Here Are Some of the World's Most Exciting New Hotels of 2023

Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a first-time trip taker, the prospect of staying in a new hotel is pretty exciting. There are converted historic buildings-turned-boutique hotels and brand spanking new state-of-the-art luxury resorts. Infinity pools and on-site art galleries. Locally sourced food and beverages and romantic rooftop terraces. For group trips or solo travel, be the star of your next trip when you plan a stay at a place that hasn't already been featured all over your Instagram feed. Not just for seeing something new, but also to experience something new, like an ultra large playroom or an 18th century guest suite.

Here are the coolest and most exciting hotel bookings you can make right now. This list will be updated on a monthly basis, so it will always be fresh with some of the buzziest places to stay, both in the US and abroad.

New Orleans, Louisiana 

The Kimpton Fontenot in New Orleans is now complete and fully open for bookings. The hotel has 235 rooms, three restaurants and bars, and is located in NOLA's Central Business District. King, the French brasserie on property, is tastefully appointed with a lot of black and white decor and light rattan furniture. The specialty cocktail bar Peacock Room is decorated with rich blue velvet furniture and delicate wallpaper. The third spot is Gospel Coffee & Boozy Treats, with a minimalist design. Bookings at this property start at around $208 per night, and can be made at Hotel Fontenot's website.

Madrid, Spain

The newly opened JW Marriott Hotel Madrid is located in the Canalejas zone, in the heart of the city. The hotel is steps away from museums and theaters, and has 139 guest rooms available. Many of the guest rooms offer terrace views of the city on upper floors of the property, and the onsite restaurant and bar El Patio features ingredients grown on the property. Rooms start at 519 euros a night, and can be booked at Marriott.com.

Porto, Portugal

IHG Hotels & Resorts has opened Casa da Companhia, Vignette Collection in the center of Porto. The hotel has 40 rooms, a spa, heated indoor and outdoor pools, and an outdoor terrace. The property is a five-minute walk from the São Bento Station, which offers some of the most popular attractions in Porto. Right now the hotel bookings come with a complimentary 15-minute massage. The luxury property has been restored so that the building's 18th century features are on display. Rooms start at $276 per night and can be booked through the IHG website.

Charlottesville, Virginia

Just opened in April 2023, The Forum Hotel in Charlottesville is located on the grounds of University of Virginia's Darden School of Business. There are two dining concepts at The Forum, plus classroom and meeting spaces. The property is near many attractions in Charlottesville and is centrally located. King rooms can be booked in May for rates starting at $196 at ForumHotelCharlottesville.com.

Santa Barbara, California

Opened back in February 2023, Drift Santa Barbara is located on Santa Barbara's pedestrian-only State Street. There are 45 rooms within the boutique property, and the hotel is designed in minimalist neutral tones. There are two dining options available on the property, plus an outdoor lounge and a fire pit overlooking the coast and the Santa Ynez Mountains. The hotel offers free bicycles, surfboards, and yoga mats for guests to borrow. Rooms are available starting at $309 each night, and can be booked at DriftHotels.co.

Pensacola, Florida

Lily Hall is an ultra quaint boutique in Pensacola, Florida with just 15 rooms. The building used to be the Old Mount Olive Baptist Church and is independently owned and operated. The small property has a restaurant, Brother Fox and a speakeasy called Sister Hen. The property also features indoor and outdoor gathering spaces, including a garden terrace. You can book rooms starting at $180 per night at LilyHall.com.

Marsai Mara National Reservation, Kenya

This new property is located on the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya, a wildlife and wilderness conservation area. The lodge offers opportunities for guests to observe stunning creatures like lions, leopards, buffalos, rhinoceros, and elephants. Pricing for rooms on this property starts at $1,715. There are only 20 en-suite rooms available, and each one offers a private viewing deck of the reserve. You can explore bookings now at Marriott.com.

