So, 2024 is over, and I’ve put together my top 15 five-star hotel openings for 2025! People always ask me how old hotels are and when they were last renovated, so I wanted to share my thoughts on what will be the top 15 hotel openings in 2025.
- Waldorf Astoria, New York: The Waldorf Astoria New York is getting a major facelift! After eight long years, it’s going from a massive 1,400-room hotel to a more exclusive 375 rooms and suites, with the same number of private residences. The new rooms will be some of the biggest in NYC, and there will be a huge 30,000-square-foot spa and fitness center. Don’t worry, they’re keeping the famous lobby with its iconic clock, Peacock Alley, and the grand ballroom. It’ll definitely be the place to be for NYC’s movers and shakers once again!
- Southbank Turks and Caicos: This new 31-acre spot has 92 waterfront homes, ranging from one-bedroom to seven bedrooms, each with its own private butler and services by the acclaimed Grace Bay Club. Amenities include a swimmable lagoon (perfect for kids) and a full marina. The villa layouts are incredibly spacious and unlike anything else on the island, compared to the apartment-style accommodations that are more common at other luxury resorts. The gorgeous lagoon in the middle of the property means guests get water views from any villa, and it gives kids a safe spot to swim and play.
- One&Only Moonlight Basin, Big Sky, Mont. The second luxury resort in Big Sky, a 92-room One&Only, will be situated in Moonlight Basin, roughly 30 minutes from Yellowstone Club and the Montage. The resort will have its own ski lodge, spa, and a dedicated gondola providing access to 5,800 acres of skiing. Additionally, the resort will feature a Chenot Swiss Spa, which incorporates traditional Chinese healing with Western medicine.
- Saudi Red Sea Development: Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea development is going to be the new hot spot! It’s not just one resort, but a collection of 15 resorts opening over the next three years and up to 50 by 2030. The Red Sea has over 90 untouched islands, pristine beaches, dormant volcanoes, and stunning desert dunes. The first five resorts opened in 2024, the Ritz Carlton, the St Regis, the Shebara Resort, the Desert Rock, and the Six Senses Southern Dunes. These properties are utterly insane! This is going to be the new Maldives – only easier to get to and more untouched. Every major luxury hotel will show off over-water villas and silky beaches. This hidden gem will be the next Maldives, but way easier to get to, and the beaches are unreal! All the fancy hotels are going to be here soon with those over-water bungalows and incredible beaches – get ready!
- The Lake Estate on Winnisquam, New Hampshire, U.S: The Lake Estate on Winnisquam, a 114-room luxury independent resort in New Hampshire’s gorgeous lakes region, is opening this year! The resort has a super old-school New Hampshire grand hotel vibe and sits on 36 acres with a private shoreline along Lake Winnisquam. It’s also got a 5,000-square-foot luxury spa! This place is going to be amazing, especially for families who love the finer things in life. There’s nothing else like it – a luxury destination resort of this size with these kinds of amenities and experiences that are close to both New York and Boston. It’s also going to be perfect for multi-generational get-togethers and destination weddings!
- La Dolce Vita Orient Express: Italy’s first luxury train, La Dolce Vita Orient Express, is set to kick off its inaugural journey in spring 2025! This isn’t just any train ride; it offers eight exclusive round-trip itineraries departing from Rome and showcasing the best of Italy, with stops in Venice, Matera, Tuscany, Piedmont, Portofino, Abruzzo, and Sicily. Imagine sleeping like royalty and indulging in dishes crafted by three-Michelin-starred Chef Heinz Beck, who’s in charge of the onboard cuisine.
- Under Canvas Yosemite—California:.Yosemite is an amazing place, but finding a place to stay there can be a real pain. But now, with the new Under Canvas camp (their first in California), you can camp in comfort right in Big Oak Flat. It’s only ten minutes to the main entrance of Yosemite National Park, and there’s even a public transportation shuttle stop right across from the camp’s entrance. Visiting Yosemite has never been easier!
