Hotels I Have My Eye On For 2024
Each January I compile a list of standout hotels and resorts around the globe that I have my eyes set on for that year’s upcoming travel aspirations. The best hotels capture your attention, transport you to a new world, and are worth planning an entire trip around, and I believe that the 14 hotels and resorts I'm highlighting for 2024 do just that. While some have been on my radar for awhile, most are new discoveries - in fact, with the exception of a few, all these properties just opened their doors at the end of 2023 or are set to debut in 2024. From an understated, luxurious boutique hotel on the quiet Greek island of Folegandros to a re-imagined oceanfront hideaway along Mexico’s Riviera Maya, the list is diverse in locales, experiences and price range represented. While I’ll be thrilled to check-in to even one of these properties this year, this list has sparked my wanderlust and inspired my 2024 travel plans, as I hope it does yours!
Craving more inspiration? Check out my lists of must-stay properties from recent years - 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 and 2019.
Hacienda Altagracia
Costa Rica
images courtesy of Auberge Resorts Collection
Costa Rica was named Travel + Leisure’s 2024 Destination of the Year, so I’m starting this year’s list off with not only the best resort in the country but the #1 Resort in Central America, according to Condé Nast Traveler. Welcome to Hacienda AltaGracia. Perched high in the misty Talamanca Mountains, this Auberge Resort fully immerses guests in the rich culture and untamed natural beauty of Costa Rica, focusing stays on total well-being, whether that be peacefully river bathing or seeking adrenaline-filled adventures. Across the property’s lush 180 acres sits a “coffee farm, equine stables, organic chef’s gardens and a wellbeing center by one of the world’s leading holistic wellness providers, THE WELL”. The 50 casitas, outfitted in natural fibers and neutral tones, seek to bring the outdoors in with large windows and sun terraces. Given its impressive accolades, it is no surprise that a stay at Hacienda AltaGracia does not come cheap, but it is worth noting that rates are inclusive of all meals, adventure and wellness programming, shared charter flights to and from San Jose airport, and a dedicated experience designer who will reach out before arrival to plan your perfect itinerary.
KALESMA
Mykonos, Greece
images courtesy of Kalesma Mykonos
The Greek Isles are seeing a major influx of new hotel openings, which makes sense as Greece is heading for another record-breaking summer with 2024 projected to be the busiest tourism year to date. With an abundance of luxury and boutique properties to choose from, it can be overwhelming to pick the perfect place. Or is it? A quick scroll through the gallery of Kalesma Mykonos will have you feeling like you discovered a Grecian gem, and once you dig a bit deeper into its setting and the amenities offered, that inkling is confirmed. Located far away from the flashy party scene Mykonos is known for, this small hotel overlooking Ornos Bay offers guests a quiet retreat reminiscent of a weekend at a friend’s summer house. Whitewashed rooms finished in the finest materials feature an open-air concept and private terraces facing the sea. While not a new property this year, Kalemsa opened in 2021 to rave reviews and has continued to be a standout choice amongst discerning travelers. What makes it more noteworthy for the 2024 season is the addition of a spa, which will include a hammam and cryotherapy area.
Pendry Natirar
Somerset County, New Jersey
images courtesy of Pendry Hotels & Resorts
Just an hour outside of New York City, yet what feels like worlds away, lies Pendry Natirar, a 400-acre pastoral estate turned luxury resort in Somerset County. Come September 2024 when doors are set to open, guests can escape the city and retreat to this idyllic property where connecting with nature and focusing on wellness are cornerstones of any stay, set against the backdrop of modern luxury meets historic elegance. A world-class spa, resort-style pool, biking trails, cooking school and authentic farm-to-table menus across multiple dining options keep guests as active as they’d like to be. Pulling inspiration from the English countryside, accommodations are welcoming and timeless, and being that Pendry is an offshoot of luxury hospitality brand Montage, there’s no question the resort is going to be exceptional.
GRADUATE PRINCETON
Princeton, New Jersey
images courtesy of Graduate Hotels
In all the years I’ve been doing these lists, I have never featured a property in New Jersey, so the fact that there are two in the Garden State this year simply speaks to the design powerhouse Graduate Hotels is. If you’re unfamiliar with Graduate Hotels, the chain’s ethos is simple: create “one-of-a-kind experiences rich with local history, charm and pop culture nostalgia” in college towns across the U.S. and U.K. Their creative, layered interiors are truly what sets them apart, and it looks as though Graduate Princeton will be no exception. Set to open spring 2024, this Ivy League destination will immerse guests into a preppy, collegiate world of warm woods, rich leather furniture, varsity jackets and features a two-story library lounge as the focal point. Conveniently located steps from campus, it is the perfect home base for exploring this historic East Coast college town.
