Every year, a select group of hotels sets a new standard for luxury travel. These places offer more than a stay. They offer a feeling — a sense of arrival shaped by design, service, and setting. From private island estates to revived European icons and brand-new city escapes, these are the year’s most glamorous room keys.
Laughing Waters Hotel — Barbados, Caribbean
Set on the Sandy Lane Estate, Laughing Waters is a 32,000-square-foot private villa designed for travelers who value space and privacy. The four-acre property features 12 bedrooms across three residences, along with a private cinema, gym, and generous entertainment areas. Guests also enjoy access to a AAA Five Diamond resort, championship golf, and a private beach club. With a full staff — including a chef, concierge, and security — the estate blends villa privacy with five-star comfort.
Hotel La Posta — Bagno Vignoni, Italy
Hotel La Posta, once Albergo Posta Marcucci, reopened in March 2025 as a five-star retreat in Bagno Vignoni. The thermal village is part of Tuscany’s UNESCO-listed Val d’Orcia, and the hotel takes full advantage of the setting. It offers 35 refreshed rooms, calming thermal pools, and broad countryside views. The property focuses on wellness, regional cuisine, and warm service. It provides an easy base for exploring vineyards, hill towns, and nearby landscapes.
Saudade — Bazaruto, Mozambique
Located in the Bazaruto Archipelago, Saudade is an intimate villa designed for up to 10 guests, or 16 when booked privately. The property sits above a long, curved beach and is surrounded by tropical gardens. Designed by Sarah and Mike van Hone, the villa blends local craftsmanship with contemporary style. Five suites, an infinity pool, and open-air living areas create a calm and inviting atmosphere. Guests also enjoy access to a UNESCO marine sanctuary filled with dolphins, whales, rays, and rare dugongs.
Cour des Loges Lyon — Lyon, France
Cour des Loges Lyon, now part of the Radisson Collection, has reopened after a careful restoration. The five-star hotel sits in the center of Vieux Lyon, surrounded by six Renaissance courtyards and centuries of history. It offers 61 rooms and suites, each shaped by a mix of historic detail and modern comfort. Dining at Les Loges highlights seasonal ingredients and local flavors. A stay here offers travelers an immersive look at Lyon’s architecture, food culture, and charm.
The Peninsula New York — New York, USA
The Peninsula New York has revealed a glamorous redesign inspired by 1920s Manhattan. The lobby and reception areas now feature lighter tones, elegant details, and a fresh sense of space. All 219 rooms and suites carry a refined, residential feel, with custom furnishings, curated art, and updated technology. New highlights include Pen Top, a rooftop venue overlooking Fifth Avenue, and Gotham Lounge, a piano bar set for quiet evenings in Midtown.
Fairmont Tokyo Hotel — Tokyo, Japan
Fairmont Tokyo marks the brand’s debut in Japan. The hotel sits high above the city on the upper floors of the BLUE FRONT SHIBAURA Tower, offering wide views of Tokyo Bay and the skyline. Guests arrive at warm interiors, outdoor terraces, and a welcome from the hotel’s “Chief Happiness Officer,” a resident Labrador. Seven dining venues celebrate Tokyo’s food culture, while the spa, health club, and dual pools bring a sense of calm to the city. BAR Studio designed the hotel with a blend of modern style and Japanese craftsmanship.
The Ritz-Carlton Residences — Waikiki Beach, Hawaii
The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Waikiki Beach, has completed a major renovation. The refreshed ‘Ewa Tower features redesigned rooms and suites, updated infinity pools, and new public spaces. The property also introduces a new Signature Suite Collection and Solera, a restaurant focused on modern Hawai‘i cuisine. Cultural programming connects guests to the island’s traditions, while design elements draw from the ocean, mountains, and sky.
Grand Hotel Fasano — Lake Garda, Italy
Set on the shores of Lake Garda, Grand Hotel Fasano reopens with new suites, a refreshed spa, and enhanced dining options — including its Michelin-starred restaurant Il Fagiano. Once a Habsburg hunting lodge, the hotel now blends lakeside relaxation with refined Italian style. Guests enjoy indoor-outdoor pools, a serene spa garden, and access to nearby villages and cultural sites. The property remains one of the region’s most respected luxury retreats.
Cape Grace Hotel — Cape Town, South Africa
Located on its own private quay at the V&A Waterfront, Cape Grace Hotel combines nautical elegance with modern luxury. Many of its 110-plus rooms and suites offer views of the marina, Table Mountain, or the harbor. The hotel includes a celebrated restaurant, a whiskey-focused bar, and a full wellness program. It serves travelers who want both access to Cape Town’s highlights and a peaceful place to retreat.
Desert Rock Resort — Red Sea, Saudi Arabia
Built directly into the region’s granite mountains, Desert Rock Resort is an architectural standout in Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea destination. Just 20 minutes from the international airport, the resort offers 54 pool villas and 10 suites carved into the rock itself. Spa and wellness facilities, cliffside dining, and LEED Gold design principles create an experience that blends nature, luxury, and sustainability. The result is a rare retreat shaped by the landscape.
The Marbella Club — Costa del Sol, Spain
A classic since 1954, The Marbella Club continues its legacy along Marbella’s Golden Mile. Surrounded by subtropical gardens, the resort features elegant rooms, suites, and villas that reflect Andalusian charm. Guests enjoy a thalasso spa, championship golf, fine dining, and a lively beach club. The atmosphere blends relaxed Mediterranean living with polished service.
Wynn Las Vegas — Nevada, USA
Wynn Las Vegas remains a benchmark for luxury on the Strip. The resort offers spacious rooms, 18-plus dining options, a Forbes Five-Star spa, beach-style pools, and a curated retail promenade. It balances the energy of Las Vegas with the calm of a private retreat, creating an experience that feels both glamorous and comfortable.
Royal Palm Hotel — Palm Beach, Florida
Located on Royal Palm Way, Royal Palm Hotel offers a boutique stay shaped by Palm Beach’s signature style. Coral tones, seashell-clad walls, Murano chandeliers, and a pink marble bar create a nostalgic yet modern feel. The 79 rooms include refined finishes and thoughtful amenities. Dining highlights include a Peruvian-Japanese restaurant and a relaxed lounge by the pool deck.
The St. Regis Cap Cana Resort — Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
Set along a pristine stretch of coastline, The St. Regis Cap Cana Resort brings the brand’s timeless elegance to one of the Caribbean’s most beautiful destinations. Suites and beachfront villas feature private pools and indoor-outdoor layouts. Guests enjoy several dining venues that highlight Dominican flavors, a world-class spa, nearby championship golf, and the brand’s signature butler service. The resort offers both calm and sophistication.
This story originally appeared on Upscalelivingmag
