As summer shifts into the softer tones of early autumn, a fresh wave of September hotel openings are creating some well-designed ripples in the world of hospitality, inviting us all to step into spaces where history, design, and local storytelling converge…
Well September certainly kicked off in style with The Chancery Rosewood swinging open its statement London doors – and has been swiftly followed by hotel openings across the globe. From Sydney’s theatrical revival of the 25hours Hotel The Olympia, to the terracotta-hued calm of Portugal’s Vale Palheiro Earth Resort – all of these September hotel openings are more than just new places to lay your travel weary head — they’re about reimagined landmarks, thoughtful craftsmanship, and brands expanding their footprint with purpose. Whether it’s a long-anticipated debut in London, a heritage site getting a new lease on life in Australia, or a mindful hideaway in the Cotswolds, each hotel in this months list of hottest hotel openings brings with it a distinct sense of place and considered design.
The Chancery Rosewood
Image credit: Ben Anders
Certainly one of the most anticipated openings of 2025, The Chancery Rosewood is set within the historic former U.S Embassy on Grosvenor Square in a striking Grade II listed building. Steeped in an illustrious past of international importance, the building has been transformed into a vibrant destination that ushers in a new chapter for the property.
The building, originally designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen in 1960, has been meticulously restored by British architect Sir David Chipperfield, who worked on the rebuilding with executive architects Reardon Smith, maintaining its status as one of the capital’s most notable architectural masterpieces. Its iconic gilded eagle sculpture, crafted from B-52 bomber aluminium by Theodore Roszak, overlooks the greenery of Grosvenor Square and a skyline of London landmarks.
25hours Sydney
Image credit: 25hours Hotel Olympia
True to the 25hours philosophy of embracing the cultural fabric of the cities they are in, the brand’s first Australian property is deeply rooted in Sydney’s creative past. Located on the heritage-listed site of the former West Olympia Theatre and the Grand Pacific Blue Room, the hotel pays tribute to these iconic establishments that once shaped the city’s art and social scene. Honouring its vibrant past through bold design and rich storytelling, 25hours Hotel The Olympia will breathe new life into a historic Sydney landmark.
The hotel design narrative draws deeply from the building’s cinematic past, with the lobby reimagined as a tribute to film culture and pieces peppered throughout the property that nod to the theatre’s heyday. True to the brands motto ‘Every cool city needs a 25hours Hotel’ the Sydney debut focuses on revitalising this historic site, with a strong design identity, restaurants and bars that will act as a neighbourhood hub.
Vale Palheiro Earth Resort
Image credit: Vale Palheiro
Located in the Aljezur region of southwest Portugal, a collection of villas, suites and ‘casitas’ built using a centuries-old method has quietly opened within the Cota Vicentina Natural Park. Embracing an ethos where design, nature, culture and sustainability shape the experience, the Vale Palheiro Earth Resort sheltering 13 villas, suites and casitas, soft launched in August, on the rolling hillside of a 280-acre protected Portuguese valley.
Designed as a stylish, contemporary getaway, offering a vast space to reconnect, slow down and switch off, the project, led by owners Pedro and Madalena Rutkowski, has been a decade in the making; a credit to the purposeful construction that has prioritised traditional techniques, natural materials, and the precious landscape that surrounds it. The villas, suites and ‘casitas’ have been built using ‘taipa’ or rammed earth. This regional, centuries-old method is composed of compressed layers of earth that form thick, breathable walls which, at the Vale Palheiro, have been bathed in a vibrant terracotta colour. The interiors are fresh and modern, albeit featuring locally crafted rustic materials that weave both heritage and the outdoors throughout.
Hyll Hotel
Image credit: Hyll
Located in the North Cotswolds, Hyll has an ethos centred around comfort, escape and nourishment making room for guests to slow down, switch off and rest on their own terms.
