Hottest hotel openings expected in 2023 (Q3 & Q4)

Now, more than ever before, hotels entering the hospitality scene need to not only sensitively answer to the local culture in their own style, but they also must pack a punch of personality when it comes to amplifying the brand’s ethos if they are to remain in the arena for years to come.

In an age where meaningless construction and development is no longer tolerated, new hotels – especially those are are sheltered in new-builds – need to balance the scales, not only environmentally but also socially when it comes to enhancing the community within neighbourhoods. On the other hand, hotels that open inside heritage buildings have to consciously marry a design scheme that is modern yet compliments the history of its architectural shell.

In our first editorial that we published in this in-depth editorial series, we made the link to nature when discovering the hotel openings that will make the biggest impact in Q1 and Q2. As we steer our attention further into the year – and to compliment the theme of biophilic design and hospitality – the hotels that are listed below are linked by their ambitions to connect communities and to create a deeper sense of place as well as adventure.

Raffles London – opening Summer 2023 

Image credit: EPR Architects

It has been one the most anticipated hotel opening stories of the decade (so far), but Raffles London is starting to transform from renders to real life as it hurtles towards its grand opening this summer. EPR Architects has worked with multiple interior designers, including Tihany Design and Goddard Littlefair, to design and create 120 guestrooms and suites, 85 branded residences, no less than nine restaurants, three bars and luxury spa that will all be sheltered inside one of London’s most iconic addresses, the Old War Offices in Westminster. The interiors, from what we know already, will be an eccentric yet sensitive reflection of high-end British design, with a strong focus on creating striking public areas – the whole building has been restored to usher the building into a new era.

Locke al Platz, Zurich – opening summer 2023

Image credit: Locke

Locke al Platz is set to open Zurich in Summer 2023, marking pioneering lifestyle aparthotel brand Locke’s first entry into Switzerland. Situated in the Enge neighbourhood of the city, the aparthotel will comprise 80 rooms, in a mix of studio and one-bed suites, alongside amenities including a restaurant, bar and coffee shop.

Reflecting Locke’s locally focused ethos, progressive interior studio Sella Concept is tasked with reflecting the cultural identity of Zurich through a distinctive and sophisticated aesthetic for the rooms and common areas.

Salt House Nantucket – opening summer 2023

Image credit: Salt Hotels

Salt Hotels – a homegrown collection of artfully designed boutique hotels with properties in Cape Cod, Miami, New Jersey Shore, the Hudson Valley, and beyond – will debut its latest addition, Salt House Nantucket, in the summer.

Featuring just 18 guestrooms, the historic inspired hotel will be situated in the heart of verdant Brant Point, minutes from downtown and steps from the beach. The fully renovated property will be reminiscent of a classic bed and breakfast, but with an elevated difference.

Salt House Nantucket features ample gathering spaces including an expansive lawn complete with lawn games, fire pits, surrounded by adirondack chairs, complimentary bikes available for exploring the island, and plenty of quiet corners to enjoy an inventive cocktail or tuck into a good book. The public areas feature the breakfast room and lounge, which spills out onto a dining deck and outdoor bar and lounge area.

Hotel Dorothea, Autograph Collection – opening in Q3

Merging three historical buildings, Hotel Dorothea, Autograph Collection is the vision of acclaimed architect and designer, Piero Lissoni. Named after Duchess Dorothea, who was an influential character of the 1800s in Hungary, Hotel Dorothea will be a melting pot of architecture and interior design, where history and modernity meet, connecting guests with the local community and its heritage. Guests will be welcomed by a breathtaking foyer filled with restored columns, an ornate ceiling and portraits adorning the walls.

The 229 guestrooms are split into contemporary and heritage categories, all elegantly decorated with traditional influences and contemporary artwork. At the heart of the hotel, an impressive communal garden awaits, where guests can forge connections surrounded by nature and grandeur.

Villa Beauchamp and Villa Clair-Soleil – opening in Q3

Image credit: Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

In summer 2023, Villa Beauchamp and Villa Clair-Soleil, two new villas on the Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat lush grounds, will open. With design by Sybille de Margerie, the interiors will feature paired-back palettes and soft touches, with rich decorative accents and unexpected details coupled with a touch of chic seafaring charm. Pathways will connect the hotel’s three villas, with secured gates ensuring privacy is always maintained, making the buildings the perfect solution for larger groups.

