Club. The suspended treetop bar serves botanical cocktails with a side of sweeping Pacific views, and the coffee house ensures caffeine levels remain at boutique-hotel standards.
Adventures are plentiful—zip-lining, paddleboarding, and SurfX lessons for those eager to tame Costa Rica’s legendary waves.
