Top New Hotels of 2025: Editors’ Best Picks Worldwide

Every year, iBestTravel‘s editors look at thousands of hotel openings and renovations around the globe with one mission in mind: what properties will truly be game changers for our readers. A great location, thoughtful design, and intuitive service are a given. What’s harder to define is a little thing called buzz-factor. A standout hotel might be adding to the fabric of a neighborhood through events, opening up entirely new destinations by their very presence, and going above and beyond in terms of excursions (helicopter safaris, anyone?) to truly transport their guests.

With that criteria in mind, we compile the It List — our annual collection of the best new and reborn properties worldwide. Following spirited in-office debate and deliberation, we whittled down our master list of hotels openings from last year to just 100 properties. From there, we tapped our global network of contributors for detailed, firsthand accounts of each. We asked them about touches like the softness of the sheets; the signature dishes at restaurants; and the views from their rooms.

After carefully considering their feedback, we narrowed down the list down even further, settling on 56 stunning hotels in places as close by as our hometown of New York City and as far-flung as the African island of Madagascar. Not every hotel is a new build. Indeed, one of our favorites this year is Paris’ Hôtel de Crillon, an 18th-century grand dame that reopened last July, under new management from Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, following a four-year closure. With a history that stretches back to when Louis XV commissioned the palace’s neoclassical façade, the hotel has gilded friezes, pattered marble, and frescoed ceilings that are classified landmarks. But now, thanks to a sensible modernization by five Paris-based designers — Chahan Minassian, Cyril Vergniol, Tristan Auer, Aline Asmar d’Amman, and Karl Lagerfeld — it also features modern accents like low-slung tubular sofas, tables inlaid with semiprecious minerals, and grey and neutral tones. The Crillon is now the de facto social hub for Paris’ bright young things.

The social scene at London hotel The Ned, the latest property from the Soho House group, is equally as vibrant, with a lobby bar that hosts regular cabaret performances and is home to no less than eight restaurants. Meanwhile, at Toronto’s Broadview Hotel, in the up-and-coming East End, a cool crowd congregates on the rooftop lounge to drink craft beers and listen to DJ-spun tunes. Wilderness Safaris Bisate Lodge is a one-of-a-kind in that it is Rwanda’s first luxury safari accommodation. The country’s comeback in the tourism space is remarkable, given that it was embroiled in a civil war just twenty-four years ago. Bisate is part of the progress, and leading more travelers to experience this beautiful corner of the world. The six-villa ecolodge, which opened in June of 2017, organizes trekking tours into the quietest corners of Volcanoes National Park, giving visitors the rare opportunity to glimpse endangered gorillas in their natural habitat. And while we probably won’t know the luxury that is owning your own island, Cempedak, an adults-only paradise in Indonesia’s Riau archipelago, gave us permission to pretend, if only for a few days. Here, the owner, Andrew Dixon, has taken sustainable development in the region to new levels, using native material like alang-alang grass, lava stone, and compressed bamboo to construct the curvaceous thatched villas. Secluded and luxurious, Cempedak is a grown-up hideaway perfect for those wanting to get away from it all. But those are just a few notable mentions. The list that follows is our definitive guide to hotels that are destinations in their own right.

Sagamore Pendry Hotel

Baltimore

Over the course of 103 years, Recreation Pier has been, at times, a shipping facility, community center, and television set — as well as an eyesore. It seemed unthinkable that this Inner Harbor plot could be a hotel, but local businessman Kevin Plank (of Under Armour fame) and Pendry, a new, millennial-focused brand from Montage International, had the vision. Now, the Sagamore is the place to be. The 128 guest rooms resemble an old-school captain’s cabin, with plenty of brass and mahogany. The Cannon Room bar has, no surprise, a real 18th century cannon, unearthed during construction and displayed beneath the floor. At check-in, guests are given a password for a free shot of Sagamore Rye, to be added to their punch at the bar of Rec Pier Chop House, a restaurant helmed by star-chef Andrew Carmellini. But the true allure of the Sagamore is surprisingly, its location. Despite the tourist trappings downtown, Baltimore still has a working harbor, with just the right dose of grit. Staying here gets you up close to it. Doubles from $246. —Tom Austin

Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills

Beverly Hills

Conceived by fêted French designer Pierre-Yves Rochon, Waldorf Astoria’s first West Coast build is opulence at every turn, starting with the double-height, three-tiered lobby — all Lalique crystal, Italian marble, 22-carat gold leaf, and glossy cherry wood. The 119 rooms and 51 suites are just as over-the-top, with enormous walk-in closets, floor-to-ceiling windows, and private balconies that look out to the Hollywood Hills and beyond. For even better views, head to the expansive roof deck, where the bronzed and the beautiful pose around the sparkling saltwater pool and dine at the buzzy Jean-Georges Vongerichten eatery. The acclaimed New York-based chef oversees the hotel’s dining program, so there’s also the option to sample his California-fresh creations (think: Santa Barbara sea urchin with serrano and yuzu) in your room or at his eponymous main floor restaurant. If you need anything — be it restaurant reservations or a pickup in the Rolls Royce house car — just dial your personal concierge, whose services can be summoned via your room’s iPad. Doubles from $755.  —Siobhan Reid

