Happy New Year! I hope you had a very nice, relaxing holiday and that you’re ready for a year full of joy and peace and just getting what you want, whether it’s serenity, a specific job, a unique experience, or simply more time to enjoy life.
We had a nice Christmas, with the usual flurry of activities, social events, musicals etc leading up to it. We had an early Christmas on the English side of the family and then traveled to France for proper Christmas with the French side of the family. Lots of good food including my mum’s home made foie gras. It was delicious! Then off to Stockholm for a few days of exploring. Lovely city, beautiful weather. I will be back with a review of the hotel and our itinerary soon.
But as is now a tradition, here is the list of new hotels that are set to open in 2026. As you know now, I only include boutique hotels with personality and pools. This year’s list is 52 hotels long - one per week if you’re feeling adventurous!
There’s a separate list of lovely places without pools, but I won’t publish that one. Although I do want to mention that Wildland (the group behind Lundies House, one of our favorite places on earth) is opening another hotel in Scotland this spring. It’s called Hope and has no pool, but it’ll probably be wonderful. We’re actually heading back there in February, so I’ll try to find out more then.
Italy dominates this year’s list - I don’t know why, but there are loads of planned openings. Could be the place to travel to in 2026.
This list takes me ages to compile. Some hotels you’ll have seen in lists of new openings in the press over the past couple of weeks, but I always find others that aren’t as well known - I spend all year researching, looking through newsletters, setting up alerts, digging into planning applications. Then I select the ones that feel right for From the Poolside.
It’s a long list so if it cuts out in your email, make sure to click through to read it on the web or in the Substack app.
If you find it interesting and useful, it would help me a lot if you shared this post with your friends. It’s completely free and might generate some escape ideas for them.
I’m looking forward to engaging with you more this year. Hence this little voice note ☺️
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I am also refreshing the blog (keeping it as an archive in case Substack ever goes down), but Substack/your email inbox will always be where I share things with you first and where I hope we can have more conversations.
So grab a cup of tea, put some music on, light a candle, and start dreaming about where you might end up this year.
Having just returned from Stockholm, I am now more drawn to northern escapes. Eha caught my attention for a few specific reasons. Twenty-two guests maximum on a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve—that’s the kind of scale I’m drawn to. The setting—dense forest on one side, Baltic Sea on the other—should work well. The suites and forest cabins look promising from the renderings. There are indoor and outdoor pools that blend seamlessly with the surrounding landscape, plus thermal suites and private treatment rooms where bespoke therapies draw from Estonian and ancestral healing traditions, that should be interesting.
You can already book your 2026 Lapland adventure at this hotel that will open later this year! Set beside the pristine landscapes of Pallas‑Yllästunturi National Park, the property features boutique suites, sky and deluxe villas, fine dining, an artisan bakery, a champagne bar, and a full wellness world with saunas, hot tubs and a rooftop infinity pool!
Another Northern new retreat to explore! It’s a new small luxury hotel too and sits in Norvajärvi, Lapland, about a 20‑minute drive from Rovaniemi Airport and with a shuttle to get you there so that makes the trip easy. Designed around an Old Schoolhouse, there are now new handcrafted accommodations. Every stay includes unlimited access to the open‑air Nordic Spa centered on the heat–cold–rest cycle with unisex saunas, warm outdoor hot tubs, and a frozen lake plunge rather than a traditional swimming pool. There are however hot tubs and saunas to get warm after the cold swim! Family‑friendly in general, though spa access after 19:00 is reserved for guests aged 15+. The vibe, raw luxury—quiet, elemental, and minimalist appeals to me.
