The best new luxury hotels opening in 2024

Exploring exotic destinations, cultures and cuisines are all great reasons to travel. A stay in the latest luxury hotel or resort in one of those destinations is another – and there are some rather fine new hotels opening in 2024.

From laid-back island hangouts to show-stopping architectural marvels in the most iconic cities, these upcoming hotels will allow you to discover classic destinations (or emerging ones) in fresh, unforgettable ways.

Six Senses Kyoto

Opening: April 23, 2024

Japan’s first Six Senses is primed for a grand entrance in the first half of 2024 – and the brand will no doubt be right at home in the former imperial capital of Kyoto, with its design taking inspiration from the past but with plenty of nods to the modern era.

Interiors are adorned in earthy tones of timber and stone.

Situated in front of the Myoho-in temple and Tokyokuni-Jinja shrine, the hotel’s 81 rooms are organised around a central courtyard. As a result, each will enjoy a view that changes with the seasons.

Be sure to stop by the moody cocktail bar for a drink and a chat.

Beyond the chic living quarters, guests will be able to take part in tea ceremonies and spa treatments, as well as feast at the signature sushi restaurant, bar and all-day dining venue.

Gundari Folegandros, Greece

Opening: May 2024

The Greek Isles require little introduction – the blue-domed chapels and whitewashed houses of Santorini, the entrancing living history of Rhodes, to name only a couple. Folegandros is another, and you aren’t alone if you’ve never heard of it. However, you soon will be.

Hand-crafted timber detailing and marble floors adorns every room.

Described as ‘the next big thing’, the ruggedly-beautiful island between Paros and Santorini has thus far flown under the radar of international travellers, but the arrival of Gundari Resort could be the thing that finally puts it on the map.

Villas are an entertainer's dream.

Whether gazing out over an endless blue Aegean from a Junior Suite, relaxing poolside in a stone-clad villa or embracing ‘subterranean chic’ in one of romantic Cave Suites, you’ll be floating on cloud nine from check-in to check out.

Basq House, Byron Bay

Opening: Q2 2024

From one-time hippie haven to high-end hideaway, Byron Bay’s reinvention in recent decades has been extraordinary, in particular its hotelscape. Basq House is the latest hoping to entice travellers seeking an escape of sunshine, surf and sophistication.

Take a dip then while away the hours in a poolside cabana, before exploring the town.

During the day, the hotel’s rooftop will feature zones for yoga, meditation and personal training sessions, while evenings see it switch into a chilled space for sunset drinks and star gazing,  exclusively for hotel guests.

Decor is simple, elegant and stylish.

As for the 32 rooms, each is adorned in a vintage-modern aesthetic – think curved walls and burnt orange tiles, fluted glass and simple yet eye-catching artworks – and features large sliding doors to create a seamless indoor-outdoor flow.

Adelaide Marriott

Opening: mid-2024

Everything old is new again. In the case of Adelaide General Post Office, the historic landmark is being given an entirely new lease on life with an ambitious redevelopment not only restoring it to its former glory but adding a $200 million luxury hotel: Adelaide Marriott.

The distinctive GPO has been part of Adelaide's fabric for over 150 years.

Soaring 15 storeys above the corner of King William and Franklin Streets, the 285-room abode will house two dining options – an all-day restaurant and relaxed lobby lounge – plus a well-equipped fitness studio and an 18m indoor pool.

15 floors of five-star glamour.

Marriott Bonvoy status holders will be pleased to know an M Club executive lounge will indeed be unlocking its doors to eligible guests. And if it’s cut from the same cloth as its siblings, breakfast and refreshments, cocktails and canapes will likely all make an appearance.

InterContinental Lifou Wadra Bay Resort, New Caledonia

Opening: June 1, 2024

Less than three hours flight from Brisbane and Sydney, New Caledonia is regularly described as ‘a slice of France in the South Pacific’, yet the Melanesian Kanak culture and island beauty are also worth travelling for.

Villas feature a super king-sized bed, a living room and a private outdoor Jacuzzi.

The first major hotel on Lifou island, InterContinental Lifou Wadra Bay Resort not only takes liberal design cues from its location but was created in close consultation with local tribes, giving it a strong sense of cultural connection. 

