‘Y’ We’re Excited for 2025's Most Extraordinary Hotel Openings
The world of luxury travel never stands still, and 2025 is set to raise the bar even higher. This year brings an exceptional collection of new properties that promise to push the boundaries of what's possible in experiential travel. From the wilderness of Montana to the cultural heart of Kyoto, each of these remarkable properties has been carefully selected to align with our ethos of ‘curated luxury’ - and of course our Y Factors - ensuring unforgettable experiences tailored to every taste.
ONE&ONLY MOONLIGHT BASIN MONTANA, USA
Y FACTOR - ADVENTURE
Nestled in an 8,100-acre expanse of Montana's breathtaking wilderness, One&Only Moonlight Basin promises year-round adventure in its purest form. This remarkable retreat seamlessly blends bold design with natural surroundings, featuring local art, cosy textiles, and dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows that frame Big Sky's spectacular mountain landscapes, which offers an adrenaline-pumping calendar of activities across all seasons.
Winter brings exceptional skiing with direct gondola access to Madison Base, alongside the thrill of dog sledding through snow-laden forests, fat tire biking across pristine trails, and the meditative pursuit of ice fishing on crystal-clear mountain lakes. As the snow melts, the landscape transforms into a summer playground where guests can master the art of fly fishing in rushing streams, explore endless hiking trails, discover hidden valleys on horseback, or spend tranquil days swimming and kayaking from the property's private mountain-lake beach.
Located along Amsterdam's UNESCO-listed Prinsengracht canal, the newest addition to Rosewood’s European portfolio celebrates the city's rich artistic heritage - from the Golden Age masters to the buzzing modern gallery scene. Designed by internationally renowned Dutch architect Piet Boon, reflecting Rosewood's commitment to working with visionary designers and re-imagining historic spaces (in this case, the former Palace of Defence), the rooms feature deep blues and rich greys, layered textures, and carefully curated artworks.
At the heart of the property lies The Gallery, an innovative white cube space that serves as a dynamic canvas for Amsterdam's thriving creative scene. Complete with its own private entrance, this versatile venue will host everything from cutting-edge fine art exhibitions and immersive floor-to-ceiling installations to exclusive product launches and pop-up events, showcasing both local artisans and international brands.
Beyond the hotel's walls, just as Rosewood properties worldwide serve as cultural gateways to their destinations, guests can explore contemporary and new media art at the innovative Nxt Museum, or spend a leisurely day walking or cycling around the charming village of Durgerdam, where Rembrandt once found inspiration.
ROSEWOOD AMSTERDAM
Y FACTOR - ARTISTRY
CAPELLA KYOTO, JAPAN
Y FACTOR - CULTURE & COMMUNITY
Capella Hotels and Resorts, masters of crafting authentic cultural experiences, makes its highly anticipated Japanese debut in Autumn 2025 in Kyoto's historic Miyagawa-chō district. The group's dedication to cultural immersion reaches new heights in Kyoto, where the property bridges past and present in one of Japan's most culturally significant neighbourhoods.
At the heart of the guest experience is Capella's renowned Culturist programme, where dedicated cultural ambassadors connect guests with authentic local experiences, from private geisha performances to traditional tea ceremonies and craft workshops with master artisans.
The thoughtfully designed rooms embrace contemporary Japanese aesthetics, featuring soothing hues and intricate textures that pay homage to Kyoto's artistic heritage while offering modern luxury.
A stunning central Japanese garden provides a contemplative heart to the property, while the signature Auriga Spa incorporates a private onsen experience, allowing guests to partake in Japan's centuries-old bathing traditions. The property's three distinctive restaurants each tell their own story of Japanese cuisine, from intimate kaiseki dining to contemporary interpretations of local specialities, all set against the backdrop of the historic Miyagawa-chō district and just moments from the celebrated Miyagawa-chō Kaburenjo theatre, where guests can witness the mesmerising performances of geiko and maiko.
Scheduled to open in July 2025, &Beyond's newest African sanctuary exemplifies their three-fold approach to luxury safari experiences: care of the land, wildlife, and people. Once a family cattle ranch dating back to 1920, the Suyian Conservancy represents a remarkable story of transformation and generosity. Through the visionary philanthropy of the Powys family and American conservationist Louis Bacon, the land was transferred to the Suyian Conservancy Trust, a Kenyan non-profit, ensuring its protection in perpetuity for future generations.
Building on &Beyond's 30-year legacy of sustainable tourism and conservation, the lodge serves as a hub for collaborative conservation efforts across Laikipia. Guests staying in the striking, architecturally bold lodge, which mirrors Kenya's northern rock formations, become part of this legacy of giving back. They can participate in vital research projects, working alongside conservation teams collecting crucial wildlife data, while their stay directly supports local community development initiatives, from education programmes to sustainable farming practices.
The property exemplifies how tourism can be a force for good, maintaining optimal levels of wildlife diversity while creating meaningful employment and economic opportunities for local communities.
&BEYOND SUYIAN LODGE, KENYA
Y FACTOR - GENEROSITY
AMAN NAI LERT BANGKOK, THAILAND
Y FACTOR - NATURE & SUSTAINABILITY
April 2025 heralds a new chapter for legendary ultra-luxury hotel brand Aman, as they unveil an unexpected sanctuary within the seven-acre emerald expanse of Nai Lert Park in Bangkok's pulsating heart. Known for selecting extraordinary locations, Aman has found a rare urban oasis in one of Bangkok's largest surviving green spaces, proving that urban development and nature preservation can coexist in perfect harmony.