Matca hotel
Transylvania, Romania
images courtesy of Matca Hotel
Nestled amongst the Transylvanian Forest and Carpathian Mountains, newly opened Matca Hotel offers guests a peaceful retreat in one of the few regions of Europe relatively untouched, where natural beauty abounds and century-old traditions are alive and well. With only 16 rooms and 10 villas, this design-driven property features a contemporary take on the area’s traditional architecture, unseen to date in Romania. Raw oak floors, linen curtains and natural-hued textiles fill guest rooms and common spaces. Matca is the Romanian word for “queen bee”, which is fitting since the hotel is locating in the honey-producing corner of Transylvania, and guests can participate in locally-inspired activities such as beekeeping, guided hikes or a spa treatment of phytothermotherapy, a body wrap using fermented hay.
Cataloochee Ranch
Maggie Valley, North Carolina
images courtesy of Relais & Châteaux
“Founded in 1939 by the Alexander family, Cataloochee Ranch has been a rustic mountain getaway for generations and was the first overnight destination established to serve tourists visiting the (then) new Great Smoky Mountains National Park”. Now, recently joining the Relais and Chateaux collection of properties, this North Carolina dude ranch just 39 miles from Asheville is expanding accommodations with the addition of a new lodge set to open March 2024. With a cozy-meets-cowboy chic aesthetic, the hotel offers classic ranch activities as well as delicious fare of traditional Appalachian dishes, often cooked over an open flame.
Hôtel Du Couvent
Nice, France
images courtesy of Marriott International, Inc.
When it comes to noteworthy properties along the French Riviera, Nice seems to have been overlooked. That is, until now. Set to open Summer 2024, Hôtel Du Couvent is a breath of fresh air in the otherwise stale hotel scene in France’s second largest city. Located on the hillside of Old Nice in what once was a convent from the 17th century, Hôtel Du Couvent boasts light and airy spaces that seamlessly flow into a luxurious garden and al fresco dining rooms. Guests can “meditate at the Movement Studio, seek advice at the herbalist in the cloister or enjoy a thermal treatment at the Roman baths, before stepping out into the hustle and bustle of the centre of Nice”. On Saturday mornings, the hotel opens its courtyard to the local market, creating a village square atmosphere.
The Vineta Hotel
Palm Beach, Florida
renderings courtesy of Oetker Collection
Speaking of the French Riviera, Oetker Collection, the hospitality legend behind the iconic Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc is making its American debut later this year with the rebirth of a Palm Beach landmark, The Vineta Hotel. Set to open the second half of 2024, the 100-year old property has undergone a top-to-bottom renovation breathing fresh life into each space while highlighting its Mediterranean Revival architecture and glamorous history. With dreamy dining options and an enviable location just two blocks off Worth Avenue, The Vineta will undoubtedly live up to Oetker Collection’s Masterpiece Hotels reputation.
The Fox at oddington
Gloucestershire, England
images courtesy of The Fox at Oddington
There is something inherently charming about the English countryside. Just the mention evokes idyllic days wandering quaint villages, picnicking in pastoral fields and curling up by a crackling fire. A quick search and you’ll discover an abundance of properties promising a stay worthy of this daydream, but there are some, including the next hotel on this list, that stand above the rest. The Fox at Oddington is one of the latest additions to the Daylesford Stays collection of properties - dreamy cottage rentals and pubs with rooms in the heart of the Cotswolds. First and foremost a village pub, The Fox has several individually designed guest rooms above the restaurant. To say the rooms are beautifully designed is an understatement - “Elements of raw materials reflect rural habitats, whilst bronze finishes nod to equestrian influences and luxurious, natural linens compliment views over a wildflower roof top”. Enjoy seasonal menus in the pub and explore all sister Daylesford Farm has to offer.
