Europe's Hottest New Hotel Openings 2021

San Domenico Palace, Taormina — A Four Seasons Hotel

As if we needed a reason to return to Europe once borders reopen — these seven new hotel openings have us packing our bags in anticipation!

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One & Only Portonovi

Bay of Kotor, Montenegro

For a long time, Dalmatia, the stretch of Adriatic coastline spanning southern Croatia and northern Montenegro, has lacked a cornerstone luxury property. But with the opening of the One & Only Portonovi on May 1st, the region is primed for re-imaging. Importing Michelin star chefs and Swiss wellness experts, Portonovi will breathe new life into sleepy Kotor. And if you’d prefer to stick to your Adricatic yachting itinerary, the resort’s 238-slip marina is undoubtedly Montenegro’s nicest place to drop anchor.

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San Domenico Palace, Taormina — A Four Seasons Hotel

Taormina, Sicily

Breathing new life into the storied San Domenico Palace, Four Seasons is changing the game in Taormina, where luxury accommodation options have been limited for the last decade. Set on a rocky perch above the Ionian Sea, San Domenico Palace offers commanding views of the city, the beach, and the imposing outline of Mt. Etna is the distance. Expect all the hallmarks of a Four Seasons — tidy decor and top notch service — blended with the timeless elegance of 14th century Italian craftsmanship. The hotel is set to open in mid-2021, hopefully in time to take advantage of the clifftop infinity pool.

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Villa Igiea

Palermo, Sicily

Sicily’s new hotel boom makes it one of Italy’s most sought-after destinations in 2021. Accompanying the Four Seasons in Taormina, Rocco Forte is debuting its second property on the island in June. Palermo’s Villa Igiea will be the scruffy city’s reborn grande dame, a turn of the century palazzo revitalized with Rocco Forte style. One hundred rooms and suites will offer glittering sea views, with interiors that blend period features with contemporary flair thanks to the deft hand of Olg Polizzi. We don’t want to sway you, but after a few nights here, you’re basically required to cap off your trip with a week at Verdura Resort.

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Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid

Madrid, Spain

Okay we know it’s confusing when hotels feature the name Ritz, but don’t belong to the Ritz Carlton brand, especially when another hotel brand name is thrown into the mix. But we’re here to clarify this confusion, because that’s our job. Just like the Hotel Ritz Paris, the Ritz Madrid is a storied property built in the early 20th century under the watchful supervision of legendary Swiss Hotelier, Cesar Ritz (who yes, eventually was the linchpin for the development of the Ritz Carlton brand in the United States, but that’s another story entirely). Mandarin Oriental bought the Ritz Madrid in 2015, has overseen its top-to-bottom multi-million dollar renovation, and will manage the property following its proposed April 15th opening, thus giving it the name Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid.

Now that that’s cleared up, we’re looking forward to seeing what Mandarin’s done with the place. Its 153 residential rooms, designed by Gilles & Bossier, will overlook the Prado Museum and Lealtad Square, but we’re particularly excited for the hotel’s five dining venues, reimagined by Spain’s renowned Chef Quique Dacosta.

The Woodward Geneva

Geneva, Switzerland

Nothing against Geneva, but for a long time the Swiss city has lacked that special something that makes us want to stay in town for anything longer than a layover. But we’re quickly changing our tune with the opening of The Woodward, Oetker’s all-suite stunner overlooking the lake. Beyond the hotel’s grand historic facade, 26 suites are individually curated and designed to resemble a chic Parisian residence. Rounding out the experience are restaurants by Joël Robuchon and Alain Verzeroli and a Guerlain Spa. We expect doors to open in the spring of 2021.

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Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle

Versailles, France

The long awaited Le Grand Contrôle will change the way people visit Versailles. The hotel will be the only overnight accommodation located within the walls of the palace, giving guests unheard of access to the world’s most famous chateau. Located just beyond the palace gardens, the hotel has one-of-a-kind views of L’Orangerie, and the specially commissioned Airelles team has done everything imaginable to imbue the property with a deeply felt sense of place. Interior architect Christophe Tollemer has made painstaking efforts to uphold the building’s historic grandeur, while Maison Pierre Frey has been tasked with marrying period decor with modern luxury for its 14 suites. Dining on property, spearheaded by Alain Ducasse, no less, will take guests on a culinary journey a la Marie Antoinette. Airelles has remained tight-lipped about an opening date, so we’ll just have to continue waiting with jittery thumbs until we can press that Reserve Now button.

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Cheval Blanc Paris

Paris, France

We never need an excuse to visit Paris, but we like to have a few ready on paper, so we can quell the inevitable nonsense that arises from those who ask silly questions like “You’re going to Paris, again?” So for the rest of 2021, it’s Cheval Blanc Paris, and really, need we say more? How the LVMH brand synonymous with French luxury has managed NOT have a hotel in Paris all these years will forever be a mystery to us, but that chapter is coming to an end in 2021, when the newest maison debuts at the foot of the Pont Neuf. In that endearing [maddening] French way, Cheval Blanc has yet to say exactly when we will be able to stay overnight, so if you catch our entire office booking some random Tuesday night flight to Paris this year, you know where we’re headed.

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Beyond 2021

Europe

And while we’re still trying to wrap our minds around all of 2021’s most exciting openings, we’re also gearing up for the next few years. Let’s just say we’re making up for lost time. Look out for these buzzworthy European openings in 2022 and 2023.

Mark our words, the Italian coasts will be all the rage for the next few summers. Riding the coattails of Sicily’s 2021 openings, keep an eye out for Oetker’s Hotel Le Palma, Capri and the Rosewood Porto Cervo (Sardinia) in summer 2022, with the Four Seasons debuting in Puglia sometime in 2022 or 2023.

In Spain, the Four Seasons will oversee the historic Hotel Fromentor’s (Mallorca) top-to-bottom renovation, which is expected to be complete by 2023. Additionally, Six Senses will open a wellness oriented spot on Ibiza, breathing new life into the party-centric island. The holistic powerhouse also expects to open properties in Iceland and the Austrian Alps.

We’re dubbing 2023 the year of Rosewood. The luxury brand has FIVE European openings slated for 2023 in Amsterdam, Munich, Rome, Venice, and Vienna.