Location: Spread across 10 secluded beachfront acres in South Andros, the Bahamas’ largest but least-inhabited island. South Andros has more than 90 miles of powder-white-sand beaches, edged with crystalline turquoise waters on one side, and is flanked by a dense limestone and mangrove forest on the other. The island’s Congo Town Airport is a 20-minute flight from Nassau or a 60-minute flight from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport.
Rooms: The resort features 18 Clubhouse Suites and six private villas. All suites are built on an angle so they face the ocean and feature spacious outdoor patios. Each of the villas has a unique design, but all are standalone, with private porches and direct beach access.
Design: Bryan and Sarah Baeumler of HGTV fame are behind the property’s construction and design. The couple discovered the once-abandoned resort on a family boating trip and decided to purchase it almost instantly, turning it into a boutique luxury hotel. The hotel was built using sustainable materials, and the property is currently working on converting to 100% solar-powered energy. Turkish linens, bold brass fixtures, and Jonathan Adler furniture add touches of sophistication to this sleepy island-inspired retreat.
To do: Caerula Mar offers the area’s first fine-dining restaurant, Lusca, which features a rotating menu based on the day’s fresh catch and ingredients grown on-site in the resort’s organic garden. South Andros is home to the world’s third-largest fringing barrier reef and the largest number of blue-hole ocean caves, and is about a mile from the Tongue of the Ocean, a deep-water basin that features some of the world’s best fishing. The island is also known as the world’s bonefishing capital and is a mecca for snorkelers and divers.
Opening: Debuted in February 2020, then closed (for COVID) in March and reopened in October 2020. From $485
Caerula Mar Club occupies 10 beachfront acres on South Andros Island.
Location: In the heart of Solvang, the Dutch community just 40 minutes from the Santa Barbara Airport or a two-hour drive up the coast from Los Angeles. Within the Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara County’s wine region, known for its Chardonnay, Grenache-Syrah blends and Pinot Noir.
Rooms: The design-forward 14-room hotel (perfect for buyouts) evokes a warm, residential feeling with bathroom “mini bars” featuring upscale skincare, beauty, and bath products; a private, guest-only honor bar; and complimentary breakfast delivered to the door.
Design: The in-house design team from parent company Highway West Vacations created the property within the city’s historic Old Mill Clock Tower, one of the most photographed buildings in town. The rooms—each with a one-of-a-kind aesthetic—and public spaces are outfitted with pieces personally curated from around the world, giving it an eclectic, bohemian feel.
To do: Solvang is having a moment with new shops, restaurants, and now hotels, reinventing itself as more than just a quaint Danish village rich with culture and charm. It is the ideal launching point to exploring the valley’s 120 wineries and beautiful vineyards, with plenty of noteworthy dining, from traditional Danish to fresh California farm-to-table cuisine.
Opening: August 2020. From $350
Each of the The Winston’s 14 guest rooms has a unique design scheme.
Location: On a spectacular cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, with dramatic vistas and a lush rainforest setting, just an hour north of the Puerto Vallarta airport, in Riviera Nayarit.
Rooms: A combination of 105 freestanding villas and 54 One&Only Private Homes either float above the treetops or perch against the cliffs—each with its own private plunge pool. Accommodations range from 854-square-foot treehouse suites to eight-bedroom residential villas, each featuring a One Contact who can arrange everything from a private chef to an event coordinator.
Design: Arizona-based architect Rick Joy created the project, allowing nature to be the star. The property was created with resource-efficient architecture as well as sustainable practices, and botany experts were consulted to minimize effects on the existing landscape. Building materials include clay, wood, precious metal, stone, and other natural materials indigenous to the region. Glass walls throughout the property look out to views of the landscape, where it’s common to see exotic wildlife such as butterflies, foxes, armadillos, deer, iguanas, birds, and the rare jaguar living in the jungle alongside 50+ species of ancient trees.
To do: The lush rainforest and clear ocean waters are natural playgrounds, and outdoor activities include sailing, fishing, ocean adventures such as PADI open-water diving, sailing, rowing ocean circuit, spearfishing, and marine safaris, as well as numerous land adventures, including access to the Mandarina Polo & Equestrian Club. A captivating spa draws inspiration from Eastern practices and Western science to guide treatments, and the dinner-only restaurant, Carao is led by famed chef Enrique Olvera.
Opening: November 2020. From $990
Rooms at the One&Only Mandarina come with their own plunge pool.
