CHESTER, UNITED KINGDOM – We are pleased to announce the 15 global arrivals that LTI – Luxury Travel Intelligence – recognise as this year’s best.
Here are the best of 2025 – in reverse order.
15. Nekajui Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Nestled in one of the world’s most biodiverse destinations, Nekajui is a secluded, ultra-luxury retreat amidst the unspoiled natural beauty of Costa Rica’s Peninsula Papagayo. Thoughtfully designed ocean-facing rooms, suites and three luxury treetop tents seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor living while celebrating Costa Rica’s rich cultural heritage.
14. Rosewood Mandarina
Marking the beginning of a new era of luxury hospitality in Mexico, this highly anticipated resort offers guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in the vibrant charm and cultural richness of the Pacific coast. Developed over nearly a decade, this all-suite retreat has been crafted to reflect a timeless connection with the natural surroundings and to promote meaningful exploration.
13. The Twenty Two New York
The team from The Twenty Two London has crossed the pond, opening this exceptional second location in Manhattan’s Union Square. Nearly twice the size of the highly successful London venture, it offers 17 suites and a rooftop penthouse with panoramic views. In-house restaurant Cafe Zaffri is also proving to be very popular with in-the-know New Yorkers.
12. Rosewood Courchevel
This marks Rosewood’s second French outpost and its first winter resort. Situated within the esteemed Jardin Alpin district of Courchevel 1850, it further enhances the prestige of one of the world’s most renowned ski resorts. We appreciate how this exceptional property draws inspiration from the elegance and brilliance of the 1960s while effortlessly blending modern hospitality with nostalgic Alpine charm.
11. The Oberoi Rajgarh Palace
Over three and a half centuries ago, an Indian maharaja created an exquisite palace in the Managad Hills of Madhya Pradesh, India. That remarkable landmark has now been transformed into The Oberoi Rajgarh Palace, with 66 elegant rooms and suites. The Oberoi Group have meticulously restored every part of this distinguished 70 acre site, diligently preserving its original features, structures and flora.
10. The Rocco Forte Carlton Milan
This is Rocco Forte Hotels’ tenth Italian property. After a $60 million investment this superb location offers guests 71 exceptional rooms and suites, all decorated in the brand’s signature contemporary style, with subtle Art Deco touches. We love The Carlton Bar, which celebrates Italy’s aperitivo culture, with cocktails inspired by Milan.
9. Few and Far Luvhondo
With only six breathtaking cliffside suites, Luvhondo is a ground-breaking eco-lodge that spans 100,000 hectares in the untamed and uncharted Soutpansberg Mountains of Limpopo, South Africa. It provides a private, purpose-driven getaway in UNESCO’s Vhembe Biosphere Reserve – one of the planet’s most biologically diverse areas.
8. Mandarin Oriental Vienna
This new addition to the esteemed Mandarin Oriental portfolio is located on Vienna’s UNESCO-listed Ringstrasse. It artfully combines Art Nouveau style with modern elegance, keeping original features like grand staircases and beautiful ceilings. There are 138 rooms and suites, all are big and bright with high ceilings, marble baths and soft, neutral colours. Many of them look out over a glass-covered courtyard, which is the property’s social centre.
7. Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab
This superyacht-inspired property certainly delivers superb large-scale luxury hospitality, with 300 guest rooms and 86 suites complete with panoramic ocean-view terraces. Rooted in Dubai’s rich heritage, this impressive resort offers comprehensive wellness options, sophisticated culinary experiences and an ultra-modern marina, all imbued with Jumeirah’s distinctive Arabian hospitality.
6. Faena New York City
This impressive property introduces the Faena luxury hotel brand to Manhattan, after successful debuts in Buenos Aires and Miami Beach. It offers 120 stunning guestrooms and suites with floor-to-ceiling windows and skyline views. La Boca, Francis Mallmann’s signature in-house restaurant, focuses on Patagonian fire-cooking techniques and features pop-art murals by Edgardo Gimenez.
5. Orient Express La Minerva
This stunning property in Rome is the legendary brand’s first hotel, a luxurious reimagining of a historic palazzo near the Pantheon with 93 rooms and suites blending Orient Express’ travel art with Roman history for an exciting new era of ultra-luxury hospitality. The hotel excels in bespoke Italian craftsmanship and signature dining. This bodes well for the brand’s expansion beyond trains into hotels and experiences.
4. Collegio alla Querce – Auberge Collection
A former boarding school now transformed into an exceptional luxury hotel, Collegio alla Querce brings together three adjacent 16th-century buildings, including an original chapel and theatre. The extensive reimagining awakens the property’s storied and romantic history, dating back to the Italian Renaissance, through a rarefied art collection, distinct architecture and spectacular, manicured gardens. This could well be our new favourite abode in Florence.
3. Aman Bangkok
This is Aman’s first urban sanctuary in Thailand. It is a model of tranquillity; you would never guess you were in the thick of one of the world’s most chaotic cities. Imagine calm courtyards, chic understated decor, and service that is so intuitive it feels quite psychic. As expected, the dining is really delicious. In contrast to Arva’s rustically elegant seasonal Italian fare, Nama’s Japanese omakase is second to none. You could then round off your evening with a meticulously mixed drink at either the refined Cigar Bar or Aman Lounge, which are only available to hotel guests. This is the perfect getaway for the kind of traveller who places a premium on seclusion and style. Outstanding.
2. &Beyond Suyian Lodge
Suyian Lodge in Laikipia, Kenya offers the ultimate luxury hospitality experience for adventurers. There are fourteen standalone, one-bedroom (and one two-bedroom) suites dotted discreetly across the enthralling landscape, each strategically located to capture the sunrise and maximise privacy. All feature domed ceilings in their living and bedroom spaces, while the bathrooms offer expansive views, deep stone bathtubs and circular skylit showers for total immersion in the surroundings.
1. The Chancery Rosewood
Rosewood has enjoyed a remarkable year, unveiling several impressive new properties globally. Three have made this year’s list. No luxury hospitality brand has yet achieved this accolade. The Chancery is the most anticipated, given its location, amenities and sheer opulence. As demonstrated in recent years, when you bring a new ultra-luxury hotel to London it has to be truly exceptional even just to resonate and, in this case, it certainly does. The all-suite property offers eight restaurants and bars and an expansive Asaya Spa (a destination in its own right). This is the highly deserving recipient of the World’s Best New Luxury Hotel 2025 title.
About LTI – Luxury Travel Intelligence
LTI is a global, members-only organisation that offers real-time detailed reporting for affluent travellers seeking to make informed travel choices. Our comprehensive coverage includes luxury hotels, restaurants, spas, and nightlife, presented with meticulous attention to detail. We do not sell travel services, operate a booking engine, or accept advertising. Our sole source of revenue comes from membership fees, ensuring that we are only accountable to our members.