Master architect Jean-Michel Gathy's design pays homage to the site's natural heritage, most dramatically evidenced by the 100-year-old Sompong tree, which commands centre stage through a striking elliptical void in the building's design. This thoughtful architecture creates a dialogue between built and natural environments, with open-air terraces, wraparound floor-to-ceiling windows, and an infinity pool that seems to float among the treetops.The suites echo the surrounding landscape through a carefully chosen palette of earth tones and natural textures, creating spaces where the boundary between inside and outside gracefully blurs.
Aman's commitment to environmental stewardship truly sets this urban retreat apart. From the restaurant's partnership with local farmers and emphasis on zero-waste cuisine to comprehensive staff training in sustainability practices, every aspect of the operation is designed to protect and enhance its precious natural setting. The property serves as a model for sustainable luxury hospitality, actively restoring natural ecosystems while providing meaningful employment opportunities for local communities.
Returning to their home turf of Paris, where their first venture, the Experimental Cocktail Club opened in 2007, March 2025 sees the Experimental Group - pioneers of sophisticated yet unconventional hospitality - transforming a historic Marais property into their most evocative Parisian project to date. Of course, for a brand who billed their first hotels as ‘bed and beverage’, you just know that incredible food and drink will be front and centre of the entire guest experience!
Having revolutionised the European hospitality scene with their seamless ability blend of cocktail bars, restaurants, hotels, the group's latest venture takes storytelling in hospitality to new heights through acclaimed designer Tristan Auer's imaginative vision. Using a fictional globe-trotting bon vivant as his inspiration, Auer’s design narrative weaves moments of curiosity and adventure throughout the 43-room property, reaching its crescendo in the magnificent Temple & Chapon restaurant.
Beneath soaring neo-Gothic arches and striking stained-glass windows, Temple & Chapon’s chef Mélanie Serre crafts a menu that mirrors the property's blend of Parisian and international influences. The 100-seat restaurant, adorned with drawings and photographs curated in collaboration with artist Clovis Retif, captures the essence of 1950s New York chophouses while remaining distinctly Parisian. The cathedral-like space, crowned with a dramatic glass ceiling, provides a theatrical backdrop for Serre's culinary artistry.
HOTEL EXPERIMENTAL MARAIS, PARIS
Y FACTOR - TASTE
ORIENT EXPRESS LA DOLCE VITA, ITALY
Y FACTOR - THE UNEXPECTED
The legendary Orient Express brand - now managed by the Accor group - is rewriting the rules of luxury travel, transforming the golden age of rail journeys into something thoroughly modern yet delightfully nostalgic. In a world of rapid transits and quick connections, the Orient Express La Dolce Vita offers an unexpected departure from the ordinary, inviting guests to rediscover the lost art of slow travel with one or two-night journeys threading through Italy's most celebrated destinations - from Sicily's sun-drenched coastlines to Portofino's harbourside charm, the ancient relics of Rome, the artistic treasures of Tuscany, and of course the magic of Venice, a city so entwined in the history of the Orient Express’ legend.
Beginning with welcome drinks at the exclusive Orient Express lounge at Roma Termini station, this is no ordinary rail journey - it's a portal to the glamorous 1960s era of 'La Dolce Vita', reimagined for today's discerning traveller. The train itself is a masterpiece of design, where sophisticated La Dolce Vita Deluxe Cabins and spacious Suites in warming terracotta and purple hues create private sanctuaries complete with modern amenities.
The Unexpected lies in every detail: vintage Polaroid moments in the Bar Car while sipping signature cocktails, white-tablecloth dining where Italian cuisine meets railway romance, and evenings spent sharing exceptional wines as the landscape unfolds beyond your window.
The experience extends beyond the rails to the newly opened Orient Express Italian hotels - the elegant La Minerva in the heart of Rome and the restored Palazzo Dona Giovannelli in Venice. In an age of instant gratification, the Orient Express La Dolce Vita delivers something truly unexpected - the luxury of time itself, revealing Italy's hidden treasures at a perfectly measured pace.
Six Senses, pioneers in sustainable wellness hospitality, are transforming an iconic London landmark from retail therapy to a different kind of healing altogether. Opening in 2025, the historic Art Deco Whiteley's department store, becomes a sanctuary dedicated to modern wellbeing.
Just steps from Hyde Park in bustling Bayswater, this urban retreat demonstrates Six Senses' extraordinary ability to create restorative spaces in unexpected places. Where shoppers once browsed for the latest fashions, guests will now find a 3,500-square-foot state-of-the-art fitness space and a spectacular 65-foot indoor swimming pool. The innovative Six Senses Place, a new concept in social wellness clubs, occupies the second floor, featuring coworking spaces, a central bar and lounge, and treatment rooms where ancient healing traditions meet cutting-edge wellness technology.
In a playful nod to London's heritage, the spa has been ingeniously modelled on an old-fashioned London underground station, complete with vaulted ceilings and characteristic tiling, while the Alchemy Bar offers a modern take on traditional healing remedies. This clever balance of old and new, activity and serenity, creates a unique urban wellness destination where Six Senses' signature approach to holistic wellbeing meets British charm and sophistication.
SIX SENSES LONDON
Y FACTOR - WELLBEING