As we look ahead, the landscape of high-end travel is undergoing a profound transformation. The year 2025 isn’t just another year on the calendar; it’s a benchmark for a new era of hospitality. The discerning traveler is no longer seeking opulence for its own sake. Today, true luxury is defined by experience, exclusivity, and emotional connection. The post-pandemic world has accelerated our desire for meaningful journeys, sustainability without compromise, and deep, restorative wellness.
The best luxury hotels to visit in 2025 are not just places to stay; they are destinations in themselves. They are architectural marvels, sanctuaries of well-being, and gateways to cultural immersion. This year’s most anticipated openings reflect this shift, moving away from cookie-cutter extravagance and towards hyper-personalized, authentic, and conscious travel.
This comprehensive guide explores the most exciting new properties and restored icons set to redefine 5-star standards. Whether you’re seeking a remote wilderness escape, a sophisticated urban sanctuary, or an eco-conscious paradise, these are the definitive luxury hotels to have on your radar for 2025.
The New Era of 5-Star Travel: What Defines Luxury in 2025?
Before we unveil our hot list, it’s crucial to understand the new benchmarks for luxury. The properties opening their doors in 2025 are built around several key pillars that cater to the modern elite traveler.
The Rise of ‘Conscious Luxury’
Today’s luxury guest is acutely aware of their environmental and social footprint. The new standard, ‘conscious luxury’, involves properties that seamlessly integrate sustainability into their core operations without sacrificing a single ounce of comfort. This goes beyond just removing plastic straws. We’re talking about biophilic design (integrating nature into architecture), farm-to-table dining sourced from on-site gardens, net-zero carbon ambitions, and meaningful community engagement. The luxury hotels to visit in 2025 are those that allow you to indulge with a clear conscience.
Hyper-Personalization and Privacy
Privacy is, perhaps, the ultimate luxury. In a world of oversharing, the ability to disconnect in a truly private setting is paramount. This translates to secluded villas, private plunge pools, and exclusive-use floors. But it also extends to service. Using sophisticated guest data and dedicated butlers, 2025’s top hotels anticipate your needs before you do. From curating a personalized scent menu for your room to arranging a private viewing of a local artisan’s studio, the experience is tailored entirely to you.
Wellness as a Destination
Wellness is no longer an amenity; it’s the primary motivation for travel. The hotel spa has evolved from a basement afterthought into a multi-story center for transformation. We’re seeing advanced preventative diagnostics, visiting masters in disciplines from neuroscience to traditional Chinese medicine, and state-of-the-art facilities dedicated to sleep health, mindfulness, and longevity. These hotels are not just for relaxation but for genuine, measurable self-improvement.
The 2025 Global Hot List: 12 Luxury Hotels to Visit in 2025
Here is the definitive list of the new and reimagined properties poised to make the biggest impact on the travel scene in the coming year.
1. Aman Nai Lert, Bangkok, Thailand
Aman has long been the gold standard for ultra-luxury, and its first urban hotel and residence in Thailand is arguably the most anticipated Asian opening of the year. Set within the verdant, eight-acre private oasis of Nai Lert Park, this property promises to be a true sanctuary amidst the exhilarating chaos of Bangkok. Designed by the legendary Jean-Michel Gathy, the hotel will feature just 52 suites, offering signature Aman tranquility, a world-class holistic wellness center, and an Omakase restaurant, all while being seamlessly integrated into the city’s heritage.
2. One&Only Moonlight Basin, Montana, USA
Marking One&Only’s grand entrance into the United States, this resort in Big Sky, Montana, is set to be a game-changer for North American wilderness luxury. Nestled between the towering Lone and Fan Mountains, Moonlight Basin will be a year-round destination. It offers unparalleled ski-in/ski-out access to the 5,800 acres of Big Sky Resort, a spectacular private golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus, and the signature One&Only spa. This is where rugged adventure meets refined luxury, with a focus on connecting guests to the majestic nature of the American West.
3. Rosewood Amsterdam, Netherlands
Housed in the magnificent former Palace of Justice on the Prinsengracht (the Prince’s Canal), the Rosewood Amsterdam is a monumental opening. This 134-room hotel has been meticulously designed to preserve the building’s historic character while infusing it with contemporary elegance. It will feature three unique restaurants and bars, including one tucked inside the former courthouse. With its prime location, a serene Asaya spa, and quiet, landscaped internal courtyards, it’s poised to become the city’s new bastion of sophisticated luxury.
4. Waldorf Astoria, New York, USA
This isn’t just an opening; it’s a resurrection. The legendary Waldorf Astoria New York, an icon of Art Deco glamour on Park Avenue, is finally reopening its doors in late 2024/early 2025 after a painstaking, multi-billion dollar restoration. The project has meticulously restored the hotel’s grand public spaces, including the Peacock Alley and Grand Ballroom, to their 1930s splendor. While a large portion is dedicated to private residences, the new, smaller 375-room hotel promises an unprecedented level of modern luxury, re-establishing its place as the definitive address in Manhattan.
5. Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Costa Rica
Joining the brand’s ultra-exclusive “Reserve” portfolio, Nekajui is a haven of “Pura Vida” luxury on the Peninsula Papagayo. This is eco-conscious travel at its finest. The resort is designed to blend seamlessly into the lush rainforest canopy, offering 107 guest rooms and suites, many with private plunge pools overlooking the Pacific. The experience is centered on transformative wellness, with a stunning spa, and nature-based excursions that connect you to Costa Rica’s unique biodiversity. This is a must-visit for the luxury traveler seeking sustainability and seclusion.
6. Capella Kyoto, Japan
Set to open in mid-2025, Capella Kyoto is poised to become a landmark of cultural immersion. Located in the coveted Miyagawa-chō district, an active geisha and maiko neighborhood, the 92-room hotel is a masterpiece of design by the famed Kengo Kuma and Associates. The hotel is structured around a central Japanese garden, with rooms offering intimate views and a sense of serenity. The experience is built around authentic local culture, offering guests an exclusive gateway into the timeless traditions of Kyoto.
7. Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, Dubai, UAE
Never one to be outdone, Dubai welcomes a new architectural icon to its skyline. The Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab is designed to resemble a futuristic superyacht, completing the oceanic trilogy alongside the sail-shaped Burj Al Arab and the wave-like Jumeirah Beach Hotel. This “ultra-luxury” resort will feature 386 rooms, suites, and penthouses, an 80-berth superyacht marina, numerous signature restaurants, and a sprawling wellness area. It’s a statement of bold, uncompromising modern luxury.
8. The Lake Como EDITION, Italy
Breathing new life into a 19th-century landmark on the coveted western shore, The Lake Como EDITION is set to bring a new level of modern glamour to Italy’s most famous lake. With 145 guest rooms, including two penthouse suites, the hotel will also feature a vibrant lobby bar, a signature restaurant, and a floating pool that extends directly out onto the lake. This opening signals a fresh, contemporary energy, blending sleek design with the timeless romance of Lake Como.
9. Six Senses London, UK
Housed within The Whiteley, a restored art deco emporium in Bayswater, Six Senses London is one of the most anticipated wellness-focused luxury hotels to visit in 2025. The 110-room hotel will be home to the brand’s first “Six Senses Place,” a next-generation members club focused on wellness, community, and connection. The spa will be a major highlight, blending high-tech diagnostics with ancient healing traditions, and setting a new standard for urban wellness retreats in the capital.
10. Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree, Singapore
For a truly unique biophilic experience, the Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree is unparalleled. Set to open in the second half of 2025, this is Singapore’s first “super low-energy” resort, fully integrated into the Mandai Wildlife Reserve (home to the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari). The 338 rooms and treetop villas are designed to immerse guests in the surrounding nature. With a focus on education, sustainability, and nature-based activities, this resort offers a restorative escape just a short drive from the city’s hustle.
11. Collegio alla Querce, Auberge Resorts Collection, Florence, Italy
Auberge is bringing its signature style of relaxed, soulful luxury to the hills of Florence. Set in a complex of 16th-century UNESCO-protected buildings, this former preparatory school is being reborn as a stunning 82-room resort. Guests can expect breathtaking views of the Duomo, sprawling Baroque gardens, an enchanting pool, and a destination restaurant celebrating Tuscan cuisine. It offers the perfect blend of a countryside retreat with immediate access to the Renaissance city’s heart.
12. Rosewood Miyakojima, Japan
Marking Rosewood’s first property in Japan, this ultra-luxury resort is located on the remote and pristine Miyakojima island in the Okinawan archipelago. This all-villa resort is a tropical paradise, with 55 villas, each featuring a private pool and garden. The resort is flanked by a stunning white-sand beach and coral reefs, offering unparalleled snorkeling, diving, and relaxation. It’s a secluded escape designed for those looking to discover a different, subtropical side of Japan.
How to Secure Your 2025 Luxury Getaway
The luxury hotels to visit in 2025 are defined by their exclusivity, and the most sought-after suites and villas will be booked months, if not a year, in advance. Here are a few tips for planning your trip.
First, be flexible with your dates. Traveling during the shoulder season (just before or after the peak) can often yield better availability and a more relaxed experience.
Second, book through a professional luxury travel advisor. They often have personal relationships with hotel management and can secure perks you can’t get on your own, such as complimentary upgrades, spa credits, and priority reservations at the hotel’s signature restaurants.
Finally, don’t wait. The buzz around these new openings is immense. If one of these properties aligns with your travel dreams for 2025, the best time to start planning is now. The new era of luxury travel is here, and it promises to be more personal, more conscious, and more extraordinary than ever before.
