Each year we turn to Jack Ezon, the CEO and Founder of EmbarkBeyond, a luxury travel agency that specializes in celebration travel. And each year Jack spotlights for us and you his picks for the top luxury hotel openings for the year. So as we enter a new year, let’s start with the best of the U.S.A.Â
Arizona
Grand Hyatt Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey RanchÂ
Following a multi-million renovation, the newly reimagined luxury resort will reopen with nearly 500 rooms, six elevated dining experiences led by celebrity chef Richard Blais, an expanded pool and cabana offerings, a refreshed spa, and new event spaces.
The Ritz-Carlton, Paradise Valley, The Palmeraie
It has been a long time coming, but this one might finally open in 2025. Set on 20 acres overlooking Camelback Mountain, The Ritz-Carlton, Paradise Valley, part of the new Palmeraie residential community, is about 20 minutes from central Scottsdale. It will offer uber-sleek accommodations around a central infinity-edge swimming pool and a quick trip to Scottsdale’s major shopping mecca, Fashion Square Mall.
California
Hotel Lucile, Silver Lake
Housed in a reimagined 1931 church in Los Angeles’ eclectic Silver Lake neighborhood, the Lucile will offer a unique blend of history and modern amenities. It will include an intimate restaurant and bar within the building’s main chapel, adorned by high ceilings and original stained-glass windows; a sun-soaked pool; and a rooftop lounge with city views.
Terra Palm Springs, Palm Springs
This wellness-focused desert property, located in the heart of the Coachella Valley, will have just 13 rooms. It will feature a multi-sensory immersive rain room and Himalayan salt sauna. Guests can also take traditional tea baths, get vitamin drips, and much more.
Appellation Healdsburg
The 108-room Appellation Healdsburg will feature two pools, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a well-appointed spa. The hotel’s rustic rooftop bar will have vineyard views and offer learning programs at Maker Spaces. Taking advantage of fresh produce, dining options will include an all-day Charlie Palmer restaurant.
Colorado
White Elephant, Aspen
White Elephant Resorts is bringing its inimitable mix of service, style, and hospitality to America’s favorite outdoor playground. The 54-room hotel will be located in the West End neighborhood, with oversized rooms and suites and a rich, contemporary color palette reflecting Aspen’s mining past. Expect their signature BMW program, offering complimentary courtesy cars around town and, in winter, a shuttle to and from the ski slopes. In the warmer months, guests can cool off with a swim in the outdoor pool or take complimentary bicycles for a spin around town.
Florida
Naples Beach Club, A Four Seasons Resort
Four Seasons promises to be the most luxurious beachfront resort in Naples when it opens its 216-room Beach Club. The resort will feature beachside gardens, elegant dining options, stellar waterfront services, and a 58-unit private residence village.
Beach Club at The Boca Raton
The $120 million re-imagination of the iconic Beach Club hotel will offer resort guests and club members an entirely redesigned arrival, a wholly refreshed lobby featuring a new bar and café, new restaurants, a new fitness facility, and oceanside event space, and a stunning renovation of the hotel’s 210 guest rooms and suites. Many of the new suites will even flow into expansive poolside outdoor living spaces.
The Sunny, Sunny Isles
Formerly Newport Beachside Hotel, The Sunny is being transformed into a robust resort-style property and will offer 339 spacious guest rooms, an eclectic private art collection, six food and beverage outlets, a fitness center, spa & salon, oceanfront pool with tiki bar and fire pits, beach club and over 22,000 square feet of event space, including an outdoor terrace that offers one of the few oceanfront event spaces in Miami Beach and the only pier restaurant in Miami on the ocean.
The Vineta Hotel, Palm Beach
Oetker Collection’s first foray in the United States opens Q1 2025 in the heart of Palm Beach, just two blocks off Worth Avenue in the former Chesterfield Hotel. The landmark is about three blocks from the beach and will have just 41 rooms. It will revive the famous Leopard Lounge and an ‘American Bar,’ plus a newly created Mediterranean-inspired indoor-outdoor poolside restaurant.
Kentucky
The Trail Hotel, Kentucky
Located in Bardstown, the start of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, The Trail Hotel will be the world’s first bourbon-infused luxury hotel. The restored, historic property will have 95 rooms, eight suites, an elegant restaurant, and three bars, including a speakeasy. The hotel will provide visitors with the region’s first elevated overnight experience for guests looking to visit the Bourbon Capital of the World and meeting planners with expansive conference facilities for a newer, exciting location for meetings. Bourbon-infused meeting?
Montana
One&Only Moonlight Basin, Big Sky
Big Sky gets its second luxury resort with the 92-room One&Only. Located in Moonlight Basin, about 30 minutes from Yellowstone Club and the Montage, the One&Only will feature its own separate ski lodge and spa and a dedicated gondola that connects guests with 5,800 acres of skiing. A Chenot Swiss Spa will combine traditional Chinese healing with Western medicine.
New Hampshire
The Lake Estate on Winnisquam
In New Hampshire’s beautiful lakes region, The Lake Estate on Winnisquam is a 114-room luxury independent resort modeled after a grand private estate and inspired by New Hampshire’s grand hotels of yesteryear. Situated on 36 acres with an extended private shoreline along Lake Winnisquam, the resort will also have a 5,000-square-foot luxury spa.
New York
Faena New York
Hotel Chelsea’s reopening changed this neighborhood’s reputation as a place to be, and now Faena is coming in the spring of 2025. Known for high style and a bit of drama, Faena brings its style to Manhattan’s Chelsea with an art-infused design overlooking the High Line. Expect whimsical touches in all 120 rooms, a Tierra Santa Healing House spa, and a buzzy nightlife scene as per usual in Chelsea.
The Twenty-Two
This is yet another imported private member club from London (but you don’t need to be a member to stay). The Twenty-two opens on Madison & 69th in the Old Westbury Hotel. Basil Walter designed the hotel as a member’s club and hotel hybrid, similar to the Fasano New York.
Waldorf Astoria, New York
After an eight-year renovation, the Waldorf Astoria New York will be transformed from a 1,400-room hotel to just 375 rooms and suites, along with 375 private residences. The property will have some of New York City’s largest hotel accommodations, with a sprawling 30,000-square-foot spa and cutting-edge fitness center. What won’t go away is the hotel’s storied lobby with its iconic clock, Peacock Alley, and magnificent ballroom. It will surely regain its place as a central hub for New York power brokers and celebrations.
South Carolina
The Cooper, Charleston
Adjacent to the Joe Riley Waterfront Park on the Charleston peninsula, The Cooper will be downtown Charleston’s only luxury waterfront hotel, complete with a private marina and four waterfront dining experiences. Overlooking the Cooper River, the 209-room hotel draws its design inspiration from its French Quarter surroundings.
Texas
Albert Hotel, Fredericksburg
In the heart of Texas’ wine country, where German heritage meets Texan hospitality, the 105-room Albert is the first elevated hotel in the Texas Hill Country.
