The best (and worst) new luxury hotels of 2018

Twelve experienced and discerning researchers bring this year’s inside track on global luxury hotel openings. They thoroughly research every property, on their own dollar, as they are passionate about what they do — and bring truth to luxury travel. Of the 42 new hotels that LTI Luxury Travel Intelligence visited this year, they discovered 15 exceptional properties — and only two that disappointed enough to make the Worst list.

THE BEST

The hotel’s relaxing, wood-beamed restaurant, Patio de Glòria, occupies an intimate and light-filled space beyond the bar and serves fresh Mediterranean cuisine.

15. Hotel Gloria de Sant Jaume, Mallorca
A magnificent 16th century mansion in the heart of Palma, this has been lovingly restored by passionate hoteliers Heidi Wolf and Jordi Cabau. The cosy subterranean spa with its long pool is a particular plus point.

The solar-powered surf resort in Fiji combines ultra luxury with eco-awareness.

14. Six Senses, Fiji
Six Senses has seen a very busy year, with the launch of several new and impressive properties. This Fiji resort though is the real standout — for pure barefoot luxury. We are particularly impressed with the beachfront pool villas.

This 81-room, adults-only hotel on the Golden Mile is a pleasure paradise for all senses, featuring voguish, Japanese-inspired interiors and a collection of upmarket restaurants.

13. Nobu Hotel, Marbella
This iconic brand may have taken a few wrong turns over the past few years, but we are excited about this Marbella property — a hotel within a hotel that reflects the true style and exclusivity of Nobu. It has a stylish maturity that has been lacking on occasion with some of the brand’s other properties.

Niccolo Hotels follows a simple, contemporary design aesthetic and British architecture firm Foster + Partners, whose previous work includes Hong Kong International Airport, has retained this style within the hotel.

12. The Murray, Hong Kong
It’s no secret that Hong Kong is filled with iconic luxury hotels, but the Murray has delivered something extra special to earn its place on the global scene. The Calcutta marble bathrooms are truly impressive, as are the four floors of suites and the five in house dining venues.

Solaz Los Cabos is situated in a privileged setting — tucked between the golden semi-desert landscape of Baja California Sur and the deep, turquoise waters of the Sea of Cortez.

11. Solaz, Los Cabos
In an enviable location, right on the beach, this 128-room luxury resort is set in 34 acres. The five swimming pools and the impressive Thalasso therapy wellness spa contribute to earn Solaz a deserved place on this year’s Best list.

COMO Uma Canggu is situated on Bali’s south coast — a beachfront destination offering panoramic views of the soft volcanic sand and rolling waves.

10. Como Uma Canggu, Bali
Como delivers yet another uber cool and relaxed Bali resort, this time in the quieter hipster area of Canggu. The three-bedroom duplex penthouses — each with its own rooftop swimming pool and large deck — are among the most impressive new suites we have seen anywhere in the world this year.

Overlooking the vineyards that stripe the hills of France’s Champagne region, the newly-renovated Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa reimagines the wine-country retreat.

9. Royal Champagne, Champagne Region
LTI has been won over by the extra special location of the Royal Champagne — which has just 49 rooms, an excellent restaurant and an exceptional spa that overlooks the vines. It’s worth noting that the four corner rooms give panoramic views and extra privacy.

Found in the bucolic rice paddy fields, the 46-room COMO Uma Ubud has the atmosphere of a rural hill-side home — well, with all the amenities of a 5-star resort, landscaped courtyards, and infinity-edged plunge pools.

8. Capella Ubud, Bali
In demand hotel designer Bill Bensley has scored another home run with this 22-tented retreat. Each tent is accessed by its own mini suspension bridge, as well as its own salt-water pool and private deck. The décor is both intriguing and extraordinary.

Hidden in the lush green jungle that surrounds the historic royal settlement of Luang Prabang, a river — emanating from a flowing waterfall — runs through the heart of this exotic retreat.

