If you love travelling (like us!), you’ll love looking at new hotels or destinations in between trips. Below are plenty of new resorts and hotel updates to check out for your next getaway. Our updates often include hotel deals here in Singapore, too, for your next staycation fix!
Where’s the Best Spot for Remote Working?
The travel specialists at Away Holidays have identified the leading digital nomad hubs in Southeast Asia in 2026, with Singapore coming out on top – by a big margin! Researchers examined internet speeds, transport costs and lifestyle factors across 20 cities to understand where mobile workers choose to live and work. The findings also revealed that governments in countries such as Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia are increasingly positioning their cities as friendly bases for remote work.
New in Hue
Grand Royal Riverside Hue – Fusion Collection opened in March in Vietnam’s pretty river city. Located by the water near Truong Tien Bridge, the hotel reflects Hue’s historic setting while embracing plenty of modern comforts. Head to Jade & Ginger Restaurant for your fix of pho, grab a cocktail at The Amber Lounge, and enjoy a treatment at Sả Spa & Wellness.
fusion-collection.com/grandroyalriversidehue
Coming Soon to Borneo
Bookings have just opened for Club Med Borneo, the new all-inclusive resort in Malaysia, which will welcome its first guests in November this year. Located in Kuala Penyu, 90 minutes from the airport at Kota Kinabalu, it has 400 guest rooms, including 39 suites, alongside pools, dining spaces and a forest spa. Visitors can explore rainforests, mangroves and nearby islands, taste local culinary and craft experiences, and watch traditional performances. Expect plenty of discovery and adventure, all with a sustainability and ecofriendly focus.
An Ace in Athens
Okupa is a 32-room hotel located in the city’s lively Psiri district, and it’s a place that brings together travellers and locals for rest, work, dining and creative exchanges. Set inside a former industrial building with visible historical layers, the small but stylish hotel is home to private and shared rooms, a kitchen and listening bar, and areas for events and wellness.
Flights for Foodies
Korean Air came up trumps at the recent Global Traveler Leisure Lifestyle Awards, winning “Best Airline Onboard Menu” for the third year running. The recognition resulted from a survey of luxury travellers, based on the food served in the first-class cabin during long-haul flights. The winning menu combines Korean dishes with modern cooking methods that use plenty of seasonal ingredients and is presented with Christofle cutlery and Riedel glassware.
A Boutique Staycation
Opened recently on the site of the former Selegie Centre is Varel Singapore, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel by Marriott Bonvoy. Surrounded by an artsy hub of heritage buildings and lively streets, the 128-room boutique property reflects memories of its owner’s childhood in the Selegie area, expressed through the contemporary design, social spaces, rooftop leisure areas and dining venues. The aim is to connect guests with the neighbourhood’s past and present while offering a calm city retreat.
Deep in the Scottish Highlands
Kilchoan Estate by Dunton will open in June this year on Scotland’s remote Knoydart Peninsula, marking the brand’s first European retreat. Owned by Katrin and Christoph Henkel, the estate spans 13,000 acres between Loch Nevis and Loch Hourn and can only be reached by boat or on foot. It features five restored cottages, a spa and a communal lodge, with activities such as hiking, kayaking and wildlife watching. With a history dating back to the 12th century, the estate has been restored to preserve its character, while reconnecting people with nature, heritage and simple living in a secluded landscape.
duntondestinations.com/kilchoan-estate
Wellness Winner
The spa team at Banyan Tree Samui is in celebration mode after the property was recognised in March by UK-based The Luxury Spa Edit as the Best Spa Resort in Thailand. The award tallied votes from the public and verdicts from wellness experts and journalists. The Koh Samui-based spa was acknowledged for its focus on holistic care, combining traditional Asian practices with personalised treatments, including the use of herbal oils, sound rituals, breathwork and a hydrotherapy experience known as The Rainforest.
Riding High in 2026
Azerai Resorts in Vietnam is basking in the glow of a slew of recent travel awards, including Azerai Ke Ga Bay being named one of Southeast Asia’s best boutique hotels by The Times (UK), Best Boutique Resort for 2025 by Epicure magazine, and runner-up in the Most Instagrammable Hotel in the World contest sponsored by Luxury Travel Advisor in the US. Meanwhile, Azerai La Residence in Hue received nods from the likes of Travel + Leisure, The Times, Smart Travel Asia and Michelin. Azerai is a portfolio of hotels by Adrian Zecha, the renowned hotelier behind Aman Resorts and others.
azerai.com/azerai-ke-ga-bay | azerai.com/azerai-la-residence-hue
Coming Soon to London
The Webster is a new lifestyle hotel brand set to open its first property, The Webster Covent Garden, in July of this year. Created with interiors by Red Deer, the hotel in Lincoln’s Inn Fields (an area once associated with Charles Dickens) focuses on design, conversation and shared experiences. It’s aimed at travellers who enjoy culture, literature and the arts. A New York property will follow later in the year.
