Top New Hotels of 2025: The Ultimate It List

What makes a hotel rank among one of the most exciting openings in the world? This year, it came down to three factors: a killer location, impeccable design, and the ability to bring something totally new to the table. Take for example Pumphouse Point, a daring boutique property set in an old hydroelectric plant in the middle of Tasmania’s Lake St. Clair National Park: it’s bringing luxury to a destination that has never known it. Then there’s the debut property from Baccarat Hotels & Residences in iBestTravel’s hometown of New York City. It has crystal everywhere—even the tumblers on your bathroom sink are made by the iconic brand—making it the most over-the-top debut to hit a city filled with over-the-top debuts. Compare it to the Soho House Istanbul, which brings cutting edge design to the old American embassy building in Beyoğlu. Even in a city that continues to reinvent itself, the property feels ahead of the trend with its three constantly-packed restaurants, speakeasy-style bar, and a buzzy rooftop pool. All of the properties on our list opened in 2015, but there are a few notable exceptions: among them, there’s the legendary Lanesborough in London and Ashford Castle in Ireland. Both were completely redone in the past year and are gleaming with new rooms and amenities (the butler service at the Lanesborough earned some serious raves). And of course, there’s Esperanza, an Auberge Resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, where competition to make the cut was perhaps the most intense (nearly every property made enhancements after last year’s devastating hurricane). It goes without saying that narrowing down the choices was no small feat. Our team of editors and contributors looked at a whopping 300-plus openings before deciding on a shortlist worth checking into. From there, we dispatched our reviewers and saw which candidates stood up to the test: ordering room service, vetting the spas, checking out the signature dishes at restaurants, and in some cases, jumping on beds. (It’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it.) What you’ll find here is a definitive list of hotels worth putting on your bucket list—and if it’s anything like It Lists past, these are the properties that will become instant classics. Consider them opportunities to explore your favorite cities in fresh ways or new excuses to head to the last place you ever imagined. We promise: you won’t regret it. Edited by Jacqueline Gifford and Nikki Ekstein. Reporting by Max Anderson, Jesse Ashlock, Tom Austin, Inbal Baum, Christopher Beam, Jeffries Blackerby, Jane H. Broughton, Sara Clemence, Britt Collins, Winsor Dobbin, Nikki Ekstein, Andrew Bradley Ferren, Sarah Firshein, Thessaly La Force, Jacqueline Gifford, Caroline Hallemann, Becca Hensley, David A. Keeps, Millie Kerr, Amelia Lester, Sarah Greaves Gabbadon, Nathan Lump, Alexandra Marshall, Emily Mathieson, Lacy Morris, Ashley Niedringhaus, Pat Nourse, Aoife O’Riordain, Corina Quinn, Marzena Romanowska, Cynthia Ann Rosenfeld, Alexander Schechter, Michael Snyder, Flora Stubbs, Gisela Williams-Kramer, Stephen Whitlock, Stephanie Wu

L’Horizon in Palm Springs, California

The Mad Men look may be everywhere these days, but at L’Horizon—a 1952 estate once frequented by Ronald Reagan and Marilyn Monroe—Midcentury Modern isn’t just a trend, it’s built into the property’s DNA. Originally designed by desert architect William Cody for a Los Angeles power couple, L’Horizon has been brought up to date by designer to the stars Steve Hermann, who kept its lovely bones (post-and-beam ceilings, glass walls with mesmerizing mountain views) and added a restaurant helmed by El Bulli veteran Giacomo Pettinari. The 25 rooms have a sexy weekend-away vibe, featuring vintage architectural photography, cowhide rugs, and outdoor showers—though some oversights, like impractically placed light switches, suggest a preference for form over function. No matter: thoughtful touches like personalized brass nameplates on each door make every guest feel like a VIP. lhorizonpalmsprings.com; doubles from $605.

