LTI – Luxury Travel Intelligence reveals its definitive list of the world’s best new luxury hotels every year – properties that don’t just open doors, but set new benchmarks for design, experience, sustainability and storytelling.

From ultra-urban sanctuaries to remote wilderness lodges, this year’s Best New Luxury Hotels of 2025 span continents, cultures and travel styles. And, among them, one proudly South African destination – which I’ve recently reviewed right here on the blog – stands out for its innovation, purpose and breathtaking sense of place.

Here are LTI – Luxury Travel Intelligence’s top 15 global arrivals for 2025, ranked from first to last:

1. The Chancery, Rosewood

Taking the top honour as World’s Best New Luxury Hotel 2025, The Chancery marks Rosewood’s most ambitious London opening to date. While three of Rosewood’s properties have been included in this year’s list, this all-suite urban retreat came in at the top, delivering understated grandeur with eight dining and bar concepts and its Asaya Spa which is a destination in its own. In a city where luxury hotels must truly excel to stand out, The Chancery does so with confidence and finesse.

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2. &Beyond Suyian Lodge

Landing second on the list of the world’s best new luxury hotels, &Beyond’s Suyian Lodge in Kenya’s dramatic Laikipia landscape redefines adventure-led luxury. Fourteen standalone, one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites are perfectly positioned for sunrise views and absolute privacy. Domed ceilings, stone bathtubs and skylit showers create total immersion in nature. Ultimately, this destination is a soulful blend of exploration, comfort and conservation.

3. Aman Bangkok

Aman’s first urban sanctuary in Thailand proves that tranquillity can exist even in one of the world’s most dynamic cities. Calm courtyards, incredibly intuitive service and refined dining – from Japanese omakase to elegant Italian fare – make this a haven for travellers who value discretion, design and deeply restorative experiences.

4. Collegio alla Querce – Auberge Collection

Once a boarding school, this poetic Florentine retreat has been reimagined into an art-filled luxury hotel set across historic buildings, manicured gardens, an original chapel and even a theatre. Romantic, layered and culturally rich with a rarefied art collection and distinct architecture, this property (which dates back to the Italian Renaissance) is quickly becoming one of Florence’s most coveted addresses.

5. Orient Express La Minerva

Orient Express made its highly anticipated hotel debut in Rome with this glamorous reimagining of a historic palazzo near the Pantheon. With 93 rooms and suites, bespoke Italian craftsmanship and signature dining, La Minerva signals a bold new era for the legendary travel brand beyond rail.

6. Faena New York City

The unmistakable Faena aesthetic arrived in Manhattan following successful launches in Buenos Aires and Miami Beach. Featuring 120 dramatic rooms and suites with floor-to-ceiling windows and skyline views, this is the ultimate luxury New York City stay. In addition, Francis Mallmann’s flame-led La Boca restaurant, focuses on Patagonian fire-cooking techniques and features pop-art murals by Edgardo Gimenez, aiding in the hotel’s blend of theatrical luxury with serious culinary credentials.

7. Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab

Inspired by a superyacht silhouette, this striking Dubai resort delivers large-scale luxury with utter elegance. It features 300 guest rooms and 86 suites with ocean-view terraces. Rooted in Dubai’s rich heritage, guests can expect an ultra-modern marina, elevated wellness offerings and culinary experiences grounded in Jumeirah’s signature Arabian hospitality.

8. Mandarin Oriental Vienna

Located on Vienna’s UNESCO-listed Ringstrasse, the latest addition to the esteemed Mandarin Oriental portfolio blends Art Nouveau grandeur with modern refinement. With beautiful ceilings, grand staircases, marble baths and a glass-covered courtyard, a stay in one of the 138 rooms and suites offers a serene yet social city stay.

9. Few & Far Luvhondo Lodge

One of the most meaningful luxury openings of the year, Few & Far Luvhondo Lodge places South Africa firmly on the global luxury travel map.

Set within 100,000 hectares of untouched wilderness in Limpopo’s Soutpansberg Mountains, this South African destination is another one of the world’s best new luxury hotels. This eco-forward lodge features just six dramatic cliffside suites overlooking the UNESCO-listed Vhembe Biosphere Reserve – one of the most biologically diverse regions on Earth.

Luvhondo is not about excess, but intention: purpose-driven travel, regenerative tourism, deep connection to landscape and complete privacy. It’s a powerful reminder that Africa continues to lead the world in experiential, conservation-led luxury.

READ: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FEW & FAR LUVHONDO BEFORE YOU GO

10. Rocco Forte Hotel Carlton

Rocco Forte Hotels’ tenth Italian property arrived following a meticulous $60 million investment. The Carlton Milan’s 71 exceptional rooms and suites blend contemporary elegance with subtle Art Deco nods, while its aperitivo-driven bar captures the essence of the Italian culture.

11. The Oberoi Rajgarh Palace

This landmark in the Managad Hills of Madhya Pradesh – a palace dating back three and a half centuries – has been exquisitely restored into a 66-room, Indian retreat by The Oberoi Group. Spread across a 70-acre estate, it preserves original architecture, flora and cultural heritage while offering refined modern hospitality.

12. Rosewood Courchevel

Rosewood’s first winter resort and second French property brings mid-century glamour to the Jardin Alpin district of Courchevel 1850. It blends nostalgic Alpine charm from the 1960s with contemporary luxury, enhancing the prestige of one of the world’s top ski resorts.

13. The Twenty Two New York

Following the success of its London flagship, The Twenty Two has now expanded to Manhattan’s Union Square. With 17 suites, a rooftop penthouse with panoramic views and the buzzy, in-house Café Zaffri, it’s nearly twice the size of its London-based sister property and quickly becoming a favourite among New York’s creative and fashion-forward travellers.

14. Rosewood Mandarina

After nearly a decade in development, Rosewood Mandarina introduces a soulful new luxury retreat on Mexico’s Pacific coast – the start of a new era of luxury hospitality in this region. The all-suite property celebrates the vibrant charm and cultural richness of the Pacific coast, as well as timeless connection with the natural surrounds and meaningful exploration.

15. Nekajui, Ritz-Carlton Reserve

Set within the biodiverse, unspoiled natural beauty of Costa Rica’s Peninsula Papagayo, Nekajui offers secluded ocean-facing suites and luxury treetop tents that blur the line between indoor and outdoor living. Ultimately, it’s a serene, nature-first escape that honours Costa Rica’s landscapes and rich cultural heritage.

Perhaps one of the world’s best new luxury hotels is your sign to start your 2026 travel bucket list! Which is your first choice?

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