The Top 6 Luxury Hotel Openings 2021

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The latest luxury hotel openings in 2021 point to a comeback in travel after an unprecedented year. There’s plenty to be excited about as these luxury hotels prepare to welcome travelers. We’re also highlighting two of our favorite properties that saw complete renovations last year. Now they are welcoming back travelers.

Luxury Hotel Openings in 2021

Aman New York

The Aman New York is one of the most highly anticipated hotel openings of the year. Situated on 57th Street at the corner of 5th Avenue in the Crown Building, the 83-room Aman New York opens its doors this spring. With its opening, Aman is bringing its signature Asian minimalist style to the Big Apple, yet adding a touch of New York glam. There’s a subterranean jazz club, a 2,300 square feet spa that spans three stories, and a 65-foot indoor swimming pool surrounded by fire pits and daybeds. Guests will also have access to a private members club and a stunning wrap-around terrace that overlooks Central Park.

Sussurro | Mozambique

Sussurro, set on the secluded shores of the Nhamabue peninsula in southern Mozambique, is one of the top 2021 luxury hotel openings for design lovers. The thoughtfully designed space aligns you to nature. Nature envelopes each bungalow, which spans over one thousand square feet. Mozambican vernacular architecture dictates the design, with natural canopies and billowing mosquito nets. Meanwhile, waterfront verandahs provide views of the turquoise waters, which never get old.

Banyan Tree Krabi | Krabi, Thailand

The highly-anticipated Banyan Tree Krabi opened its doors in October on one of the prettiest stretches of sand in Thailand. The 72 suites and villas sit nestled in the lush hillside of Tubkaek Beach. Each enjoys stunning views of the limestone karst formations rising from the sea. Each of the suites and villas features saltwater pools, modern amenities, and are light and bright with touches of wood, sand, and stone.

Banyan Tree Krabi ticks all the boxes for family travel. The three-bedroom Presidential Suite, designed to accommodate multigenerational families, sits right on the beach. You can even combine the adjoining two-bedroom beachfront villas to transform it into a seven-bedroom villa. There’s also a kids-only pool, kid’s club, and special children’s menu. Meanwhile, the adults will enjoy pampering spa treatments that utilize local ingredients such as coconut and pearl powder. Enjoy Thai cuisine at its best in the glass dining room. Or for something extra special, take your meal in the rattan “bird’s nests” set in the treetops. It’s a particularly enjoyable experience at sunset.

Paradero Todos Santos | Baja California, Mexico

Beautiful Baja welcomes its newest exclusive escape with Paradero Todos Santos. One could call it a luxury resort, but that would be oversimplifying its authenticity and intentionality; it is more of a secluded desert sanctuary for the senses. 35 luxurious suites blend effortlessly into the surrounding cactus-laden landscape brimming with 80 endemic plant species and a massive botanical garden around which the entire property is anchored. Dining draws on this garden as well as the neighboring ocean to create Oaxacan-inspired fare, while the Ojo de Agua Spa borrows its remedies from the region’s many watering holes. From taco tastings and private beach picnics to guided hikes and serene soaks in the half-moon pool, activities are both alluring and all-inclusive at this brand new adults-only offering in Todos Santos luxury hotel.

Belmond Splendido Mare | Portofino, Italy

The newest jewel in the Belmond crown is none other than the revamped and re-imagined Belmond Splendido Mare. Following a two-year overhaul, this charming fisherman’s guesthouse has been transformed into an artisanal masterpiece. Each of its 14 ravishing rooms reflects Portofino’s nautical heritage through locally sourced wood accents, rope patterns hidden in handcrafted textiles, and sailor knots serving as an emblem in both table settings and room keys. Its iconic Piazzetta setting also makes it ideal for setting off on private boating adventures from the front door and hosting celebratory events on the top floor terrace of the Ava Gardener Suite, so named for the leading lady who frequented the guesthouse. 

“The Mare” has created quite a splash as the first Belmond property to be renovated under the LVMH umbrella; the anticipation of its April 2021 luxury hotel opening proves there is much to look forward to in this new era of elegance. 

Six Senses Shaharut | Negev Desert, Israel

Deep in the heart of Israel’s ancient Negev Desert lies the small yet hospitable community of Shaharut. Here, the boundless desert landscape melds with a strong Biblical heritage and generous people to create a rare and rich oasis. It’s no wonder, then, why Six Senses – a brand lauded for its sense of place and sustainability – chose Shaharut as its latest outpost.

Slated for an August 2021 luxury hotel opening, Six Senses Shaharut boasts just 60 suites and private pool villas which have been designed to mirror and melt into the sandy setting. Despite its seclusion, the activities are endless. Guests benefit from a 24-hour Guest Experience Maker (GEM) who can plan anything from an excursion to the Red Sea and a tour of nearby Petra to an in-villa private chef and sunset camel safari departing from the onsite stables. Indeed, you will find that the archaeological and natural wonders of the region are just as much within reach as the welcoming waters of your private pool and the restorative remedies of the hotel spa.  

Plus Bonus Luxury Hotel Refurbs:

Within the last year, a couple of our favorite properties received some significant updates. We included them on our list of new luxury hotel openings of 2021 because of the extensive refurbishment that went into them.

Shinde| Okavango Delta

Shinde has long been a favorite safari camp for Ker & Downey staff and our clients. It sits nestled at the edge of the Shinde Lagoon on a lush palm island in the Okavango Delta. It was completely rebuilt in 2020, yet pays homage to its former self. New tents and furnishings are elegant and opulent. However, they retain their authentic safari feel beloved by Shinde’s guests. Each tent comprises a large bedroom and en-suite bathroom with both an indoor and outdoor shower. The main area is built in a “treehouse” style. Lounges, dining areas, and a fire deck are all situated to take advantage of the views over the permanent lagoon.

Jack’s Camp | Makgadikgadi Pans, Botswana

Jack’s Camp took 2020 to completely rebuild its iconic camp. It reopened with a new look in January 2021 to celebrate the camp’s 25th anniversary. While the nine tents are newer and larger (more than double the size), they retain the campaign-style we’ve all come to know and love. The interiors pair rich embellished textiles from around the world with Natural History Museum cabinets, each filled with little curiosities from stone tools to fossils. Each suite has indoor and outdoor showers with private plunge pools on each veranda. Additionally, Jack’s Camp utilizes the latest solar technology. The entire camp runs on solar power, including new air-conditioning units in the guest tents.

Luxury Hotel Openings

Ker & Downey is an award-winning tour operator known for our custom itineraries and attention to detail. If you are ready to travel to one of these luxury hotel openings in 2021 but don’t know where to start, let us help. We’ll take care of the details so that the only thing you need to worry about is packing your bag. Contact a Ker & Downey destination specialist to start planning your journey for this summer or a later date. In the meantime, be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook for daily travel inspiration.

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