This year’s hottest hotel openings are a varied bunch, from bumper-size projects that were half a decade in the making to little island retreats that have quietly cropped up. 

Revival is a key theme, with former landmark hotels restored to their former glory on Capri and the Costa del Sol. Unbridled luxury also features with starry openings such as the South of France’s Maybourne Riviera and Cali Mykonos. Elsewhere, there’s a focus on pared-back stays with a new resort in Thailand attempting to recapture a time before mass tourism. 

Here, we look at the world’s most anticipated new hotels in a year in which we can truly get excited about travel again.

Maybourne Riviera, Côte d’Azur

From the group that runs some of London’s loveliest hotels (Claridge’s, The Connaught and The Berkeley) comes Maybourne Riviera, built on a rocky peninsula above the town of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin on the eternally glamourous Côte d’Azur. Expect three starry chefs – Mauro Colagreco (of nearby Mirazur, previously rated the world’s best restaurant) will hold court on the top floor with a seafood-themed menu, while Jean-Georges Vongerichten and sushi chef Hiro Sato will also have restaurants. Multiple swimming pools, a spa and a beach club round out the alluring picture.

Opening May 2022; maybourneriviera.com