The New Hotels That Will Define 2026 Around the Globe

The year 2026 is set to bring exciting new experiences for travel enthusiasts and people seeking exceptional stays. Around the world, prestigious hotels are preparing to open, redefining the standards of luxury, design, and hospitality.

Here’s a roundup of the most eagerly awaited establishments, from Sardinia to Budapest and onward to Kuala Lumpur, Zanzibar, and beyond.

The JW Marriott Costa Elena in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, will be one of the first all-inclusive in Costa Rica under this namesake Marriott brand.

Marriott is renovating this property near Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport, and plans have it boasting 415 guest rooms, 11 restaurants, bars, and snack bars, a spa and fitness facility, meeting spaces, and a whopping 44,000 square feet of water amenities, which include 17 (!) swimming pools.

This luxurious property is also set to showcase 800+ feet of beach frontage, where guests can soak up the sun, listen to the waves, and take in all the pura vida vibes.

A little further north in Mexico, the Perla La Paz, part of the Tapestry Collection by Hilton, is also set to open in June 2026.

Offering 90 rooms and 2 restaurants within a historic building next to the La Paz board – Malecón – this ocean-view location is perfect for relaxing next to Sea of Cortez and indulging in a couple cold cervezas and piles of fresh ceviche.

For those looking to stretch their legs a little further, the location is a perfect jumping-off point for tours to see the whale sharks, for fishing expeditions, and for a trip further down the coast to Todos Santos (near Los Cabos and Cabo San Lucas), one of Mexico’s captivating Pueblos Mágicos.

The Motto by Hilton Guadalajara Centro Historico is scheduled to open in 2026, giving visitors to the beautiful and historic city of Guadalajara, Mexico, a convenient place to stay near popular attractions like the Guadalajara Cathedral and the Degollado Theater.

The hotel will have 8 floors and offer 154 rooms that, while small, are thoughtfully designed to provide everything you need for a comfortable and restful stay.

We can only hope that this well-located property opens in time to help out with the influx of World Cup fans looking for accommodation this summer.

Le Méridien Toronto Pinnacle Hotel is set to open its doors on Toronto’s revitalized waterfront in the summer of 2026, offering guests the option of both lake and city views from one of the tallest skyscrapers in Canada.

The hotel will have a spa, sauna, steam room, fitness centre, and outdoor pool, as well as 2 on-site restaurants (with, of course, many more restaurants available in Toronto’s vibrant downtown, a short walk or drive away).

Conveniently located near the Scotiabank Arena, Rogers Centre, CN Tower, and more, Le Méridien Toronto Pinnacle Hotel gives you easy access to sports, theatre, live music, and everything else that Toronto has to offer. The hotel is also within a 15 drive of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, adding another level of convenience.

Nestled into the small village of Polto Quatu, the W Sardinia, opened in 2026, is located minutes from the beach and next to the local marina, offering unique landscapes and the sparkling turquoise water of the Mediterranean Sea.

Showing off Sardinia’s heritage and culture in its design, the property includes 154 guest rooms and suites, 4 on-site restaurants, a fitness centre, and a stunning outdoor pool with loungers perfectly positioned for you to relax in the sunshine of this beautiful Italian island.

Located in the iconic Klotild Palace next the Danube river, the St. Regis Budapest will open in 2026 and provide 63 guest rooms and 39 luxurious suites for visitors to this spectacular city.

During your stay, you can enjoy the property’s multiple dining options, which include a sushi restaurant, patisserie, bar, and café, as well as the event spaces, fitness centre, and an on-site spa, which features a pool, sauna, hammam, three treatment rooms, and more.

When heading beyond the hotel walls, visitors can relax at one of the city’s renowned thermal baths, take a tour of the stunning architecture, and wrap up their day with a drink at one of the famous ruin bars.

Reopening after a considerable renovation to the original 1963 establishment, the Conrad Athens – The Ilisian will have 307 guest rooms and suites as well as the exclusive Conrad Residences and Waldorf Astoria Residences.

Conveniently located, this iconic property offers views of the Acropolis and gives visitors easy access to historic sites and museums, gorgeous green space, luxurious shopping, and fabulous dining options, putting you walking distance from everything you could need.

Within the hotel, you’ll find a full-service spa, a running track, one of the largest hotel pools in the Grecian capital city, nine restaurants and bars, a large event space, and more — all designed to meet the Conrad brand’s highest standard.

