By Raphaël Simon | Saturday 07 February 2026
In the constantly evolving landscape of luxury hospitality, some openings transcend mere events to become cultural milestones. In 2026, four addresses are set to redefine the exceptional travel experience, each in its own way. From Venice to Zambia, via Saudi Arabia and Mexico, these sanctuaries of refinement embody a renewed vision of contemporary luxury.
Here is our exclusive selection of the year’s most anticipated openings.
1. Airelles Palladio, Venezia, Italy
Venice, Italy · Opening: 1st April 2026 · The Venetian Address
Some places allow history to be felt with every step. Giudecca Island, a preserved residential area that Venetians have always favoured to escape the hustle and bustle of San Marco, welcomes the ninth Airelles property, and its first outside France.
Airelles Palladio, Venezia hotel occupies a unique location: three historic 16th-century buildings, including the famous Palladio designed by Andrea Palladio himself, and the Santa Maria della Presentazione church. The complex spans nearly one hectare of Mediterranean gardens, facing the Giudecca Canal, with an unobstructed view of St. Mark’s Square.
A site steeped in history: these walls once housed the Zitelle Institute, dedicated to the education of young Venetian women, before becoming a residence for artists and intellectuals. Today, driven by the Airelles group, this heritage is reclaiming its vocation for hospitality, meticulously restored with respect for the Venetian soul.
The Architecture of Enchantment
Christophe Tollemer, the interior architect who shaped the aesthetic of all Airelles properties, has orchestrated a subtle conversation between Venetian heritage and French expertise. Original terrazzo, Carrara marble, Murano glass, and Rubelli fabrics converse with French antiques and precious Parisian textiles.
45 keys and suites each tell their own story of refinement, respectful of Venetian tradition while offering the contemporary comfort expected of an Airelles property.
A private three-bedroom villa with a garden and swimming pool offers complete independence, while a four-bedroom presidential suite commands spectacular views of Venice’s historic monuments.
A Gastronomic Constellation
What truly distinguishes Airelles Palladio is its unprecedented culinary programme. Four internationally renowned chefs, each making their debut in Venice, converge to create a gastronomic destination in its own right.
Nobu Matsuhisa opens his first Venetian restaurant, Matsuhisa, bringing his iconic Japanese cuisine tinged with Peruvian influences. Evenings there reveal signature dishes and an omakase menu, a style still rare in the Serene City.
Jean-Georges Vongerichten transplants abc kitchens Palladio from New York, Tokyo, and London. Designed as a relaxed all-day space, the restaurant draws on Venetian and Mediterranean flavours, open to residents and Venetians alike.
Norbert Niederkofler, a three-Michelin-starred chef from the Dolomites, heads Villa Frollo, an evening restaurant housed in a historic villa on the property. His “Cook the Lagoon” menu reinterprets Venetian classics with ingredients sourced from the surrounding waters and lands, reflecting his close relationships with local producers.
Cédric Grolet, a master pastry chef known for his trompe-l’œil creations in the shape of fruits and flowers, oversees desserts and pastries throughout the hotel. For Venice, he is developing a new repertoire of pastries inspired by traditional Italian sweet treats.
“This constellation marks a Venetian debut for each of our chefs,” says Étienne Petitpez, General Manager of Airelles Palladio. “We are enthusiastic about contributing to and enriching the city’s culinary heritage.”
Venetian Wellbeing
A 1,700 sq m spa and wellness centre anchors the experience in the contemporary quest for balance. Three swimming pools dot the estate, while a kids’ club allows families to fully enjoy Venice.
The lush, Mediterranean gardens offer a rare haven of peace in a city where every square metre counts. It is here, in these preserved green spaces, that the Airelles spirit finds its most authentic expression: an art de vivre where time catches its breath.
Practical Information: Airelles Palladio, Venezia
📍 Giudecca Island, Venice
📅 Opening: 1st April 2026
🏨 45 rooms and suites + 1 private villa + 1 presidential suite
🍽️ 4 restaurants (Matsuhisa, abc kitchens Palladio, Villa Frollo, Cédric Grolet pastries)
💆 1,700 sq m Spa | 3 swimming pools | Kids’ club
🔗 venezia.airelles.com
2. Six Senses AMAALA, Saudi Arabia
Triple Bay, Saudi Arabia · Opening: Spring/Summer 2026
AMAALA, whose name derives from the Arabic word meaning “hope” and the Sanskrit word evoking “purity”, extends over 4,155 square kilometres along the Red Sea coast. Accessible from Riyadh, Dubai, and Istanbul, with Paris, Rome, Berlin, and Mumbai less than a six-hour flight away, this destination embodies Saudi Arabia’s ambition to redefine luxury tourism in the Middle East.