Discover Capella at Macau
Capella at Galaxy Macau is a new ultra-luxury offering in the Galaxy Macau integrated resort. The swish 17-storey tower has 95 suites and penthouses designed as private residences with large living spaces and personal butler service. Created with Paris-based studio Moinard Bétaille, the building features gorgeous curved forms, water elements and art installations. Guests can join tea rituals, cultural activities and dine at Botanica restaurant or Pony & Plume bar. The property offers a quieter, residential-style stay within one of Macau’s busiest entertainment districts.
New Himalayan Hideaway
Le Méridien Dehradun Resort & Spa has opened its doors in the Indian city of Dehradun, in Uttarakhand. The 103-room property sits by the Nun River, with views of the surrounding hills, and was created for travellers seeking a slower pace. Guests can dine at Riviera Café, relax at the Explore Spa, or join family activities by the riverside. The resort also connects visitors to local culture through programmes linked with the Forest Research Institute.
Relax in Rural Japan
Azuma Farm Koiwai is a new countryside retreat opening this month at Koiwai Farm in Japan’s Iwate Prefecture, in northeast Honshu. The project introduces a farm-based stay that reflects rural traditions, seasonal food and daily life on the land. Koiwai Farm began more than 130 years ago on volcanic ground and has grown into a vast landscape of pasture and forest covering about 3,000 hectares. The retreat occupies eight hectares with views of Mount Iwate. Guests can explore farming culture, regional crafts and the wider Tohoku region.
Designed Around the Reef
Sipalay is a hidden coastal gem in Negros Occidental, the Philippines, and Manami Resort was founded there by Cristina Corro as a long-term project shaped by a simple idea: protect the land and sea while offering refined comfort. It was initially designed not as a large-scale venture, but as a careful response to its surroundings. The luxury nature resort uses locally sourced materials such as Gmelina wood and buys produce directly from island farmers and fishermen. It also employs an in-house marine biologist to monitor and care for the nearby reef. Guests learn about marine life through responsible snorkelling, diving and guided experiences, seeing first-hand how tourism and conservation can work together.
Arty Auckland
Radisson RED Auckland is the first hotel by the Radisson group in New Zealand. The 322-room hotel is located in the city’s Arts District, with interiors that reflect Auckland’s creative scene, including its theatre and gallery spaces. Nearby landmarks include the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki and the Sky Tower. There’s a large rooftop space for dining and events, along with a fitness centre and pet-friendly rooms.
radissonhotels.com/en-us/hotels/radisson-red-auckland
Georgia Getaway
A European destination with a difference, the Kakheti region of Georgia is renowned for its food, wine and nature. Lopota Lake Resort & Spa takes advantage of all three – and it was recently recognised for that fact with the award of a Michelin Key, denoting high standards in design, service and guest experience. The award comes on the back of extensive renovations and additions to the property, which opened in 2008 and has grown from a seven-room stay to a 311- room resort with a spa, vineyards and restaurants. New amenities include a Jazz Club, Aqua Park and updated guest rooms.
In the Green Heart of Indonesia
The new year saw the opening of Hiliwatu, Bali Ubud, a Tribute Portfolio Resort, located in the hillside village of Bresela. The resort features 38 private suites and villas, dining venues offering local, Mediterranean-inspired and farm-to-table cuisine, and a wellness centre with yoga and mineral-infused treatments. There are nearby cultural landmarks, rice terraces and river scenes to explore, or you can take part in a curated local workshop. The design blends handcrafted Balinese materials with open-air layouts, reflecting the rhythm of the surrounding forest.