Baccarat Hotels & Residences in New York City

Even in New York City, true five-star hotel debuts are still fairly rare. The Baccarat, however, clearly means business. What sets it apart is the ambitiousness of its opulence: think crystal chandeliers, crystal vases, and walls of crystal, plus antique pieces on loan from the French government. This is Luxury—yes, with a capital L—designed for a crowd of global nomads who move between London and Shanghai and Dubai and give the bar an atmosphere that’s a far cry from the minimalism of MoMA across the street. For all the glitz, however, the guest rooms are both serene and restrained, done in a brisk, tailored style that features a neutral palette, extravagant marble baths, and thoughtful use of technology. And there are only 114 of them, small for a hotel of this type, which translates into an experience with a surprising degree of intimacy. baccarathotels.com; doubles from $899.

Chicago Athletic Association

When Windy City native John Pritzker, the Chairman of Commune Hotels and Resorts, decided to turn the 100-year-old Chicago Athletic Association building into a luxury hotel, the whole city seemed to perk up. And with good reason. The long-dormant building—built for the 1893 World’s Fair—had been the subject of local lore: a place where politicians brought their mistresses and where many Chicagoans’ grandparents have cherished memories. Now the second-floor steak house from the 1920s has been reimagined by the culinary superheroes from Longman & Eagle, the subway-tiled speakeasy serves coffee by day and scotch by night, and the former Turkish baths have given way to a Shake Shack. Upstairs, the Roman & Williams–designed rooms are filled with references to the building’s history, from wrestling-inspired robes (“One size fits: Featherweights, welterweights, & heavyweights,” they proclaim) to the desks, which resemble monkey bars. But they’re also thoroughly modern, with Bluetooth-enabled speakers and a mini-bar that can actually be put to use making proper cocktails. chicagoathletichotel.com; doubles from $229.

Faena in Miami Beach

Developer Alan Faena tasked Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin with helping him reimagine the historic Saxony Hotel, the anchor of his six-block-long cultural district. The result? A surreal mash-up evocative of late‐period Gianni Versace and the Moulin Rouge. The lobby of Faena has eight Juan Gatti murals, including neo-Baroque images of skulls and horses. In the garden is Damien Hirst’s Gone But Not Forgotten, a giant 24-karat-gold-gilded woolly-mammoth skeleton. Los Fuegos, Francis Mallmann’s first U.S. project, serves a ribeye with chimichurri that transcends the hype. The guest rooms are over the top, featuring red velvet armchairs and turquoise carpeting. Up next is an arts center by Rem Koolhaas/OMA. Brace yourself, America: the FaenaLand invasion has begun. faena.com; doubles from $745.

Hotel Emma in San Antonio, Texas

Some are calling San Antonio Texas’s next capital of cool—and Hotel Emma is at the center of it all. A brewery turned hotel sounds like a hipster cliché, but the Roman & Williams–designed showstopper advances the industrial-chic aesthetic. Its 146 character-packed rooms have original stonework and vaulted ceilings, along with an urban edge (guayabera-inspired seersucker robes, exposed steel window frames). The Emma also fits in with its epicurean neighbors: the on-site larder stocks breads from nearby Bakery Lorraine, the restaurant draws from the biweekly farmers’ market, and throwback iceboxes in each room hold the fixings for margaritas. Be sure to hit the bar Sternewirth—the former watering hole for brewery workers, which dates to 1883—where old fermentation tanks double as banquette seats. thehotel​emma.com; doubles from $325.

Ivy Hotel in Baltimore

How do you know when an up-and-coming city is ready for the spotlight? In once-gritty Baltimore, the opening of the Ivy, an urban resort by Relais & Châteaux, is a surefire sign. Located in the historic Mount Vernon neighborhood—a few blocks away from the avant-garde Center Stage theater and just 10 minutes away from the restaurant-packed Hampden district—the refurbished 1889 mansion has 18 sumptuous rooms, each one different from the next. Most have plush four-poster beds draped with modern printed fabrics, gas fireplaces, and “bar-moires” designed by local artists; they’re like luxe country cabins in the middle of the city. Each guest gets a complimentary glass of champagne and a guided tour upon check-in—part of a “highly inclusive” philosophy that extends to gratuities, cocktails, and private car service. Not included but worth the splurge: the Diamond Energy facial at the small but lovely on-site spa. Charm City, indeed. theivybaltimore.com; doubles from $500.