Location: On a 245-acre peninsula in Vietnam, among ancient rice-paddy fields, lush green hilltops, palm and bamboo groves, and a kilometer of coral reef bay. The property is a 60-minute car ride from the airports of Phù Cát (UIH) in Quy Nhon and Tuy Hoa (TBB) in Phu Yen, which are connected through several daily flights to Hô Chi Minh (70 minutes) and Hanoi (90 minutes).
Rooms: A total of 71 spacious villas, each featuring a large living area, wooden deck, and state-of-the-art technology designed to seamlessly blend with the surrounding jungle—46 are also equipped with private pools. Each villa is the creation of hotelier Arnaud Zannier, built by locals using traditional techniques, and draws on three different architectural styles linked to the country’s rich tribal cultures. Interiors are dotted with Vietnamese artifacts, paintings, and local silk prints. Two private residences are for sale, a first for the esteemed hotel brand.
To do: Explore the private bay by catamaran or snorkel the rainbow reefs; experience temple bells and blessings at Quy Nhon; learn the local craft of fishing and harvesting oysters, followed by dining on a Vietnamese longboat; see the ancient ruins of the Champa Kingdom or Da Dia Reef through the eyes of a local guide; or learn how to plant and cultivate rice, followed by a Vietnamese cookery class.
Opening: December 2020. From $340
Zannier Hotels Bãi San Hô property (also shown at top) features just 71 villas.
Location: Within the 620-acre Mayakoba development, which is also home to the Rosewood, Andaz, and Fairmont properties, as well as lagoons, jungles, and beaches. About 40 minutes from Cancun International Airport.
Rooms: A new $50M addition will create 41 additional keys to the Banyan Tree, for a total of 164 rooms, including new Beachfront Sunrise Pool Suites, which span 1,675 to 2,470 square feet with breathtaking views of the turquoise ocean waters. Each features its own private solarium with heated private plunge pool, outdoor shower, whirlpool bathtub, interior patio, and natural atmosphere. Seven new overwater lagoon pool villas are also in the works. The expansion is overseen by Sordo Madaleno Architects, known for a contemporary style that complements the surroundings.
To do: Explore the coral reef offshore; bike miles of nature trails; immerse yourself in Mayan culture; or golf at the Greg Norman–designed El Camaleon Golf Course.
Opening: 18 of the new 34 beachfront pool villas will be complete in December 2020, with the rest completed in early 2021. An expanded Sands Beach Club will be ready in December 2020 and seven overwater lagoon pool villas will be available for stays come June 2021. From $1,099
The seven forthcoming overwater bungalows at the Banyan Tree Mayakoba.
Location: At the intersection of Sunset Boulevard and Olive Drive in the heart of the iconic Sunset Strip.
Rooms: A total of 149 luxury guest rooms and 40 Pendry Residences by Montage Hotels & Resorts.
To do: Guests and residence owners will have exclusive access to hotel amenities, including multiple food and beverage conceptsdriven by world-renowned chef Wolfgang Puck, rooftop pool and bar, multipurpose live entertainment venue, screening room, bowling alley, Spa Pendry, state-of-the-art fitness center, and a curated art collection. The site will also host a private membership club (The Britely).
Design: Martin Brudnizki created the interiors, which are inspired by California glamour, Los Angeles at dusk, and ocean waves. Architecture is by Ehrlich Yanai Rhee Chaney Architects.
Opening: January 2021. From $395
The rooftop pool at Pendry will overlook West Hollywood.
Location: The 258-acre resort is tucked within Sonoma wine country, a perfectly situated launching pad to discover iconic wineries in the Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, and Russian River Valley appellations. Situated among 22,000 carefully preserved oak trees and vine-covered hills, the sprawling sanctuary is brimming with natural beauty and expansive outdoor spaces. The resort is located 20 minutes from the Santa Rosa Airport, approximately an hour and a half from Oakland International Airport and two hours from Sacramento International Airport.
Rooms: 130 bungalow-style guest rooms and suites blend contemporary influence with environmentally conscious design. All accommodations offer stunning views of the surrounding heritage oak forest and one-third of each space is dedicated to outdoor living with a balcony or deck. The crown jewel is The Guest House, with three bedrooms and more than 4,600 square feet of combined indoor and outdoor space.
Design: The property is the collaborative vision of Le Architecture, Delawie Architects, and EDG Design. The project merges a contemporary, wine-country aesthetic with environmentally sensitive design, all built within the natural topography of the surrounding landscape.
