2016’s Most Anticipated Hotel Openings

Need some inspiration for planning your 2016 travels? Let this list of notable hotel openings be your guide. From a multiyear makeover of a Parisian legend and a downtown Manhattan spot with dome-topped penthouses, to W Hotels’ first Indian resort, Park Hyatt's first opening in Spain, and Nobu's first European outpost, these 25 spots around the world are the ones we're most excited about this year. —Sandra Ramani

Editor's Note: New hotels are notorious for opening months or even years behind schedule. The dates we've listed have been verified by representatives of each property, but be sure to double-check by calling hotels or looking at their websites before you make any travel plans.

WHERE: Charleston, South Carolina

Expected Opening: Already open.

Charleston's ongoing revival reached another milestone in January with the relaunch of The Restoration, a historic property set on downtown's King Street—though the “on King” has been dropped from the hotel's original name. Following a $27 million transformation, the new incarnation—which is spread out over five buildings, four from the 19th century—includes 54 suite-style rooms, ranging from one to three bedrooms. Other additions include a Culture Library curated by Assouline books, an on-site Toby's Estate coffee shop, and a bike-share program with Martone—so you can explore all the other new openings in the thriving city.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor's Charleston Guide

WHERE: Montreal, Canada

Expected Opening: Already open.

Business travel to Montreal just got a lot more pleasurable with the mid-January opening of this downtown Renaissance hotel, located near Place Ville Marie and shop-lined St. Catherine Street. Past its mirrored Art Deco exterior, the 142 espresso machine–equipped rooms feature contemporary design accented by eclectic graffiti-style pieces by local artists, as well as the city's only rooftop terrace, complete with stainless steel plunge pool, bistro kitchen, and panoramic views. The trendy vibe continues inside at East, a pan-Asian eatery with a master mixologist and live DJs. Renaissance signatures like in-house Navigators—local insiders who help guide guests to the best that the city has to offer—allow even time-crunched road warriors to make the most of their trips.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor's Montreal Guide

WHERE: Byron Bay, Australia

Expected Opening: February

Australia's easternmost point is the home of a stunning new resort that honors, and is inspired by, natural elements. Opening in February, Elements of Byron sits on 50 acres that include miles of beachfront, creeks, ponds, rainforest, wetlands, and plenty of wildlife—all protected by the hotel's eco-conscious “slow architecture” philosophy. Water and fire elements will welcome guest to the main pavilion, beyond which lie lobby and poolside bars, a five-suite spa, an infinity lagoon pool, and—to start—94 villas (another 96 will be added in phase two). Executive chef Justin Dingle-Garciy, formerly of Morgans Hotel Group, will oversee menus that forgo trends in favor of modern, seasonal regional dishes that are both flavorful and healthy. It's all a part of the “barefoot Byron” experience.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor's Byron Bay Guide

WHERE: Ise-Shima National Park, Japan

Expected Opening: March

Following the 2014 opening of its Tokyo hotel, Aman has headed to the central Honshu Mie Prefecture—and the dramatic coastline of the Ise-Shima National Park—for its second Japanese property. Opening in March 2016, the dreamy, sanctuary-style Amanemu is inspired by Japan's onsen (hot spring) and ryokan traditions, and will feature 24 suites and four two-bedroom villas, each with its own hot spring pool and a terrace overlooking Ago Bay (aka the Bay of Pearls). The expanded Aman Spa will also have two bathing pavilions, as well as a watsu pool, a gym and yoga studio, and serene treatment rooms. Other on-site perks will include a gourmet restaurant highlighting regional seafood and ingredients, while available area experiences range from golfing at an 18-hole course to exploring UNESCO-protected pilgrimage routes and Shinto shrines.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor's Ise-Shima Guide

WHERE: New Orleans, Louisiana

Expected Opening: March

Come March 2016, a nine-story, 1928 Art Deco building—for decades the site of a furniture store, and now flanked by the museums and galleries of the Warehouse District—will be the new home of the Ace Hotel New Orleans. Along with a design inspired by a range of artistic movements (from Dada and Cubism to the Bloomsbury group), the 234 rooms will feature signature Ace touches like custom bedding and full-size SMEG refrigerators—each colorfully painted and brimming with everything you'll need for creating your own cocktails, including shakers, cutting boards, and recipes. James Beard Award–nominated chefs Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman meld the flavors of Italy and the American South at the hotel's restaurant, while the on-site Stumptown café—the first in the south—will feature a cold-brew coffee program in a nod to the steamy location.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor's New Orleans Guide

WHERE: Washington, D.C.

