More Hotel Openings

Every year, Travel + Leisure's editors reach out to our network of hospitality professionals, trusted writers, and hotel addicts in search of the finest new (and newly reimagined) properties around the globe. We then log tens of thousands of miles, checking in to dozens of them, from far-flung islands to mountain lodges (and this year, for our 14th annual It List, more than one renovated church). The resulting list is a collection of the best new hotels in the world. We’ve registered major openings and long-awaited renovations, of course — but we’ve also tracked down the under-the-radar stunners that we know you’ll love. Sure, this year sees its fair share of reborn grand dames, but not just in the well-trod cities of Western Europe. In addition to Lutetia, the Parisian icon that stars on the cover of our March 2019 Hotels Issue, we find old standbys like the Raffles Europejski Warsaw, once the haunt of Poland’s literati; the Oberoi, New Delhi, perennial favorite of the city’s society set; and Belmond Cap Juluca, the finest property in Anguilla, which has returned to its pre-hurricane glory. But there are also young guns disrupting our notion of what a hotel ought to be, like Freehand New York, the hostel-like hangout livening up Manhattan, or L'Arlatan, in Arles, France, whose high-style interiors feature museum-worthy art pieces. There are resorts and camps that are as serious about luxury as they are about protecting their natural environments, including Shinta Mani Wild, a private nature sanctuary in southern Cambodia, and Mombo Camp, in Botswana’s Okavango Delta, which runs entirely on solar power. And there are properties that open up places where we’ve never dreamed of spending the night, like the Retreat at Blue Lagoon on Iceland’s most famous thermal pool, Denali National Park’s uber-remote Sheldon Chalet, or eastern India’s Taj Exotica Resort & Spa, Andamans, which feels like a paradise at the literal ends of the earth. Of course, that’s just a sampling. Read on to discover all 74 properties on the 2019 It List of the best new hotels in the world. Find your next vacation in the slideshow ahead, then share your favorites with us on social media using #TLItList. Edited by Lila Battis, Siobhan Reid, and Hannah Walhout.

2019 is almost here, and the year's list of hotel openings includes new development, properties completing major renovations, all-inclusive resorts, and even a permanently berthed ship. Restoration of historic buildings is a definite trend, a desire to preserve the past and to infuse character and the patina of age. The hotels range from casual to upscale luxury properties, and from downtown city locations to wildlife habitats in Africa. Related:The Top 100 Hotels in the World Art continues to be a major presence at hotels, with collections curated to portray a property’s personality or add a sense of the destination. Many of the hotels have emphasized their modern, contemporary, even quirky style in an effort to attract millennial guests with elements designed to appeal to that generation of travelers. Others announce their pet-friendly amenities and youngster-oriented activities in response to growth in family travel. With increasing attention to environmental awareness, many hotels have gone beyond laundry reduction programs to communicate their commitment to eco-conscious toiletry brands and environmentally supportive products. Restaurants point out their use of local ingredients and sustainable seafood as well as on-property organic farms. Some hotels seek to educate their guests about the local environment and even provide participation opportunities such as coral reef restoration. Related: The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2019 Wellness programs are a growing trend among hotels and spas, with yoga classes or targeted treatments and experiences designed to improve guests’ health. There’s certainly more to today’s hotels than just a place to sleep for the night.