To do: Explore the town with a road bike or e-bike rental; play bocce ball, pickleball, and archery; experience the bee apiary. Additional resort amenities include an 11,500-square-foot Spa Montage; a zero-edge pool overlooking the resort’s vineyards; several distinct dining options inspired by the region’s culinary heritage; and Montage Hotels & Resorts’ signature Paintbox children’s program. Off-property recreation includes water sports along the Russian River, hiking, horseback riding, bird watching, ziplining, rock climbing, helicopter tours, and hot air balloon rides over rolling vineyards. The resort has partnered with local vineyards to offer guests the opportunity to learn the craft of winemaking through private tastings and personalized tours. Montage Healdsburg itself has 15.5 acres of vineyards overseen by the resort’s internationally renowned winemaker and partner, Jesse Katz. Guests have the exclusive opportunity to join Katz for tastings at his nearby winery, Aperture Cellars, and enjoy his award-winning 2019 Sauvignon Blanc and 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, which are proudly featured in the honor bar of all guest rooms and suites.
Opening: December 2020. From $695
Montage Healdsburg features 130 rooms on 258 acres.
Location: On 700 acres in the Mantiqueira Mountains, about 2.5 hours northeast of Sao Paulo.
Rooms: Seven suites within the main hotel and 13 private villas spanning up to 3,230 square feet in the surrounding hills. Another 14 villas are planned for a later date.
Design: The hotel, which was created by Candida Tabet and William Gorham with interiors from Adelia Borges, was built with local materials like jacaranda wood, natural stone, chocolate slate, and 120-year-old wooden beams.
To do: All hosts on property are from the local Mantiqueira region and gastronomy is based on farm-to-table foraging throughout the surroundings. Within the region, discover olive oil farms, dairy farms for acclaimed ice cream, and local kombucha made from the residue of cocoa seed and peel from a local chocolate producer.
Opening: Originally opened as the Botanique Hotel & Spa in 2012, Six Senses will take over in early 2021. From $350
Six Senses Botanique was built with local materials.
Alila Marea Beach Resort Encinitas
Location: Just 90 miles south of Los Angeles, in Encinitas, known for its relaxed beach and surf culture.
Rooms: A total of 130 coastal and garden-view rooms and suites.
Design: Architecture from San Diego–based Joseph Wong Design Associates, with interior design by Mark Zeff, features a palette of natural stone, warm woods, clean lines, and teasing views of the Pacific.
To do: Recently named among the 20 best surf towns in the world by National Geographic, Encinitas wears its surf history proudly. Located along six miles of Pacific Ocean coastline, the town is an unspoiled reminder of the historic Highway 101 beach culture. The eclectic downtown area has long drawn surfers and hippies with its unique and dynamic blend of San Diego’s top surf shops, coffeehouses, and record stores.
Opening: Early 2021. From $499
Alila Marea is located in Encinitas, a beloved Southern California surf town.
Location: Located within Century City, just south of Beverly Hills, the project is the centerpiece of a $2.5B mixed-use development on 6.14 acres, which also includes two 44-story towers with 268 privately owned luxury residences, and nearly 94,000 square feet of boutique shopping and restaurants surrounding a landscaped pedestrian plaza and event space.
Rooms: 400 guest rooms and suites each feature their own private balcony, plus 63 private residences. The Presidential Suite features four balconies, an expansive master suite, large working space, dining table for six, and enough room to entertain 20.
Design: Architect Minoru Yamasaki, best known for the original World Trade Center in New York City, created the original Century Plaza project, which debuted in 1966 as one of Southern California’s most impressive large-scale hotels. International design firm Yabu Pushelberg has transformed the hotel’s original design, embracing both its iconic history and all the modernity of a cutting-edge hotel.
To do: Four on-site restaurant and bar concepts pay homage to the hotel’s storied past. James Beard Award–nominated executive chef Jason Franey helms signature restaurant Lumière, a seasonal, modern American brasserie. The Fairmont Spa Century Plaza is a 14,000-square-foot oasis, with state-of-the-art facilities, experiential showers, sanarium, Himalayan salt room, aromatherapy steam room, and hammam.
Opening: Early 2021. From $699
The new Fairmont Century City is part of a $2.5B mixed-use development.
Location: In the heart of Manhattan, at Fifth Avenue and 57th Street, overlooking Central Park.