Expected Opening: March

Although its name will forever be linked to a famous political scandal, this Georgetown-area hotel will be garnering buzz of another kind when it reopens in March 2016 following an extensive renovation and expansion. When it first launched in 1967, the property featured what was then a groundbreaking design, so the current owners engaged designer Ron Arad to complement the midcentury-modern bones with contemporary furnishings and metal art installations. The 336 rooms—including Premier, Diplomat, and Presidential suites—feature spa bathrooms with floor-to-ceiling marble tile, TVs with Android platform streaming capabilities and, in most, balconies with Potomac River views. Other upgrades include a 12,500 square-foot spa with 15-yard indoor pool, casual and fine-dining restaurants, and two bars—one whisky-focused, one on the rooftop, with 360-degree views—that are sure to attract the capital's movers and shakers.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s Washington, D. C. Guide

WHERE: Lanai, Hawaii

Expected Opening: March

Once home to pineapple plantations, the island of Lanai has remained relatively undeveloped in the Hawaiian tourism landscape, offering just two hotels (both Four Seasons) on its 90,000 acres. But just because it's dreamy and timeless doesn't mean it's outdated: following a multimillion-dollar regeneration, the beachside Four Seasons Resort Lanai relaunches this March with 217 redesigned rooms, each with tech toys like 75-inch LED TVs and iPad Airs with resort-specific apps. The lobby and public spaces, spa, and upscale retails spaces have also been refreshed, while former main pool has been transformed into two: one lagoon-style free-form pool, and one adults-only option with waterfalls and lava rock grottos. New dining options include an outpost of NOBU.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor's Lanai Guide

WHERE: Langkawi, Malaysia

Expected Opening: April

A secluded cove on the southern tip of the island of Langkawi is the dreamy setting for a new St. Regis, opening in April 2016. The resort's 85 suites and three villas will all boast views of the Straits of Malacca, while the rest of the grounds will house pools, an Iridium Spa, and gourmet dining at L'Orangerie (with an open kitchen and rainforest vistas) and Kayuputi (with a focus on seafood.) You'll also find a St. Regis Bar offering brand signatures like locally influenced Bloody Marys and daily Champagne sabering rituals. The resort's location is an ideal departure point for exploring the UNESCO-designated Global Geopark island's natural wonders, from paddy fields and mountain tops to tropical jungles filled with caves and waterfalls.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor's Langkawi Guide

WHERE: New York, New York

Expected Opening: May

When it was built in 1881 as one of Manhattan's first skyscrapers, the structure at 5 Beekman Street in Lower Manhattan made waves for its elaborate architectural flourishes, which include two exterior “turrets,” and a nine-story Victorian atrium with pyramid-topped skylight and cast-iron brackets shaped like dragons. (In 1995, its facade was even designated an NYC landmark.) After sitting empty for several years, the structure has been restored, renovated, and converted into residences and the LEED-certified The Beekman, operated by Thompson Hotels and opening in May. The 287 rooms will include 45 suites and two signature penthouses; the latter are set within the towers and feature private rooftop terraces overlooking One World Trade Center and City Hall Park. The prestigious location has attracted some big names to the project, including chef Tom Colicchio and restaurateur Keith McNally, both of whom will have restaurants on site; Colicchio's Crafted Hospitality will also oversee room service and event catering.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor’s New York City Guide