- Four Seasons Resort and Residences Caye Chapel (Belize) Caye Chapel, a private island club community, is located just off the coast of Belize, near the Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve. This will be the first private island offering in the Americas by the Four Seasons brand. The resort will have 24 private beach and oceanfront residences and a 104-key hotel with 18 luxurious overwater bungalows. Additionally, Caye Chapel will have a collection of custom estates, and the Caye Chapel Golf & Ocean Club will feature a 10-hole reversible course designed by Greg Norman.
- Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve (Nacascola, Costa Rica) The Ritz-Carlton Reserve is opening its first Central American resort on the Peninsula Papagayo, right next to the Four Seasons and Andaz. The new resort, Nekajui, is on its own massive 1,400 acre oceanfront property and will have just 107 rooms and 36 residences, so you know it’ll be super private. Leo Sorcher from Embark Beyond is most excited about the three luxury tents overlooking the sea – talk about glamping! He thinks this privacy-focused resort will be a hit in Costa Rica. The resort will also have a private beach club and a huge 27,000 square-foot spa. It’s the perfect spot for couples who want a romantic getaway that also has plenty to do.
- Amanvari—Los Cabos, Mexico: Aman’s first Mexican hotel will be in Cabo, overlooking the Sea of Cortés and not too far from the Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos. Along with the hotel, they’re planning to build Aman Residences, a spa, and multiple dining venues. Guests will also have access to the Robert Trent Jones II golf course at Costa Palmas.
- The St. Regis Cap Cana Resort, Dominican Republic: The Dominican Republic resort’s opening may be delayed until early 2025. However, the wait will be worthwhile, as the resort will feature 200 guest rooms with calming, neutral tones (some with swim-out pools), nine dining options, a luxurious St. Regis Spa, and the Punta Espada golf course. This Cap Cana destination promises to be exceptional.
- W Hotel Punta Cana (Dominican Republic): This beachfront spot in the Dominican Republic has 340 rooms and suites with amazing views. You can chill on your private balcony or take a dip in your swim-up or plunge pool. This adults-only spot also has an awesome spa and an oceanfront infinity pool.
- SIRO Boka Place, Porto, Montenegro: One&Only’s new sister brand is opening soon! Check it out starting in the second quarter of 2025, right by the Regent in Porto Montenegro. They’re all about being active and feeling good, with a super cool Fitness Lab, boot camp workouts, and easy access to biking and hiking trails in Durmitor National Park. You can even take sailing courses on the bay.
- Rosewood Miyakojima, Okinawa, Japan: This new Rosewood is located on a tiny island just off the coast of Okinawa. It’s going to be the first beautiful island resort in Japan, and it only has 55 private villas. Every single villa has its own private pool and amazing views of the ocean that nothing blocks. The resort is on a super secluded peninsula surrounded by beaches and incredible rock formations. You can do all sorts of activities there, like snorkeling at Yabiji, which is the biggest coral reef in Japan. You can also go diving through underwater caves that are full of sea creatures and go deep-sea fishing, which is supposed to be amazing. Getting to the resort is easier than you might think. It’s just a quick 20-minute drive from Miyako Airport or 30 minutes from Shimojishima Airport, and that airport has direct flights from Hong Kong and major cities all over Japan.
- Kosmos Stargazing Resort—Mosca, Colorado Looking for a unique experience? You have to check out this place. Southern Colorado’s San Luis Valley is the perfect spot for stargazing, with its wide open spaces and super dark skies. There are twenty villas that can fit either four or eight guests, and they all come with private observation decks, personal telescopes, and Jacuzzis under glass domes. Not a pro at stargazing? No worries, every reservation includes guided stargazing and telescope training. Plus, Great Sand Dunes National Park is only 15 minutes away, and there are also hiking trails, hot springs, and ski resorts nearby. You’ll have the best of Colorado right at your fingertips!
Do you need some help deciding on which resort is a good fit for you? Just shoot us an email at info@bluediamondluxetravel.com. We’ll put together a curated list of excellent hotels tailored just for you. Plus, booking with Blue Diamond Luxury Travel means you’ll get exclusive perks due to our preferred hotel relationships.
