While iconic properties continue to reshape American hospitality (see our complete USA list, with top hotels in New York City, California, Texas and more), the year's most compelling international startups are quietly changing what luxury means in 2024. Forget formatting – numbers and spaces are mandatory. These buildings in Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia and South America do something very interesting: create experiences that are not available anywhere else.
From the no-nonsense Greek island of Santorini to a Rajasthani palace that transcends colonial nostalgia entirely, new hotel openings this year understand that true luxury is no longer about thread count—it's about detail. Tanzania safari lodge to commission work from local artist collections. A Roman palazzo that allows a film director to let loose in its public spaces. A French convent conversion as important for its farmer's market as its Roman baths.
These aren't just hotels that might be new. They are world-class buildings that understand their context, their impact, and most importantly, their time. In a world where luxury increasingly means the same thing everywhere, these first signs dare to be different. Here are the key global openings in 2024.
