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Where to Stay: The Best New Hotels of 2025

Rooftop retreats, private lagoons and luxury revivals mark some of the most exciting hotel openings from the last twelve months. Explore them here.

From Sydney to Singapore, this year has ushered in a slew of new hotels that offer more than just a room. This generation of hotel openings blend design, location and personality to create experiences worth travelling for. Expect thoughtfully curated interiors, standout dining and unexpected extras that will make you want to rebook before you’ve even checked out.  

Read on to discover our pick of the best new hotels from 2025. 

The best new hotels in Australia

The EVE Hotel Sydney 

Located at the convergence of Redfern and Surry Hills, The EVE Hotel Sydney occupies a former factory building given new life with moody colours, textured walls and locally inspired artwork. Rooms range from compact city pads to swanky suites with private terraces. A rooftop pool and bar offer skyline views, while the lobby lounge showcases cocktails and oysters in a social, light-filled setting. Not only is it one of the city’s slickest stays, it’s also one of its most minted – The EVE is one of just 35 Australian hotels to be awarded a Michelin Key.

InterContinental Brisbane 

InterContinental Brisbane is one of the best new hotels of 2025 - Luxury Escapes

Perched on the riverfront, InterContinental Brisbane is the new hotel living in the bones of the former Hilton Brisbane. The 319-key property spans 25 floors; its rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the city skyline, while the rooftop pool offers panoramic views. The hotel’s restaurant highlights Queensland produce in modern dishes, and the lobby lounge is perfect for an afternoon cocktail or late-night espresso. A full two-year transformation project is set to commence in 2026 to further elevate the hotel’s guest experience.

1 Hotel Melbourne 

1 Hotel Melbourne sits along the banks of the Yarra River’s, the eco-friendly debut outpost for the international hotel brand. Already awarded a Michelin Key, the hotel blends recycled timbers, mossed walls and abundant greenery with refined city interiors. Rooms are spacious, with in-room water filters, coffee machines and natural fabrics. The hotel’s spa is in partnership with British beauty brand Bamford, and the emphasis on wellness also extends to a great gym, sauna, Jacuzzi and indoor pool.

Adina Apartment Hotel Sydney Town Hall

Apartment hotels have had a moment in 2025 and this iteration is one of the best. A full refurbishment transformed these apartments; the hotel’s studios and suites are now dressed with muted tones, moody atmospheric lighting and textured furnishings. Kitchens are fully equipped, living spaces generous, and the design is clean and contemporary, with some rooms including Juliet balconies with city views. Guests enjoy hotel-style amenities such as a gym, rooftop terrace and 24-hour reception, making it ideal for longer stays without compromising comfort. 

Mondrian Gold Coast 

The Mondrian brand brings its take on understated glamour to Burleigh Heads, with playful colour palettes, statement lighting and a sense of laidback luxury. Rooms offer ocean or city views, while the pool deck is lined with cabanas and a DJ-ready social space. Suites are ideal for those craving even more space, and the homes and beach houses are great for groups. Coastal Italian flavours inspire the menu at ground floor restaurant LiTO, and fresh seafood is the name of the game at Haven, located on level three.

Montarto Safari Resort

At only an hours’ drive from Adelaide, arriving at Montarto Safari Resort could be momentarily jarring; this is South Australia, not Africa. The resort neighbours the largest safari park outside Africa for a wild new take on boutique escapes. Safari influences are subtle and not overdone, while rooms and suites have views over the watering hole or savannah landscape (there are interconnecting options for families). Dawn and sunset safaris are available to book, and Kutjera restaurant is a good spot for wildlife sighting debriefs.

Hotel Indigo Melbourne Little Collins 

Melbourne’s laneways brim with unexpected finds and the Little Collins instalment of Hotel Indigo adds to that trove. Tucked away in the newly-revived Melbourne Walk precinct, this new city hotel has plenty of splashes of its namesake colour, as well as industrial textures, local artworks and curated amenities. A landscaped courtyard overlooks the city sprawl, and the lobby Fern Bar is a cosy place for a drink.

The Sundays, Hamilton Island 

Welcome to Hamilton Island’s first new hotel in almost 18 years. This small resort embraces relaxed island rhythm of Queensland’s Whitsundays for a setting that’s as stylish as it is family friendly. Rooms open to sea breezes and pool views, with simple, coastal interiors. Head to Catseye Pool Club for island-style dining and seafood-skewed menus by culinary superstar Josh Niland. Sunday sessions at the Club cater for adults, and younger guests will love movie screenings on the resort’s main deck.

