The 20 Best Hotel Openings of 2019

We’re pleased to report that 2019 is shaping up to be a banner year for new hotels. We’ve been eagerly compiling the year’s most creative, exciting, and far-reaching hospitality endeavors. These are the twenty we're most excited about, in order of anticipated opening — from intimate, off-grid nature reserves to stylish boutique digs in up-and-coming urban neighborhoods — followed by an additional hit list of 70 hotel openings that we have our eye on around the world.

Can Bordoy Grand House & Garden

Where: Palma de Mallorca, Spain
When: January
Why we’re excited: Located in Palma’s idyllic Old Quarter, the sophisticated 24-room retreat is housed in a renovated medieval mansion decorated with a mix of old and new furnishings (antique frescoes, wooden beams, contemporary artwork). The big draws: a lush secret garden with indigenous trees, a heated swimming pool, and al fresco dining at Botanic, an intimate bistro offering traditional Mallorcan dishes.
Check in: Book a room.

Mari Mari Natural Reserve

Where: Los Muermos, Chile
When: January
Why we’re excited: A remote resort on a stunning deserted stretch of coastline in Chilean Patagonia? Sign us up. With just six oceanfront villas, travelers can expect all the creature comforts of a five-star hotel (nice linens, amazing spa, gourmet meals) alongside an intimate and immersive nature experience (horseback rides on a deserted beach, a swim under the stars after a day of hiking).
Check in: Book a room.

Miraval Austin

Where: Austin, Texas
When: January
Why we’re excited: Miraval, the Arizona-based resort known for its transformative wellness journeys, has a new outpost on 220 acres of protected land overlooking Lake Travis. With a mindfulness center, state-of-the-art spa, and two infinity pools, the 117-room all-inclusive resort would be the ideal place to kick off a healthy and happy 2019. Also on our radar: a third outpost – Miraval Berkshires – opening in Lenox, Massachusetts, this summer.
Check in: Book a room.

Shinola Hotel

Where: Detroit, Michigan
When: January
Why we’re excited: A collaboration between local real estate firm Bedrock and the now-iconic luxury watchmaker has resulted in one of the most talked about openings in years and a symbol of a growing economy in Motor City. Located in downtown Detroit, the 129-room hotel will showcase several exclusive Shinola products, including a desk clock, custom striped blanket, and a signature candle. Midwest native and NYC-based chef Andrew Carmellini (Locanda Verde, The Dutch) is overseeing the food and beverage offerings, while a curated retail space will feature global brands like Madewell and Le Labo. Worth noting: Shinola isn’t the only retailer entering the hospitality space – Restoration Hardware and West Elm are also developing hotels.
Check in: Book a room.

Blackberry Mountain

Where: Walland, Tennessee
When: February
Why we’re excited: If a choose-your-own-adventure experience set among 5,200 acres of protected land in Eastern Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains sounds appealing, look no further than this mountainside resort. The rustic-chic retreat (sister property to beloved Blackberry Farm restaurant) will offer a lengthy roster of immersive outdoor and wellness activities (aerial yoga, sound bathing, mountain biking, trail running, fly fishing), two restaurants, and several types of lodging (cabins, cottages, private homes). A series of gatherings and workshops with notable guests like Dr. Brené Brown and chef Seamus Mullen has been scheduled to kick off the first year.
Check in: Book a room.

Kachi Lodge, Bolivia

Where: Uyuni Salt Flats, Bolivia
When: February
Why we’re excited: Standing directly on the Uyuni Salt Flats at an altitude of 11,800 feet, the otherwordly camp is the area’s first luxury offering. Designed by experience specialists Amazing Escapes, each of the six stylish bedroom pods come with a private bathroom, cozy bedding, and a minimalist set-up to better showcase the stunning landscape. Excursions include guided morning hikes on the Salar or to Tunupa volcano crater and culturally immersive tours to nearby archaeological sites and pre-Columbian cities.
Check in: Book a room.

Silver Lake Pool & Inn

Where: Los Angeles, California
When: March
Why we’re excited: A welcome addition to LA’s hip Silverlake neighborhood, the former motel-turned-boutique-hotel has 54 spacious rooms with a SoCal '70s vibe (terrazzo countertops, mid-century furnishings, turquoise rotary telephones), an elevated pool deck, and a coastal Italian restaurant.
Check in: Book a room.