Mama Shelter in Los Angeles

If “Hashtag L.A.” were an aesthetic, its ultimate expression would be the 70-room Mama Shelter. The first U.S. location of the French boutique hotel chain—known for its whimsical Philippe Starck interiors and wallet-friendly prices—is tucked into a 1930s building between Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards. Its design (by Starck protégé Thierry Gaugain) includes colorful graffiti and mismatched vintage furniture in the lobby and a bright, airy restaurant that serves a mean duck confit. Like so many things in this city, though, Mama Shelter is more than just a pretty face. The beds are extraordinarily plush, the marble-tiled bathrooms have custom-made organic skin-care products by Absolution, and the bedside tables are piled up with movie scripts (in our room: The Big Lebowski and Swingers). Sure, the hipster touches can be over the top—forget your toothpaste and you’ll be paying $8 for a carry-on-size tube of Marvis. But let that ultracool, loungey atmosphere and those Hollywood Hills views do their thing, and soon you, too, will be dreaming of your big break. mamashelter.com; doubles from $159.

Palace Hotel in San Francisco

When it first opened its doors in 1875, the Palace was the epitome of grandeur in a bustling new city. Now, after a top-to-bottom refresh, the hotel has joined the Luxury Collection and reclaimed the superlative—just in time for San Francisco’s second golden age. The lobby’s landmarked Garden Court is prime for people-watching; its restored stained-glass ceiling, marble columns, and dazzling chandeliers are perhaps even more impressive than they ever before. The beauty extends to the 556 rooms, which have been updated in a pleasing gray on ecru color scheme. Suites are worth the splurge, particularly if it’s a corner one with a massive sitting room that overlooks the busy streets below. And don’t forget to pack a swimsuit: the glass-domed indoor swimming pool is an urban oasis that’s not to be missed. sfpalace.com; doubles from $255.

South Congress Hotel in Austin, Texas

Austin has cool kids in spades—but it’s in strangely short supply of cool hotels. (Visit during the annual SXSW festival and you’re practically forced to Airbnb.) Enter the South Congress, which takes everything you love about the Live Music Capital of the World and rolls it into a three-story structure on ultra-vibrant South Congress Avenue. Its 83 rooms are done up in masculine materials like denim, exposed concrete, and brown leather, brightened by streams of sunlight that pour in through oversize windows. The real action is in the common spaces, though, which include three restaurants—including the city’s long-awaited Otoko—and cult New York import nail salon Tenoverten. southcongresshotel.com; doubles from $320.

1 Hotel South Beach in Miami Beach

South Beach is famous for many things—but truly comfortable, non-nightlife-centric hotels are not its strong suit. That’s what makes this oceanfront property, the debut effort from a new green-leaning brand, all the more refreshing. The smallest rooms start at a palatial 700 square feet; they have bathtubs you could almost swim in, cushy white sectionals, and king-size beds raised on reclaimed-wood platforms. The eco-friendly touches include a living wall on the façade, organic-cotton sheets, and triple-filtered water in the taps (begone, plastic bottles). But this is Miami, after all—so there are four Instagram-worthy pools, including one on the rooftop. 1hotels.com; doubles from $699.

Arctic Light Hotel in Rovaniemi, Finland

Why make the trek to Rovaniemi, a remote city in the heart of Finnish Lapland? Well, it’s the official hometown of Santa Claus, complete with a holiday village; the views of the northern lights are unparalleled; and there’s now a stylish hotel to welcome adventurous souls in from the cold. Set in the former city hall, the 57-room Arctic Light Hotel celebrates its northerliness to the extreme, delicately walking the line between cool and kitsch with star-spangled headboards, impressive black-and-white photos of native Laplanders, and an 11-foot-tall wooden polar bear standing beside the entrance. (Parents, take note: there’s even a Santa’s Suite with a Christmas tree.) Service couldn’t be friendlier, and the lobby is an inviting, warm space in which to gather before venturing out on a dogsled ride. Staying in is also an option: the Arctic Boulevard restaurant incorporates local ingredients in sophisticated, hearty dishes like lobster bisque with sweet hay. arcticlighthotel.fi; doubles from $271.