Rooms: A total of 83 guest rooms start at 750 square feet and accompany 22 Aman Residences—the first urban ones for the brand—including a five-story, park-view penthouse with wraparound terrace and private indoor and outdoor pools.
Design: The original 1921 Beaux-Arts Crown Building, originally the home of the first Museum of Modern Art, has been reimagined and updated by Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston, who also created Amanyara in Turks and Caicos, Amanwana in Indonesia, Aman Venice, and Aman Sveti Stefan in Montenegro. Details include a 10th-floor double-height Sky Lobby; fireplaces in every guest room; and a 10th-floor garden terrace with a bar and views of the park.
To do: The Aman Spa will occupy 25,000 square feet over the seventh, eighth, and ninth floors, and feature seven treatment rooms and two Spa Houses, each with a private outdoor relaxation terrace with hot and cold plunge pools; a 25-meter indoor swimming pool features daybeds and firepits for a tranquil refuge; and public spaces like The Bar, two restaurants (Nama, a Japanese fine-dining restaurant, and Arva, which will serve Italian cuisine), Wine Library, and subterranean jazz club give little reason to go off property. There is also an Aman Club for locals and residents, allowing access to the spa facilities and flagship wellness center.
Opening: Spring 2021. Pricing to be determined.
Each room at the Aman New York has its own fireplace.
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Napa Valley
Location: On 22.5 acres within the charming town of Calistoga in Napa Valley, about 30 minutes by car from Santa Rosa, 90 minutes from San Francisco, and 120 minutes from Palo Alto. The property features an open-air layout with direct private entrances to every room and is Napa Valley’s first and only resort set within a working winery.
Rooms: The resort features 85 guest rooms, one-bedroom suites, and The Estate Villa, a nearly 3,400-square-foot, freestanding building nestled at the edge of the on-site vineyard. Guests of The Estate Villa have access to indoor-outdoor living and dining, private garden, and swimming pool.
Design: Local designer Erin Martin created the lobby, grounds, spa, communal spaces, guest rooms, and suites with a contemporary-cool vibe. Architecture comes from HKS Hospitality Group and O’Bryan Partnership.
To do: Here, wine, wellness, culinary, and design converge. Guests can enjoy a range of activities and amenities on property, including Spa Talisa, inspired by Calistoga’s 150+ years of healing tradition; the 7.4-acre winery and tasting room with a variety of experiences; dining options like Truss Restaurant and Bar and Campo Poolside; two outdoor swimming pools with vineyard views perfect on a hot day; the brand’s Kids for All Seasons program; and more. Highlights nearby include Oat Hill Mine Trail, iconic Napa hot air balloon rides, Safari West, and more.
Opening: Early 2021. From $1,400
The Four Seasons Napa Valley will offer 85 guest rooms on 22.5 acres.
Location: The 1,400-acre property rests at a 3,600-foot elevation in the middle of the Nantahala National Forest amid 15 miles of hiking trails and a 35-acre private lake. It is located 49 miles from Asheville Regional Airport.
Rooms: There are 18 inn rooms, 40 cottage rooms, and three cottages. The property will complement the owners’ other boutique inns: Blackberry Farm and Blackberry Mountain.
Design: The Blackberry Farm Design team is thoughtfully restoring the nearly 100-year-old property with support from the North Carolina Historical Preservation Office, providing guests with modern amenities while preserving the craftsmanship. The team is restoring the accommodations, enlarging each guest room and bathroom, installing central heat and air, and mixing a design of original antiques and art from the inn’s archives with newer, contemporary pieces. They are also building out new kitchens to transform the inn’s two à la carte restaurants. The result is camp-like comforts that are both refined and polished. The design team will also aim to retain the interior (American chestnut) and exterior wood (shag bark); original room number signs; four-sided stone fireplace in the lodge; original bed frames; and more. An old Champion tree that fell is being chopped up, and the wood used for mantles in the cottages.
To do: A summer camp for adults with 15 miles of trails; a pool and hot tub overlooking the 35-acre lake; canoes and kayaks; tennis; and an 18-hole golf course being redesigned by Tom Fazio.
Opening: Spring 2021 (originally debuted in 1925). From $395
High Hampton’s 35-acre private lake.
Location: In the city’s historic Presidio neighborhood, just 90 miles north of Los Angeles.