Lekkerwater Beach Lodge at De Hoop

Where: De Hoop Nature Reserve, South Africa
When: April
Why we’re excited: Set on the site of former South African President F.W. de Klerk’s retreat in De Hoop Nature Reserve (one of the most dramatic beach locations in South Africa), the seven-room eco-lodge will have some of world’s best land-based whale watching. Guest rooms will have an earthy vibe, drawing inspiration from over three miles of pristine beach and uninterrupted views of the Indian Ocean that can be seen through large sliding glass doors. Stays will be limited to two nights and include activities like caving and nature drives within the reserve.
Check in: Book a room.

T he Stratford at Manhattan Loft Gardens

Where: London, England
When: April
Why we’re excited: Set in a spectacular 42-story mixed-use skyscraper designed by SOM (the architects behind One World Trade and Burj Khalifa), London’s newest high-rise hotel will have 145 spacious rooms with contemporary interiors by SPACE Copenhagen, two restaurants (including Allegra, a new project from Patrick Powell, the former head chef of The Chiltern Firehouse), and three sky gardens with panoramic views of Olympic Park.

J.K. Place Paris

Where: Paris
When: May
Why we’re excited: J.K. Place’s first venture outside Italy is sure to become one of Paris’ most beloved addresses. Set in the former European Consulate on the back of the Seine opposite Boulevard Saint Germain, the intimate 30-room hotel will reflect the brand’s Italian DNA, but with a French twist. No two guest rooms will be the same, but all will be decorated in a mix of custom furnishings and Parisian flea market finds selected by J.K. Hotels' interior designer, Michele Bonan. Also on site: an indoor swimming pool, Sisley Spa, and Casa Tua, an upscale Northern Italian restaurant with outposts in Aspen and Miami.

Habitas Namibia

Where: Namibia
When: Spring
Why we’re excited: The global hospitality brand Habitas is keeping a tight lid on this opening, so we don’t have too many details. The lodge is located on a private 35,000-acre nature reserve an hour and a half from Windhoek International Airport and will offer activities that are typical to the area, like animal tracking and visits with a local tribe. Namibia is in the midst of a mini-hotel boom (Shipwreck Lodge and Hoanib Valley Camp both recently opened, while three more lodges, including Omaanda, are set to open by 2020), so we’ll be keeping a close eye on this one.

One & Only Desaru Coast

Where: Desaru Coast, Malaysia
When: Spring
Why we’re excited: A short two-hour drive from Singapore into the south-eastern region of Malaysia (an area known for its delicious food and idyllic beaches), will have travelers feeling like they have entered a new world, which is probably why One & Only Resorts chose the Desaru Coast as the site of its first hotel in the country. The 128-acre resort will have 42 suites, two luxury suites, a luxe four-bedroom villa, and 50 private homes, all inspired by the surrounding ocean waters and tropical landscape. Amenities include a spa and wellness center, three restaurants, a bar, a beach club, and a full roster of land and water activities for all ages.

Sister City

Where: New York, New York
When: Spring
Why we’re excited: Drawing inspiration from Japanese philosophy and Scandinavian architecture, the new hotel concept from Atelier Ace is an experiment in essentialism, offering visitors an affordable perch in one of the world’s most expensive cities. Located on the ever-more-gentrified Bowery, rooms start at $199 per night, have multi-functional furniture (dual-purpose foldable desk, built-in bed that stores luggage), and come in six different configurations, including a single room that sleeps one guest and a bunk room that sleeps up to four. Floret, an all-day cafe, will offer a veggie-heavy menu, while an unnamed rooftop bar will have panoramic views of the city.
Check in: Book a room.

The Hoxton, Chicago

Where: Chicago, Illinois
When: Spring
Why we’re excited: The stylish and budget-friendly British hotel chain is on a tear, expanding its portfolio in the U.S. with a new 182-room hotel in Chicago’s West Loop/Fulton Market neighborhood. Concrete ceilings and warehouse-style windows reflect the area’s industrial past, while mid-century furniture, custom-designed rugs, and locally-sourced artwork warm up the space. As with all Hoxton hotels, there will be several communal areas with comfortable seating and an open-door policy. A rooftop restaurant run by Chicago chef Stephanie Izard will offer Peruvian-inspired dining alongside the brand’s first rooftop swimming pool. Two more outposts of The Hoxton will be opening later this summer in the Southwark borough of London and Downtown Los Angeles.