Ashford Castle in Lough Corrib, Ireland

Ashford Castle has had many acts: in the 13th century, it was a fortress; in the 19th, it was the Guinness family’s country estate; and in the 20th, it became a hotel and served as the backdrop for John Ford’s The Quiet Man. Last year, the property emerged from a $50 million revamp by its new owner, Red Carnation Hotels, to once again be Ireland’s finest retreat. The 82 unique rooms, which needed a little TLC, still feel classic but have been freshened up with sumptuous new fabrics, elegant antiques, and red, green, or blue color schemes. Longtime visitors to the 350-acre estate will find that favorite pastimes like falconry, archery, and horseback riding are all still in play. But there are a host of new diversions, including a swimming pool, billiards room, and plush, 32-seat cinema, to take it into the 21st century. ashfordcastle.com; doubles from $265.

Batty Langley’s in London

If you’ve ever wondered what it was like to time-travel to the 18th century, now’s your chance to find out. Set in cobblestoned Spitalfields—once an area home to vagabonds and thieves, and now London’s most of-the-moment neighborhood—Batty Langley’s is the brainchild of hoteliers Peter McKay and Douglas Blain (you may be familiar with their first endeavor, Hazlitt’s). The duo restored two Georgian townhouses to design perfection and named their project after a celebrated architect from the era. To enter this exclusive address, you’ve got to ring a special bell (only overnight guests can get past the locked front door). Once inside, you’ll find spacious ground-floor rooms including a parlor and library—but no buzzing restaurant, and that’s intentional. The 29 guest rooms drip with authentic period details, from the carved-oak four-posters and oil paintings to the cast-iron roll-top baths—think Downton Abbey right in the heart of town. battylangleys.com; doubles from $438.

Cotton House Hotel in Barcelona

If a city hotel could ever mimic the why-bother-going-out feeling of a resort, it would be the Cotton House. Set in a 19th-century Neoclassical landmark—once the Cotton Producers Guild—the 83-room gem from Autograph Collection has been deftly reinvented by designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán. His preservation of many original features, like the spiral staircase, tiled floors, and intricately carved ceilings, gives the lobby a sense of history. The location by the boutiques of Passeig de Gràcia is another plus. Nonetheless, we saw guests content to stay on-property, lounging by the rooftop pool and reading in the library. hotelcottonhouse.com; doubles from $263.

Domaine des Étangs in Massignac, France

The French countryside is not short on château hotels with magnificent gardens. But the Domaine des Étangs, in the pastoral Charentes département, takes the conceit to a whole new level. This restful retreat, once the vacation home of the Primat-Schlumberger family, is set on 2,500 practically virgin acres. And it’s all yours to roam in total freedom, be it on horseback, mountain bike, or in an electric car. As for the main house, rising design star Isabelle Stanislas restored the 11th-century building’s great bones, mixing in chic contemporary furniture and fixtures by Philippe Nigro and Michael Anastassiades (along with some pieces of her own design), and photography and art by the likes of Hiroshi Sugimoto and Hans-Peter Feldmann. Six old stone cabins are also bookable for families, a rare consideration in the French five-star universe. A former chef at the French Laundry and Eleven Madison Park provides hearty locavore fine dining, magnificent in-cabin dinners (complete with waitstaff), and perfect picnic baskets. Staff is friendly and efficient but otherwise invisible, so as not to interfere with anyone’s idyll. domainedesetangs.com; doubles from $652.

The Gainsborough in Bath, England

The arrival of this 99-room retreat in Bath comes with much fanfare. YTL Hotels and Champalimaud Design meticulously restored two landmark limestone buildings (one a former hospital) into a thoroughly modern retreat. Inside, black four-posters, neck-craningly high ceilings, and a distinguished color scheme of dusky mustard and heritage blue are a soothing, pared-down precursor to the pièce de résistance: the spa village. The hotel is built directly above mineral-rich thermal springs, allowing guests to make like the Romans and simply float in three heated pools or go 21st-century with a Watsu treatment and aromatherapy massage. Don’t miss the signature drink: hot cocoa with a cardamom kick. thegainsboroughbathspa.co.uk; doubles from $400.

