Three years after its first foray into Japan with The Tokyo Edition Toranomon, Edition Hotels’ second property in the city, The Tokyo Edition Ginza, is officially launching in early 2024. Created by Ian Schrager—prominent hotelier and founder of New York’s iconic Studio 54—in partnership with Marriott International, the property once again channels the vision of prominent Japanese architect and designer Kengo Kuma, who also designed the hotel group’s Toranomon property. 

Kuma’s signature nature-inspired design elements can be found throughout this hotel in the form of vertical gardens that drape over the 14-floor tower, and in the soothing tones of walnut timber, cream-coloured leather and green marble adorning the interiors.

Located in the Gion and Higashiyama district, the intimate 52-room Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto gives the feeling of being a serene and secluded property, but it’s located in the heart of the city centre—the resort sits next to the Kiyomizu-dera Temple, just beside Kyoto’s famed bamboo forest. Located on a hill, it boasts stunning views over Kyoto City. 

History also plays an important role here. The hotel will be the first and only hotel in Kyoto City with a dedicated Noh stage—Noh is  a major form of classical Japanese dance drama that dates back to the 14th century. Banyan Tree also went to great lengths to preserve the site in its original form with a compact building design that protects the area’s ancient trees.

See also: Ho Renyung of Banyan Tree Group is determined to do things differently

Scheduled to open in March 2024, Ta’aktana is a spectacular sustainability-focused luxury resort in Labuan Bajo, in Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara Province which is known for its lush forests and the pearlescent shores of Flores Sea.

Ta’aktana is designed by Alexis Dornier, who also designed Bali’s chic Lost Lindenberg hotel. It will have 70 suites and villas, including a number of ultra-luxurious overwater villas, and facilities including an Olympic-sized swimming pool, kids’ club and an overwater bar boasting breathtaking sunset views. The property also embraces the traditions and culture of Flores, with a strong commitment to environmental conservation and partnerships with local communities, with the aim of boosting the local economy and promoting indigenous culture.

The latest property from Banyan Tree’s Garrya brand—which puts an emphasis on design-led properties in emerging destinations—is located on the banks of Denggung River in Gabugan Village, in Yogyakarta’s Sleman Region. Drawing inspiration from Javanese design, Arte Architect and Associates built pyramid-like structures in an inner courtyard and a lobby in joglo style (seen in traditional Javanese houses) made from recycled wood.

Garrya Bianti Yogyakarta will offer 24 villas, including a two-bedroom villa with a private plunge pool and a signature Wellbeing Sanctuary Villa. Its four-room 8lements Spa offers wellness therapies rooted in Asian practices, and activities including poolside yoga at the riverside deck. Its culinary offerings include traditional Javanese dishes made from locally sourced ingredients.

First it was Tokyo, then New York, and now Aman will open its newest city property, Aman Nai Lert Bangkok. The hotel is designed by veteran Aman designer Jean-Michel Gathy of Denniston, who drew inspiration from the rich tapestry of influences at the neighbouring Nai Lert Park Heritage Home, paired with Aman’s signature aesthetic of refined elegance and purposeful restraint.

Located in the tropical gardens of the city’s historic Nai Lert Park, the hotel rises out of the verdant gardens and features 52 suites, 33 Aman Residences, an exclusive private members’ Aman Club—which made its successful debut at Aman New York—and an infinity pool overlooking the Bangkok skyline.

After 30 years in the making, Soneva—which has been a leader in meaningful luxury and sustainability—will finally open the highly anticipated Soneva Secret on Haa Dhaalu Atoll, the most remote group of islands in Maldives. 

The resort will have just 14 private villas, each with direct access to pristine white sand beaches and clear blue waters. For those who truly want to go off the grid, these villas include a select number of lagoon Crusoe Villas that are accessible only by boat, and the Castaway, the Maldives’ first floating villa.

See also: Resorts like Alila Kothaifaru Maldives are leading marine conservation efforts—here’s how

Located within Sri Lanka’s Yala National Park, this eco-resort promises to be not only a luxurious retreat but also to offer an immersive experience that brings its guests closer to the natural wonders of the surrounding forests.

Kotiyagala will house 12 luxury villas, each with a private pool, and constructed using sustainable, environmentally friendly materials. The resort will operate entirely on solar panels, making use of Yala’s abundant sunlight. Its signature restaurant, Dunes, serves Western favourites, local cuisine such as Jaffna curry crab, vegan and vegetarian options, and even Ayurvedic meal plans.

When it comes to the Oberois, we know we can expect nothing less than dramatic features and unapologetic opulence. Such is the case with The Oberoi Rajgarh Palace, which will see a 200-year-old palace surrounded by sal forest next to India’s Panna National Park transformed into a spectacular luxury hotel. 

The palace, situated on 60 hectares on the slopes of Managad hills in Chhatrapur district in Madhya Pradesh, will house 66 opulent suites, with an infinity pool overlooking the property’s private lake.

Crescent Head is a sleepy, sun-kissed surf town on the Tasman Sea coast halfway between Sydney and Byron Bay. Here, George Gorrow and his wife, Cisco Tschurtschenthaler will be opening Sea Sea, a “Seventies surf-inspired boutique hotel” with just 24 rooms, immersed in the area’s native landscape and just a few streets away from what Gorrow swears is one of “Australia’s best surf spots”. 

The hotelier couple—whose first property is The Slow in Bali—invited local talent to turn Sea Sea into a cultural hub. There will be an in-house radio station curated by independent channel Reverberation, plus food and drink by the likes of Sydney’s revered P&V Wine & Liquor Merchants and Antonello Arzedi, who has worked with Sydney’s famed Icebergs Dining Room and Bar.

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