The Dandy Dozen: Best Hotel Openings of the Year

Hotel openings in 2024 shifted from spectacle to substance. The twelve best new properties this year prioritize place-specific design, genuine hospitality, and the kind of stays that reshape how you travel — not just where you sleep.

Aman Residences Miami in the Brickell Financial District marked the ultra-luxury brand's first US urban property. The 56-story tower includes just 26 hotel suites alongside private residences, each with floor-to-ceiling bay views. The Japanese-inspired spa spans three floors and features a traditional hammam alongside cryotherapy. Rates start at $2,500 per night, and the experience justifies every dollar.

The Emory in London's Knightsbridge neighborhood, a Maybourne Hotel Group property, opened as the sister to Claridge's and The Connaught. The interiors by Bryan O'Sullivan pair jade marble, bronze fixtures, and Italian walnut in a palette that feels both classic and modern. The rooftop Japanese restaurant became an instant London dining destination.

Six Senses Rome opened inside a 15th-century palazzo near the Spanish Steps. The brand's signature wellness programming — sleep analysis, biomarker testing, and personalized nutrition — meets Renaissance architecture and a rooftop bar overlooking the Eternal City. It is the most architecturally significant wellness hotel opening of the year at https://www.sixsenses.com.

Habitas Bacalar in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula brought the nomadic hotel brand to the shores of the Lagoon of Seven Colors. The off-grid property runs entirely on solar power, sources ingredients from surrounding Mayan communities, and limits capacity to 35 guests. The cenote swimming and kayaking access makes it the ultimate disconnect destination.

1 Hotel Hanalei Bay in Kauai reopened after a $300 million transformation that set a new standard for Hawaiian luxury. The property integrates native landscaping, recycled materials, and partnerships with local conservation organizations. Every room faces the bay, and the farm-to-table restaurant sources 80 percent of ingredients from within 50 miles.

Also making the dozen: The Lana in Dubai for Dorchester Collection's Middle East debut, Bulgari Roma for Italian palazzo luxury, The Calile in Brisbane for Australian boutique excellence, Rosewood São Paulo for South American sophistication, Patina Maldives for sustainable island luxury, and Hotel & Homes Magazine ranked Park Hyatt Marrakech as the best new opening in North Africa. Twelve hotels, twelve reasons to plan your next trip.