Located within The Whiteley, a West London landmark near the colourful Notting Hill neighbourhood, Six Sense London, will open 2026 with 109 rooms and suites and 14 branded residences.

The property has a restaurant, bar, and café, alongside other amenities like the fitness center and the expansive spa, which features cryotherapy, floatation tanks, saunas, steam rooms, treatment options, and more.

Yrti Norway will open in Spring 2026 on Norway’s Traena Islands, which straddle the Arctic Circle and are approximately a 30-mile ferry ride away from the mainland.

With only around 500 permanent residence, the islands are a secluded destination for those looking to explore this Nordic land of midnight sun.

The new high-end hotel is aesthetically inspired by traditional fishing villages and will offer 38 rooms, a seafood-focused restaurant, a sauna next to the ocean, and many activities inspired by its natural surroundings, including hiking, scallop diving, and canoeing.

New for 2026, the JW Marriott Mount Kenya Rhino Reserve Safari Camp, located in the renowned Solio Conservancy, connects visitors with Kenya’s stunning natural environment, and offers sightings of both white rhinos and the endangered black rhinos, as well as other indigenous wildlife like lions, cheetahs, zebras, and more.

This all-inclusive property offers private tented suites, a restaurant and bar, private and shared pools, and a spa. Additionally, while visiting, guests can take part in memorable activities like horseback riding safaris, nighttime game drives, and visits to a private rhino orphanage.

For those looking to enjoy a trip to one the spectacular African islands, the newly opened Turaco Nungwi Resort, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel, in Zanzibar, Tanzania, is an excellent choice.

The property features 90+ rooms offering views of the pool, the lush tropical jungle, or the gorgeous Indian Ocean, alongside 4 on-site restaurants, a bar, a pool and swim-up bar, and a wellness center.

During your visit, be sure to take a stroll over to the nearby Nungwi village, where you can explore the culture, the fish market, the boat craftsmanship, and the local arts and crafts.

The opening of the JW Marriott Hotel Tashkent marks the first property for this brand in Uzbekistan. Showcasing 287 rooms and suites, multiple restaurants, a wellness centre, meeting spaces, an Executive Lounge for eligible Marriott Bonvoy Elite members, the brand’s signature JW Garden, and more, this hotel is set to welcome visitors to Uzbekistan and help showcase the region’s spectacular history, culture, and hospitality.

The Waldorf Astoria Kuala Lumpur, located in the city’s Golden Triangle, will open in late 2026, putting visitors steps away from desirable shopping and attractions such as the Petronas Towers, KLCC Park, Pavilion Mall, Bukit Bintang, Menara Kuala Lumpur, and more.

Offering 268 guest rooms, including suites, as well as ample meeting rooms and event space, including Grand Ballroom that’s well-equipped for weddings and galas, the hotel is also home to 5 restaurants, an outdoor pool, and a spa, all providing a fantastic and elegant respite from the hustle and heat of the city streets.

The Imperial Hotel Kyoto in Japan had its grand opening on March 5, 2026, welcoming guests to the renovated historic Yasaka Kaikan, a nationally registered tangible cultural property originally constructed in 1936.

Located just off Kyoto’s Gion neighbourhood’s Hanamikoji-dori street, the hotel offers 55 rooms, 4 restaurants and bars, a boutique pastry shop, and a wellness retreat, with the property’s blend of traditional Japanese style and architecture combining seamlessly with modern attributes to create beautiful and peaceful spaces throughout.

You can stay for free or at a lower cost at these new hotels, thanks to your points and rewards.

For Canadians, the Marriott Bonvoy^® American Express^®* Card and the Marriott Bonvoy^® Business American Express^®* Card allow you to earn points quickly on everyday purchases and especially on stays at Marriott Bonvoy hotels. Additionally, each of these cards offer an annual free night certificate, automatic Silver Elite status, and an attractive welcome bonus.

As for Hilton Group hotels, it is also possible to benefit from the advantages of the American Express Platinum Card^® or the Business Platinum Card^® from American Express which each entitle you to complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status. You can also transfer your accumulated Membership Rewards points to the Hilton Honors program and exchange these for free nights.

Hotels from other hotel groups and independent hotels are also accessible with flexible travel rewards like Scotiabank’s Scene+ points, earned with eligible credit cards like the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card. Read our guide to saving on hotels with points to set your strategy and be among the first to stay at one of these new hotels.

In 2026, these new hotels promise to redefine luxury and hospitality around the world, and we hope that these properties have helped inspire you to start planning your next adventure abroad.

Unforgettable travel and stays await!