Ömöm restaurant plates up French fare with island flair.

On top of 50 bungalows and villas, you’ll also find an outdoor swimming pool, two restaurants and a bar, while guests can also snorkel in the lagoon – home to turtles, fish, manta rays and other majestic species.

The Eve Hotel Sydney, Surry Hills

Opening: mid-2024

Sydney’s hotel scene is arguably one of the most exciting in the country – for every property that opens or is announced there are countless more waiting in the wings. The Eve Hotel Sydney is among the latest hoping to make its stamp on the city. 

A first-look at the all-new hotel, The Eve.

Nestled in the new Wunderlich Lane precinct linking Surry Hills and Redfern, the 102-room hideaway from TFE Hotels (of The Hotel Britomart and The Calile fame) will feature a lush rooftop deck, swimming pool, bar and restaurant with a fully operable glass roof and walls.

Wunderlich Lane is set beneath a soaring arched ceiling.

Designed by local Adam Haddow, the wider precinct is intended to be a community centre, with a mix of retail outlets, al-fresco dining and design-led commercial and event spaces.

By all accounts, it’ll be a stunning local addition.

The Star Grand, Brisbane

Opening: August 2024

Queen’s Wharf is arguably one of Brisbane’s most anticipated developments – it’s been in the works since mid-2019. At its core of the waterfront mecca is The Star Brisbane mixed-use hotel, casino and dining precinct.

The Star has a leisure deck with not one by three gorgeous swimming pools.

Spanning two arc-shaped towers, The Star Grand is vast – a dazzling hotel featuring a headline restaurant from celebrity chef Luke Nguyen and 360-degree signature cocktail bar, all topped by showpiece Sky Deck.

Raise a glass to the sunset from the Sky Deck.

Views to South Bank and beyond will be enjoyed from many of the hotel’s 340 rooms which, though sharing a similar DNA to its Star Grand siblings in Sydney and the Gold Coast, feature a more contemporary, coastal chic design.

Aman Nai Lert Bangkok

Opening: Q3 2024

Elegant, understated, minimalist. These are all good descriptions of luxury hotel group Aman, whose outposts in New York and Tokyo are frequently cited as touch points for the beauty of simplicity. Bangkok will soon welcome an Aman of its own

The central atrium is a thing of rare beauty.

Close to the hustle and bustle of the city centre, Aman Nai Lert Bangkok will rise 36 storeys above its namesake park and house 52 tasteful suites and around 50 residences. The building itself will be a glittering addition to the city too.

The hotel will also house a Japanese restaurant on the 19th floor.

Naturally, there will be a rooftop infinity pool from which to float and soak in the view (or lounge poolside, if you prefer), with plenty of additional features to be announced closer to its debut.

Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, London

Opening: Q3 2024

Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park is arguably one of London’s most celebrated hotels – a perfect fusion of the old and new. It’ll soon be joined by a younger sibling, with Mandarin Oriental Mayfair primed to open in the northern Autumn.

The hotel is situated on fashionable Hanover Square.

In true MO style, rooms are impeccably-designed and fitted out, replete with hand-painted wallpaper, marble bathrooms and all the high-tech essentials. And The Spa? By all accounts that’s a thing of beauty too.

Akira Black restaurant will plate up modern Japanese with a Korean twist.

Visitors will also get a chance to treat their taste buds at a restaurant from Michelin-starred chef Akira Black, as well as settle in for a drink or two at the chef’s vibey lounge and rooftop bar.

Thompson Palm Springs, California

Opening: September 2024

Palm Springs has long enticed many a well-heeled traveller. Living it up poolside at its mid-century modern motels is almost a rite of passage, yet there are new additions worth checking out (and into). Thompson Palm Springs is one of them.

The hotel takes the place of the originally-planned Andaz Palm Springs.

Nestled in a prime spot amid restaurants and galleries, the hotel boasts 168 beautifully-styled rooms, many of which are located in an adults only wing, plus two gorgeous pools lined with sun lounges and cabanas.

The views alone make the hotel worth checking into.

As for the dining, that takes the form of a signature Middle Eastern restaurant, Lola Rose Grand Mezze and a wine tasting room pouring drops from Hall Napa Valley. A Mediterranean restaurant is set to join them later in the year.

