2023 luxe list

15. The Peninsula, London

With such an exceptional year in London for luxury hotel openings, the Peninsula stands out from the crowd. We noted how they took time to perfect everything before opening. Sadly this is not the case with all new luxury hotels.
peninsula.com/en/london

14. The Dolli, Athens

Since opening The Dolli has been a big hit with discerning in-the-know Athenians and it’s easy to understand why. It is chic yet informal and offers guests a comprehensive choice of individually appointed rooms, suites and apartments.
thedolli.com

13. Capella, Sydney

This is just what Sydney needs. A luxurious, mid-sized property, ticking all of the boxes. The landmark heritage building has been brought alive by Capella while maintaining the heritage elements. The expansive spa also impressed us.
capellahotels.com

12. Six Senses Southern Dunes, The Red Sea

Having opened in November, this Red Sea resort pays homage to Nabataean architectural heritage and majestic desert surroundings.

Saudi Arabia continues to drop its pin on the global luxury tourism map.

With 36 guest rooms and suites, and a further 40 pool villas dotted among the dunes, this very special property achieves exceptional standards in sustainability and desert hospitality.
sixsenses.com

11. COMO Metropolitan, Singapore

Housed in COMO Orchard on Bideford Road, this marks a debut in the brands home country. The hotel is part of an integrated, immersive experience spread over 19 floors, bringing the best of COMO hospitality, fashion, wellness and cuisine into one inspiring location in the heart of Singapore. comohotels.com/singapore/como-metropolitan-singapore

10. The Fifth Avenue Hotel, New York City

This is such a rich, romantic and colourful new property with an old-school vibe, and we love it.  There are 153 exceptionally appointed rooms and suites. each with its own personality and engaging details that make this historic mansion feel like home.
thefifthavenuehotel.com

9. Four Seasons The Pearl, Qatar

This is a little different to the usual Four Seasons resort, with only residential-style apartments on offer. Each comes with a large bedroom, bathroom, lounge, fully equipped kitchen and spacious terrace. There are also two and three-bedroom apartments available, creating a real home-from-home feel, Four Seasons style.
fourseasons.com/thepearlqatar

8. Raffles at The OWO, London

Another superb property fashioned from a historic landmark. This is the Old War Office (OWO) and from the moment you enter and take in the grand staircase, you can sense the immense importance of this building in its former life. Now, it hosts 120 opulent rooms and suites, nine restaurants, three bars and a Guerlain spa.
raffles.com/london

7. Six Senses, Rome

This is a bold project for Six Senses, creating an urban wellness-focused resort and a true oasis within Rome’s chaotic and magical historic epicentre. We are pleased to report that this is a total triumph. Some guest rooms and all of the suites have terraces and the dramatic yet soothing Roman Spa sits across two floors.
sixsenses.com/rome

6. Estelle Manor, UK

This 60-acre country club and hotel nestled in Oxfordshire, perched on the Cotswolds doorstep, is billed as a ‘new school club with old school values’. We love the vast choice of impressive accommodations (108 rooms and suites with more to come). Also soon to arrive – a 3000 square metre Roman-inspired bathhouse and spa.
estellemanor.com

5. The Peninsula, Istanbul

A lavish resort-style property, with wow factor at every turn. Spread across four buildings, there are 177 rooms and suites offering multiple layouts and categories, a classic Peninsula-style lobby, an impressive spa, plus indoor and outdoor pools.
peninsula.com/en/istanbul

4. Mandarin Oriental, Costa Navarino

Mandarin Oriental is one of many luxury hotel brands we monitor daily. Recently, we named them as the World’s Best Luxury Hotel Brand 2023 and this spectacular new resort demonstrates exactly why.

This is a breathtaking haven.

There are 99 elegantly appointed suites and villas, each providing exceptional views and abundant space while seamlessly blending traditional Messenian elements with contemporary luxury.
mandarinoriental.com/costa-navarino

3. Bulgari, Tokyo

Even though it only opened in April, this could already be Japan’s most luxurious hotel. Located on the penthouse floors of the Yaesu skyscraper, from the 40th floor upwards, with 98 very spacious rooms and suites (spacious is now a Bulgari hotel trademark), a seriously lavish spa and multiple dining and drinking options, this is a true haven, high above the city’s franticness.
bulgarihotels.com/tokyo

2. 1 Place Vendôme, Paris

We have rarely witnessed such a low-key and discreet opening as this, but it did not evade our resourceful researchers. Chopard, the renowned jeweller, has quietly created this gem of a boutique Paris grand dame, with just 15 suites and rooms. Currently, even the hotel website only consists of a booking page. But, trust our judgement, it is a truly special place, particularly if you appreciate quiet luxury.
1-placevendome.com

And the World’s Best New Luxury Hotel 2023 is  . . .

1. Bulgari, Rome

Having reported on luxury hotels and brands for over 12 years, we would never have envisaged that a renowned name in fine jewellery could surpass the world’s leading luxury hospitality operators to create the World’s Best New Luxury Hotel.

But is it so surprising? Bulgari (part of LVMH) clearly understands the needs and likes of global high-net-worth clients, so why not utilise this to create exceptional ultra-luxury hotels?

With Rome, the investment in both time and money is extraordinary, and subsequently, so is the property.

With upcoming resorts in the Maldives, Miami Beach and Los Angeles the continuing rise of Bulgari as a luxury hospitality operator is a potential game changer and such an enthralling watch.
bulgarihotels.com/rome