W Prague – opening in Q3

Image credit: Marriott International

Marking the brand’s debut in the Czech Republic, the 161-key W Prague will be located on Wenceslas Square in the heart of the buzzing capital city. The hotel is a renovation of the former Grand Europa Hotel, a radical art nouveau-style property that pushed boundaries when it originally opened in 1905 and will do so again with the W brand’s progressive design and innovative spirit.

The historic structure and lasting elements will be combined with a new modern oval-shaped extension to create an intriguing blend of old-world glamour and bold new concepts. Contemporary design elements include the imaginative Fantastical Garden at the heart of the hotel where guests can relax and socialise.

Swissôtel Kolasin, Montenegro – opening in Q3 

Image credit: Accor

Accor’s first property in Montenegro, featuring 116 modern guestrooms, will be located at 1600 metres above sea level, next to the ski slope, in Kolasin. Complete with a restaurant and an aperitif bar, the hotel’s design integrates with the natural ambiance preserving the location and capturing the essence of Swissotel’s natural vitality. The premium Swissôtel in Montenegro located in the winter resort K16 of Kolasin, by the magnificent mountain range of Bjelasica, will be a perfect destination for winter sports lovers, offering direct access to the slopes.

Pnoēs Tinos, Tinos, Greece – opening in late 2023

Image credit: Design Hotels

Slated to become one of Greece’s most iconic luxury hotel opening, Pnoēs Tinos will open in late 2023 as the first member of Design Hotels on the Greek island of Tinos.

With Original Aristides Dallas—one of Greece’s most celebrated architects—at the helm of the project, this three-villa property will exemplify a contemporary and sophisticated interpretation of Cycladic traditions. Architecturally, each villa will feature stone walls and lime-washed surfaces that play off minimal steel, wood details, and broad, airy openings.

Private pools and fireplaces will offer cozy spaces to relax year-round, backdropped by interiors defined by local craftsmanship, bespoke furniture, earthy wooden décor, warm neutral hues, and natural fabrics. Guests will also have access to onsite gardens, including an orchard, Mediterranean herb garden, tea garden with flowers to make infusions, and organic vegetable garden, while nearby are villages ripe for exploration and pristine beaches for relaxation.

The West Hotel, Minneapolis – opening in 2023

Image credit: Salt Hotels

In 2023, Salt Hotels is the gift that just keeps on giving. Not only will it arrive in Nantucket, the brand is also making a statement later in the year with the unveiling of The West Hotel, in Minneapolis. A first-of-its-kind development for the burgeoning city, the hotel will transport Salt Hotels’ signature hospitality and thoughtful curation of guest experiences to the Twin Cities.  ‘The West’ as it is already being referred to, is a collaboration between some of the hospitality industry’s top and most creative talent, both local and worldwide, including Minneapolis based developer Commutator, LLC, Salt Hotels; Snow Kreilich Architects; Neri&Hu and Greiner Construction.

Located steps from the Mississippi riverfront in Minneapolis’ North Loop – the highly coveted culinary, design, and boutique hub for Minneapolis – the 123-key property will encompass a modern structure thoughtfully integrating four historic buildings, resulting in an unmatched design destination for both locals and visitors.

The Curator Hotel, Lisbon – opening in Q3

Image credit: Design Hotels

The backend of 2023 will see the opening of The Curator Hotel in the historic district of Belém – Alcântara, Lisbon. More specifically, the property will be located within the Palace of the Counts of Ribeira Grande, which dates to the beginning of the 18th century, plus a newly built annex—both of which will also house the Museum of Contemporary Art Armando Martins, a new cultural project dedicated to modern and contemporary art.

While the museum will occupy the ground floor of the entire building, 44 rooms will be spread among the first through sixth floors of the palace, with an additional six studios in an independent wing and 14 guestrooms in the new building. An onsite restaurant will be dedicated to local flavours and regional products and producers, while other amenities will include a garden, a small auditorium, and a desecrated chapel to host cultural programming with a focus on performing arts and literature.

Main image credit: Design Hotels