The hottest luxury hotel openings of 2026: Europe and Middle East

A fresh year comes with a fresh slate for adventures and excursions. While grey skies and drizzle may prevail in the UK, overseas blue skies and delightful desert heat beckons. Whether you’re looking to escape for some winter sunshine or considering a far-flung foray, 2026 promises a slew of new ultra-luxury hotel openings from some of hospitality’s most revered and respected names. In the first of three destination spotlights, discover our pick of the UK and Middle East’s most exciting hotels to look out for — whether boutique or behemoth — to inspire your travels in 2026.

THE UK & EUROPE

Six Senses London, opening spring
With credit to IHG Hotels & Resorts
Over the past three decades, Six Senses has built a stellar reputation for excellence in hospitality, wellness and service. How this translates to an urban environment has been front of mind as with the unveiling of city locations from Rome to Kyoto so this, Six Senses’ highly-anticipated inaugural UK property, will have many eyes upon it. Situated in the historic Whiteley department store, the sprawling destination will encompass 109 rooms and suites and 14 residences, alongside a restaurant, bar and cafe. For lovers of Six Senses’ acclaimed spas, renowned for their combination of progressive high-tech wellness with therapeutic treatments and hands-on healing, the expansive wellness destination will be a welcome addition to the city, featuring progressive treatments from cryotherapy, floatation, and heat and water journeys, alongside more traditional saunas, steam rooms and plunge pools. Unique to London, the opening will also introduce Six Senses Place – a new private members concept from the group.

Borgo Pignano Florence, launching spring
Following the same sustainable ethos of its Tuscan sister property, Borgo Pignano Florence will offer the largest grounds of any Florentine property when it opens this spring in Florence. Comprising a cluster of eleven historic buildings, set within five expansive acres, the grounds encompass varied drinking and dining offering, promising Tuscan traditions and flavours paired with contemporary elegance across two restuarants and multiple bars. The Aròmatica Spa will provide a tranquil space to unwind, with an onsite gym boasting the latest Technogym equipment. It is the grounds, however, that are set to be the real draw, with shaded trails and scenic routes to traverse through an ever-changing Italian landscape — from ancient cypress-lined avenues to elegant Italian parterres and orchards of pomegranates, persimmons, and medlars.

Gran Hotel Claridge Granada, launching April Bringing Granada’s rich heritage to life, this 70-room luxury boutique hotel offers a sophisticated stay in a central location, just steps away from the Granada Cathedral and iconic Alhambra. For travellers able to tear themselves away from the surrounding sites, the hotel has plenty to offer. Housed in the historical Plaza de Villamena, named after a 17th-century Spanish sculptor, on-site a signature restaurant will celebrate the culinary traditions of Andalusia, while a second rooftop restaurant and lounge will offer sweeping views of the surrounding landmarks. Elsewhere, a boutique wellness center will offer a contemporary space for indulgent spa treatments which rejuvenate and revitalise. 

THE MIDDLE EAST

Six Senses AMAALA, Saudi Arabia, launching summerWith credit to IHG Hotels & Resorts
One of several luxury hotels opening this year at Amaala, on Saudi Arabia’s northwestern coast, Six Senses Amaala at Triple Bay will comprise beachfront residences, a hillside village, and villas that line the private mangrove bay. Inspired by the region’s traditional coastal villages, Six Senses Amaala will seamlessly integrate with the area’s natural topography, located on one of Triple Bay’s most dramatic landforms and offering panoramic views across the Hijaz Cove to the Red Sea. The destination is part of a nearly 11,000-square-mile development, underpinned by ambitious conservation, sustainable tourism, and marine resource management goals pledged by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Vision 2030 outlines its plans to build a blue economy, maintaining ecological integrity while welcoming the globe’s best sustainably-minded luxury hospitality destinations as part of its development.

The Oberoi, Wadi Safar, launching late 2026 Also in Saudi Arabia, as part of the Kingdom’s efforts to provide impeccable experiences and encourage access to the country’s most captivating cultural destinations, ultra-luxe hotels and resorts brand, The Oberoi, will open its second property within the country, with The Oberoi, Wadi Safar. An expansive hospitality haven adjacent to Diriyah, the resort will occupy 62 km2 of Saudi’s most untouched and natural landscape. Drinking and dining will be a highlight, with five venues to choose from, as well as an impressive array of amenities from spa and pool, to a yoga studio, business centre, and a Greg Norman-designed 27 hole golf club on the doorstep. The resort features outdoor seating with spectacular views, allowing guests to enjoy the unforgettable setting of this desert destination. 

Tivoli La Vie Muscat Oman, launching springAnother destination for those seeking warm air and a warmer welcome, Tivoli La Vie Muscat will mark Tivoli’s anticipated debut in Oman. Combining timeless European elegance and the location-led design characteristic of the brand, the hotel borders the spacious fairways of the 18-hole LA VIE Club Golf Course. With 79 elegant hotel rooms and 100 serviced residences, the contemporary property will offer an array of elegant drinking and dining experiences, including a rooftop lounge with panoramic city views. Elsewhere, the destination’s cultural traditions and heritage will be brought to the fore, with Omani-inspired wellness rituals and holistic spa offerings and treatments.

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