The most exciting hotel openings around the world in 2026

NoMad Singapore is run by a homegrown property and hospitality group, UOL, which also runs the Pan Pacific and Parkroyal Collection hotels.

Capella Kyoto

Capella Kyoto is set to open in March in the historic Miyagawa-cho district. Built on the site of a former elementary school, the 89-room hotel is within walking distance of Kenninji, Kyoto’s oldest Zen temple.

The hotel, designed by Kengo Kuma and Associates and the Singapore-based Brewin Design Office, is inspired by Kyoto’s machiya townhouses that are filled with moments for quiet contemplation. Guests will be greeted by a Gion-style alleyway lined with shoji screens before heading to the rooms, which include six suites fitted with private onsens.

Guests can also immerse themselves in Kyoto’s living traditions through the Capella Curate programme, which includes visits to a 150-year-old atelier that makes geta (traditional wooden sandals) and intimate maiko performances.

&Beyond in Botswana

Luxury experiential travel company &Beyond has expanded its Botswana footprint with two new intimate camps in the Okavango Delta: &Beyond Sandibe Under Canvas and &Beyond Nxabega Under Canvas. Both properties will open in March.

Sandibe Under Canvas sits in one of the Delta’s most wildlife-rich concessions, offering year-round sightings of lion, leopard, cheetah, and wild dog. Further west, Nxabega Under Canvas reveals the Delta’s quieter side with mokoro excursions alongside the usual game drives and walking safaris.

With only three tents and a maximum of six guests per tent in each camp, &Beyond offers an intimate experience with nature. Each tent, powered by a solar plant, is equipped with super king-sized beds, double showers, and Starlink Wi-Fi.

Chatrium Rawai Phuket

Thai hospitality group Chatrium will make its debut in Phuket in the second quarter of this year with Chatrium Rawai Phuket. The fishbone-style layout of the resort, nestled along the tranquil Rawai Beach, ensures that most rooms boast views of the Andaman Sea.

The 303-room property also comprises eight pool villas, a fitness centre, a swimming pool, a spa, and a beach hut for water activities. Dining options include an all-day restaurant, lobby and beach bars, and a beachfront seafood restaurant.