Our twelve highly experienced and discerning researchers bring you this year’s inside track on luxury hotel openings openings across the globe.
We thoroughly research every property, on our own dollar, as we are passionate about what we do – bringing truth to luxury travel. Of the 35 new luxury hotels we visited this year, we discovered 15 exceptional properties.
So here is our best of 2019 (announced in reverse order)
15. The Oberoi Marrakech
This impressive property only opened on December 1, but it’s already proving to be one of the best options in Marrakech for the luxury traveller. We were particularly impressed with their airport meet and greet service and the outstanding dining choices.
14. Aman Kyoto
Another world class property from Aman – a company that really knows how to create exceptional and individual properties for their loyal followers. Set within 80 acres of landscaped gardens and forest, the 24 rooms all feature furo bathtubs,constructed from hinoki Cyprus wood native to central Japan, while all furniture is bespoke and sits alongside artefacts selected individually for each space.
13. Waldorf Astoria Maldives
There is so much to appreciate here, but the standout has to be the 11 superb dining options. It’s often said that the problem with the Maldives is that there isn’t much to do, but the Waldorf Astoria well and truly blows away this particular myth.
12. Stock Exchange Manchester, UK
Manchester has become a magnet for football fans and travellers seeking urban authenticity. And now, right in the heart of this vibrant city, is the new Stock Exchange Hotel, meticulously put together by two of the cities most respected football legends. With just 40 rooms and suites, plus a hot destination restaurant headed up by Tom Kerridge, this new property has already become Manchester’s ultimate luxury bolthole.
11. The Newt Somerset, UK
LTI members already know just how much we rate the unique and engaging ‘farm hotel’ Babylonstoren in South Africa. Now, husband and wife team Karen Roos and Koos Bekker have created another exceptional property thousands of miles away in the heart of English countryside.
10. Hotel Château du Grand-Lucé Loire Valley
This stunning chateau is a seamless blend of the 18th and 21st century and has set a high bar in luxury hotel design. The Baron Suite is breathtaking.
9. Belmond Cadogan London
Another winner from Belmond: a much anticipated first London property in the heart of Chelsea. With just 54 rooms and suites plus a buzzy bar and restaurant, this is a London hot property right now and deservedly so.
8. St Regis Venice
Yet another serious competitor for this enchanting city’s stuffy and well worn Grande Dame hotels. There is so much to appreciate with this great property – the Grand Canal location, ‘modern venetian’ decor, friendly and professional staff, plus the spacious private terraces available with several rooms and suites.
7. Mandarin Oriental Jumeira Dubai
Mandarin Oriental has outdone itself with its first ever UAE property. It has quickly established itself as a firm favourite with both visitors and discerning locals, who come to enjoy the jaw-dropping lobby, superb spa, private beach, five pools and six restaurants and bars.
6. The Lodge at Blue Sky Utah
We have been long time admirers of Auberge Resorts, a passionate luxury hotel and resort operator that pays great attention to detail. This is their latest venture, a brilliant 46 room contemporary resort, located on a 3,500 acre ranch outside of Park City.
5. Rosewood Hong Kong
Rosewood has built an exemplary reputation by creating amazing new properties in major cities across the world. This time they have delivered an exceptional urban oasis on Victoria Harbour. Go for a Harbour Corner Suite and request a high floor.
4. InterContinental Maldives
If it’s possible for one of the worlds biggest luxury hotel operators to have a passion project, then this is InterContinental’s. We were taken aback by the sheer beauty and laid back elegance of this exceptional property. With just 81 keys and a vast array of activities and dining options, all delivered by a professional and ever smiling staff, this is a truly magical maldivian paradise.
3. Singita Kwitonda Lodge Rwanda
Singita’s first property in Rwanda, set in 178 acres on the edge of Volcanoes National Park, home for around 1000 mountain gorillas. With just eight vast suites and an exclusive use, four bedroom villa (Kataza House), we love the oversized windows throughout the property.
2. Grantley Hall Yorkshire
While the world’s most respected luxury hotel brands continue to bring us amazing new properties every year, it is individual passion projects such as Grantley Hall that invariably capture our interest (and hearts). What we anticipated to be a routine visit to yet another new UK country house hotel, turned out to be a total revelation. We could go on forever about all the wonderful things we found, but you should go and discover this exceptional property for yourself. You will not be disappointed.
And our World’s Best New Luxury Hotel for 2019 is…
The Nautilus Maldives
As in 2018 (Kudadoo Private Island) a spectacular new Maldives property takes top spot. With just 26 beach and overwater ‘houses’ (too lavish to call suites), all with private pools, plus anytime/anywhere fine dining, this is the ultimate in laid back chic. Quite exceptional.