On the shores of the Red Sea, a gateway to coastal wellbeing
The Saudi Vision
Six Senses AMAALA will be one of six luxury resorts inaugurating Triple Bay, accompanied by a yacht club, a marine life institute, and world-class sports facilities. A holistic vision of wellbeing articulated around three pillars: “wellness and sports”, “arts and culture”, and “sea, sun, and lifestyle”.
Architecture in Harmony
The beachfront residences, the hillside village, and private villas draw inspiration from traditional coastal villages in the region. Six Senses’ contemporary architecture dialogues with the dramatic landscape where desert meets sea, offering panoramic views of Hijaz Cove and its iridescent blue lagoons.
64 rooms, 6 suites, 30 villas, and 25 branded residences make up this intimate sanctuary. Each space has been designed to celebrate light, natural materials, and integration with the environment.
To the north, the village opens onto the long, wind-swept beaches of Hijaz Cove, housing a beach restaurant, a family pool, and the branded residences. To the south, the village leads to natural rock pools, pocket beaches, and a mangrove boardwalk leading to the Six Senses Spa, nestled in a private cove.
The Wellbeing Sanctuary
The Six Senses Spa represents the beating heart of the resort. Sleep programmes, yoga, fitness, detox, longevity, and biohacking comprise an exhaustive offering dedicated to complete regeneration.
This holistic approach to wellbeing extends to all aspects of the stay: nutrition-focused cuisine, adapted physical activities, guided meditation at sunrise facing the Red Sea, and treatment rituals inspired by ancient traditions of the region.
A Preserved Ecosystem
AMAALA stands out for its environmental commitment. Red Sea Global, the project developer, has placed marine preservation at the heart of its mission. The marine life institute adjacent to the resort will conduct research on coral restoration and the protection of the Red Sea’s fragile ecosystems.
The activities on offer · diving, snorkelling, sailing · will allow guests to discover one of the world’s richest marine ecosystems, with over 1,000 fish species and 300 coral varieties.
Practical Information: Six Senses AMAALA, Saudi Arabia
📍 Triple Bay, AMAALA, Red Sea, Saudi Arabia
📅 Opening: Spring/Summer 2026
🏨 64 rooms | 6 suites | 30 villas | 25 residences
💆 Six Senses Spa | Holistic wellbeing programmes
🌊 Private access to the Red Sea | Marine life institute
🔗 sixsenses.com/amaala
3. Amanvari Hotel, Mexico
East Cape, Baja California, Mexico · Opening: Spring 2026
Amanvari, “peaceful water” in Sanskrit, marks the sixth Aman resort in North America and the first in Mexico. Located on Baja California’s East Cape, within the 600-hectare Costa Palmas development, this resort embodies the Aman philosophy in its quintessence: elegant minimalism, natural integration, discreet excellence.
The long-awaited arrival of Aman in Mexico, an oasis of peace facing the Sea of Cortés
The Essence of Peace
A respectable distance from the vibrancy of Los Cabos, the East Cape offers a pristine coastline where the Baja desert meets the Sea of Cortés, what Jacques Cousteau called “the aquarium of the world”. Here, time regains its natural rhythm.
Organic Architecture
Only 18 casitas make up the resort: a deliberately restricted number that guarantees absolute privacy. The contemporary, organic architecture features white concrete, tropical wood, and floor-to-ceiling glass. Pavilions and villas emerge from the surrounding landscape, commanding enviable views of the Sea of Cortés.
Interior courtyards and lounge areas, expansive glass walls, and playful screens allow villa owners to enjoy Baja’s blue skies and breathtaking views. The fluid spaces between indoors and outdoors embody the Aman signature: understated elegance, natural materials, a discreet presence that amplifies the experience of the place.
Aman Residences
Beyond the resort, Amanvari offers private Aman Residences · a rare opportunity to own a sanctuary within the Aman universe. These villas represent a complete immersion in the brand’s lifestyle, an anchor point for discovering the world while having one’s own refuge.
Tailored Experiences
Several dining venues will explore Baja’s culinary riches, from freshly caught seafood to local Mexican produce. The Aman Spa will offer rituals inspired by ancestral healing traditions, adapted to the local climate and culture.
A private white sandy beach, accessible only to resort residents, promises days of absolute idleness facing the turquoise waters. The activities · sport fishing, whale watching (seasonal), kayaking, diving · will allow guests to explore this unique ecosystem.
Guests will also enjoy full access to Costa Palmas facilities, including the Robert Trent Jones II Golf Course and the beach club.