The hotel Maria
Helsinki, Finland
As someone who has spent much time researching hotel options in Finland, I was pleasantly surprised when I stumbled upon Helsinki’s newest property, The Hotel Maria. Having just opened its door in December 2023, this sleek and stylish hotel is unlike anything else in the country. Sprawled across four buildings dating back to 1885, Maria exudes old-world charm and sophistication throughout its inviting guest rooms and elegant common spaces. In true Finnish fashion, wellness is at the center of everything, from “spa suites” with in-room soaking tubs, plus private saunas or steam rooms, to The Maria Spa where Nordic traditions guide your experience. The hotel’s fine dining restaurant, Lilja features both Finnish and French dishes, while the year-round Garden Terrace offers a light-filled setting both indoors and outdoors depending on the season. Though the quintessential Finland trip is centered around cozy stays in glass igloos across Lapland, starting or ending the trip with a few nights in contrasting accommodations of luxury and pampering seems like a perfect way to round out a trip!
Collegio alla Querce
Florence, Italy
images courtesy of Auberge Resorts Collection
If I haven’t said it before, I am a big fan of Auberge Resorts, a collection of unique and inspiring hotels, resorts and residences in extraordinary destinations around the globe. Their properties are luxurious, rooted in local culture and history, making one of the newest locations an undeniable choice - Florence. Debuting in 2024, Collegio alla Querce, Auberge’s first property in Italy, offers “all the pleasures of a refined country home”, balancing “the sophistication of Florence with the relaxed pace of Tuscany in characteristic Italian style”. Set in “an exquisite cluster of reimagined 16th-century UNESCO buildings once serving as a cultural institution, preparatory school, chapel and theater”, the cypress-lined grounds are picturesque, while richly layered interiors further transport you to a timeless Renaissance period. Hone your skills in a daily cooking class, savor an aperitif in the all-glass conservatory bar, or lounge by the pool before taking in Florence’s world-class museums and architecture.
Maroma belmond
Riviera Maya, Mexico
images courtesy of Belmond Management Limited
Following a painstaking top-to-toe renovation, Belmond Maroma reopened in August 2023, ushering in a new era to this oceanfront hideaway along Mexico’s Riviera Maya. Situated between jungle and sea, Maroma is an enchanting hotel driven by the region’s rich culture and traditions. Each space has been lovingly re-designed in a timeless yet contemporary style that highlights local materials and traditional craftsmanship. Guest suites and villas feature handwoven textiles, hand-painted Saltillo floor tiles, thatched roof terraces, and lush garden or ocean views. The first Guerlain Spa in Latin America is on premise, offering guests a healing rituals and holistic approaches pulled from both Maya culture and the French wellness brand’s expertise. Across the resort’s two restaurants you’ll find both Mexican and international cuisine, and as far as activities go, the tortilla making class and cenote excursion are highlights. On this strip of land between Cancun and Tulum that houses countless resorts, Maroma is special in the fact that once you turn down its gravel road, you enter an authentic Yucatán experience.
Mollie aspen
Aspen, Colorado
images courtesy of MOLLIE Aspen
Though having just opened the last week of 2023, Aspen’s newest boutique hotel is already making a name for itself as the place to stay in one of the best places to travel in 2024. Welcome to MOLLIE, a truly locally-owned and operated hotel over a decade in the making that honors the trailblazing individuals “who have helped shape the town’s rich history and adventurous spirit”. Minimalist interiors drawn from Japanese and Scandinavian designs create calming and comforting rooms and suites where natural light and earthen shades allow guests to relax and recharge, while the common spaces invite visitors and locals alike to mingle and linger. Situated in Paepcke Park, MOLLIE’s prime downtown location makes it the perfect home base for exploring all this mountain town has to offer.
GUNDARI
Folegandros, Greece
Arguably the Greek Isles most anticipated hotel opening of 2024 is Gundari, located on the quiet and intimate (in other words - free of hordes of tourists) island of Folegandros. Set on rugged cliffs overlooking the Aegean Sea, the resort was designed by an acclaimed Athens’ design studio who have “harnessed a wealth of natural materials to craft 27 suites and villas with authentic, Cycladic simplicity, at one with the earth that surrounds them”. Raw luxury at its finest. Days are intended to be slow pace allowing guests to be in tune with their natural surroundings and the lifestyle of the Greek Cyclades - wellness, gastronomy and sustainability at the foundation. Each guest room features a private pool and sea-facing terrace, as well as marble flooring, timber accents and fine linens. Book an appointment at the spa, enjoy leisurely meals at the Michelin-starred chef restaurants, and explore the island’s history and culture as you meander the whitewashed village of Chora. Gundari is set to open May 2024.