The Lodge Wadjemup, Rottnest Island 

Rottnest Island may be a popular day trip for visitors staying back on the mainland, but it’s worth hanging around for a night or two – especially when the stays look like The Lodge Wadjemup. This mid-century inspired retreat is steps from the beach, its shared spaces mixing warm timber interiors with open-air decks. Bedrooms are light and uncluttered, with some featuring ocean views.

The best new hotels in Asia

Aman Nai Lert Bangkok

The opening of this new hotel sees Aman return to its Thai origins; the first Aman, Amanpuri, is in Phuket. In the heart of Bangkok, this ultra-luxe lodging is ensconced within Nai Lert Park and is the only Aman property that directly references another in its title. The hotel has just 52 suites, which start at 94 square metres; some with terraces and the signature Aman Suite boasts a private spa and cinema too. Guests can paddle in the hotel pool, designed around a 100-year-old-tree, and indulge in wellness treatments inspired by local traditions.

Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree 

Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree is one of the best new hotels of 2025 - Luxury Escapes

Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree has been almost eight years in the making, the result of a design competition to repurpose a former animal hospital for the Singapore Zoo. The resort is nothing like other Singapore hotels, with guests being fully immersed in rainforest canopy and wildlife. All ages are taken care of: the fun Ranger’s Club is for young guests, while adults can sequester themselves away in the treehouses, which come with private plunge pools and a dedicated restaurant.

METT Singapore 

This lifestyle hotel brings Mediterranean coastal charm into the verdant greenery of Singapore’s Fort Canning Park. The colonial-style stay is close to Orchard Rd too and its rooms are light-filled and casual, with natural materials and terrace access. Guest spaces include a pool with daybeds and a relaxed restaurant serving Mediterranean-inspired sharing plates. There’s also a bar and lounge, as well as a fine diner from chef Daniele Sperindio (formerly at Singapore’s National Gallery).

Raffles Sentosa Singapore 

Raffles’ island outpost is just as luxurious as its iconic mainland sibling. There are just 62 villas and each comes with personal butlers, a private pool and use of a Rolls-Royce buggy. Five onsite dining options span refined Cantonese and modern Italian, and the Raffles Sentosa Spa blends traditional healing techniques with a holistic approach to wellness – yoga, mindfulness practices, massage, hydrotherapy and science-based skincare. Guests of Raffles Sentosa Singapore also have access to Tanjong Beach and two award-winning golf courses.

InterContinental Halong Bay 

The opening of InterContinental Halong Bay marks the hotel brand’s first luxury beachfront resort and the setting of the UNESCO World Heritage Site-listed bay befits such an occasion. The hotel’s design draws heavily upon its surrounds, both inside and outside: the lobby’s interiors are influenced by traditional Vietnamese bamboo basket boats, and a rooftop bar features a bamboo installation inspired by the descending dragon legend of Ha Long.

Oshom, Bali 

Oshom Bali is one of the best new hotels of 2025 - Luxury Escapes

Oshom offers an innovative beachfront escape in Canggu, just steps from the black-sand Nyanyi Beach. The resort is part of the just-opened Nuanu Creative City. Suites feature low-profile furniture, neutral palettes and large windows framing the sea. There are also Treehouse Hideaways with balconies. The pool deck and bar are simple and unpretentious, while yoga sessions and wellness-focused meals provide a calm rhythm.

Regent Bali Canggu 

The Regent Bali Canggu is a study in quiet luxury, blending sleek contemporary design with a prime stretch of Bali beachfront. The hotel is an all-villa and all-suite stay, and features the world’s first Regent Spa, as well as nine swimming pools and the elegant Regent Club. Guests can pick from six dining venues, including two from Michelin-starred Chef Andrew Walsh.

Centara Grand Lagoon, Maldives

Located on a private manmade lagoon, this Maldives resort is one of the newest five-star openings in the archipelago. Guests can expect sunlit villas with private pools and direct water access, plus exceptional dining spanning regional and international flavours. A beachfront spa, water sports centre and coral reef excursions keep days active. Upgrades to all-inclusive experiences provide the ultimate in indulgencing, with free-flow drinks and dining extras (think minibars, afternoon tea, nightly tapas).

The best new hotels in Europe 

Mandarin Oriental, Vienna 

Housed in a heritage-listed former courthouse near the Ringstrasse, the Mandarin Oriental Vienna balances historic architecture with modern interiors. There are 86 rooms and 52 suites, all elegantly-appointed and featuring high ceilings and refined finishes. The hotel’s location is ideal for guests to explore the Austrian capital city, and the huge spa offers an indoor pool, sauna and treatment suites. The rooftop terrace and restaurant provide city panoramas and locally inspired cuisine. 