https://www.comohotels.com/st-tropez/como-le-beauvallon
COMO Le Beauvallon sits in Grimaud, directly across the bay from Saint-Tropez—close enough for the energy, far enough for quiet. Forty-two rooms in a Belle Époque grand hotel feels like the right scale for this location. The 25-metre outdoor pool is what caught my eye first—resort-style but framed by parasols and palms in a way that should work. There’s a private pontoon for boat arrivals, which makes sense for the Gulf of Saint-Tropez. COMO’s wellness facilities are included (spa treatments, fitness), which is expected. The seasonal dining could be interesting given the location and COMO’s usual approach to restaurants. The combination of Belle Époque charm with French Riviera style should be an interesting one to check.
https://www.sources-hotels.com/bourgogne/en/
Les Sources de Vougeot opens in March 2026, from the same owners as Les Sources de Caudalie where we’ve stayed twice. This one sits within the Château de Gilly, steps from Clos de Vougeot in the heart of Burgundy’s wine country. The 14th-century abbots’ residence will have 49 rooms and suites. Restored terracotta floors, original woodwork, locally sourced antiques—the kind of design approach that works when it’s done with restraint. There’s a gastronomic restaurant, a contemporary inn, and a wine bar showcasing Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune selections, definitely wines I’d like to taste!. The Spa by Caudalie will be beneath the vaulted stone cellars, with their vine-based treatments. Forty-nine rooms is a good number and the château setting and the owners’ track record at Caudalie make this properly appealing for a Burgundy wine trip.
https://www.chateaulacommaraine.com/en
And while in Burgundy, why not do a tour and try this other new hotel. Château de la Commaraine will reopen as a luxury hotel, owned by the same people behind Royal Champagne where we also stayed. Dating back to 1112, it sits in Pommard, just 2.5 miles from Beaune. Thirty-seven rooms and suites across a 9.27-acre estate surrounded by vineyards. Many rooms overlook the vines, which matters when you’re staying somewhere like this. Two restaurants supervised by Christophe Raoux, an 18-meter heated outdoor pool, spa, and fitness center. The 37 rooms’ design keeps the original white Burgundian stone walls and adds modern elements with a neutral palette—gold, pink, and sky blue accents. I hope it’ll have a bit more personality than the design at Royal Champagne. Apart from that, it is probably a good one to try.
I’m not particularly fond of Nordelaia’s style at their original Piedmont property, but the rooftop terrace here caught my attention. Sunset views over the Mediterranean with small plates from their Italian chefs could work differently in this setting. Set in a 1960s building overlooking the port of Beaulieu-sur-Mer the hotel will have 33 rooms. The 1960s architecture in Beaulieu-sur-Mer is appealing for the right kind of mid-century aesthetic if they handle it well.
https://www.maison-albar-hotels.com/en/page/our-hotels.4551.html
Not far from Avignon, Auberge de Noves sits within the Domaine du Devès in Provence. The 17th-century Manoir is getting a total renovation to join the Maison Albar Hotels collection as a luxury property. I noticed the pool first—it looks promising. Maison Albar’s other hotels have been well designed with a bit of personality, which gives me confidence about how they’ll handle this one. The casually luxurious approach they’re describing for the Provence setting could work well here.
Another Maison Albar Hotels will open in Tourcoing, in the historic early 20th-century building that housed the former chamber of commerce. There’s a brasserie, gastronomic restaurant, and spa planned. They’re also adding villas (private apartments and lofts with one to three bedrooms), which is an interesting approach for this location.
https://www.zannierhotels.com/bendor/
This one has been in all the lists of new hotels in the press so either they have good PR or it’s truly going to be exciting! The Zanier hotels have also gone from strength to strength in the past few years. Ile de Bendor, facing the bay of Bandol, is getting a complete revival. The island is being transformed into a Provençal-style village overlooking the Mediterranean. There are more rooms than I like but the location is iconic in France and also the 93 rooms are spread across three areas. Delos has reimagined rooms and suites that bring back the island’s mid-century glamour, centered around the Delos pool with a social atmosphere. Soukana is the calmer area—outdoors-forward with a pool and gardens. Madrague houses come with private gardens, good for families. There’s a wellness center, beach club, and diving center.