7. Rosewood Luang Prabang, Laos
All praise to the Rosewood for undertaking a passionate project with just 23 rooms — yet again linked to Bill Bensley. He has created spacious and individual spaces, including four deluxe rooms, four specialty suites, three riverside villas, six pool villas and six luxury tents.

The five-star beach resort is set between a tropical jungle and Maroma Beach, and includes 70 suites, each with its own private pool and outdoor terrace.

6. Chable Maroma, Mexico
The ultimate escapist resort, this is a dream property that comprises 70 private pool villas, a 17,000 square foot spa with eight treatment rooms, a beautiful beach and some world class dining options.

Zuri Zanzibar offers everything from yoga to wellness, a swimming pool and beach, a spice gardens as well as an indoor and outdoor “wild fitness” gym area.

5. Zuri, Zanzibar
This exciting and surprisingly affordable luxe resort set on a beautiful beach has 55 thatched roof villas, and a second to none wellness facilities. A real find.

Each luxury tent was designed to perch over the rapidly moving river and waterfalls providing a view and guest experience like none other.

4. Shinta Mani Wild, Cambodia
Prolific hotel designer Bill Bensley features on the list yet again — this time with his very own property, Shinta Mani Wild. It’s a remote and radical new concept for a luxury camp experience, set in a wildlife reserve in the Cardamom Mountains.

Calling on Chinese tradition, the expansive Aman Spa is devoted to holistic health, fitness and wellbeing.

3. Amanyangyun, Shanghai
This stunning, light-filled resort on the outskirts of Shanghai has the look of a centuries-old forested village, but in fact the ancient camphor trees and Ming and Qing dynasty buildings originally sat 400 miles away in Jiangxi province until they were relocated by Aman to escape destruction due to the construction of a new dam. The buildings have been reassembled, brick by ancient brick, to create peaceful, refined spaces.

Located on Muravandhoo island on the Raa Atoll, Joali features 73 private beach and water villas.

2. Joali, Maldives
The epitome of sustainable glamour, this ultra-luxe resort has been designed with families in mind. There are 70 elegant one to four-bedroom villas and residences, four exceptional restaurants, a beach side bar and a magnificent spa. And all the while, ever-present GM Steven Philips makes sure every guest is taken care of.

DELUXE Tip: The website alone is state-of-the-art.
http://www.joali.com/island-and-story

And the Best New Luxury Hotel for 2018 is …

Committed to the well-being of the planet, Kudadoo reinvents sustainability — the island is being powered by the sun 100%, eco-conscious choices intertwine the design, conceived by the architectural mastermind Yuji Yamazaki, to create a luxury experience that threads lightly.

Kudadoo Private Island, Maldives
Kudadoo is a truly special and intimate private island resort, with just 15 expansive overwater ocean residences. Everything is included, from fine dining to in, on and above the water adventures, as well as luxury spa treatments. And the real bonus? Sister property Hurwalhi is just as spectacular and is only a short boat hop away.

Hop over to @hurawalhi during your respite at Kudadoo to experience the fabulous 5.8 Undersea Restaurant.

THE WORST

NoMad, Las Vegas
Having conquered New York City with the original and still exceptional NoMad hotel, the brand moved on to Los Angeles — and created a reasonable replica of their already iconic NYC property. But a poor renovation of the old Monte Carlo hotel in Las Vegas has left the brand with real problems. But there are some smart minds behind this venture and the many issues we found with this ‘hotel within a hotel’ (The Nomad has the top four floors of the Park MGM) could well be resolved over time.

The Setai, Tel Aviv
LTI have been long time admirers of The Setai in Miami Beach and it remains one of their top choices in the Miami Report. However, the new Setai in Tel Aviv is a very different story. While the building itself is attractive, following a well-executed renovation, the location is poor, and the service is most definitely lacking. There is lots to do before this property can be considered a worthy option for the luxury traveller.


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