Having previously collaborated with the team behind Hyll on a series of historic mill buildings in Manchester, design studio YOUTH were appointed to design the interiors of the 18 guestrooms, public spaces, restaurant, bar and lounges within the hotel. Every element of Hyll has been designed to create a seamless flow between the internal and the natural surroundings, making the experience feel intimate, slow, and intentional. This called for a design ethos that was refined yet not overworked, luxurious yet never excessive. Every material choice, finish, and form aimed to promote presence – whether through raw stone’s tactility, hand-finished timber’s warmth, or the way natural light flows through each space.
Sir Devonshire Square
Image credit: Steve Herud / Sir Hotels
Amsterdam-based boutique hotel group Sir Hotels has opened its newest property, Sir Devonshire Square, marking the brand’s debut in the UK market. Tucked away in the historic Devonshire Square courtyard, the hotel is perfectly situated between Shoreditch’s creative buzz, the iconic Spitalfields Market, and the business district The City of London. Originally a warehouse for the East India Tea Company, the building has been thoughtfully transformed into a refined, design-led destination.
Sir Devonshire Square will offer 81 rooms, including 14 suites, as well as a gym and yoga studio, and generous public areas, including a shop showcasing locally sourced items that celebrate London’s cultural richness. At the heart of the hotel, the lobby bar will serve as a vibrant social anchor, offering a seamless transition from perfect espressos and healthy breakfast bowls in the morning to seasonal salads, light lunches, and small plates in the afternoon and evening. As the day unfolds, the space will evolve into a wine bar with curated cocktails and cultural
programming, designed to foster connection and become a true local hub for both guests and the surrounding community.
Hilton Arlington Rosslyn The Key
Image credit: Hilton Arlington Rosslyn The Key
Hilton Arlington Rosslyn The Key is ideally situated just outside Washington, D.C., offering stunning views of the Potomac River and seamless access to iconic attractions such as the Georgetown Waterfront, Arlington National Cemetery, the Kennedy Centre, White House, and so much more. The property features 331 guest rooms and suites along with nearly 28,000 square feet of versatile event space, including nine meeting rooms that feature state-of-the-art equipment and sweeping views of the city. The hotel will also boast an on-site American restaurant, Locket, that is open for all-day dining and comprises a grand, two-story space with expansive windows and hidden outlets reserved specifically for elevated, private dining experiences.
Mama Shelter Singapore
Image credit: Mama Shelter Singapore
Mama Shelter is making its long-awaited Asian debut this September with the opening of Mama Shelter Singapore – its first property in Asia and its 20th worldwide. On brand, stepping in to Mama Shelter Singapore, the experience begins upon arrival. From the street, the building’s sculptural exterior is framed in confident lines and colour, a fitting first impression for what’s inside. When guests walk through the doors, they are greeted by a cinematic swirl of design, music and movement. Inside, the open-plan lobby, restaurant and island bar buzz with colour, conversation and the unmistakable energy of Mama. Arcade games, board games and pet-friendly tables bring a sense of play, while a raised stage and DJ booth provide the heartbeat for regular live sets and entertainment.
Vista Ostuni
Image credit: Vista Ostuni
While Vista Ostuni officially opened its doors in August, we thought we would sneak it into this month list as it certainly ticks the VIP box!
Vista Ostuni is a five-star luxury hotel and part of the Vista brand – a new hospitality model conceived by Bianca and Luigi Passera, respectively President and CEO, with the aim of bringing a luxury experience to places where it has not yet arrived. The group’s boutique hotels are defined by a modern, Italian-rooted yet international interior design, paired with a rich offering of tailor-made services where guest privacy and respect are at the heart of the experience.
Originally built as a convent and later converted into a tobacco-processing factory, the historic palazzo has been brought back to life through a sensitive and visionary restoration by renowned architect Roberto Murgia of Milan’s RMA Studio. More than 6,000 square metres of historic interiors have been preserved and reimagined – from its grand entrance and lofty ceilings to an unexpected cloister bathed in light from a glass ceiling above.
Main image credit: Ben Anders