https://lesbordesestate.com/six-senses
I keep copying and pasting this one year after year so let’s see if 2026 is really the year they finally open. The website now has many more images and the look of it really appeals to me. Six Senses at Les Bordes, a vast estate, will sit among woodland and waterways, with guest suites, villas, and branded residences. The Château will house an all-day restaurant and lounge bar reflecting regional traditions. The Six Senses Spa of course appeals! This one will have a medicinal plant and herb garden. The combination of château, woodland location, and Six Senses’ spa expertise is appealing, though I’m curious how the branded residences will affect the overall feel.
Louis Vuitton is opening its first hotel on the Champs-Élysées in 2026, in a historic Haussmann building on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, next to their largest store. The giant monogrammed trunk facade during construction is quite something—very Louis Vuitton. Inside, they’re blending their travel trunk heritage with luxury hospitality. This joins Bulgari and Armani in the branded hotel space. I’m curious how Louis Vuitton will handle the transition from fashion house to hotel operator, and whether the immersive brand experience will feel genuine or overly staged. The Haussmann building itself should be beautiful. The location is prime, though the Champs-Élysées isn’t necessarily where I’d choose to stay in Paris.
https://www.relaisdamboise.com/en
Le Relais d’Amboise opens summer 2026 at the foot of Château d’Amboise on the Loire. They’re merging the former Les Minimes and Le Choiseul properties into a single hotel—around 60 rooms total. The property sits on a hectare of riverside grounds with troglodyte crayères. There’s a large pool and spa planned, plus event spaces. The approach follows Relais de Chambord—classic château-adjacent elegance with contemporary comforts. Starting price around 300 euros per night. The Loire châteaux location is appealing, and 60 rooms feels like the right scale for this kind of property.
https://www.montecarlosbm.com/en/hotel-courchevel/monte-carlo-one-courchevel
The Monte-Carlo One Courchevel, formerly known as the Palace des Neiges, will feature 78 rooms, suites, and apartments. It seems to have an indoor pool. The hotel, which will become the first property under SBM’s new international luxury brand Monte-Carlo One – Hotels & Residences, is scheduled to open for the 2026/2027 winter season. The development is strategically timed to align with the 2030 Winter Olympics. Courchevel already has strong competition, so I’m curious how they’ll position this one.
https://verneuilladoucehotel.com/
While the hotel is already open, the spa with pool will be available only from Spring 2026. It will be a nice addition to what looks like a really pretty hotel. Verneuil la douce is a historic “Demeure d’art” hotel, restaurant set in a 140‑year‑old Maison de Maître with a refined, arts‑forward vibe that blends noble materials and poetic design.The restaurant program is broad and convivial: an all‑day light menu “Esquisse Gourmande,” a gastronomic restaurant open Thu–Fri nights, Sat lunch and dinner, Sun night, plus a generous Sunday brunch, salon de thé, and a continuous cocktail bar under a glass-roofed salon.
This has been a long saga for this hotel but they now have an Instagram account and a website saying that it will open in the spring so that seems to be more real! Cap Ferret is one of our frequent holiday places and we usually rent a villa as it’s better for a long holiday but I’ll be interested in checking that hotel for short breaks. It aims to be 5 stars and will sit in a very central position in Cap Ferret next to the square where the carousel is. It should house 30 bedrooms.
Ayã opens April 2026 on Ayia Thekla Beach in South East Cyprus—adults-only with 48 suites. There are overwater bungalows and garden suites with private plunge pools. The centerpiece is a 3,000 m² pool, which sounds quite scene-focused with curated DJ programming throughout the season—daytime vibes to lively evening events. Mãnna Restaurant and a poolside Sushi Bar handle dining. This isn’t my usual style—I tend toward quieter properties—but the overwater bungalows in Cyprus are an interesting concept. I’m curious whether the pool scene will dominate the whole experience or if there’s enough space for quieter moments too.