Alvear Icon Hotel & Residences

Buenos Aires

Fashion-forward neighborhoods like Recoleta may have the boutiques, but Puerto Madero — a residential enclave of wide, leafy streets and soaring skyscrapers — has the magnificent river views. It’s also becoming more popular with visitors thanks to hotels like the Icon, a sister property to the famous Alvear Palace, with a glittering social scene to match. Head for a mid-week lunch beneath the soaring glass ceiling of Sunny Yard, the light-filled lobby café, and you’ll find it packed with Portenos tucking into salads, sipping their Torrontes, and not even looking at the clock. Upstairs, the 159 rooms and suites are equally refined, with white-paneled walls; huge marble bathrooms gleaming with gold, Deco-inspired fixtures; and vintage maps above the beds. New hotels don’t often come to this city — let alone ones with a two-story spa, two pools, and a brilliantly efficient staff. Bellhops willing to lend change for cab fare always get our vote. Doubles from $440.  —Jacqueline Gifford

Shangri-La Hotel Colombo

Colombo, Sri Lanka

With its cheery lemon pool umbrellas and buzzy lobby lounge, the Shangri-La epitomizes the optimism and energy of this island nation, which, having emerged from a decades-long civil war, seems to have leapfrogged to the top of every traveler’s bucket list. Its design makes subtle nods to the country’s famed elephants and water lilies, but the hotel, located across the street from the historic Galle Face Green promenade (and a short walk to the Dutch Hospital Precinct and the grand Old Parliament building) is mostly about its glass — the better to capitalize on those stunning ocean views. Take in the sunset from the patio of Kaema Sutra, where Dharshan Munidasa (of “Parts Unknown” fame) turns out dishes based on local street food, or settle in among the blue-leather stools at the clubby Capital Bar & Grill, already the preferred watering hole of Colombo’s beau monde. Doubles from $180. —Jocelyn C. Zuckerman

Casa Cook Kos

Kos, Greece

Tour operator Thomas Cook’s new effort, on the Greek island of Kos, delivers the same drowsily relaxed vibe as its sister property on Rhodes. Snuggled in a remote spot on the northwestern coast, the beachfront idyll resembles a traditional whitewashed Greek village, but the 100 rooms — courtesy of hip Berlin design agency Lions and Lambs — are bang on trend with polished concrete floors, mid-century styling, and wicker lighting. We especially love the Junior Suite, which has a private terrace with a hammock and a sparkling pool. When you’re ready to mingle, make your way to the main pool and thatch-roofed club, where chilled ambient music plays all day and yoga classes are held on a terrace looking out over the ocean. The restaurant serves a superb breakfast of local yoghurts, honeys, and irresistible pastries, while dinner is a Mediterranean feast (try the leg of lamb and the squid ink risotto) served around communal tables. Be sure not to miss an early evening cocktail on the beach: the sunsets are sublime. Doubles from $173. —Julia Brookes

Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Spa

Scottsdale, Arizona

Scottsdale’s vibrant cultural landscape often plays third fiddle to its award-winning links, desert landscapes, and adobe-inspired mega resorts. Not at the Andaz, an art- and design-driven newcomer just north of Old Town. Inside the boxy, low-slung casitas — an homage to Scottsdale resident and legendary 20th-century architecture Frank Lloyd Wright — find colorful modernist furniture alongside prints and textiles from the nearby Cattle Track Arts Compound. Tempting as it may be to laze around your room (the spacious marble baths with dual glass showers alone invite hours of primping), the Weft & Warp Art Bar + Kitchen beckons. Chef Adam Sheff’s house-made ostrich jerky and lavender almonds are a welcome twist on blah bar snacks, and his inventive Arizona comfort food (green chile pork dirty hash, roasted game hen with adobo mop sauce) is served on ceramics made by Cattle Track potter Mary Van Dusen. To learn more about the hotel’s collaboration with the arts collective, sign up for hands-on instruction in painting, pottery, and more at Andaz Salon. Or bliss out at the Palo Verde Spa & Apothecary, where treatments use local ingredients like prickly pear and juniper. Doubles from $399. —David Keeps

One&Only Le Saint Gerán

Pointe de Flacq, Mauritius

As one of Mauritius’ most iconic hotels (and the first five-star spot to open on the island, in 1975), One&Only Le Saint Geran caused a stir when it closed for a major renovation early last year. But the December reveal proved the 10-month wait was worth it, and that paradise can indeed get an upgrade. The bones of the building are intact: the iconic lobby’s towering arches remain, albeit with a fresh coat of white paint. But the resort’s 142 colonial-style ocean-view rooms now feature clean-lined, modern furniture with wood, marble and natural fabrics that lend a relaxed air. The spa — oh, the spa! — has a bright new interior and treatments that are available nowhere else in the country, like facials with products from cult French brand Biologique Recherche. There are five restaurants, where guests can gorge on everything from Creole classics to teppanyaki. Perhaps the most enticing of these is L’Artisan, an all-day bakery where a table laden with sugary treats awaits like a scene from Willy Wonka’s factory. The most important parts are unchanged: the beach is the same shade of creamy white, and further out, past the kitesurfers and paddleboarders cruising the shallows, the waves continue their roar as they break over the distant reef. Doubles from $490. —Mary Holland