WHERE: Asbury Park, New Jersey

Expected Opening: May

This isn't your parents' beach hotel. A team of design and hospitality industry all-stars—with credits like SALT Hotels, The NoMad, and the Ian Schrager Company between them—have joined forces to transform an abandoned Salvation Army building into Asbury Park's first new hotel in more than 50 years. Set to open in May 2016, in time for beach season, The Asbury will encourage guests to tap into their inner kids with a rec room-style lobby (with ping-pong tables and board games), rooftop “drive-in” movies, and communal tables for chatting with fellow guests over treats from the grab-and-go kitchen. The 110 rooms will include a range of options, from family rooms with bunk beds to king suites; all will have custom-made mattresses, oversized closets, and a decor of black-and-white beach scenes and classic music posters—an homage to Asbury Park's rock-and-roll past. A lobby bar, a dramatic outdoor lounge with guest DJs, a beer garden with food and brew trucks, a rooftop garden “park,” and a buzzing pool scene round out the extensive opportunities for fun in the sun.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor's New Jersey Shore Guide

WHERE: Mallorca, Spain

Expected Opening: Spring

Set to open in spring 2016, Park Hyatt's first hotel in Spain—and first resort in Europe—will look out over the Balearic Sea and Canyamel Valley from its perch above the town of Canyamel. The resort is designed to evoke a traditional village, with the 142 residential-style guestrooms and 16 suites set around a “town square” that also functions as the property's dining hub. Culinary choices will include a seafood-heavy Balearic restaurant, a tapas bar with Mallorcan wines and handcrafted cocktails, a Pan-Asian spot in a private villa, and an all-day cafe with freshly baked empanadas and pastries. On-site facilities like terraced pools and a locally influenced spa, and access to an off-site beach club, cycling trails, water sports, tennis courts, and more help make the most of Mallorca's 230 annual days of sunshine.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor's Mallorca Guide

WHERE: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Expected Opening: Spring

Slated to open this spring, in advance of Rio's hosting of this year's summer Olympics, the Grand Hyatt Rio de Janeiro sits on Barra da Tijuca beach in the west side of the city, near the Olympic Golf Course. The 436 guest rooms include 43 suites, including a plunge pool–equipped penthouse; all rooms have free WiFi, Nespresso machines, 50-inch flat-screen TVs, and signature Hyatt Grand beds. Dining options include Italian and Japanese restaurants (the latter with an extensive sake list), and a poolside eatery highlighting Brazilian flavors and cocktails; beach service will also be available. The nine-room Atiaia spa features a movement studio, outdoor pool, and a menu of locally inspired treatments performed with native ingredients. If work is on the agenda, the 2,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space should have you covered.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor's Rio de Janeiro Guide

WHERE: Brooklyn, New York

Expected Opening: Spring

An impressive roster of heavy hitters—from hoteliers with credits like New York City's Standard, Bowery, and Gramercy Park hotels on their resumes to award-winning young architects and designers—joined forces to create The Williamsburg Hotel, a stylish, fun-focused Brooklyn option set to open in spring 2016. Behind an eight-story industrial facade are 150 rooms, most with balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows framing skyline views, plus a subterranean ballroom with 30-foot ceilings and space for 400 guests. Among the three drinking venues will be a rooftop bar set in a replica water tower, an homage to the neighborhood's now-defunct wooden water tower factory. A rooftop pool and lounge further ensure a see-and-be-seen scene.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor's Brooklyn Guide

WHERE: Chicago, Illinois

Expected Opening: Spring

The downtown Chicago corner of North Michigan Avenue and Wacker Drive has been the site everything from the historic Fort Dearborn to the London Guarantee & Accident Building, where the renowned LondonHouse jazz club hosted countless musical luminaries before closing in the 1970s. In spring 2016, the location will enter a new chapter when it becomes the home of the LondonHouse Chicago, a 452-room luxury hotel spread out over a 92-year old landmark building and a new 22-story glass tower. Part of Hilton's Curio Collection, the property will feature two floors of retail, a destination spa and fitness center, 25,000 square feet of meeting and event space, and a chic, warm design throughout. The refurbished rooftop and cupola will become Chicago's first tri-level rooftop bar, sure to draw crowds for its menus and sweeping river and skyline views.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor's Chicago Guide

