AFAR Best New Hotels: What Makes the List

AFAR Best New Hotels is an annual editorial selection of the world's most exceptional new and renovated hotels. Formerly called The Stay List, the program is curated by AFAR magazine's editors and global contributor network, with selections based on design, sustainability, and community connection.

AFAR, founded in 2009 in San Francisco, operates as a purpose-driven public benefit company focused on 'travelers who care'—a positioning that distinguishes its hotel recommendations from purely luxury-focused publications. The Best New Hotels list launched in 2019 as 'The Stay List' and typically features around 25 properties each year. Selection criteria emphasize how properties redefine their destinations through design innovation, sustainability practices, and community impact, rather than thread count or amenity lists. AFAR's editorial team evaluates hundreds of new openings annually, with properties personally vetted by a global network of contributors before final inclusion. The brand's focus on experiential and conscientious travel gives the list a specific editorial lens that travelers with similar values find particularly useful.

AFAR's Best New Hotels list operates differently from most hotel rankings. Rather than evaluating established properties on service metrics, AFAR identifies newly opened or significantly renovated hotels that demonstrate design innovation, sustainability commitment, and meaningful connection to their communities.

The result is a forward-looking list—around 25 properties annually—that signals where hotel design and hospitality philosophy are heading rather than where they've been. Every selection is personally vetted by AFAR's global network of editors and contributors through firsthand visits.

For travelers who prioritize experience and environmental responsibility over traditional luxury markers, this is one of the more credible selections available. AFAR's status as a public benefit company reinforces its values-driven editorial perspective.

AFAR was founded in 2009 by Greg Sullivan and Joseph Diaz with a mission to serve 'travelers who care'—people seeking culturally rich, environmentally conscious travel experiences. The magazine operates as a public benefit company headquartered in San Francisco, which reflects its values-driven positioning.

The Best New Hotels list launched in 2019 under the name 'The Stay List' and has become one of AFAR's signature editorial products. Unlike hotel rating systems that maintain standing lists, AFAR's selection focuses exclusively on what's new—properties that have opened or undergone significant renovation within the past year.

This editorial model means each year's list is entirely fresh, providing a snapshot of the most interesting developments in global hospitality. The focus on design and sustainability attracts a readership that values architectural vision and environmental responsibility alongside comfort and service.

AFAR's contributor network spans the globe, with writers and editors stationed in key travel markets who provide firsthand reporting on new properties.

AFAR's editorial team tracks hundreds of new hotel openings throughout the year, filtering for properties that meet the publication's criteria around design, sustainability, and community integration. Properties must have debuted or undergone significant renovation within the previous year.

The selection is made by AFAR's global network of editors, writers, and travel advisors who personally vet candidates through firsthand visits. The team debates the merits of shortlisted properties before reaching consensus on the final list of approximately 25 hotels.

There is no application process or fee—AFAR's editorial team identifies and evaluates candidates independently. The emphasis on design, sustainability, and community connection means properties that excel at traditional luxury metrics but lack distinctiveness in these areas may not make the cut.

AFAR's credibility comes from its editorial independence and its specific audience alignment. The magazine's readership skews toward experienced, values-driven travelers who prioritize meaningful experiences over status signaling.

For hotels, inclusion on the Best New Hotels list provides exposure to this audience and positions the property as design-forward and sustainability-conscious. The prestige is more targeted than a Forbes star or Michelin Key—it's particularly valuable for independent boutique properties that distinguish themselves through architectural vision and community engagement rather than standardized luxury amenities.

The list also serves as a useful resource for travel advisors working with clients who explicitly seek newer, more distinctive properties. The annual refresh means the list captures emerging trends rather than reinforcing established hierarchies.