Practical Information: Amanvari Hotel, Mexico
📍 East Cape, Baja California Sur, Mexico (within Costa Palmas)
📅 Opening: Spring 2026
🏨 18 ultra-exclusive casitas + private Aman Residences
🍽️ Multiple restaurants | Aman Spa
🏖️ Private beach | Costa Palmas access (golf, beach club)
🔗 aman.com/resorts/amanvari
4. Anantara Kafue River Tented Camp, Zambia (Africa)
Kafue National Park, Zambia · Opening: April 2026
In the heart of Kafue National Park, Zambia’s oldest and largest, Anantara unveils its first tented safari camp. A bold adventure that pushes the boundaries of eco-conscious luxury.
A sanctuary suspended above the wilderness
Luxury Safari Reimagined
Perched 3.5 metres high on rosewood platforms, the camp rises into the canopy, protecting the seasonal water flow and allowing wildlife to roam freely below. The Kafue River, one of Zambia’s most vital waterways, winds through wetlands, forests, and savannas, supporting one of Africa’s richest ecosystems.
Suspended Architecture
MRS Studio, a renowned South African agency, has designed interiors that blend contemporary elegance with cultural authenticity. Local materials, organic textures, and mid-century accents inspired by the river and landscape compose a unique aesthetic.
10 villas, 3 Horizon Terrace Suites, and 1 Presidential Villa form this intimate community, connected by winding lantern-lit paths. Each accommodation is oriented to offer panoramic views of the river and surrounding bush.
The 65 sq m Horizon Terrace Suites, perched 14 metres above the ground, offer outdoor daybeds on private terraces. Here, guests wake to the sounds of the park awakening around them.
The 115 sq m 9 Pool Villas become open-air playgrounds, with refreshments served by a butler on a private terrace and post-safari dips under the open sky.
The 400 sq m Presidential Villa offers the perfect balance between intimacy and conviviality. Combined, it forms a spectacular 515 sq m Two Bedroom Presidential Villa, with river views, a private jetty, and an oversized infinity pool.
Immersion in Nature
Kafue National Park is home to over 500 bird species. Birdwatching here becomes a tranquil passion: the singing Dark Chanting Goshawk soars above, the African jacana delicately walks on water lilies, and countless other avian wonders are observed from your private terrace or on the ground.
Personalised safaris · day and night game drives, river cruises aboard the camp’s private boats, canoeing, fishing · allow guests to explore this immense territory. Lions, elephants, buffaloes, antelopes: wildlife unfolds in its pristine splendour.
Zambian Gastronomy
The culinary experiences celebrate Zambia’s natural abundance. The signature restaurant, set beneath a canopy of trees, offers fresh pastries, local fruits, and African flavours reinterpreted with seasonal produce.
In the evening, regional culinary tradition is fully expressed: freshly caught fish and game form the heart of each plate, accompanied by signature cocktails at the riverside bar.
A cosy lounge hosts afternoon tea, while a fireside area pays homage to the traditional African boma, perfect for storytelling, traditional performances, and toasted marshmallows in a family circle.
As part of Anantara’s Designer Dining programme, private bush dinners can be arranged under the stars.
Wellbeing in Nature
Without light pollution, constellations shine with astonishing clarity, creating ideal conditions for world-class stargazing.
Classic spa treatments are offered in complete privacy, with all Pool Villas and Presidential Villas featuring dedicated wellbeing spaces lulled by the gentle rhythm of the river.
An Olympic-sized swimming pool, guided yoga sessions, and a fully equipped gym complete the wellbeing offering.
Practical Information: Anantara Kafue River Tented Camp, Zambia
📍 Kafue National Park, Zambia (accessible from Livingstone or Lusaka)
📅 Opening: April 2026
🏨 10 Pool Villas | 3 Horizon Terrace Suites | 1 Presidential Villa
💰 From USD 6,190/night (low season) to USD 8,000 (high season)
All-inclusive rates: luxury accommodation, 3 meals per day, premium beverages, 2 safaris/day, 1 x 90-min spa treatment/person/stay, butler service
🦁 Personalised safaris | 500+ bird species
🔗 anantara.com/kafue-river-tented-camp
5. Zannier Hotel, Bendor Island, France
Bendor Island, Provence, France · Opening: 1st May 2026
Seven minutes by boat from the picturesque port of Bandol, Bendor Island is set to be reborn. After five years of meticulous transformation, Zannier Hotels unveils its sixth property: Zannier Île de Bendor, an address that promises to become one of the most coveted jewels of the French Riviera.
A private island resurrected off Bandol, blending 60s glamour and Provençal art de vivre
The Renaissance of a Legend
This seven-hectare private island has a fascinating history. Once shaped by Paul Ricard, the famous creator of the eponymous pastis, it was for decades a prized holiday destination, embodying the carefree glamour of the French Riviera. Abandoned for several years, the island is now reclaiming its primary vocation: that of an immersive destination where conviviality, art de vivre, and excellence combine.