WHERE: Los Angeles, California

Expected Opening: Spring

Given Dream Hotels' spotlight on style, nightlife, and celeb fans, it's surprising that the brand's never had an LA outpost. That changes this year with the spring 2016 launch of Dream Hollywood Hotel, which will open on the corner of Selma Avenue and N. Caheunga Boulevard, right between the glam of the Hollywood Hills and the buzz of Downtown LA. The 179-room spot will have modernist-inspired design by the famed Rockwell Group, as well as restaurants, bars, and a rooftop pool scene that are sure to draw major players.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor's Los Angeles Guide

WHERE: Goa, India

Expected Opening: June

Opening in June 2016, W Hotels' first Indian property will make a splash in the coastal hotspot of Goa, taking over 21 Arabian Sea–side acres on trendy Vagator Beach. The “City of Carnivals” (and legendary parties) is sure to appreciate all the W touches, from cutting-edge design and a lively WET pool scene to street food-inspired dining, a 12,000 square-foot AWAY spa, and an innovative Rock Pool event space. Enjoy direct access to the beach, or let the W Insiders arrange visits to historic sites, colorful fishing villages, or the latest nightlife spots.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor's Goa Guide

WHERE: Scottsdale, Arizona

Expected Opening: Mid-2016

Hyatt's mainly city-set Andaz brand will expand its resort offerings with the mid-2016 opening of the Andaz Scottsdale Resort & Spa, located less than two miles north of Old Town Scottsdale in the town of Paradise Valley. Backed by views of Camelback Mountain, the 201 bungalow-style rooms will have a desert-inspired midcentury decor, private terraces, and—in some—outdoor showers. Elsewhere, you'll find a main resort pool, a 12,000 square-foot spa (opening later in the year), a restaurant with a glass box-display kitchen, and a lounge set around an open mixology hub. The brand's signature Andaz Salon cultural program will partner with local musicians, artists, and designers to create events and workshops to help connect guests to the Sonoran desert setting.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor's Scottsdale Guide

WHERE: Bodrum, Turkey

Expected Opening: July

After nearly 40 years of helping guests of its U.S. wellness resorts achieve their best selves, Canyon Ranch is going global in July 2016, with the launch of its first-ever international property. Part of the first phase of a residential and lifestyle development located near the city of Bodrum, on Turkey's Aegean coast, Canyon Ranch Wellness Resort at Kaplankaya will have 141 sleek, modern rooms, all with sea views, as well as two restaurants—one at the main hotel, one by the pool and beach—highlighting healthy Mediterranean flavors and local ingredients. As befits the Canyon Ranch name, the showpiece will be the staggering 107,500 square-foot spa, fitness, and wellness center, with 40 treatment rooms and an extensive menu of integrative treatments drawing from Western and Eastern healing traditions.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor's Bodrum Guide

WHERE: Paris, France

Expected Opening: Summer

Since opening in 1898, The Ritz Paris has become a luxury hotel icon, a favorite of everyone from Marcel Proust and Coco Chanel to The Da Vinci Code's fictional hero. But even a grande dame needs a touch-up, so in 2012, the legend closed its doors for the first time in its history for a complete top-to-toe, three-plus-year renovation. Despite setbacks this January due to a construction fire on the top floor, the new Ritz is still on track to be unveiled in 2016, and will feature 142 expanded and redesigned rooms—50 percent of which will be suites—plus updated restaurants (one with an added retractable roof), a new chef, and a invigorated Bar Hemingway. The former bank building next to the hotel now houses the Ritz Club spa and Chanel au Ritz Paris beauty space; other additions include a more casual bistro and a larger Ecole Ritz Escoffier cooking school. Lots of behind-the-scenes upgrades (think electrical, technology, air conditioning) will help ensure the Ritz stays top-of-the-line for at least another century.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor's Paris Guide