SLS Barcelona 

A Mediterranean-facing hotel with bright interiors, SLS Barcelona features a pool deck with loungers and a rooftop bar. Rooms combine neutral tones with playful art and all accommodations come with private balconies; opt for the specialty suites for bathtubs and terraces too. Six dining spaces include Mediterranean small plates and craft cocktails. The hotel is the first European address for the brand and this location gives guests easy access to the beach and the city’s cultural attractions. 

Rosewood Amsterdam

Following a 10-year transformation of a 17th-century building, this new hotel opened its doors to welcome guests into a stay that fuses the city’s rich history with Rosewood’s acclaimed brand of luxury. Among more than 1,000 pieces of art are 134 rooms and suites featuring classic European decor, plush fabrics and canal-facing views. On-site dining ranges from coffee and cake to casual bistro and fine cuisine, and guests can also make use of a spa, fitness suite and indoor pool plus historical Salon Boat.

La Dolce Vita Orient Express

This new luxury train hotel captures the romance of the classic Orient Express. Each carriage is a meticulously restored suite with period furnishings and modern comforts. Guests travel through Italy in style, enjoying Michelin-starred dining, curated off-train cultural experiences and resplendent onboard lounges.

The best new hotels in the Middle East

Mandarin Oriental Downtown, Dubai 

Along the Dubai Water Canal, Mandarin Oriental Downtown is a melding of the brand’s signature Asian heritage and the bold glamour of United Arab Emirates. The hotel’s twisting ceramic facade is an attention-stealer within the Dubai skyline, and inside there are 259 rooms and suites. Dining is a particular focus and there are 10 venues within the hotel, including a Hong Kong-inspired bar and restaurant, an Italian outlet, and all-day rooftop concept.

SLS Red Sea, Saudi Arabia 

This is SLS’ first hotel in Saudi Arabia, set along a pristine stretch of coastline on Shura Island. The resort offers 150 rooms, suites and villas, and 15 signature pool villas for those seeking more privacy. Guests have use of five restaurants and bars, and there is a private beach, spa and fitness centre, outdoor cinema, and dedicated areas for kids and teens.

Red Sea EDITION

Another new hotel on Saudi Arabia’s Shura Island is The Red Sea EDITION. This resort is the sister to the brand’s first (located in Jeddah) and is home to 240 keys that includes one- and two-bedroom suites. Pools, a private beach and multiple dining venues bring cosmopolitan comfort to the desert coast. Wellness facilities include a spa, fitness centre and yoga pavilions, all designed to integrate with the surrounding natural landscape.

Rosewood Doha

Located in the Qatari capital’s Marina district, Rosewood Doha is a two-towered beauty with a white-latticed facade inspired by coral reefs. Pieces sourced from Souq Wahif dress the lobby, and there are other nods to Qatari culture throughout the hotel – conch cells, wood-carved miniatures of dhows, capiz shells as wall coverings. Rooms and suites (as well as serviced apartments and residences) are elegant, with marble-lined bathrooms, refined styling and collectibles sourced from the National Museum of Qatar. Dining ranges from Shanghai-style flavours at Koo Madame to the wood-fired smoke of Mila. A rooftop pool has panoramic views of the skyline and Corniche.

The best new hotels in North America

Waldorf Astoria New York

A New York icon returns with a full-scale reopening after extensive renovations. The hotel blends Art Deco heritage with contemporary design, featuring high-ceilinged rooms, marble bathrooms and bespoke furnishings. Amenities include a spa, multiple fine-dining options and a grand ballroom, all within walking distance of Fifth Avenue, Central Park and the city’s unmissable cultural highlights.

One&Only Moonlight Basin

In Montana’s Big Sky region, this ski-and-summer resort occupies a 5,000-acre wilderness playground. Accommodations include spacious lodges and cabins with wood-burning fireplaces and private decks. Guests can ski from the slopes, enjoy fly-fishing on private lakes, or unwind at the mountain spa, while dining showcases locally sourced game, trout and seasonal produce.

Andaz Miami Beach

Located steps from the Atlantic Ocean in Miami Beach, the new Andaz bolthole combines Art Deco flair with colourful contemporary interiors. Ocean-facing rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows and terraces, while the rooftop pool has a great outlook over the city and beach. On-site restaurants highlight Latin American-inspired cuisine, and wellness offerings include a beachfront fitness studio and a spa.

Written by Stephanie Mikkelsen

Steph once had an Instagram account dedicated to Melbourne's best sandwiches (before it was a thing), and now spins words about hotels, regional dining, viennoiserie and travel things in between. Is passionate about copy with puns, multi-channel content strategy, good PR hooks, pastry crawls and cultured butter.
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