Kansas City, Missouri

This boutique hotel sits in Kansas City's historic Country Club Plaza district, a well manicured and quiet part of the city that is still steps away from museums. Decorated in deep oranges, dark greens, and wood furniture, Aida is a mixture of sophistication and comfort. Details like delicately painted headboards, black and white photography, and richly patterned textiles give rooms a sense of luxury.

For anyone planning a stay in Kansas City, Aida is a great and relatively affordable choice. Rooms start at $118 per night in April. You can explore the hotel's photo gallery and book your stay at AidaKC.com.

Charleston, South Carolina

Located in the historic center of Charleston, the Palmetto is located near the Battery, and situated amidst rich architecture. Opened on March 3, the hotel is filled with early 1900s art from Charleston artists and contemporary art. Restored antique furniture further lends itself to a timeless atmosphere. The lobby bar promises a true, one-of-a-kind Charleston experience—this translates to custom craft cocktails, and a southern-inspired menu filled with locally sourced ingredients.

This boutique hotel is a bit more pricey, and rooms in April start at $320 a night, but go up to above $700. You can explore the hotel or book a stay at PalmettoHotelCharleston.com.

Lake Como, Italy

While it may seem like you've seen everything Lake Como has to offer from your Instagram feed, this idyllic destination is promising a new experience with Passalacqua. The hotel reopened on March 10, and the 18th century aristocratic home is a quintessential Italian villa fantasy.

The property only offers 24 guest suites, making it an ultra small and intimate hotel experience. It sits connected to the city of Moltrasio, and the property's pool overlooks Lake Como. Frescoed ceilings, finely decorated rooms, and extravagant finishings (the marble throughout Passalacqua is sourced from 20 different regions in Italy) complete the scene. For your own chance to experience this Italian opulence, rooms start at $900 per night. Book and explore all this property has to offer at Passalacqua.it.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

This hotel opening is considered to be one of the anticipated in the entire world. It is a 43-story resort designed by Kohn Pederson Fox Associates in Dubai, and luxury defines exert aspect. The building looks like an elaborate game of Tetris. There are 795 guest rooms and suites, some of which feature private terraces and pools. The hotel is home to not one but 17 on-site restaurants and nightlife venues and 90 pools.

To give you a better idea of just how luxurious this property is, Beyoncé performed during the grand opening weekend earlier this year. Multiple celebrity and Michelin-starred chefs operate dining spaces on the property, including a beachside Nobu. To list everything this hotel has to offer, we'd need to put some time on the calendar, but to experience it, rooms start at around $1,100 per night. You can explore and book at Atlantis.com.

Osaka, Japan

Opened in December 2022, Hoshino Resorts Risonare Osaka at Hyatt Regency is a kid-friendly stay that has pulled out all of the stops for family traveling. Its opening perfectly coincides with Japan's reopening its borders to tourists.

Risonare's concept rooms feature spaces that allow little ones (and big ones) to draw on windows and walls, and the property also features one of the country's largest play rooms on the hotel's 28th floor. The rooms were designed by Klein Dytham architecture. There are 64 rooms, a pool, and one on-site restaurant. The hotel is located in the city that is home to the world’s largest aquarium, Universal Studios Japan, Super Nintendo World, and more. Rooms start at $180 per night and can be booked at HoshinoResorts.com.
 

Jomtien Beach, Thailand

The latest Andaz Pattaya property is on the Gulf of Thailand at Tawanron Beach, which is also known as the "Sunset Beach" for its immaculate views. The property sprawls across 15 acres of manicured gardens and trees, and it includes all the touches you'd expect at any great resort like six different on-site restaurants and bars and three outdoor swimming pools.

The resort opened its doors to guests in January and you can book now through the Andaz Pattaya website.

Huesca, Spain

Inside a historic (but meticulously updated) 1920s train station in mountainous northern Spain, you will find 104 hotel rooms, and luxurious amenities like a wellness spa, upscale restaurants and bars, including one set inside a library space. Rooms at this beautiful hotel start at just $145 per night. The train station-turned-hotel just opened in January. You can book rooms through the Barcelo.com website.

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