The Corfu Palace Hotel, one of Corfu’s most iconic and renowned establishments, announced the commencement of a full-scale renovation of its facilities. The hotel remained closed during the 2025 season and is expected to reopen in 2026. This renovation aims to upgrade its infrastructure and services while preserving the hotel’s historical essence and traditional character. It has a big outdoor pool and is larger than what I usually like but a good friend of mine recommended it for its history.
A former olive farm will become a hotel with 22 rooms ranging from two grand Double Villas featuring 50-foot pools, six one-bedroom villas with private 30-foot pools and Mediterranean Sea views, and fourteen subterranean suites with private plunge pools. Among its notable amenities, the property will feature a circular subterranean spa complete with private therapy rooms, a hammam, and therapeutic pools. A garden-to-table restaurant will use produce from the estate’s olive orchards and will overlook a stunning 100-foot pool.
opening Spring 2026
Still in Paros (which is probably becoming too built up, I recommend you go to The Rooster in Antiparos instead), Luura will debut in May 2026. Thirty-nine rooms arranged in a village-like constellation of whitewashed buildings, all facing the ocean with views toward Antiparos. Nineteen rooms come with private pools. The cliffside Japanese bar and restaurant caught my attention—sunset views from that position should be special. There’s also a pool club, spa, and wellness center. Four distinctive venues total. Adults only, which works well for this kind of property.
A luxurious adventure resort located in the Northeastern Region of Iceland with 42 luxurious rooms along with a restaurant and rooftop bar, Höfði has a gym, spa, and lounge areas. The resort is perched on a 50-meter-high cliff. It offers spectacular scenery with ocean views overlooking the mountains on Látraströnd and the Troll Peninsula. There will be a spa, an indoor golf, and an entertainment room for young guests. The hotel will offer a variety of activities such as hiking, biking, kayaking, hunting, fishing, and horseback riding. According to the CGI image, there will be an outdoor pool, which I suppose will be heated!
https://airelles.com/en/destination/venezia
Surely one on my top list to check. It’s pretty rare to have a pool in Venice (hence why it’s one of the islands) and Airelles is known for extraordinary places (we’re hoping to go to Airelles Versailles as a special treat this spring). Opening on quiet Giudecca Island, Airelles Venezia revives a historic estate into a romantic Venetian hideaway with gardens, canalside views and a rich blend of Italian craft and French refinement. The 45 rooms and suites feature terrazzo and marble, Fortuny and Murano accents, and curated antiques that echo Venice’s golden age. A multi‑level spa brings calm with three pools, a wellness garden and a discreet gym, while dining spans elegant salons and leafy terraces five minutes by boat from Piazza San Marco.
https://www.borgopignano.com/florence
Borgo Pignano opens Spring 2026 on a hillside at Florence’s northern edge. Thirty-two rooms and suites across five acres of private grounds. The 30-meter outdoor pool is what caught my eye—they’re calling it the largest of any hotel in Florence. That’s quite a statement for a city hotel. There’s a spa as well. The hillside location with private grounds should give it a different feel from the typical Florence hotel experience. Thirty-two rooms keeps it intimate.
https://www.experimentalgroup.com/destinations/rome
Experimental is expanding into Rome on Via Veneto—the iconic street from Fellini’s La Dolce Vita. Seventy-eight rooms and suites, with their signature cocktail club and a rooftop pool overlooking the Colosseum and other landmarks. The Experimental Group is really on a growth trajectory given how many hotels they’re opening. It’s more of a young vibe than for us, but for those in their thirties it should appeal. The Via Veneto location and rooftop pool views are strong draws too.