Capella Taipei

Opening: late 2024

Hotel openings of this calibre don’t happen often, which makes the debut of Capella Taipei – an exquisite ‘urban sanctuary’ on the doorstep of arts districts of Taze-Neihu and Songshan Culture Park – all the more exciting.

Suite dreams are guaranteed at Capella Taipei.

Much like its freshly-opened sibling in Sydney, Capella Taipei is elegant from top to bottom, featuring supple furnishings and delicate glass chandeliers, balcony cabanas and unforgettable views. And that’s just in one of its 86 rooms and suites.

The lobby is as grand as you'd expect from Capella.

True to form for Capella, wellness and dining are both essential parts of the experience. Guests have no less than four treatment rooms, a fitness studio and outdoor pool at their disposal to help them detox and refresh, in addition to a French-inspired grill, Japanese omakase restaurant and more.

25 Hours Paddington Sydney

Opening: December 2024

Paddington’s historic West Olympia Theatre site is undergoing an ambitious transformation in the year ahead, with the local icon first opened in 1911 soon to re-emerge as a fresh and sophisticated addition to the 25 Hours Hotels stable.

The hotel's soaring social courtyard.

Renders are indeed stunning. At its heart is a beautifully landscaped garden, while elsewhere in the 109-room boutique hotel you’ll find a ground floor café, restaurant and bar, in addition to a spectacular rooftop bar overlooking Oxford Street.

Rooms pay homage to the site's theatrical origin.

25 Hours Paddington will sit within the Accor portfolio of hotels – meaning ALL loyalty members will be welcomed with open arms. And when it’s time to explore, a smorgasbord of dining options and retail outlets are at your fingertips.

1 Hotel Melbourne

Opening: December 2024

What do Paris, San Francisco and Toronto all have in common? They’re all home to a 1 Hotel – a brand where sustainability is front of mind, from its design to the facilities provided within. Melbourne will soon be added to that list.

The hotel incorporates salvaged timber from the site's original wharf.

Housed in the Seafarers development on the Yarra River, the 277-room 1 Hotel Melbourne is set to feature a distinctly local feel with multiple dining venues and a sleek lobby bar.

1 Hotel Melbourne sits at the south-western edge of the CBD.

Beyond that, hotel guests and residents of the 114 apartments onsite can take advantage of the indoor pool and Bamford Wellness Spa, as well as access to a vast public park.

Nujuma, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Saudi Arabia

Opening: late 2024

The Maldives may be synonymous with overwater bungalows, but Saudi Arabia could soon give the island destination a run for its money. That is, if the debut of Nujuma, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve is any indication.

Dive right into the sea from an overwater villa.

Part of the ambitious Red Sea project, the resort will feature 63 one- to four-bedroom water and beach villas, the latter of which fringe an impressive circular boardwalk, together with 18 branded residences.

The hotel is one of just five Ritz-Carlton Reserves in the world.

Besides snorkelling through clear waters or losing themselves to the view, guests will be able to take a dip in the pool, swing by the spa or take their pick of several delicious dining options.

Auberge Collegio alla Querce, Italy

Opening: 2024 

Although not yet a household name in Australia, Auberge Resorts has a lofty reputation around the globe, with exquisite high-end properties dotted across the United States and Europe.

Biophilic design in practice.

A new addition for the group, Collegio alla Querce in Florence will be one for the history books: a reimagining of 16th-century UNESCO buildings which once housed a school, chapel and theatre, all tucked down a gorgeous cypress-lined cobblestone street.

Relax by the pool or explore the local countryside.

If that didn’t already paint a picture of what to expect from the hotel’s 61 rooms and 20 suites, the five-tier terraced gardens and museum-worthy art collection, wine tasting room, cigar lounge and restaurant certainly will.

Park Hyatt Los Cabos, Mexico

Opening: late 2024/early 2025

An easy 20 minute drive from Mexico’s Cabo San Lucas, Park Hyatt Los Cabos is a true destination hotel. It’s somewhere people will gladly travel for, and when they do, happily while away the hours at the Beach Club or flitting from one restaurant to the next.

Feel the sand between your toes at the Beach Club and Bar.