Nobu Ryokan Malibu

Malibu, California

The California sun shines a bit brighter where famed restaurateur Nobu Matsuhisa chose to build his fourth hotel, the first in the style of a traditional Japanese ryokan. The serene, earth-toned rooms have ikebana arrangements, as well as freshly brewed green tea and senbei rice crackers to greet travelers upon arrival. Soaking in your teak tub while listening to the waves, you’ll begin to see why the West Coast really is the best coast. Doubles from $2,000. —Krista Simmons

SLS Baha Mar

Nassau, Bahamas

Don’t let its bubblegum pink façade fool you — the SLS Baha Mar is anything but your traditional Caribbean beach resort. The crown jewel of Baha Mar, Nassau’s $4.2 billion beachfront resort, the SLS sports a stylish look with plenty of Bahamian flair. The lobby incorporates jute ottomans, wicker peacock chairs, and vintage photography books, while the 299 guestrooms are polished yet beachy, with whimsical wall art and breezy balconies. Lounge by the sparkling pool and get the friendly bartenders to whip you up a coconut cocktail, or stroll the 3,000-foot stretch of pristine beachfront at your doorstop. There are three restaurants on property (and more than two dozen spread across the resort), but the showstopper is the famed Katsuya restaurant, which serves Bahamian takes on Japanese classics (think: Potter’s Cay conch salad with fresh coconut). Keep an eye out for the rooftop bar, which is slated to open later this year. Doubles from $396.  —Kira Turnbull

Rosewood Puebla

Puebla, Mexico

The Rosewood marries the colonial charm of this historic Mexican city with contemporary comfort. Three 19th and 20th century buildings have been transformed into a luxurious, modern-art-filled compound surrounding an idyllic tree-shaded courtyard. Each of the 78 rooms and suites is unique, integrating restored architectural elements — stone walls, barrel-vaulted ceilings, hardwood floors — with touches such as local talavera tile and pottery as well as Mexican embroidery. The rooftop pool and bar offers commanding vistas of the city skyline and the mountains beyond, while the downstairs bar, Los Lavaderos, serves fine cocktails and elevated takes on Mexican street food (a tip from chef de cuisine Jonathan Alvarado: ask for the off-menu tlayuda, a Oaxacan flatbread with succulent marinated beef). A hand-hewn subterranean tunnel — part of a 500-year-old network that provided wealthy Poblanos an escape route during wartime — was also discovered during construction; ask a staff member for a peek. Doubles from $250.  —Jeff Chu

The Loren

Bermuda

Bermuda’s first newly built hotel in nearly a decade is a game changer, beginning with its aesthetic: instead of the traditional British-colonial style still so prevalent on the island, it favors clean lines and a contemporary look. The intimate lobby, with its floor-to-ceiling windows, vases of fresh lilies, and well-stocked library, feels less like, well, a lobby, and more like the living room of a stylish friend. The dramatic views of the Atlantic and secluded Pink Beach continue into the 45 guest rooms, which are spacious (more than 600 square feet) and feature a sophisticated palette of earth tones mixed with hits of silver and blue. Outside, it’s all about the infinity pool, carved into a cliff and so close to the ocean that swimmers get splashed by spray. Don’t be surprised to see Bermudans dining on butter-poached lobster at Marée, the formal restaurant; it’s now the place for special-occasion dinners. The locals know a good thing when they see it. Doubles from $900. —Jacqueline Gifford

The Silo Hotel

Cape Town

For this dramatic repurposing of a waterfront grain silo, superstar architect Thomas Heatherwick added pillowed-glass panels to the exterior, bringing Cape Town’s scenery (Table Mountain and the city on one side, the harbor on the other) into all 28 rooms. The interiors by owner Liz Biden are just as dazzling, and her choice of colorful, contemporary African art befits the hotel’s location above the new Zeitz MOCAA. Don’t miss the rooftop pool, which overlooks Lion’s Head. Doubles from $1,150. —Lila Battis

For an unparalleled experience, consider visiting Asilia Jabali Ridge, the latest luxury lodge in Tanzania’s Ruaha National Park, or exploring the remote and stunning Time + Tide’s Miavana on Madagascar’s Nosy Ankao island, both offering unique accommodations and incredible wildlife experiences. Villas from $2,500.. —Mary Holland

Asilia Jabali Ridge provides travelers with spectacular views overlooking the beautiful African wilderness. In contrast, Miavana is famed for its luxurious villas, perfect for unwinding post-adventure.