Maison de la Luz

Where: New Orleans, Louisiana
When: Spring
Why we’re excited: The latest project from Atelier Ace (Ace Hotel, American Trade Hotel) is an elegant southern guest house in Nola’s Warehouse District. With just 67 rooms, a private guest-only sitting room with an adjacent breakfast room, and a curated concierge service, travelers can expect an intimate experience. Next door, a yet-to-be-named bar collaboration with Parisian culinary group Quixotic Projects is accessible through a special entrance and will offer a mix of lively spirits and small plates inspired by French, Louisianian, and West Indian flavors.
Check in: Book a room.

Soho Warehouse

Where: Los Angeles, California
When: Spring
Why we’re excited: Soho House & Co. is transforming an old five-story warehouse in the Industrial District of Downtown Los Angeles into a hip new hangout with 48 bedrooms that can be booked by both members and non-members, a rooftop pool, gym, and club spaces for eating, drinking, and socializing.

Hoshinoya Guguan

Where: Taichung City, Taiwan
When: Summer
Why we’re excited: Designed to blend seamlessly into the natural surroundings of Taichung Valley (a part of Taiwan known for its hot springs), the ryokan-style resort will be the first luxury hot spring offering in the area and the second Hoshinoya outpost outside Japan. The valley’s natural spring waters will flow through a peaceful outdoor water garden with bathing areas and a bamboo grove. Each of the 50 guest rooms will have a private outdoor hot spring bath and a terrace for soaking in the picturesque valley and mountain range.

The Magdalena

Where: Austin, Texas
When: Fall
Why we’re excited: The latest from hotelier Liz Lambert has the Bunkhouse group returning to its roots with a new opening in Austin’s buzzing South Congress neighborhood. The bright and sunny decor of the 86-room hotel (their largest hotel to date) was inspired by the city’s iconic Barton Springs and 1970s lakeside culture.

Singita Kwitonda Lodge

Where: Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda
When: Fall
Why we’re excited: Africa’s leading eco-luxury safari lodge company is extending its reach further north with a lodge in Rwanda’s spectacular Volcanoes National Park. An estimated 320 mountain gorillas call the area home, making it a prime base for daily treks to see the majestic creatures. In keeping with the resort's ethos of sustainability, the central lodge, eight guest suites, and four-bedroom villa were built with locally sourced materials.

Ace Hotel Kyoto

Where: Kyoto, Japan
When: Late 2019
Why we’re excited: The boutique hotel pioneers are expanding into Asia with their first Japanese outpost, a collaboration with architect Kengo Kuma, who has also been tasked with designing Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium for the 2020 games. Drawing inspiration from Kyoto’s rich cultural history and reverence for nature, the centrally located hotel will be housed in the historic former Kyoto Central Telephone Office with a new garden designed to create and cultivate community for locals and visitors.

Also Worth Noting

For those looking to dig a little deeper: a list of even more openings that we’ll be watching for and reporting on in our quarterly new hotels updates.

Africa

Gorgeous George - Cape Town, South Africa (January)
The Houghton - Johannesburg, South Africa (January)
The Farmstead at Royal Malewane - Kruger National Park, South Africa (May)
One & Only Gorilla’s Nest - Volcanoes, Rwanda (TBD)

Asia

The PuXuan Hotel & Spa - Beijing, China (January)
Mandarin Oriental Jumeira, Dubai - (Winter)
Mandarin Oriental Wangfujing, Beijing - Wangfujing, Beijing (Winter)
Rosewood Hong Kong - Hong Kong (March)
Lelewatu Resort Sumba - Sumba Island, Indonesia (April)
The Kitano Hotel Tokyo - Tokyo, Japan (April)
Hotel Samzeo - Omalo, Georgia (May)
Baglioni Resort Maldives - Maagau Island, Maldives (Spring)
Capella Bangkok - Bangkok, Thailand (Spring)
Raffles Hotel - Singapore (Summer)

