THE FUTURE IS REMOTE: HOTELS DEFINING LUXURY IN 2026
words by MATTHIAS EYCKMANS
Luxury travel is evolving, and 2026 promises to be a landmark year for experiences that combine design, wellness, and culture. There is a distinct shift on the horizon: luxury is no longer measured purely by scale or opulence, but by intimacy, personalisation, and the way a property connects guests to its surroundings. From remote desert hideaways to urban sanctuaries and private island retreats, the most anticipated hotel openings next year are redefining what it means to travel in style.
IMMERSIVE NATURE RETREATS
image courtesy of AMAN
The growing demand for solitude and connection with nature is reflected in next year’s most anticipated remote hotels. Amanvari in Baja California, Mexico, opens its doors with 18 casitas and private residences, where desert landscapes meet the turquoise Sea of Cortés. Artisanal Mexican details, open courtyards, and private pools complement wellness programs at the Aman Spa and globally inspired cuisine.
image courtesy of RITZ-CARLTON
Nearby, Siari, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve offers Pacific-view villas with private terraces and pools, regional flavours infused with international flair, and mindfulness-focused spa experiences, creating a serene oceanfront escape.
image courtesy of SILVERSEA
In South America, The Cormorant at 55 South immerses guests in the raw beauty of Patagonia, with panoramic Beagle Channel views, artisanal dining, and nature-centred wellness programs that make isolation feel luxurious. Similarly,
image courtesy of WHITE ELEPHANT ASPEN
White Elephant Aspen blends alpine charm with contemporary design, seasonal cuisine, and ski-focused wellness programs, proving that mountain retreats can be both active and indulgent.
image courtesy of THE MALKAI
Across continents, The Malkai in Oman fuses desert and coastal landscapes with villas inspired by Omani heritage, private pools, and wellness programs, while Waimarino Lodge in New Zealand and Ubuyu, a Banyan Tree Escape in Tanzania offer remote retreats that balance open-air living with bespoke experiences in pristine wilderness settings.
image courtesy of VINETA
Even in Florida, Vineta redefines coastal luxury with ocean-facing suites, spa treatments, and beach fitness programs that combine sun, sea, and style.
image courtesy of CAPELLA DIRIYAH
The Middle East adds Capella Diriyah in Riyadh, blending Arabian tradition with modern luxury, and Capella Kyoto, near Japan’s serene temples, which emphasises minimalist design, kaiseki cuisine, and forest bathing.
image courtesy of SIX SENSES
Meanwhile, Six Senses Amaala on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast offers eco-conscious villas with private beaches, holistic wellness, and curated cultural programming.
URBAN AND CULTURAL LUXE
image courtesy of AUBERGE
Luxury is also taking a refined turn in cities, where historic architecture meets contemporary design and curated experiences. In London, Cambridge House, Auberge Collection revives a Mayfair building as a hotel and social club with 102 rooms, sophisticated dining, intimate bars, and wellness spanning three floors.
image courtesy of LA RÉSERVE
Florence’s La Réserve Firenze pairs Renaissance elegance with modern comfort , offering private terraces, Michelin-level dining, and wellness programs that make a short city stay restorative.
image courtesy of EDITION HOTELS
Northern Italy’s Castel Badia offers alpine luxury with sweeping mountain views, cozy interiors, and seasonal wellness programs, while The Lake Como EDITION blends contemporary design with the region’s natural beauty for lakeside sophistication.
image courtesy of ORIENT EXPRESS
Venice welcomes Orient Express Venezia, where historic architecture meets curated cultural excursions, private boat tours, and refined local cuisine.
image courtesy of SIX SENSES
Urban wellness finds a home in Milan at Six Senses Milan, combining fashion capital energy with spa treatments, sustainable dining, and mindfulness programs that allow travelers to find balance amid the city’s pace.
ISLAND AND COASTAL SANCTUARIES
image courtesy of FREGATE
For travellers seeking sun, privacy, and water-centric luxury, island and coastal resorts define a new standard. Fregate Island Private in the Seychelles offers sixteen villas with infinity pools, bespoke spa treatments, and yoga programs, ensuring full immersion in nature.
image courtesy of NA PRAIA
Portugal’s Na Praia, set among sand dunes and rice fields, emphasises understated elegance with open-plan villas, private pools, and beach meditation programs.
image courtesy of ROSEWOOD
The Red Sea is home to Rosewood Red Sea, offering oceanfront villas, holistic spa treatments, water sports, and cuisine that blends modern design with local inspiration.
image courtesy of ROSEWOOD
The Mediterranean presents Rosewood Blue Palace in Crete with cliffside suites, private pools, and yoga studios, alongside Zannier Île de Bendor in Provence, a private island retreat emphasising elegant villas, regional gastronomy, and holistic wellness programs.
LOOKING AHEAD
image courtesy of AMAN
Whether it’s a desert hideaway in Saudi Arabia, a Renaissance-inspired urban retreat in Florence, or a private island in the Seychelles, 2026’s hotel openings reflect a clear trend: luxury is intimate, immersive, and designed to create transformative experiences. Architecture, gastronomy, wellness, and culture intersect in ways that make each stay feel personal and meaningful. For travellers seeking depth, discovery, and refined experiences, 2026 offers destinations where every journey is a story and every stay an opportunity to reconnect, with oneself, the environment, and the art of living well.