The world’s first Ritz-Carlton Lodge and four more luxury hotels set to open in Australia

Forty lodges with private pools at the bottom of a wild valley in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney: the world’s first Ritz-Carlton Lodge will open in early 2027 rather than mid-2026, Emirates confirmed on 13 October 2026. Four more luxury hotels will open in Australia by the end of 2027, from Sydney Harbour to the vineyards of the Yarra Valley and the Hunter Valley. We checked every address against its official source: opening dates, room counts and first prices.

☰Contents

1. The first Ritz-Carlton Lodge, delayed until 2027
2. 40 lodges with private pools, all-inclusive
3. Sydney gets a Waldorf Astoria by Kengo Kuma
4. How much is a night at The Grand Saddles Lodge?
5. Yarra Valley: 33 suites among the vines
6. Hunter Valley: 65 villas and a 1,000 m² spa

The first Ritz-Carlton Lodge, delayed until 2027

Emirates and Marriott International signed an agreement in January 2026 to turn the former Wolgan Valley resort into the world’s first Ritz-Carlton Lodge. The opening, initially promised for mid-2026, is now expected in early 2027, according to Emirates’ statement of 13 October 2026. The property had been closed since 2023, when its access road, Wolgan Valley Road, was cut off. The airline has invested 150 million Australian dollars in the site since 2006 and is adding 50 million for the renovation with Marriott; guests will arrive by 4×4 along a mountain track, the Donkey Steps, or by helicopter.

40 lodges with private pools, all-inclusive

The lodge sits within a 7,000-acre nature reserve, roughly 2,830 hectares, in the Greater Blue Mountains area, a Unesco World Heritage Site. Each of its 40 stand-alone lodges will have a private pool, on an all-inclusive basis. Around them: an outdoor pool, tennis courts, stables, a fitness room, The Ritz-Carlton Spa and a nature hub led by a resident naturalist. The original homestead, built in 1832, is being restored.

As for dining, The Dining Room will serve seasonal Australian cuisine with a sunset terrace, The Lounge will offer kitchen-garden lunches, and the “1832 Fire Feast” open-fire dinners will recall the estate’s history. Reservations are not yet open.

Sydney gets a Waldorf Astoria by Kengo Kuma

Australia’s first Waldorf Astoria will open in 2027 at One Circular Quay, on Sydney Harbour. Its 28-storey tower is designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma, with Crone Architects, and will house 220 keys: 179 rooms and 41 suites. The owner and developer is Fiveight, and the general manager will be Marlene Poynder.

In July 2026, Hilton entrusted both restaurants to chef Curtis Stone, born in Melbourne, who will open his first restaurant in Australia here; one of them will sit on the 25th floor. The Waldorf Astoria Spa, a rooftop bar and a Peacock Alley lounge complete the line-up. Rates have not yet been published.

How much is a night at The Grand Saddles Lodge?

At Mount White, on the Central Coast, less than an hour from Sydney, The Grand Saddles Lodge will welcome its first guests on 2 November 2026. Conceived by John Singleton opposite Saddles’ restaurant The Homestead, it has just 20 suites of 54 m², each with a fireplace and terrace, in three categories: The Gardens overlooking the garden, The Classics with a private 3.5 m heated plunge pool, and The Signatures with a 4.6 m pool and a balcony over the hinterland.

Stays are all-inclusive, with a two-night minimum: breakfast, lunch, a five-course dinner with wine pairings at The Hawkesbury, minibar and two excursions with transfers. Allow 3,800 AUD for two nights for two, or 1,900 AUD a night, in a suite in The Gardens category from 13 to 15 November 2026 (official website, checked on 22 October 2026). The lodge also has a piano bar, Ned’s Piano Bar, a spa with saunas and cold plunges, an infinity pool and a gym.

Yarra Valley: 33 suites among the vines

In the Yarra Valley, east of Melbourne, the Levantine Hill wine estate plans to open its hotel in late 2026. Its 33 suites, designed by Fender Katsalidis, will each have a lounge and a private balcony overlooking the vines or the mountains. The largest, the Optume Suite, measures 123 m² and hides a large circular bathtub. Dinner at the estate’s one-hatted restaurant will be available as an option; Coldstream is a 20-minute helicopter ride from Melbourne. Rates have not yet been published.

Hunter Valley: 65 villas and a 1,000 m² spa

In the second half of 2027, HVL Hotels will open Laval Hunter Valley on 165 acres (about 67 hectares) in Pokolbin, on the former Lindeman’s and Ben Ean wine estates. According to Destination NSW, the New South Wales tourism board, it is the region’s first new luxury resort of this size in 20 years: 65 pavilion villas, a helipad and a butler service.

The Veraia spa will cover 1,000 m² with 15 treatment rooms, next to a 25 m pool lined with red tiles. The Vallery restaurant will be led by chef Justin North, with a 10,000-bottle cellar, and 13 large sculptures by Gillie & Marc will dot the estate. Elsewhere in Australia, read our article on Peppers Clear Mountain, reopened near Brisbane, and find all of this year’s addresses in our guide to luxury hotel openings in 2027.