Last year, Europe witnessed a series of remarkable hotel debuts, including Richard Branson’s impressive coastal property, Son Bunyola, on the Spanish island of Mallorca, and the $1.8 billion conversion of the Old War Office into the Raffles London at the OWO. This year is shaping up to be equally intriguing with a lineup of exciting new hotel offerings.
According to recent data, Europe is set to see the opening of 326 new hotels during 2024 – adding a total of 45,000 rooms across the continent. However, amid the array of hotels, there are several new luxury openings that stand out from the crowd, offering a perfect luxury escape for the upcoming Eid Al Adha break.
The Emory – London, England
London continues to be a hotspot for luxury hotel debuts, with the latest addition being from the Maybourne Hotel Group, renowned for the iconic Claridge’s. The Emory in Knightsbridge is their latest all-suite hotel, designed by renowned architect Richard Rogers, responsible for the Pompidou Centre and the Lloyd’s Building.
The modern glass-structure hotel steers away from the customary ostentatious British architectural style, embodying “quiet luxury” at its finest. Guests arrive by car service (included in the room price for convenience) and have their own butler or “Emory Assistant” throughout their stay. The interiors are contemporary, discrete with monochrome tones, leaving little opportunity for “instagrammable moments” or to hang around and be seen.
The 60 hotel suites range from 55-105sqm, offering a distinctly residential atmosphere. The property also features an extensive wellness area, including a 22m underground pool accessible exclusively to hotel guests. With a restaurant helmed by celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and rates starting at $2,600 per night, the Emory secures its position as one of London’s most expensive accommodations.
To book: theemory.co.uk
Mandarin Oriental Mayfair – London, England
The Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, one of London’s most eagerly awaited new hotels, will finally début on June 3, following several delays.
This 50-room hotel, complete with 77 private residences, is the first newly constructed property on Hanover Square in over a decade.
The hotel’s dining options include the first UK restaurant by Korean-born chef Akira Back, in addition to his well-known ABar Lounge and ABar rooftop bar concepts.
The hotel places a significant emphasis on wellness, with guests having access to a “sleep expert” who provides personalized sessions to ensure a high level of sleep quality during their stay. The hotel features a spa with a 25-metre swimming pool, fitness center, sauna, vitality pools, experience showers, and steam rooms, all located below ground level. The spa incorporates biohacking techniques, such as IV infusions and binaural vibroacoustic therapy, to offer results-oriented treatments.
The Mandarin Oriental Mayfair will join the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, which completed extensive refurbishment works in 2019. Additionally, a third London property is slated to open in 2028 within the 2.2-hectare mixed-use Bankside Yards development, designed to bridge the gap between the Tate Modern and Blackfriars Station.
To book: mardarinoriental.com
Anantara Palais Hansen Vienna Hotel – Austria
Minor Hotels is expanding its footprint in Europe with the recent opening of the Anantara Palais Hansen in Vienna. Situated in Schottenring, on the city’s famed Ring Boulevard, the hotel is housed in a historic palace built in 1873. Over the years, the palace has served various purposes, including municipal offices and cultural venues, before being converted into a luxury hotel in 2013.
Following its rebranding, the hotel now boasts 152 guest rooms and suites spread across three floors, including a spacious 2,906-square-foot Presidential Suite. Dining options include a fine-dining restaurant by four-toque chef Paul Gamauf, who has also earned 17 Gault Millau points. Additionally, the hotel features regional cuisine at the Wintergarten, a Lobby Lounge & Bar, and a Cigar Lounge.
Anantara Palais Hansen is an ideal location for meetings and events, with ten function rooms located on the ground floor and mezzanine level. The hotel’s ballroom can accommodate up to 265 people for gala dinners, weddings, and conferences. The hotel also offers leisure facilities, including an indoor swimming pool, fitness center, and spa.
To celebrate the latest hotel opening, Anantara Palais Hansen Vienna is offering guests a 15 percent discount on stays booked until July 31, 2024.
To book: anantara.com
Rosewood Munich – Germany
After a decade in the making, the Rosewood Munich recently opened its doors in the heart of Munich’s old town. The luxury hotel is spread across two buildings: the former Bavarian State Bank headquarters and the adjacent Palais Neuhaus-Preysing. Each of the 132 rooms, including 59 suites and five expansive “houses,” boasts custom furnishings, heated marble floors in the bathrooms, and breathtaking views of the city skyline or interior courtyard.
Guests can enjoy a range of facilities, including a restaurant and bar, a lobby lounge, spa facilities with an indoor pool, five treatment rooms, and a gym. For events and meetings, the hotel offers space for up to 400 guests.
To book: rosewoodhotels.com
One&Only Kéa Island – Greece
The much-awaited One&Only Kéa Island is gearing up to welcome its first guests on June 1. Nestled on a 65-hectare beachfront site on the west side of Kéa Island in the Cyclades, this luxury retreat offers a sense of privacy while still being easily accessible by boat from Athens.
The resort’s standalone villas, each with a private pool, blend contemporary interiors featuring wood, marble, and touches of blue with unobstructed views of the sea and coastline from their cliffside positions. The property’s restaurant, Atria, will serve dishes made with locally sourced produce from the land and sea, while a beach club, lobby lounge, wine bar, speakeasy, and pool bar will provide vibrant social spaces for guests to enjoy.
