Welcome to 2026. A new year, a fresh calendar, and a renewed desire to explore with intention.
This is the moment we look ahead — to the places that stir curiosity, reflect culture, and invite connection. Some are new openings we’re watching closely, others are quietly iconic. All offer something rare: a distinct point of view and a sense of place that lingers long after you leave.
From Sicilian guesthouses to Nile-side palaces, here are the stays we’re dreaming of this year — refined, evocative and unforgettable.
Al Moudira — Luxor, Egypt
A timeless oasis on the Nile’s west bank
Set amid palm groves on the quieter west bank of the Nile, La Moudira feels like a hidden palace woven from local history and handcrafted detail. Built around courtyards and gardens, the 54 suites blend traditional motifs with artisan pieces, making it a serene base for exploring ancient Thebes and the Valley of the Kings.
What sets La Moudira apart is its immersive aesthetic — layered tiles, Moroccan lanterns, Egyptian antiques — all reflecting founder Zeina Aboukheir’s distinct eye. Guests can easily spend hours wandering the gardens or enjoying tea in the colonnaded lounge, soaking up the timeless rhythm of Luxor.
Aethos London — Shoreditch, United Kingdom
A design-led townhouse in creative East London
In the heart of Shoreditch, Aethos London marries contemporary flair with the scale and intimacy of a private home. Set in a converted perfume factory, it feels like a curated residence — thoughtful artwork, atmospheric social spaces and a low-key cultural rhythm perfect for an urban escape.
The hotel is designed with the modern flâneur in mind — its 23 rooms are quietly elegant, with earthy tones, soft textures and custom furnishings. A listening bar and local partnerships root the experience in East London’s creative scene, offering a stylish, slow-paced alternative to the city’s bustle.
Cristine Bedfor — Seville, Spain
Textiles, charm and Andalusian grace
Cristine Bedfor first caught our eye in Menorca — a hotelier known for elegance, rich patterns and personal flair. Her property in Seville brings that same eye for textiles, prints and quiet opulence to the city’s San Bernardo district. With its layered interiors and intimate courtyard flow, it feels more like staying in a friend’s home (if that friend had incredible taste and a love of Andalusian culture). Charm and sophistication in equal measure.
Every room feels intentionally composed — antique wardrobes, velvet armchairs, botanical wallpapers — with touches that nod to both history and whimsy. The inner patio, a signature of Sevillian architecture, becomes the heart of the experience, inviting long breakfasts and slow conversations.
Villa Colucci — Puglia, Italy
A beautifully restored trulli estate
Nestled among olive groves in Puglia, Villa Colucci is a small estate of stone trulli and lamie reimagined with calm, modern interiors. With nine suites, wild Mediterranean gardens and a kitchen focused on regional produce, it invites slow days and dinners under Provençal skies.
The villa’s hosts are often present, adding a layer of warm, informal hospitality that makes the experience feel personal. Guests can explore nearby Cisternino or the Adriatic coast, then return to aperitivo on the terrace as the evening turns pink over the trees.
Casa Lawa — Sicily, Italy
Colour, community and creative energy on Mount Etna
Perched in Sant’Alfio on the slopes of Etna, Casa Lawa is a spirited guesthouse where creativity and colour are baked into every wall. It’s vibrant, fun, and community-driven — a lava stone house turned artistic home, with rooms filled with textiles, vintage finds and Sicilian light.
The house often plays host to collaborative residencies and creative gatherings, adding a sense of living culture to the stay. Whether it’s a shared meal cooked with local ingredients or a spontaneous artist talk, Casa Lawa invites participation — not just observation.
Gran Hotel Margalida — Palma, Mallorca, Spain
Historic glamour meets contemporary Mallorca
In the heart of Palma, Gran Hotel Margalida reimagines a grand old building with bold colours and subtle art-deco flourishes. A rooftop pool and bar punctuate the skyline, while rooms and lounges feel quietly considered — ideal for city strolls and café afternoons.
Its location allows guests to dip into the city’s best bits — from the modernist Mercat de l’Olivar to the seafront promenade. Back at the hotel, high ceilings and heritage details are softened with sleek finishes and tactile design, balancing elegance with comfort.
Bos Cos — Sevilla, Spain
Quiet Andalusian charm in the historic city centre
Tucked behind a 19th-century wooden gate near the Church of San Juan de la Palma and the Palacio de Dueñas, Bos‑Cos is a cluster of four apartments set around a classic Andalusian patio. Each space blends traditional Sevillian architecture with contemporary design touches — warm colours, thoughtful materials and sunlit terraces.
Some apartments have outdoor showers and private plunge pools, while all feel like thoughtful sanctuaries within walking distance of flamenco bars and orange-lined plazas. This is not a hotel stay, but a more intimate, lived-in way of experiencing Sevilla.
Kozmo Hotel Budapest — Budapest, Hungary
Heritage reimagined with modern refinement
Kozmo Hotel blends 19th-century architecture with contemporary refinement near the Danube. Chic interiors, contemporary art and an indulgent spa create an elegant yet understated city base — perfect for cultural explorations and winter escapes.
It’s housed in a former telephone exchange, and much of the original grandeur has been preserved — high ceilings, arched windows, polished stone. Pair that with attentive service and a well-curated wine list, and you’ve got a true Budapest hideaway.
Jnane Rumi — Marrakech, Morocco
A richly expressive Moroccan dreamscape in the Palmeraie
Set in the lush Palmeraie, just beyond the buzz of Marrakech’s medina, Jnane Rumi is a creative residence that quietly rewrites what it means to travel with intention. Its art direction is exceptional — documented vividly on Instagram with scenes of guests on donkeys, watermelon feasts, embroidered fabrics, and glowing afternoon light. The energy is slow, expressive and deeply Moroccan, with every element — from tapestries to trees — in dialogue with its surroundings. Not a conventional hotel, but a design-led escape shaped by artistry and atmosphere.
The space has an almost cinematic quality — part artist’s retreat, part slow-living haven — and stays are by invitation or arrangement. It’s a place for pausing, observing, and being moved by the beauty of detail.