An 11th-century hamlet between Panzano and Greve in Chianti becoming a design-led hotel—this is one of my favorites for 2026. The Primatesta brothers are restoring the stone buildings using local materials: pietra serena, terracotta, travertine, wood. Airy, minimalist interiors by local artisans. Seventeen suites and apartments, five of them family-friendly. Many have private gardens, kitchenettes, steam baths, or freestanding tubs. The bathrooms are standout, and all have panoramic Tuscan views. Executive Chef Matteo Monfrinotti leads the dining with seasonal Tuscan cuisine. Forty indoor seats and 60 outdoor overlooking lavender fields toward Panzano—similar to their sister property La Darbia at Lago d’Orta. The pool seems to have a beautiful setting too.
A restored 1914 neoclassical palazzo on Piazza del Parlamento in Campo Marzio—formerly the Central Bank of Italy. Sixty rooms in the heart of historic Rome. One suite keeps the original 1920s frescoes by architect Bargellini, which should be special. Three suites have rooftop terraces overlooking the city.
There’s a central courtyard and a vault-converted spa with two bathing pools, so not a proper swimming pool but probably refreshing and relaxing nonetheless. The cocktail bar and Italian restaurant by Chef Carlo Cracco are strong draws.
https://www.pellicanohotels.com/en/discover-also/new-openings/la-badia.html
Pellicano Hotels has acquired La Badia Estate in Orvieto—their fifth property. A former Benedictine Abbey with roots back to the 6th century, sitting in the Umbrian landscape. The medieval twelve-sided tower will have twenty-five rooms. The estate has been operating as a four-star hotel since the 1960s with a swimming pool, tennis court, and restaurant. Pellicano’s track record with their other properties gives me confidence about how they’ll reimagine this one.
https://www.ihg.com/vignettecollection/hotels/gb/en/scicli/ciyds/hoteldetail
Everyone loves the idea of a beach hotel with pool and I might be able to add it to that list. Costa Irminia opens in Marina di Ragusa, Sicily. Forty-three rooms with sea views and a private beach club giving direct access to sandy beaches and Mediterranean waters. Two separate swimming pools, a bar and all-day dining restaurant. The direct beach access in Marina di Ragusa appeals to me—that part of Sicily has beautiful coastline.
https://almae-collection.com/
Almae Collection is transforming Villa Emo—a UNESCO World Heritage Palladian villa in Veneto, about an hour from Venice. Twenty rooms in a 900-square-meter historic building, with part preserved as a museum. Two restaurants planned: one gastronomic, one bistro-style, both focused on Italian cuisine. The spa will sit among the vineyards on the 5-hectare estate, potentially with vinotherapy treatments. Without images, it’s difficult to know if the style will be appealing: palladian villas can go either way—beautifully restored or overly formal. The 20-room scale and vineyard spa setting are promising though.
https://www.roccofortehotels.com/hotels-and-resorts/costa-smeralda-sardinia/
Rocco Forte is opening a beachside resort in Porto Cervo on Costa Smeralda. Sixty-four rooms and suites redesigned by Patricia Urquiola—slightly larger than I usually go for, but Urquiola’s interior work is consistently strong. The location sits against a rocky hillside, a short walk from one of Sardinia’s best beaches. Palm trees and terracotta paths lead through the grounds to an outdoor pool. There’s a spa, three restaurants, and a rooftop bar with views over the Tyrrhenian Sea.
https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/milan
Located in Milan’s prestigious fashion district, the Quadrilatero della Moda, and near the famous Via Montenapoleone shopping boulevard, this urban oasis will occupy two historic 19th-century buildings - the Palazzo Branca and Palazzo della Banca Commerciale, former home of the Italian Commercial Bank. The hotel will feature 70 rooms, a bar and restaurant with a courtyard and garden. For wellness enthusiasts, the property will house an Asaya wellness facility complete with an indoor pool.
Tucked away in the rolling hills of Montefollonico, Tuscany, Agaporia is set to open in summer 2026 as an eco-luxury wellness retreat set across 178 acres of vineyards and olive groves. The resort will feature 22 eco-conscious suites, a salt-water infinity pool, outdoor yoga decks, and a regenerative-farm-to-table restaurant celebrating plant-forward Tuscan cuisine.
