2025 AFAR Best New Hotels

Regent Santa Monica Beach is the splurge pick for travelers who want a polished beach-based Los Angeles stay rather than a city-hopping hotel. The suite upgrade makes sense only if the room will get daytime use; otherwise, book a standard category and spend the difference on dining or experiences.

Dar Tantora The House Hotel is the AlUla pick for travelers who want Old Town atmosphere over resort scale. Its recognition from La Liste, AFAR, the MICHELIN Guide makes it a serious shortlist option, but suite upgrades make sense mainly when the room itself will be a meaningful part of the stay.

Book One&Only Za'abeel for a polished Dubai work trip where the hotel needs to do more than provide a bed. Its 2026 Forbes 4-Star recognition, 2025 AFAR Best New Hotels inclusion, Virtuoso Luxury Hotel Partner status make it easier to justify for executive travel, but value-focused corporate stays should cross-shop nearby business hotels first.

Book Hôtel du Couvent for a special-occasion Nice stay where the hotel's atmosphere is part of the point. Its Michelin 1 Key and World's 50 Best Hotels #27 recognition make it a serious luxury pick, but value is strongest for couples or polished business trips rather than travelers who only need a convenient base.

Cape Grace is the Waterfront luxury pick for travelers who want Cape Town logistics to feel easy: dinners, shopping, harbor access, meetings, day plans all work from the V&A address. The recognition is strong, including Michelin 2 Keys and La Liste Top Hotels, so it makes sense for celebrations or business-leisure stays more than secluded boutique escapes.

Sandals St. Vincent and the Grenadines is worth booking for a celebration-focused resort stay in Buccament, especially if you want the hotel to carry most of the trip planning. AFAR named it among its Best New Hotels in 2025, which gives it a useful trust signal for travelers choosing between newer Caribbean resort options.

Book Tawana if the point of the trip is Moremi Game Reserve itself: remote setting, safari pacing, a quieter camp-style stay. AFAR Best New Hotels (2025) recognition adds confidence, but this is not a business-travel or dining-led hotel choice.

The Lana is a hotel on Marasi Drive in Dubai's Business Bay.

Royal Mansour Casablanca is the splurge pick for travelers who want a polished, highly recognized city hotel rather than a simple business base. It suits first-timers and families who value service depth and central Casablanca access, but value-focused guests should compare Hyatt Regency Casablanca, Kenzi Tower Hotel, or Royal Hideaway Casablanca before paying up.

The Potlatch Club Boutique Hotel is a strong choice for a quiet Eleuthera celebration stay, especially if privacy and room quality matter more than resort scale. Recent 2025 recognition gives it a credible quality signal, but compare room categories carefully before paying for a suite-level upgrade.

Raffles Jaipur is the Jaipur pick for a polished, quieter luxury stay in Amer, especially if the hotel itself is part of the plan. Choose a suite only when the itinerary includes meaningful downtime on property; otherwise, keep the spend lower and compare palace-resort alternatives nearby.

A strong Tribeca pick for travelers who care about design and downtown location more than loyalty-program convenience. Warren Street Hotel has Michelin 2 Keys recognition and a design-led profile, so it works for couples, repeat New York visitors, Lower Manhattan business trips.

Dusit Thani Bangkok is worth booking for a polished central stay where the hotel itself matters: anniversaries, client travel, or a high-comfort Bangkok base near Silom, Sathorn, Lumphini. Its 2025 Michelin 1 Key and major hotel-list recognition justify serious consideration, but value is strongest when guests will actually use the property rather than treat it as a sleep-only address.

Palazzo Talìa is a hotel on Via del Nazareno in Rome.

Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island is a strong fit for travelers who want the resort itself to be the trip: private-island pacing, Outer Islands seclusion, major luxury-hotel recognition for 2025 and 2026. It is less suitable for guests who want easy off-property dining, shopping, or frequent island-hopping from a central base.

Book Corinthia Grand Hotel Astoria Brussels when the hotel itself needs to feel like part of the trip, not just a place to sleep. Its Michelin 1 Key, La Liste 94-point score, AFAR Best New Hotels recognition, Virtuoso status put it in Brussels' higher luxury tier, so the value case is strongest for design-focused stays, business travel with budget flexibility, or special occasions.

Kibale Lodge is worth shortlisting if Kasenda is meant to be a real stop rather than a transit night. Its 2025 recognition from National Geographic Hotel Awards and AFAR Best New Hotels gives it credibility, while easy booking makes it more flexible than many lodge-led itineraries. Cross-shop gorilla-focused lodges if primate trekking is the main point of the trip.

Four Seasons Hotel Osaka is the premium Kita pick for travelers who want a polished full-service base with stronger dining and wine credibility than a simple city hotel. It makes the most sense for fixed-date luxury stays, business trips, food-focused Osaka itineraries where reducing friction is worth paying for.

Populus is the Denver pick for travelers who care about a newer design-led stay and can plan ahead for a hard booking. Choose a standard room for short business or event trips; consider a suite only if the room will anchor the stay. The 2025 Michelin 1 Key and major hotel-award recognition make it a credible splurge, not an automatic value play.

Soneva Secret is the Haa Dhaalu Atoll choice for travelers prioritizing privacy, remote-island quiet, heavily recognized hotel quality over convenience or a wider resort circuit. It is a strong splurge when the trip is built around staying put, but value-seekers should compare it with Sirru Fen Fushi, Emerald Faarufushi Resort & Spa, Cora Cora Maldives, Ifuru Island Maldives, JA Manafaru before committing.

For 2026 London trips, Mandarin Oriental Mayfair, London is worth shortlisting if Hanover Square convenience and a newer luxury feel matter more than heritage theatre. Suite-level is worth it for longer stays or in-room downtime; otherwise, compare entry rooms against Claridge's, Brown's Hotel, The Langham, The BoTree before paying the premium.

JANU Tokyo is the right call for travellers who want a modern Minato luxury base and are willing to work around tight availability. It makes more sense for repeat Tokyo visitors, business-heavy stays, service-sensitive trips than for travellers chasing heritage-hotel ceremony or apartment-style space.

Rosewood Schloss Fuschl is a hotel in Hof bei Salzburg.

Six Senses La Sagesse Grenada is worth shortlisting if the goal is a polished, quieter St David resort stay with credible luxury recognition. It makes less sense for travelers who want the easiest access to Grand Anse or a highly social hotel corridor; compare Silversands, Calabash, Spice Island before choosing.

Book The Dunlin, Auberge Collection if the goal is a quiet Johns Island luxury retreat rather than a downtown Charleston base. Its Michelin 1 Key and 2025 hotel recognition support the splurge, but the value is strongest when choosing a room category that captures the setting without overpaying for space you will not use.