Three Worlds, One Spirit
Zannier Île de Bendor stands out for its plural architecture. 93 rooms and suites are spread across three distinct houses, each telling its own story:
Delos : The embodiment of 60s glamour, this section celebrates the golden age of the Riviera with a retro-chic aesthetic, clean lines, and a festive atmosphere. An iconic swimming pool, sun-drenched terraces, and rooms with vintage accents make up this nostalgic scene.
Soukana : The wellbeing sanctuary. At the heart of the island, this house is home to the 1,200 sq m wellness centre, a true flagship of Zannier Hotels’ wellbeing philosophy. Here, modern methods and ancient practices meet to restore body balance. Hammam, high-tech treatment rooms, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, open-air yoga platform, fitness centre, tennis, and pickleball courts: the offering is exhaustive.
Madrague : Authentic Provençal charm. These two-storey houses with private gardens and king-size bedrooms evoke traditional Provençal bastides. Exposed stone, coloured shutters, intimate atmosphere: one feels as if in a hillside village in the hinterland.
An Ambitious Cultural Programme
True to the DNA of Zannier Hotels, Bendor Island will not just be a luxury resort. It aims to become a Mediterranean social, culinary, and cultural capital.
An immersive programme will punctuate the seasons: contemporary art exhibitions, artist residencies, open-air concerts, design workshops, conferences on the marine environment, oceanic activities (sailing, diving, paddleboarding), sporting pursuits, and a dedicated children’s club.
The entire island becomes a cultural playground where every guest is invited to explore, create, and reconnect with nature and others.
Mediterranean Gastronomy
The culinary scene at Zannier Île de Bendor reflects Provençal generosity and Mediterranean exuberance. Three restaurants, four bars, a café, and a crêperie dot the seven hectares of the island.
The gastronomic offering celebrates the flavours of the Mediterranean: freshly caught fish, vegetables from Provençal markets, local olive oil, and Bandol wines renowned for their powerful character. Guest chefs will periodically enrich the menu with their creations, transforming each season into a culinary festival.
Cold-pressed healthy juices, artisan cocktails inspired by French classics, sunset-facing terraces: every moment of the day finds its gastronomic expression.
Gateway to Provence
While the island itself offers a tranquil retreat with Mediterranean views, its proximity to Bandol and Provence makes it an ideal starting point for exploring the region.
The renowned vineyards of Bandol (red and rosé appellations), the hilltop villages of Le Castellet and Évenos, the lavender fields of the Luberon, the spectacular calanques between Marseille and Cassis: everything is within reach.
Guests can spend the morning on the island, have lunch in a village bistro, visit a cellar in the afternoon, and return for dinner at sunset · the best of both worlds.
A Sustainable Commitment
Zannier Hotels places sustainability at the heart of its approach. The transformation of Bendor Island has been conceived to minimise environmental impact: preservation of existing pine forests, responsible water resource management, material recycling, and respectful landscape integration.
The wellness centre itself incorporates ecological practices: organic and local products, treatments using natural Mediterranean ingredients (olive oil, honey, lavender), and bioclimatic architecture promoting natural ventilation.
Practical Information
📍 Bendor Island, off Bandol, Var, Provence
📅 Opening: 1st May 2026
🏨 93 rooms and suites spread across 3 houses (Delos, Soukana, Madrague)
🍽️ 3 restaurants | 4 bars | 1 café | 1 crêperie
💆 1,200 sq m wellness centre | Indoor/outdoor swimming pools | Hammam | Fitness | Tennis | Pickleball
🎨 Cultural programme: art, design, music, workshops
🚤 Access: 7 minutes by boat from Bandol
🔗 zannierhotels.com/hotels/bendor
These five most anticipated new hotels in the world embody a renewed vision of contemporary luxury. Far from yesterday’s ostentatious splendours, they prioritise authenticity, intimacy, and harmonious integration with their environment.
In Venice, the Airelles hotel celebrates Venetian heritage while infusing it with unprecedented gastronomic energy. In Saudi Arabia, the Six Senses hotel opens a door to an as-yet-unknown territory, placing wellbeing at the heart of the experience. In Mexico, Aman perpetuates its minimalist philosophy in a spectacular natural setting. In Zambia, the Anantara hotel reinvents luxury safari with deep respect for the wilderness. And in France (Provence), the Zannier hotel resurrects a mythical private island, blending retro glamour with Mediterranean art de vivre.
5 destinations. 5 philosophies. A single quest: to offer experiences that transcend travel to become moments of personal transformation.
Luxury in 2026 is no longer measured in stars, but in depth of emotion.
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