The resort also offers a curated selection of adventures that will take guests into the surrounding landscape for hiking, cycling, and cultural excursions, as well as out on the water for scuba diving and other water activities.
To book: oneandonlyresorts.com
Gundari – Folegandros, Greece
The five-star Gundari hotel has recently made its debut on the beautiful island of Folegandros, located near Santorini. With a commitment to ‘raw luxury’ and providing guests with an untouched and authentic experience, this sustainable luxury property is set to become a popular destination for eco-conscious travellers.
Spread over 80 acres of natural landscape, the Gundari Hotel features 25 bio-climatic suites and villas. Each suite and villa comes with a private, solar-heated infinity pool, while the villas offer extra-large pools for those seeking more space. The property’s design employs subterranean, bioclimatic principles, drawing inspiration from the surrounding environment.
The Gundari Hotel’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond its design. The hotel has a holistic wellness program that incorporates wild native herbs, and its farm-to-table restaurant uses ingredients sourced from the hotel’s own organic farm. A cliffside subterranean spa, which draws on traditions of the Ancient Greeks, offers guests a range of treatments that incorporate natural ingredients and techniques used by the Ancient Greeks.
To book: gundari.com
Hôtel Balzac – Paris, France
Hôtel Balzac has opened in Paris following a two-year renovation. Located within walking distance of the Champs-Élysées, the 58-key luxury hotel sits on the former site of a 19th-century residence owned by renowned French author Honoré de Balzac. The hotel’s design, by Festen Architecture, draws inspiration from the elegance of 1930s Paris.
The rooms and suites feature a neutral color palette and custom-made furniture, reflecting the hotel’s sophisticated aesthetic. Some of the suites will also offer private balconies with Eiffel Tower views or individual sky terraces.
Award-winning chef Pierre Gagnaire helms the hotel’s fine dining restaurant, offering guests a menu focused on modern French cuisine. The hotel also features a Japanese-inspired spa, based on traditional Japanese techniques, promoting a holistic approach to wellness. Additional amenities include a plunge pool and sauna.
The Hôtel Balzac is a member of the prestigious Relais & Châteaux collection and is owned and operated by the Bertrand Group. The Bertrand Group also owns and operates several other notable hotels, including Relais Christine and the newly opened Hotel Norman. The group plans to open its next property, the 4-star Beau Manoir, in 2025.
To book: hotelbalzac.com
Casa Monti – Rome, Italy
Last year, Rome witnessed a surge of hotel openings, with prominent brands such as Six Senses, Anantara, the Edition, and Bulgari unveiling their new properties in the city. This June, Rome will welcome another addition to its hotel offerings with the opening of Casa Monti by Leitmotiv, a family-owned hotel company.
Following the successful opening of La Fantaisie in Paris last summer, Leitmotiv has been committed to promoting small-scale producers and local artistic talent with its hotels. According to the brand, Casa Monti will be a romantic homage to the charming and lesser-known Rione Monti neighborhood, known for its village-like ambiance, artisan shops, trendy wine bars, and cutting-edge art galleries.
The intimate hotel will offer 36 rooms, a restaurant, an aperitivo bar, and a Susanne Kaufmann spa boasting stunning city views. Designed by Laura Gonzalez, the interiors of Casa Monti will showcase local culture through the use of crafted materials and bespoke prints to convey an effortless Italian spirit.
To book: casamontiroma.com
Dunas de Formentera – Spain
The newly opened Dunas de Formentera offers a serene escape nestled among the sand dunes of Formentera’s Migjorn beach. It is conveniently located just 15 minutes from the bustling area of Sant Francesc and 25 minutes from La Savina, the island’s main port for ferries to and from Ibiza.
The hotel’s interiors feature a carefree, bohemian vibe with large wicker chairs, rustic floors and minimalist furnishings. The natural beauty of the surrounding sand dunes adds to its charm, making it an ideal retreat for those who prefer spending more time outdoors than indoors. The sea-facing side of the hotel features a stunning curved pool, a smaller plunge pool, and a restaurant.
There are 40 apartments in total, which are scattered across the sand dunes between the dirt road and the beach, providing a sense of space and privacy. Ranging from cozy studios that sleep two to spacious bungalows that accommodate six, all apartments come equipped with a kitchen, a full-sized fridge and beach kit.
To book: dunasdeformentera.com
Borgo dei Conti – Umbria, Italy
For UAE travellers seeking to extend their Eid vacation or those who prefer to travel later in the summer, the luxury hotel Borgo dei Conti will be opening its doors on July 1st. Nestled amidst 50 acres of picturesque olive groves, this 40-room & suite property by Relais & Chateaux is located in the often-overlooked region of Umbria. Known as the ‘green heart of Italy’, Umbria is full of untouched country escapes, art and its own unique cuisine.
After undergoing a meticulous restoration, Borgo dei Conti Resort has become the place where precious local cultural heritage is preserved. The luxury interior design studio, Spagnulo and Partners, designed the resort with rich color palettes inspired by Renaissance painters. The traditional 19th-century architecture is complemented by contemporary furnishings.
Executive chef Emanuele Mazzella will oversee the culinary offerings, which include a fine dining restaurant, ground-floor bar, classic trattoria, pizzeria, and poolside bar. The luxurious spa boasts two saunas, a hammam, multiple Jacuzzis, and relaxation areas for guests to unwind and indulge in.
To book: borgodeiconti.com
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