That said, it’s of course a perfect base to discover Cabo San Lucas’ desert-meets-ocean landscape, play a round on one of the championship golf courses, or perhaps take to the sea on a whale watching tour.

Rooms boast private patios or terraces, many of which have views to the ocean.

Once the adventures are done, the hotel provides everything guests could wish for, including 163 luxury ocean-view rooms and suites, 19 villas and residences, a glamorous day spa and multiple swimming pools calling you to dive right in.

Can’t wait for this next wave of luxury hotels to open? Take a look at some of the notable new hotels from 2023. 

Now open: the best luxury hotels of 2024

Janu Tokyo

Saudi Arabia, Montenegro, Japan… each of these vastly different countries will soon have something in common, as hotel, residence and lifestyle brand ‘Janu’ – an offshoot of Aman Hotels and Resorts – takes up residence in its esteemed capitals.

The hotel features eight restaurants, including Iigura sushi and Janu Grill.

Janu Tokyo is the first cab off the rank. Centred in the vibrant Azabudai Hills neighbourhood, the 122-room hotel houses two boutiques, a 4,000 sqm state-of-the-art Wellness Centre and no less than eight dining venues. (There is no chance of going hungry here.)

The serene Janu Suite is the hotel's star offering.

Rooms span from 55 sqm to 284 sqm – all boast minimalist decor, rain showers and bespoke soaking tubs separated from their bedrooms by sliding partition walls, alongside spacious walk-in wardrobes and inviting living areas.

Little National Newcastle

Size matters in the heady landscape of luxury hotels – space to move and room to breathe are worth their weight in gold, with hotel rooms often priced to suit. Yet there are exceptions.

Enter: Little National, which delivers five-star service without the price tag, with outposts in Sydney, Canberra and now Newcastle.

The exterior of Little National Newcastle.

Each of its 181 rooms is fitted with a superking bed (though the rather lean footprint means you won’t be able to dangle your feet over the end), plus Byredo amenities, T2Tea and a coffee machine, plus free WiFi and movies.

Rooms are light and bright.

Beyond the rooms is a 24hr wellness centre housing Technogym equipment plus a lounge bar and library, where guests will find private working spaces as well as inviting communal areas for a chat.

Pelorus Private Island, Queensland

There’s something undeniably alluring about having an entire island all to yourself – we’ve all dreamed of it one time or another. And though Tom Hanks certainly found a beautiful specimen in Cast Away, that sort of island escape is best left to the silver screen.

Pelorus Private Island from Morris Escapes.
Jason Ierace

Instead, here’s another worth setting your sights on: Pelorus Private Island, the latest addition to the Morris Escapes stable of exclusive properties. As you can see, it’s stunning, and completely yours for the duration of your stay.

A drone's eye view of the exclusive retreat.
Jason Ierace

Accessible by a 30 to 90-minute chopper ride from Cairns or Townsville, Pelorus boasts a single isolated residence by Melbourne design firm Dubois – home to five luxurious suites – surrounded by 400-hectares amid the Great Barrier Reef.

One&Only One Za’abeel Dubai

Dubai is no stranger to high end (and high reaching) hotels. One&Only One Za’abeel is the latest entrant seeking to make a mark on the city, and not just for its rather impressive location in One Za’abeel – a dual tower development featuring the world’s largest cantilever.

You'll feel like a visiting monarch in the Royal Suite.

In addition to exquisitely-furnished rooms and signature suites, the hotel’s home to 11 dining options, six of which are from Michelin chefs including Dabiz Muñoz (of world #3 restaurant DiverXO), Sophie-Anne Pic and Japanese-Australian hero Tetsuya Wakuda.

The Link cantilever is artfully poised between One Za'abeel's dual towers.

Beyond rooms and restaurants, guests will find the UAE’s longest infinity pool perched 27 storeys up, together with a lagoon-style pool with swim-up bar down on level four.

InterContinental Auckland

The City of Sails recently welcomed the all-new InterContinental Auckland, a 139-room and suite hotel boasting direct access to the trendy Commercial Bay precinct. Oh, and the views are next level.

The hotel is part of the IHG Hotels & Resorts family.