WHERE: Lake Como, Italy

Expected Opening: Summer

Located on the eastern shores of Lake Como, near the village of Torno, this Italian sibling to Le Sereno St. Barth's will offer a relaxed, contemporary version of luxury when it opens this summer. Milan-based designer Patricia Urquiola oversaw the look of the intimate hotel, which features 30 lakeview suites, all with private terraces, custom robes, and Ex Voto Paris amenities. Take a dip in the heated freshwater infinity pool—ringed by gardens, a bar, and a Pool Club—or head to the private dock for a ride in one of the custom boats. A spa, water-view gourmet restaurant, and lots of lush greenspaces—including two vertical gardens—further help set the idyllic scene.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor's Lake Como Guide

WHERE: Rome, Italy

Expected Opening: Fall

Set in the heart of Rome's Old City, a short walk from the Spanish Steps, this Dorchester Collection classic (its roots go back to 1889) will relaunch in the fall of 2016, following nearly a year of renovations and expansions. The upgraded version will feature 99 stylish rooms and suites, as well as redone public spaces and the addition of an urban spa offering beauty and wellness treatments and a blow-dry salon. The refreshed sixth floor restaurant will have a new food and drink concept to appeal to both locals and guests, as well as a design that accentuates the panoramic views over the Eternal City.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor's Rome Guide

WHERE: Bhutan (various locations)

Expected Opening: Second half of 2016.

Bhutan's international hotel boom continues this year with the arrival of Six Senses, which will follow the lead of other luxury brands and open a few properties in the country to form a seamless circuit for guests to follow. In this case, Six Senses will offer 82 suites spread out over five intimate lodges located in Thimphu, Punakha, Gangtey, Bumthang, and Paro. Each will reflect traditional arts and aesthetics of the kingdom, while also connecting guests to the stunning natural settings, historic sites, and unique cultural experiences that are earning Bhutan a spot on every “must-go” travel list.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor's Bhutan Guide

WHERE: London, England

Expected Opening: Second half of 2016.

Following the opening of Las Vegas outpost, Nobu Hotels has gone global, opening or announcing projects everywhere from Miami to Riyadh. Its first European hotel will be this 156-room proprty in London's hip Shoreditch neighborhood, set to open in the second half of 2016. Reflecting the area's edgy, creative vibe, the five-story exterior will feature cantilevered steel beams, protruding slab edges, concrete balconies, and printed, layered glass; a landscaped garden will balance the industrial details with some green spaces. Of course, cuisine will be a highlight here, with an exclusive, chef Nobu–designed menu served in the airy restaurant and bar.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor's London Guide

WHERE: Cape Town, South Africa

Expected Opening: Late 2016

With booming culinary, craft beer, wine, and art scenes, sunny Cape Town is primed for a cool new hotel. Enter The Silo, a 28-room spot on the V&A Waterfront scheduled to open in late 2016. The hotel is set in what was once the grain elevator portion of a historic grain silo complex, taking up six floors above what will be the new Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA). Because of the unique structure, rooms be taller than they are wide, and will boast 24-hour butler service, free WiFi, and views of the harbor, city, or Table Mountain. On-site facilities will include a spa, piano bar, rooftop restaurant, bar, and glass swimming pool.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor's Cape Town Guide

WHERE: Tuscany, Italy

Expected Opening: Late 2016

Since 2007, a deserted, 800-year-old Tuscan village has been undergoing a thoughtful restoration and transformation into Toscana Resort Castelfalfi, a part-residential, part-resort complex designed for vacationers and long-stay residents alike. The project has opened in stages; to date, the 2,700-acre property includes a 27-hole golf course, a four-star hotel, close to 70 apartments and farmhouses, pools, on-site vineyards and olive groves, and two restaurants—including a fine-dining option set in the town's former castle. In late 2016, a much-anticipated five-star hotel will be added to the mix, complete with 120 rooms, a 6,500 square-foot restaurant with covered verandas, extensive meeting spaces, and a spa with indoor-outdoor pool, salt cave, and hammam. Guests will have access to all the complex has to offer—including special experiences like truffle hunting and tastings of the estate-made wine.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: Visit Fodor's Tuscany Guide