Hanoi Landmark
The first Fairmont property in Vietnam is now welcoming guests. The Fairmont Hanoi is located in the Old Quarter of the capital, a short walk from Hoàn Kiếm Lake. It features a blend of contemporary architecture and Vietnamese artistic traditions, with 241 guest rooms, including Fairmont Gold rooms and suites, alongside eight dining and bar venues that are being rolled out, plus a large wellness centre and more.
fairmont.com/en/hotels/hanoi/fairmont-hanoi.html
Lao Heritage with a Modern Touch
La Résidence Phou Vao in Luang Prabang, Laos has just reopened after an extensive renovation. Led by a descendant of the Lao royal family, the redesign carefully respects Lao heritage while introducing some refined modern touches among comfortable, light-filled spaces. Situated atop Phou Vao Hill, the property enjoys vistas of Luang Prabang’s temples and surrounding mountains. You can take a heritage walk, enjoy a meal with a view, or relax in your suite and private terrace.
laresidencehotels.com/phou-vao
Surf, Sip and retreat in the Maldives
Niyama Private Islands Maldives is now home to the Surf Shack, a new venue at Vodi Point on the western tip of the resort’s two islands. Surfers and visitors can relax in the upper-deck seating or at a picnic table, while taking in a stellar sunset over the Indian Ocean. The shack serves dishes inspired by global surf destinations, along with a selection of rum-based drinks. By day, it’s a place to unwind after a few waves; in the evening, DJs bring the beachfront to life.
Beachside Bahamas
Royal Caribbean has opened the Royal Beach Club in The Bahamas, offering cruise guests an all-inclusive beach experience at Paradise Island in Nassau. You can choose from three areas: Family Beach for pool games and cabanas; Chill Beach for a more upscale, adultfocused vibe, including The Deep End pool; and Party Cove with The Floating Flamingo, the world’s largest swim-up bar. A day pass includes food, drinks, live music, local crafts and beach essentials.
New in China
A Volcanic Island Retreat
Located off the south coast of Guangxi, Dhawa Beihai Weizhou Island is a contemporary resort that brings together island life, thoughtful design and local fishing traditions. Visitors stay in rooms with private balconies facing the ocean, dine on regional and international dishes, and unwind at the spa after a walk along a volcanic trail. The island draws visitors for whale watching in winter, glowing seas in spring, and clear night skies in summer.
Built from City Life
Opened in February, Andaz Shanghai is a hotel shaped by Shanghai’s past and present. Located within the new ITC Xujiahui complex, its design reflects everyday Shanghai life, from older alleyways to newer urban rhythms. The 267 rooms and suites all offer stunning floor-to-ceiling views over one of the city’s liveliest areas, a spot where century-old European-style heritage buildings sit beside soaring skyscrapers.
hyatt.com/andaz/en-US/shaax-andazshanghai-itc
Way to Goa!
Renaissance Goa Hotel opened in India last month, a 133-room hotel in a location that places guests close to beaches such as Baga, Anjuna and Vagator while offering a calmer valley setting to return to. The property also reflects Goa through handcrafted details and locally inspired artwork and spaces. Guests can join guided neighbourhood experiences, dine across several relaxed venues and gather for evening rituals that reflect local social life.
French Flair, Seoul Style
Opened in 2018 in the South Korean capital, L’Escape, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Seoul Myeongdong recently became part of The Luxury Collection by the Marriott group. The hotel brings a French-inspired perspective to central Seoul, in a location close to historic sites, shopping streets and transport links. Created by French designer Jacques Garcia, the interiors draw on 19th-century Paris, with carefully arranged rooms, dining spaces and quiet corners. Magnifique!
Taking Off
“T5 In the Making” is a new free exhibition that opened in January, to explain what Changi Airport’s future Terminal 5 is, why it matters to Singapore, and how it’s being planned. Running at Changi’s T3 Arrival Hall until March, it’s organised by the Ministry of Transport, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and Changi Airport Group. Across five themed zones, visitors can learn how aviation shaped the nation, explore T5’s design and technologies, and reflect on future challenges such as climate change and ageing populations. Entry is by online booking or walk-in, subject to space.
changiairport.com/t5-in-the-making
New Chapter Down Under
Wild Bush Luxury, a collection of exclusive accommodation options and travel experiences in spectacular Australian locations, is changing hands this month, from Experience Co. to new owners Intrepid Travel. The sale covers Arkaba Homestead & Walk, Bamurru Plains and the Maria Island Walk, along with rights to develop future experiences in New South Wales and Tasmania. Intrepid Travel will take on the full Wild Bush Luxury team to ensure continuity for guests.