Rooms: 24 rooms range from standard studios to a one-bedroom suite with 800 square feet of space and its own fireplace, full-size refrigerator, and private balcony.
Design: Palisociety founder Avi Brosh and his in-house team gave the property a vintage preppy-meets-American Riviera look and feel.
To do: The hotel features a tranquil Mediterranean-style courtyard, sparkling pool area, delightful garden café, cocktail bar, and lobby lounge.
Opening: Spring 2021. From $325
Rooms at the Palihouse Santa Barbara have a vintage-coastal charm.
Location: About a 40-minute drive (to Hegra) from Prince Abdul Majeed bin Abdulaziz Domestic Airport. The hotel is within AlUla, a 875-square-mile historic site located 685 miles from Riyadh, in northwest Saudi Arabia, which features lush valleys, towering sandstone mountains, and an ancient cultural heritage site thousands of years old. The region was closed off for many years but has just reopened.
Rooms: A total of 100 luxury experiential suites, some with an indoor lounge space and a covered outdoor terrace with seating. All rooms will feature telescopes for stargazing.
Design: Habitas’ in-house designers took inspiration from local design and combined it with their own manufacturing techniques. Every room is made from ethically sourced organic materials that blend seamlessly into the natural surroundings, with minimal disruption and a sustainable program leaving little trace on the environment.
To do: The most well-known and recognized site in AlUla is Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. A 130-acre ancient city, Hegra was the principal southern city of the Nabataean Kingdom and is comprised of more than 100 well-preserved tombs with elaborate facades cut into sandstone outcrops. In addition to Hegra, AlUla is home to a series of fascinating historical and archaeological sites including Ancient Dadan, the capital of the Dadan and Lihyan Kingdoms, which is considered one of the most developed first-millennium BCE cities of the Arabian Peninsula. It features thousands of ancient rock art sites and inscriptions and Hijaz railway stations. Guests at Habitas will benefit from the property’s program with local artisans for handicrafts, cooking classes, and basking in the natural landscape.
Opening: Spring 2021. Pricing to be determined.
A 2,000-year-old historic site is the backdrop for Habitas AlUla.
Location: Overlooking the protected preserve of Coconino National Forest in Sedona. The property sits on three acres of pristine, untouched rugged landscape along 89A, a three-minute drive from Airport Mesa. The topography is heavily vegetated, with red, iron-oxide-rich soil and a series of natural, dry washes snaking throughout.
Rooms: 40 cubed-shaped guest atriums are elevated above the ground by steel piers and constructed using floor-to-ceiling, bronze-tinted glass and matte-charcoal and rusted metal. At dusk, the tinted glass reflects the nature around it, creating stunning, mirrored silhouettes. Each room features a main bedroom accented with a platform bed draped in silky sheets and down bedding, and a bathroom with an oversized soaking tub, complemented by a fireplace and walk-in shower big enough for two. A sitting area adjacent to the bedroom is accented by a cozy sectional with plush throw blankets, hidden, drop-down 65” television, and live-edge wooden coffee table. Many atriums will also have access to their own private rooftop decks with a secure staircase for the ultimate sunbathing and stargazing experience.
Design: Award-winning, Scottsdale-based ASUL Architects was selected to design the atriums and accompanying buildings, and San Diego–based Krizan Associates Inc. was brought in for the landscape architecture and reactivation of the site’s natural waterways.
To do: A two-room spa will offer treatments with locally sourced ingredients embodying the healing properties of Sedona. At the center of the property, a natural, lagoon-inspired pool and spa will be positioned contiguous to an open-air, two-story poolside lounge serving farm-to-table cuisine and locally sourced juices. A panoramic rooftop sun deck above features firepits, cozy lounge seating, and programming like rooftop yoga and telescopes for nightly stargazing. With direct access to more than 300 miles of hiking and biking trails in Sedona as well as premier rock climbing, outdoor adventure, and recreational activities, there is no need for an on-site fitness center, and instead Ambiente will encourage guests to explore the outdoors by offering mountain bike rentals and hiking tours. The hotel also boasts exclusive access to the Adobe Jack trail system, a moderate 1.7-mile hike that connects to an additional seven miles of trails renowned for the picturesque scenery along the way. For those who prefer to explore within hotel grounds, additional wellness trails will weave throughout the site with designated spots to stop and follow instructed exercises that promote overall wellness.
Opening: Summer 2021. Pricing to be determined.
The atriums at Ambiente look out to stunning Sedona mountains.