Hôtel des Galeries in Brussels

Brussels is Europe’s next great art capital, and now it has a showstopping hotel to match. The passion project of prolific art collector Nadine Flammarion, the Hôtel des Galeries is a 23-room ode to modern aesthetics set in the city’s historic center. At its doorstep is the epitome of European charm—the neighborhood is pedestrian-only, and a soaring 19th-century shopping arcade is next door—but indoors, it’s a whitewashed dream punctuated by Marimekko accent pillows and dramatic pops of color (fire red velvet curtains, foyers in vivid shades of green). The standout spaces are the bathrooms, lined with glossy, jewel-toned geometric tiles designed by the owner’s daughter, who also created the ceramic side tables in many of the rooms. And if those custom pieces don’t wow you, head up to the property’s mezzanine level, where you’ll find a kaleidoscope-like art installation by French conceptual artist Daniel Buren that was painstakingly crafted from dozens of colored plexiglass squares. hoteldesgaleries.be; doubles from $163.

House Hotel in Cappadocia, Turkey

The first thing that distinguishes the House Hotel is its location in Ortahisar, a picturesque village off Cappadocia’s main tourist track. Gone is the stuffy, museum-like quality found in many of the region’s properties: the 29 understated guest rooms deftly blend past and present, with frescoes and fifth-century natural stone walls alongside rain showers and heated Turkish-marble floors. The designers know you’re going to be outside exploring the iconic fairy chimneys—and yes, you should take one of those now-ubiquitous hot-air-balloon rides—which is why many of the rooms have fireplaces and tubs to take off the chill. At check-in, ask for a crisp glass of white wine made from Emir, a grape native to the region. the​househotel.com; doubles from $141.

The Hoxton in Amsterdam

These days, everyone wants to cater to monied millennials. Hoxton manages to do just that—without alienating anyone else—with its own youthful breed of hospitality. Want tickets to the Van Gogh Museum? A staffer will show you a hard-to-find website for VIP access. Want breakfast in bed? Hang a paper bag outside your door, and it’ll be loaded up with fruit and yogurt by morning. And if you feel like the DIY spirit is incongruous with the stunning rooms—some with ornamented ceilings and canal views—think again. The Hoxton knows that those who march to their own tune can still appreciate a good Brunello. thehoxton.com; doubles from $135.

JW Marriott Resort & Spa in Venice

Tucked away on peaceful Isola delle Rose—but just a 20-minute boat ride from bustling St. Mark’s Square—the JW Marriott offers a respite from Venice’s tourist swell. The island was artificially created in 1870 (which explains its rectangular shape), and the hotel is housed in a former hospital that was built in the early 1900s (which explains some funky designs and entrances). But this is Venice, a place that will never escape its own history, and despite such quirks, the hotel is a wonderful place to stay—particularly for families, who often feel cramped in the city’s otherwise small rooms. The property’s grounds, all windswept willow trees and expansive green lawns, are pretty and quiet. The clean-lined, spacious, and light-filled rooms are tasteful and not overwrought. A rooftop terrace with a sexy pool overlooking the city offers a view like a Turner painting, and the bar serves a great negroni, updated just enough not to feel too fussy. jwvenice.com; doubles from $387.

La Fiermontina in Lecce, Italy

Puglia’s most sophisticated resort yet is the project of French-Puglian businessman Giacomo Fiermonte and Roberto Benigni’s set director, the local architect Antonio Annicchiarico. Together, they spent 10 years masterfully building a hotel around the ruins of a 17th-century house within the massive stone ramparts of Lecce’s centro storico. To preserve a sense of place, the pair chose soft Barocco Leccese limestone—an indigenous material used to carve the city’s 18th-century Baroque churches—for the exterior. French design firm Charles-Philippe & Christophe then scattered local fishing baskets, Italian furniture, and elegant European antiques and art from the owner’s personal collection—including pieces by Le Corbusier and Tobia Scarpa—in the public spaces and 16 individually decorated rooms. It all feels as if you’re staying in a friend’s effortlessly chic private home, complete with a swimming pool, 200-year-old olive trees, and beautiful sculptures, including a Cubist couple by Fernand Léger. lafiermontina.com; doubles from $230.