New in Bangkok
Tribute Portfolio has introduced its first property in Thailand with the opening of Metropole, Bangkok. The hotel reimagines 1920s Shanghai through colonial details, Art Deco touches and gentle Eastern motifs. There are 116 rooms in the property, all with kitchenettes and modern conveniences, plus a fitness centre, outdoor pool, sauna and onsite parking. Set in the Thonglor district, there’s easy access to both the BTS and MRT transit systems and the rest of Bangkok beyond.
metropolebkktributeportfolio.com
Trio of Stays in Sri Lanka
The Aahaasa Collection has launched in Sri Lanka, bringing together three characterful boutique retreats that guide travellers through the country’s mountains, shoreline and tea highlands. Aarunya Nature Resort overlooks the Knuckles Mountain Range near Kandy, Aavya Cove Villas provides calm coastal living between Colombo and Galle, and Aadya Tea Bungalows in Hatton provides a reflective stay shaped by tea-country traditions. Each place tells its own story through architecture, wellbeing programmes and local flavours, creating a connected journey with an emphasis on sustainability and community.
High Altitude Haven
One&Only Moonlight Basin has opened its doors in Big Sky, Montana, inviting travellers to enjoy mountain living and epic landscapes. Located on protected land, the resort has rooms, suites, cabins and private homes shaped to reflect the surroundings. Seasonal activities range from skiing and snowshoeing, stargazing, hiking, biking and fly fishing, with Yellowstone National Park just an hour away. Food-wise, you can expect everything from American comfort dishes and seasonal plates to Japanese cuisine, while a spa offers relaxation and recovery.
oneandonlyresorts.com/moonlight-basin
A Cooler Cruise
Oceania Cruises has announced a fresh way to see the Mediterranean, with Oceania Allura set to sail a full winter season from 2027 to 2028. Over itineraries lasting nine to 26 days, travellers can explore calmer streets, cooler coastlines and winter traditions across ports stretching from Barcelona to Rome, and Dubrovnik to Istanbul – including festive markets, candlelit cafés and the special atmosphere that colder weather can bring. There’s plenty happening on board, too, from cooking classes to art workshops and more.
Alpine Adventures
Looking for something different for your next escape? Mackay Mountaineering offers snowshoe trekking expeditions in the Austrian Alps and Georgian Caucasus Mountains. Explore pristine forests, tranquil snowy valleys, breathtaking peaks and medieval villages as you trek from mountain hut to mountain hut. This season’s departures are in January, February and March – visit the website for dates and more info.
Lakefront Escape
The Lake Como EDITION is reshaping a historic hotel in the village of Cadenabbia into a modern retreat. Opening in March, it will bring renewed life to a 19thcentury building that looks across the water to the renowned enclave of Bellagio. The team has restored the original architecture while adding rooms, restaurants, a floating pool and a wellness spa focused on rejuvenation, plus social spaces designed for gatherings or for quiet moments by Italy’s iconic lake.
Nordic Stillness in Finland
Opened in December, Skýra Retreat sits on the quiet shores of Lake Norvajärvi near Rovaniemi, offering guests a chance to experience Finnish heritage and a gentle rhythm shaped by the Arctic landscape. The design honours an original 1950s schoolhouse that stood here, while introducing contemporary log suites, a spa inspired by Finnish thermal traditions, and seasonal dining rooted in local ingredients. Guests can explore forest paths, enjoy saunas, take cold-water dips, or simply slow down in warm, light-filled spaces that reflect Lapland’s character.
skyraretreat.com/en/signature-retreats
A New Type of Travel
Travellers are rethinking their journeys, choosing nature, mindfulness and authenticity over nightlife and screen time. The recent Global Rescue Traveller Sentiment and Safety Survey reveals that people are increasingly seeking real-world experiences that restore and inspire them. Women and international travellers especially value natural beauty, history and local culture, while hiking, wellness and meaningful exploration came on top of the list of travel motivations; nightlife came last! With the shift comes a preference for quieter, history-rich destinations where travellers find connection, balance and perspective.
Where Mountains Meet the Sea
Newly opened Banyan Tree Zhuhai Phoenix Bay is a tranquil retreat in the coastal city of Zhuhai, Guangdong, where guests can unwind in rooms with ocean or mountain views, relax in private onsens, and enjoy soothing treatments at the Banyan Tree Spa. The resort also serves Fujian and Guangdong cuisine across five dining venues.
