Fashion and travel have many things in common, but my favorite is the shared obsession with newness. While I’ll always have a place in my heart for my 10-year-old tote bag or the hotel I’ve visited countless times, what really excites me is trying new things. To that end, I decided to curate my favorite hotel openings of 2023, all of which are bound to spark instant wanderlust.
At the top of my list is Christian Louboutin’s new hotel in Melides, Portugal, which is just as stylish as you’d expect from the iconic shoe designer. Other destinations include a freshly renovated Cannes property, a beloved luxury hotel chain’s new France outpost, a slice of paradise in Chiang Mai, and more. Scroll down for my favorite new hotels of 2023.
Opening date: April 1, 2023. Owned and designed by Christian Louboutin, this 5-star, 13-room hotel is an hour and a half’s drive from Lisbon. Filled with antiques, Portuguese tiles, Giuseppe Ducrot sculptures, farmhouse sinks, Carolina Irving upholstery, and more, Vermelho Melides is undeniably the most stylish new property in the country.
Christian Louboutin tapped several artisans to work on the hotel, including Greek artist Konstantin Kakanias, who hand-painted the frescoes.
The attention to detail at Vermelho Melides is second-to-none.
Opening date: April 15, 2023. You might be familiar with the celebrity-favorite COMO Shambhala Estate in Bali, but now the hotel group is opening its first-ever property in France. Housed in a freshly renovated 19th-century inn, the COMO Le Montrachet is primely situated in the famous Burgundy wine region.
Opening date: March 13, 2023. Who wouldn’t love to book a French Riviera vacation this year? I have a feeling the fashion set will be making a beeline to Carlton Cannes, which just opened last month after a meticulous two-year restoration. Boasting two new wings, the largest infinity pool in Cannes, and glorious ocean views, the hotel is bound to show up in your Instagram feed all summer long.
The hotel’s press release said it best: “A jewel of the Cote d’Azur revered by cinema stars, creatives, diplomats, and presidents for decades has returned to write the next chapter in its centennial history.”
Opening date: March 15, 2023. Palm Springs has long been the weekend getaway of choice for the Hollywood elite. Now, there’s a fantastic new spot to book in the desert: Drift Palm Springs. The interior design flawlessly combines steel, cedar, and brick to create a serene, organic aesthetic. In addition to studios and one-bedroom rooms, the hotel has two- to four-bedroom suites with kitchens.
Drift Palm Springs also boasts a Baja-inspired restaurant, poolside cabanas, a yoga studio, an event space, and more.
Opening date: April 3, 2023. Originally opened in 1933, this Santa Monica hotel has undergone a careful renovation to preserve the property’s original details. Situated smack-dab on Ocean Avenue, The Georgian’s beachfront location is hard to beat in Los Angeles.
The custom Art Deco furniture is definitely my favorite part of The Georgian’s thoughtful renovation.
Opening date: February 1, 2023. Skiiers will no doubt flock to the new Faern Arosa, which has easy access to over a hundred miles of ski slopes. However, the summer season offers a slew of alpine activities, including lake swimming, hiking, horseback riding, golfing, and more.
A spa day is definitely in order if you visit Faern Arosa.
Opening date: Soft launch February 21, 2023. This one’s personal for me, as I used to visit Marina Riviera on a near-yearly basis with my family growing up. Now, the lakefront getaway in Southern California’s mountain town of Big Bear has reopened following a full renovation by Casetta Group. Originally built in 1968, the Viking-inspired lodge boasts 42 guestrooms and six two-bedroom cabins. Now in a soft launch phase, further additions coming later this year include a private beach, swimming pool, hot tub, sauna, and outdoor fire pits.
Big Bear attracts droves of Los Angeles and San Diego residents, as it’s the perfect under-three-hour road trip.
Opening date: April 6, 2023. News recently broke that White Lotus is filming its third season in Thailand, so the country will no doubt see a healthy boost in tourism. If you’re searching for Thailand’s latest and greatest hotel, look no further than the 5-star Aleenta Retreat Chiang Mai. The four-bedroom teak villa is a standout amongst the property’s 44 rooms.
This resort looks like the picture of serenity.
Opening date: March 16, 2023. Regent Hong Kong reopened last month after a painstaking two-year renovation led by the famed designer Chi Wing Lo. With panoramic views of Victoria Harbor, the serene interiors are a respite from hectic city life. The stunning Harbourside Restaurant is pictured here.
The 5-star property includes four different delectable restaurants.
Opening date: January 17, 2023. Having grown up only 20 minutes from the Mexican border, I’ve traveled to Baja dozens of times. My latest obsession in the region is Montevalle Health & Wellness Resort in the buzzy wine region of Valle de Guadalupe. Located an hour and a half south of the San Diego border, the luxury all-inclusive resort is the ideal place to detox amongst olive trees and lavender fields. The wellness program is led by Dr. Carlos Bautista, an expert on natural and holistic therapies.
Opening date: June 2023. I don’t have to tell you that fashionable travelers flock to Mykonos like moths to a flame. This summer, there will be a buzzy new hotspot in town: Yi Hotel Mykonos. Activities on offer include boat excursions, horseback riding, olive oil tastings, jetskiing, in-room spa treatments, and more.
Opening date: July 2023. “Drawing inspiration from the iconic Art Deco style of Derry & Tom’s Department store and the golden age of Kensington,” the press release reads, “the design channels a glamorous mid-century aesthetic complete with ample green spaces.” Ember Locke’s offerings include studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments, all with in-room kitchens.
The property includes a bar, restaurant, co-working spaces, meeting areas, and private gardens.