Cheval Blanc is taking over Hotel Pitrizza in Porto Cervo, renovating and reopening it in 2026. The hotel sits on a white-sand beach accessible by boat. Sixty-five rooms and suites, including 16 independent villas with private pools. The saltwater pool sculpted by granite rocks caught my attention—that’s a distinctive feature. There’s a spa, restaurant, and kids’ club. They’re using local materials throughout: granite, terracotta, and dark wood. The boat-accessible beach and Cheval Blanc’s track record make this properly appealing for Sardinia.
https://www.belmond.com/hotels/europe/italy/florence/belmond-villa-san-michele/
Villa San Michele reopens April 28, 2026, after an 18-month renovation. A 15th-century former Franciscan monastery in Fiesole, reduced from 42 to 38 rooms—that edit toward intimacy appeals to me. The 9,700 m² terraced Renaissance gardens by Luca Ghezzi look to be beautiful. Secret corners, citrus pots, wisteria, iris, plus kitchen gardens and herb beds that supply the bar and restaurants. There’s a new Guerlain spa with three treatment rooms including a double suite. The design blends Renaissance heritage with contemporary Italian craft—marble, scagliola, frescoed woodwork, neoclassical textiles. Belmond’s approach to historic properties is consistently strong, and this Fiesole hillside setting is beautiful.
https://www.emblemscollection.com/fr/hotel/palazzo-sozzini-malavolti/
Palazzo Sozzini Malavolti opens mid-2026 in the heart of Siena, steps from Piazza del Campo. Thirty-eight rooms in a historic palazzo—exactly the scale I’m drawn to. The hidden gardens and ancient caves are what stand out, along with the original 19th-century frescoes. Those kinds of historic details matter when you’re staying somewhere like this. There’s a spa, and the interiors celebrate Tuscan craftsmanship. The central Siena location right by Piazza del Campo is properly appealing—you’re in the middle of everything without needing to be in a chain hotel.
https://www.emblemscollection.com/fr/hotel/relais-san-clemente/
The second Emblem new hotel in Italy, Relais San Clemente, Emblems in Umbria will be reborn mid-2026 as a 51-key estate with nine private villas and an expansive wellness offering. They don’t specifically mention a pool but that’s how I interpret the “expansive wellness spa”. Once a Benedictine convent, the retreat is nestled in a 40-hectare park of century-old trees near Perugia.
https://www.emblemscollection.com/fr/hotel/masseria-furnirussi/
And here is the third new Emblem hotel in Italy: in Apulia, Masseria Furnirussi, will join the Collection mid-2026, offering 60 suites — with a majority featuring private pools — alongside a full spa. Set within the largest fig orchard in Europe, this refined Masseria reimagines traditional Salento architecture in local white stone, surrounded by a living garden of fruit trees, herbs, and native botanicals.
Opening in April 2026 in Lecce’s historic center on Via Imperatore Augusto between Piazza Sant’Oronzo and Piazzetta Santa Chiara, steps from the Roman Amphitheatre, Basilica di Santa Croce and Lecce Cathedral, with beaches about 20 minutes by car and Brindisi Airport a 35‑minute drive, the hotel will offer 45 elegantly appointed rooms, a ground-floor restaurant and a rooftop lounge bar with panoramic views of the Cathedral bell tower. The wellness area includes a pool, treatment rooms, Turkish bath and a fully equipped gym.
https://theromeocollection.com/en/romeo-massa-lubrense/
Sixty-three rooms and suites and each comes with its own private garden—that’s an appealing detail. Alain Ducasse is curating the gourmet restaurant, miam! and there’s a lounge bar. The Beach Club, private fjord, and yacht docking pier give proper Mediterranean access. The Sisley Paris Spa will handle wellness. The private garden for every room is what stands out here—it changes how a larger property feels when you have that kind of outdoor space.