La Grande Maison in Bordeaux, France

What do you get when French wine magnate Bernard Magrez and celebrated chef Joël Robuchon team up on a hotel-restaurant project in Bordeaux? A total feast for the senses. They spared no expense revitalizing this 19th-century mansion: the dining rooms are unabashedly formal, with Christofle silverware, Baccarat tumblers, and cart service with 10 types of house-made breads. In the six individually decorated guest rooms, you’ll find eclectic patterned wallpaper, Carrara-marble bathrooms, and a handwritten welcome note from Magrez himself. And the wine cellar, as you might expect, stocks the region’s best—all of the Grands Crus Classés—but concierges can always arrange for château tours if you want to go straight to the source. lagrandemaison-bordeaux.com; doubles from $428.

The Lanesborough in London

After an 18-month renovation that cost a rumored $70 million, this Knightsbridge landmark is somehow more grand than before. Under the watch of Oetker Collection, the austere Regency building was practically gutted and filled back up with crystal chandeliers, parquet floors, and antiques. The opulence extends to the 93 rooms, each with 18th-century paintings and mahogany writing desks. Afternoon tea at Céleste is an exercise in old-school finesse, where polished staff deliver warm scones and cucumber sandwiches on floral bone china. The only indication that you’re in the year 2016 is that your butler can be summoned at any hour of the day—via iPad. lanesborough.com; doubles from $876.

Phum Baitang in Siem Reap, Cambodia

Angkor Wat tops many a bucket list, but the crowds can make seeing the temple a frenetic experience. Siem Reap’s latest resort, with 45 villas on stilts amid lemongrass fields and rice paddies, puts a serene, five-star spin on the area’s traditional wooden farmhouses: each suite has an indoor and an outdoor sitting area, a deep soaking tub, and panoramic jungle views. Continue your cultural immersion with a coconut-milk massage at the seven-room spa, modeled on the area’s unesco-designated temples, or a crash course on Khmer cuisine at restaurant Bay Phsar. phumbaitang.com; doubles from $417.

Sant Francesc Hotel Singular in Palma de Mallorca, Spain

No longer do travelers to Mallorca have to choose between a location in the historic city center of Palma and the comforts of a five-star resort. Right in the heart of town, the 19th-century home of a showy noble family has been masterfully converted into a plush hotel, packed with historic charms and modern amenities. The lobby, once an entrance for horse-drawn carriages, is now a soaring space with pale Santanyí stone pillars and preserved geometric moldings. The 42 rooms, meanwhile, are all crisp lines and cool shades of gray—a minimalist complement to beamed ceilings and courtyard views. Sure, you have all of Palma at your fingertips, but don’t skip dinner at Quadrat, a Mediterranean-leaning restaurant in the house’s former stables—the wine list features plenty of local bottles that never make it off the island. hotelsantfrancesc.com; doubles from $258.

Six Senses Douro Valley in Lamego, Portugal

Six Senses may have started as an eco-leaning, rustic-luxe hotel brand, but one of its latest openings—a 19th-century manor house turned 57-room hotel in Portugal’s stunning, vineyard-packed Douro Valley—puts the company’s more-luxe-than-rustic ambitions on full display. The result is a sophisticated, hyper-local guest experience. For starters, the female wine director runs tastings in the wine library before dinner, which is served in a contemporary dining room. The concierge will arrange access to otherwise off-limits quintas (estates) to sip 100-year-old ports. Vinotherapy treatments are a hallmark of the 10-room, 24,000-square-foot spa, as are of-the-moment trends like forest bathing, rose-crystal lymphatic facials, and sleep wellness programs. Rest up between sips at the river-facing swimming pool or in your room’s custom Naturalmat bed, made of organic lamb’s wool and sustainable latex. It’s as if somebody