Overlooking Waitemata Harbour, rooms and suites all feature a warm palette with liberal use of timber and glass, along with now-essential staples like free WiFi, smart TVs with Bluetooth soundbars and casting technology.

You'll feel like a head of state you moment you enter the Presidential Suite.

The signature restaurant Advieh from chef Gareth Stewart is said to offer “a world-class experience with a contemporary twist on Middle Eastern-inspired cuisine, championing New Zealand’s finest produce.” In other words, a delicious feast.

Todos Santos Boutique Hotel

There’s a lot to be said for ‘quality over quantity’. And quality is something Todos Santos Boutique Hotel, an intimate 10-room escape around an hour north of Los Cabos on Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, delivers in spades.

The hotel has brought an 1890s heritage landmark back to life.

Part of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World family, it’s a place where every detail, no matter how small, has been carefully considered and expertly executed, from the rust-red brick arches to hand-painted frescoes echoing the colours of the surrounding desert.

One of its upper level villas.

It’s amenities are all top notch too, namely the globally-inspired 1890 restaurant and timeless elegance of La Copa bar, in addition to a heated pool and rooftop terrace.

The StandardX, Melbourne

Melbourne has attracted some stellar properties in recent years: The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne and Le Méridien, to name a couple. The Victorian capital has now added another to the list, following the debut of The StandardX in Fitzroy. 

The rust-red exterior is sure to stand out.

A fresh brand for The Standard – a group known for its vintage-styled hotels in Miami, Hollywood and Ibiza, to name a few – The StandardX is inspired by the artistic roots of its location and imbued with ‘the rebellious spirit of the 70s and 80s’. 

All-day restaurant BANG is a showcase for the bold street flavours of Thailand.

Designed by architectural firm Woods Bagot, with interiors created by The Standard and Hecker Guthrie, the 125-room hotel is also home to a trio of dining options: The Roof (exclusive to guests), alongside Thai diner BANG and BOX, a go-to for snacks and drinks. 

SIRO Dubai

Housed within the captivating One Za’abeel complex alongside the One&Only Za’abeel resort, SIRO Dubai is a premium hotel focused around holistic fitness and wellbeing.

Hosted activities include cycling, hiking, boxing, climbing, and parkour.

A near-1,000 square metre gym and recovery lab (physiotherapy, acupuncture, oxygen therapy) spanning two floors is the star attraction, while rooms will have a strong wellness focus. The views are next level also.

The Recovery Suite goes far beyond your hotel room inclusions.

Rather than just leaving guests to work out solo, a team of fitness and wellbeing experts are on hand to provide guidance and coaching. Programs will focus on five experience pillars for guests: fitness, nutrition, sleep, recovery and mindfulness.

SOHO Hotel Auckland

Auckland is home to a concise but supremely lavish selection of luxury hotels. Its ranks have recently swelled by one, with SOHO Hotel Auckland now inviting guests to sleep, dine or pamper themselves at the spa.

An artist's impression of what awaits inside SOHO Hotel Auckland.

Inspired by the giddy Art Deco decor of the early 20th century, it’s a hotel where clean lines and gleaming metallic trims set the scene, leading through to rooms adorned in soft furnishings you just want to reach out and touch.

This Deluxe Room contains everything needed for a relaxed stay.

Of course, it’s not just about the rooms – Tiger Bar & Restaurant dishes up delicious Asian fusion fare, while Café Luxe provides a casual option for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Atami Izusan KARAKU, Japan

Sitting pretty on a hilltop overlooking Sagami Bay, a mere 45 minutes by rail from Tokyo, Atami Izusan KARAKU is paradise for onsen lovers. In addition to infinity-edge communal baths that seamlessly blend into the sea view, every room has its own open-air tub.

An open-air bath overlooking Sagami Bay.

Around 7 minutes by car from JR Atami Station, the Shizuoka Prefecture hotel is ideal for repeat visitors to Japan – those who’ve ticked off the famed sights of Tokyo, Kyoto or Osaka and now want to explore further afield. And there’s a lot to discover in Shizuoka.

One of the hotel's 57 rooms.

Izusan Jinja Shrine (a site of pilgrimage for lovers) is just five minutes away, while the similarly-distanced MOA Museum of Art is impressive both inside and out.