https://www.sixsenses.com/en/new-openings/milan/
Six Senses Milan brings the brand’s signature wellness and sustainability ethos to the heart of the artistic Brera district. Housed at Via Brera 19, the 68-room hotel (15 of them suites) will blend timeless Milanese craftsmanship with modern design. Two suites feature private plunge pools, while a serene courtyard, rooftop bar, and sky pool elevate the experience. The on-site Earth Lab and seasonal restaurant reflect Six Senses’ eco-conscious philosophy. A high-tech spa offers restorative treatments, making this a soulful retreat amid the vibrant rhythm of Milan’s cultural core.
Casa Bonavita opens in Attard—a five-year renovation of a former family home by the founders of The Rug Company. 17 rooms and suites, many with private outdoor spaces. There will be two swimming pools and a spa with hammam, sauna, cold plunge, treatment rooms, and gym. The restaurant serves Mediterranean cuisine using oranges, herbs, and vegetables from nearby gardens. The design brings together traditional Mediterranean craftsmanship: antiques, Sicilian marble, Murano glass chandeliers. The bar has hand-printed wallpaper depicting nearby Valletta, which sounds lovely. What particularly appeals to me are the gardens. You can walk through citrus trees and have aperitifs outdoors—the gardens feel central to the whole experience rather than an afterthought.
I think I listed this one for at least two years already so hopefully 2026 is the year for them ! Housed in a meticulously restored 500-year-old palazzo, Romègas is set to be one of Valletta’s first true luxury boutique hotels. The 23 individually designed rooms and suites feature original Maltese balconies, hand-carved stone facades, terrazzo floors, and cladded marble bathrooms. Located in the heart of Malta’s capital, guests can enjoy a rooftop pool and bar with panoramic views over Valletta’s sepia-toned streets, cathedral domes, and Manoel Island.
https://www.anantara.com/en/royal-vila-vicosa-resort
Located in Alentejo, the property will be the result of the transformation of a former monastery from the 15th century in Vila Viçosa, into a five-star luxury hotel. It will feature 50 guest rooms, 10 suites, 16 residences, a 40-metre outdoor pool, and indoor swimming pool and multiple dining options including a stylish restaurant and bar, a private fine dining area and a wine cellar.
I’m glad we went to Melides when we did last summer as building projects there seem to multiply. This one plays heavily on sustainability although the images talk about something quite grand which seems a bit at odd with this quiet village. Planned accommodation includes 28 hotel rooms, 21 treehouses, and 10 private villas, aimed at design-conscious travelers seeking serenity, wellness, and privacy. The resort features a wellness center with a spa, yoga and fitness spaces, an organic greenhouse, a restaurant and bar, and an infinity pool.
Vermelho Lagoa will be the second hotel from French fashion designer Christian Louboutin, following the success of Vermelho Melides where we stayed last summer. Just 10 minutes from its sister property in Portugal’s Setúbal region, this intimate 10-suite retreat overlooks the Melides lagoon and beach. Designed by architect Madalena Caiado with interiors by Olivia Putman, the hotel will focus on wellness, featuring a full spa, infinity pool with ocean views. Guests will be able to use the restaurant at the main Vermelho (which we thought didn’t match the splendor of the design…).
https://www.macenasresort.com/en/hotels/
Macenas Resort plans to open in 2026 in Mojácar, Almería—terraced into the mountainside. There are two hotel concepts: a “Business & Golf Hotel” and a “Hotel & Wellness” focused on year-round wellbeing. The information is quite vague—no room counts specified, no detailed pool information (though I can see from the images there will be a pool), no pricing. The combination of business, golf, and wellness makes me wonder who this is really for. I’m also wondering if this isn’t going to be a bit too big or bling for me—it’s not quite my usual style. The terraced mountainside setting in Almería could work well, but I’d need to see more details before knowing if this is genuinely appealing or just another resort development.