In other news for the hotel group, Banyan Tree Krabi is the only resort in Thailand to earn a spot on the annual list of Fodor’s Finest Hotels, which celebrates 100 outstanding hotels worldwide. Judges commended its sustainability, comfort, partnerships with local artisans, and support of eco-friendly practices.
bit.ly/BanyanTreeZhuhaiPhoenixBay
Hound-friendly Hotel
Pets are part of the adventure at the Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa, whose FurKid Retreat allows your four-legged companions to enjoy tailored treats, outdoor dining spaces and even professional photoshoots. It’s a doggo’s dream staycation!
Get Your Glow On
Sofitel’s Candle Experience is available at select properties globally this festive season, transforming hotel rooms into calm sanctuaries glowing with hundreds of LED candles, softly scented air and soothing music. The offering honours Sofitel’s Parisian heritage, reimagining the “City of Lights” in a modern, intimate way, so you can relax and reconnect through moments of peace and reflection. It’s available at Sofitel Singapore, Seoul, Hanoi and Bali.
sofitel.accor.com/en/festive-season.html
Timeless Traditions
For centuries, the Mosuo people of Lugu Lake, China, Traditions have lived by matrilineal traditions that shape every part of daily life. Today, a newly opened luxury hotel called The ArcadiaPlace brings those stories to life through thoughtful design, custom-made furnishings, and a setting surrounded by sacred mountains and jade-green waters. Discover the “walking marriage” customs of the region, and admire the artistry of its women at China’s first Museum of Women’s Art. You can also dine on reimagined local recipes and learn crafts with villagers.
Sky-High Angkor View
As the dry season in Cambodia sets in, visitors have the chance to see Angkor Wat from the sky with a hot air balloon adventure. The experience is organised by Cambodia Balloon Adventures in collaboration with Anantara Angkor Resort. From above, travellers can take in the vast temple complex and its surrounding landscape in a way that is both peaceful and striking. The flights are best enjoyed during the cool, clear mornings or evenings.
Osaka Stay
Japan’s third-largest city is still buzzing after hosting World Expo this year; to see the place for yourself, take advantage of a special offer at Zentis Osaka, timed to coincide with the hotel’s fifth anniversary. The “Go Osaka” package gives guests two nights of accommodation, daily breakfast, a signature cocktail, a dinner menu, and a commemorative tote bag. It also highlights sustainability with inventive drinks and locally sourced dishes, while also encouraging visitors to explore Osaka’s waterways and cultural districts. Available until 31 March 2026.
Upcoming For Fiji
Kerzner International Holdings, together with BSP Life, has announced that the first One&Only resort and community of private residences will open in Fiji in 2029 – and homes are on sale from this month. The project will rise on Nacula Island in the Yasawa archipelago, with the aim of highlighting Fiji as a hub for tourism and investment while respecting the land’s heritage. Designed with ecological care and inspired by Fijian culture, the 127-acre beachfront site will feature villas, culinary spaces, wellness facilities and 20 private residences.
New in Seoul
The Westin Seoul Parnas officially opened its doors in the Gangnam district in September. The property follows the success of The Westin Josun Seoul and Busan, expanding the group’s presence in Korea. Designed with wellness in mind, the hotel offers 564 rooms, diverse dining experiences, a panoramic top-floor lounge, a large scale fitness club, and a ballroom for major events.
Seaside Sanctuary in Cam Ranh
Newly opened in Vietnam’s scenic central coast is the JW Marriott Cam Ranh Bay Resort & Spa. Set on Bai Dai Beach, the resort’s 203 rooms – many with private pools – blend modern elegance with cultural influences of the region. You can enjoy direct access to the beach, considered by many to be one of Vietnam’s best, thanks to its soft sand and turquoise waters. There’s also the chance to discover pottery traditions, enjoy diverse dining, explore gardens or relax at the spa.
Wellness In The Wilderness
The family-owned Samara Karoo Reserve in South Africa’s Great Karoo semi-desert region is opening a bush spa. Part of the lodge facilities, the spa is tucked along a footpath that winds through indigenous vegetation, with a treatment room featuring African-chic décor that can be fully opened to the outdoors. A shaded deck overlooks a waterhole and the magnificent Milk River Valley, where spa-goers can spot wildlife while enjoying an African foot reflexology massage. The spa menu will include a range of treatments – from massages, aromatherapy and body exfoliations to nourishing wraps and beauty therapies – all using Healing Earth products, a South African brand renowned for its sustainable, nature-based approach.
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