Now Open: The Best New Hotels of Spring 2024
City stunners (from London to Nairobi to Tokyo) and beach retreats (from the Riviera to Grenada).
With the scent of summer in the air, our heads swivel toward European hotel openings. Namely those in France, where the influx of Summer Olympics spectators will surely spill out toward the coasts. Other popular spots for vacationers are Greece, Mexico, and Japan (go while the U.S. dollar is strong). We’ve selected the most exciting openings of the past two months, like:
a buzzing London landmark and members-only wellness club
several Côte d’Azur charmers (at various price points)
Grecian gems for island hoppers
impressive off-grid luxury in Costa Rica
king-size opulence in Casablanca
In case you missed it, these are the best hotels that opened this winter. And if you really want to go down the rabbit hole, here are aaaaaalll the best new hotels on deck for 2024.
Europe
Grand Hotel Bellevue
London, England
The five-floor townhouse (60 keys) in Paddington is the first UK property from French group Lignée. Sultry interiors are courtesy of Paris-based architect Fabrizio Casiraghi’s brain. (Really feeling the matching carpets, tiles, and curtains.) The darling Pondicherry Bar has a clubby feel and is wrapped in tapestries by fashion designer du jour Emily Bode.
The Emory
London, England
The Maybourne Group (of Claridge’s, Connaught, and Berkeley fame) have given London another luxury hotel option, an all-suite hotel overlooking Hyde Park. A who’s who of global talent went into the project, starting with designers André Fu, Pierre Yves Rochon, Alexandra Champalimaud, Rigby & Rigby, and Patricia Urquiola. London is especially abuzz about two American imports: Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s abc kitchens restaurant and Tracy Anderson fitness studio at Surenne, the extensive members’ wellness club. No, this won’t come cheap: Rates begin at £2,040 and include access to Surenne, the private rooftop Bar 33, use of the house car, a fully-stocked bar, and round-trip transportation to the airports.
The Store
Oxford, England
The old Boswells department store has been converted into a handsome 101-room hotel in two connected buildings with six design styles. In addition to the hotel, the complex includes Treadwell restaurant, a rooftop spot with great views of the city, a subterranean spa, and a co-working bar (a concept we can really get behind).
100 Princes Street
Edinburgh, Scotland
The stakes were high as delays mounted (the hotel was originally supposed to open in 2022), but perfection takes time, and we're here for the ride. The heritage of the former Overseas League, a home away from home for Scottish explorers of yore, was the inspiration for the 30-room Red Carnation hotel (their first in Scotland) where the focus is on extraordinary service (with a 2-to-1 staff ratio, the working theme is “anything, anytime”). The Explorers Club will showcase wholly Scottish guest experiences through design, food, and some of the world’s rarest libations. Expect custom-made tartan, views of Edinburgh Castle, roaring fires, and a wee bit of liquid gold available on demand. The hotel partners with two local charities year-round through fundraising and awareness initiatives. And all Red Carnation properties work with not-for-profit TreadRight to address the environmental footprint and community impact of its operations.