https://www.granhotelmargalida.com/en
This ambitious transformation project will fully renovate a historic hotel in the heart of the Serra de Tramuntana and elevate it into a 5-star Grand Luxury destination. It is slated to open in summer 2026, It promises 29 rooms. If you want to know more, sign up on their website and they’ll send you a full brochure (this is where I took the photo from).
https://preferredhotels.com/hotels/spain/serras-sevilla
Located steps from Seville Cathedral in the historic center, the hotel will have 43 rooms. The building is a landmark of Andalusian architecture designed by Spanish architect Aníbal González between 1915 and 1917. I’m a bit doubtful about the design—old-world grandeur blended with contemporary luxury can go either way. But a hotel with a pool in Seville is a must, and this one has a rooftop pool. We previously stayed at Mercer Seville. With temperatures close to 38, we were so happy to have a pool!
https://www.okuhotels.com/oku-bodrum/
Oku opens its adults-only retreat on Bodrum peninsula’s northern coast this spring. Fifty-eight rooms, all with private pools. The design uses Turkish elements: local marble and walls from reclaimed stone. The spa is small with a hammam, sauna, and open-air beachside treatment cabanas. Three restaurants: Oku’s signature Japanese fusion, poolside To Kima Restaurant, and The Round Bar on the jetty next to the cove. That bar position looks good. What particularly appeals is the direct access to a protected bay for swimming and the private jetty for boat trips. Being able to explore the region by sea from your own jetty changes the experience.
From £200. Book it here
It’s already opened but the new addition of a pool in 2026 is why I’m adding it to the list. Lcated in East Sussex, nestled around a seven-acre private lake within 78 acres of ancient woodlands, streams, and old pastures, this Georgian Grade II-listed 18th-century country house offers 55 individually designed rooms and suites, each inspired by the natural environment. The outdoor pool (opening 2026) has this lovely classic British surrounding (see photo) while indoors has been refurbished in modern taste. You can also do cold swimming in the pond or try the hot tub by the lake. Three cottages—Ash, Oak, and The Lake House—provide spacious accommodations ideal for families or groups, with The Lake House including its own garden and outdoor pool overlooking the picturesque lake.
A wellness-led hotel and private members’ club opening summer 2026 in Midhurst, West Sussex, set within 55 acres of South Downs National Park forest and reimagining the Grade II Dunford House into a tranquil retreat focused on longevity and sober living; it will feature 20 bedrooms in the main house plus 10 larger forest cabins offering circadian-aligned, nature-immersive stays. Plans include a “natural cold-water pool” as part of the estate’s ecological restoration, alongside forest sauna, cold plunges, biohacked bedrooms and spa spaces. There is an extensive spa program but apparently no alcohol so might not be for us!
In June 2026, one of our favourite hotels in the UK, the Newt will launch its first exclusive-use property as a holiday rental. Yarlington Lodge will be carefully conserved as a seven-bedroom house of exceptional standard, retaining its country charm while replacing the 1980s mock Georgian conservatory with a new horticultural glasshouse overlooking the South-West facing walled pool garden and outdoor pool. There are also two other houses that could become short term rentals: Coach House, an independent house featuring two family suites and pool changing facilities and the Gardener’s Cottage, a four-bedroom house overlooking the adjacent kitchen garden. There will also be a tennis court.
We know the Gallivant as we had lunch there as it’s close to Cambersands, which is one of the beach and walk we do near my family in law place in Hastings. They will launch their second hotel, the Gallivant Littlestone Beach, featuring a sitting room, orangery, dining room, library, members’ bar, yoga studio, sauna, and treatment room. It was originally due to open in 2024, and the concept has been refined with the latest wellbeing trends in mind with a Nordic spa’s sauna, plunge pool and relaxation space. It has been designed by co-owner Sigrid Cragoe and will also offer a coastal garden. There are 13 rooms which will start at £250 per night.
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