Caribbean

Cabrits Resort & Spa Kempinski Dominica - Cabrits National Park, Dominica (Winter 2019)

Central and South America

Islas Secas Reserve & Lodge - Islas Secas, Panama (January)
Santarena Hotel - Las Catalinas, Costa Rica (February)
Zadún, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve - Los Cabos, Mexico (March 2019)
Cannúa - Marinilla, Colombia (April)
Hotel Amapa - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (Spring)
Nobu Hotel Los Cabos - Cabo San Lucas, Mexico (Spring)
Nayara Tented Camp - La Fortuna, Costa Rica (Fall)

Europe

Chapter Roma - Rome, Italy (January)
Hotel Ottilia - Copenhagen, Denmark (January)
Mystery Hotel Budapest - Budapest, Hungary (January)
The Dixon - London, England (January)
Belmond Cadogan - London, England (February)
Monkey Island Estate - Bray-on-Thames, England (February)
The First Roma Dolce - Rome, Italy (February)
Vintry & Mercer - London, England (February)
Amerikalinjen - Oslo, Norway (March)
Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como - Lake Como, Italy (March)
Jo & Joe - Paris, France (March)
The Biltmore - London, England (March)
Four Seasons Astir Palace Hotel Athens - Vouliagmeni, Greece (March)
Sir Victor - Barcelona, Spain (March)
The One Palacio de Anunciada - Lisbon, Portugal (March)
Ānanti – Resort, Residences & Beach Club - Rezevici, Montenegro (April)
Blique by Nobis - Stockholm, Sweden (April)
Britannia Hotel - Trondheim, Norway (April)
Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London - London, England (April)
Pestana Plaza Mayor - Madrid, Spain (April)
Market Street Hotel - Edinburgh, Scotland (May)
The Dupont Circle Hotel - Washington, D.C. (Spring)
Kazerne - Eindhoven, The Netherlands (Spring)
Ruby Lucy - London, England (Summer)
The Standard, London - London, England (Summer)
Sinner - Paris, France (Summer)
Savoy Palace - Madeira Islands, Portugal (Summer)
Cour Des Vosges - Paris, France (Fall)
Emily - Somerset, England (TBD)

Middle East

Al Bait Sharjah - Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (January)
Nobu Hotel Riyadh - Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (October)
Mandarin Oriental, Doha - Doha, Qatar (Winter)

North America

East Austin Hotel - Austin, Texas (January)
Hotel Bennett - Charleston, South Carolina (January)
Roost East Market - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (January)
The Times Square Edition - New York, New York (January)
Moxy Chelsea - New York, New York (February)
Rosewood Miramar Beach - Montecito, California (February)
Farmhouse Catskill - Callicoon Center, New York (March)
Palihotel Westwood Village - Los Angeles, California (March)
The Guild - San Diego, California (March)
1 Hotel West Hollywood - Los Angeles, California (April)
Life House, South Beach - Miami, Florida (April)
Palihouse Miami Beach - Miami, Florida (Spring)
The Last Hotel - St. Louis, Missouri (Spring)
TWA Hotel - New York, New York (Spring)
Shou Sugi Ban House - Water Mill, New York (Spring)
The Lodge at Blue Sky, Auberge Resorts - Park City, Utah (May)
Miraval Berkshires - Lenox, Massachusetts (Summer)
Equinox Hotel - New York, New York (Summer)
Belleview Inn - Belleair, Florida (December 2019)
Hotel Serra San Luis Obispo - San Luis Obispo, California (Winter)
Palihotel San Francisco - San Francisco, California (Winter)
The Blake - New Haven, Connecticut (Winter)
Generator D.C. - Washington, D.C. (TBD)
Bishops Lodge - Santa Fe, New Mexico (TBD)

Oceania

Bailey - Cairns, Australia (Summer)
Coqui Coqui Bora Bora - Bora Bora, French Polynesia (Summer)

Keep Exploring New Hotels

The 15 Hottest Hotel Openings of Fall 2018
The 17 Hottest Hotel Openings of Spring/Summer 2018
The 16 Hottest Hotel Openings of Early 2018