The hospitality industry is gearing up for an exceptional year as 2026 promises to deliver some of the most ambitious hotel openings and reimagined properties we’ve seen in recent memory. These upcoming launches represent more than just new places to stay: they signal major shifts in luxury travel, design innovation, and the evolving expectations of today’s discerning guests.
For food and beverage professionals, these openings present significant opportunities. From Michelin-starred chef collaborations to groundbreaking all-inclusive concepts, the hotels launching in 2026 are redefining what hospitality means in the modern era. Let’s explore the most anticipated properties that will shape the food and beverage industry landscape this year.
Iconic Revivals Leading the Charge
Delano Miami Beach: Art Deco Meets Modern Luxury
The early 2026 reopening of Delano Miami Beach represents one of the year’s most significant hospitality comebacks. This South Beach icon isn’t just returning: it’s being completely reimagined while honoring its legendary Art Deco heritage. The 171-room property will feature carefully preserved historical elements like terrazzo floors and white columns, seamlessly integrated with contemporary design.
What makes this reopening particularly exciting for food and beverage professionals is the introduction of four distinctive restaurant and bar concepts, including a recreation of the iconic Rose Bar. This venue once hosted Hollywood royalty and Miami’s elite, and its return signals a commitment to creating destination dining experiences that extend far beyond hotel guests.
The property’s approach to hospitality amenities: like their reimagined “Apple a Day” program featuring apple-shaped glass vessels with curated treats: demonstrates how traditional hotel services are being elevated to Instagram-worthy experiences that drive social media engagement and brand awareness.
Alpine Luxury Reaches New Heights
Rosewood Courchevel: Redefining Mountain Hospitality
December 2025 marked Rosewood’s alpine debut with Rosewood Courchevel Le Jardin Alpin in the heart of Courchevel 1850. This ski-in, ski-out property represents a significant expansion for the luxury brand and introduces their signature destination-led approach to the French Alps.
The property’s emphasis on blending refined design with immersive experiences offers valuable insights for hospitality professionals looking to create memorable guest journeys. The focus on “elevated sense of place” is particularly relevant as travelers increasingly seek authentic, location-specific experiences that can’t be replicated elsewhere.
Creative Communities and Social Spaces
Soho House Expands Global Footprint
April 2026 will see the opening of Soho House Tokyo, marking a major milestone as the brand’s 50th House worldwide. Located in Minami-Aoyama, this four-floor club space is designed specifically for Tokyo’s creative community while accommodating visiting members from around the globe.
The property’s 42 bedrooms, rooftop pool, and wellness studio represent Soho House’s evolution from exclusive members’ club to comprehensive lifestyle brand. For food and beverage directors, the Soho House model offers valuable lessons in creating community-driven dining experiences that foster loyalty and regular patronage.
The brand’s expansion continues with Soho Ranch House Los Cabos, set to open in 2026 as the brand’s Mexico debut. This coastal retreat will feature 15 bedrooms, club spaces, Soho Health Club with pool, Cecconi’s restaurant, and both Sunset and Cabaret bars: demonstrating how hospitality brands are creating comprehensive lifestyle ecosystems rather than just accommodation.
Culinary Excellence Takes Center Stage
The Lake Como EDITION: Michelin-Star Leadership
Opening in March 2026, The Lake Como EDITION represents one of the year’s most significant culinary collaborations. The 148-room property features multiple distinctive dining experiences under the direction of acclaimed three-Michelin-starred chef Mauro Colagreco in his first Italian venture.
This partnership highlights a growing trend in luxury hospitality: celebrity chef collaborations that go beyond simple restaurant licensing to create fully integrated culinary experiences. For food and beverage managers, this approach demonstrates how high-profile culinary partnerships can differentiate properties in competitive markets.
The property’s location in a beautifully restored 19th-century palazzo on Lake Como’s western shore, combined with its floating pool and multiple restaurants with breathtaking views, creates the kind of Instagram-worthy dining experiences that drive both direct bookings and social media engagement.
Design Innovation and Sustainable Luxury
Gran Hotel Margalida: Mediterranean Authenticity
May 2026 will see the opening of Gran Hotel Margalida in Mallorca’s picturesque coastal village of Bañalbufar. This project, marking the fifth opening for Annua Signature Hotels, exemplifies the growing demand for authentic, place-driven luxury experiences.
The 29 ocean-facing room property emphasizes sustainability and personalized service, reflecting broader industry trends toward environmental consciousness and intimate guest experiences. The hotel’s three restaurants: two al fresco and one indoor: plus an oyster and French-style seafood bar, demonstrate how smaller properties can create diverse dining ecosystems that serve both guests and local communities.
Global Brand Expansions
The Standard’s International Growth
The Standard’s aggressive international expansion continues with two major openings in 2026. The Standard, Lisbon opens in the renovated Palácio Santa Clara in Alfama neighborhood, featuring 170 guestrooms, 24 long-stay apartments, and a rooftop bar positioned to become a neighborhood destination.
The Standard, Mexico City follows in Q3 2026 with 208 rooms and suites, plus 27 branded residences. The property’s emphasis on programming: with nonstop calendars of events, ground-floor cafés, and late-night diners: shows how modern hospitality brands are becoming cultural institutions rather than just places to stay.
Innovation in All-Inclusive Experiences
JW Marriott’s Costa Rica Debut
Q2 2026 brings JW Marriott Costa Elena, Costa Rica, marking the brand’s first all-inclusive resort. The 415-room property in Guanacaste features 11 bars and restaurants, challenging traditional all-inclusive models by emphasizing culinary diversity and quality over quantity.
This opening represents a significant trend in luxury hospitality: the elevation of all-inclusive concepts beyond budget-focused offerings to genuine luxury experiences. For food and beverage professionals, this demonstrates how operational models once associated with lower-tier hospitality are being reimagined for affluent travelers.
Looking Ahead: Hospitality Industry Implications
These 2026 openings reveal several key trends shaping the hospitality industry. The emphasis on authentic, place-driven experiences reflects travelers’ growing desire for genuine connections to destinations. Celebrity chef partnerships are becoming standard rather than exceptional, raising the bar for culinary programs across all market segments.
The integration of wellness, sustainability, and community engagement into core property offerings shows how modern hospitality brands must address guests’ lifestyle values, not just accommodation needs. For restaurant owners and food and beverage directors, these properties offer valuable case studies in creating memorable, shareable experiences that build lasting brand loyalty.
The global expansion of lifestyle brands like Soho House and The Standard demonstrates the growing demand for hospitality concepts that function as cultural hubs rather than traditional hotels. This trend creates opportunities for food and beverage concepts that can successfully integrate into local communities while maintaining distinct brand identities.
As these properties prepare to welcome their first guests, they’re setting new standards for luxury hospitality that will influence industry practices for years to come. The emphasis on culinary excellence, authentic design, and meaningful guest experiences provides a roadmap for hospitality professionals looking to elevate their own operations in an increasingly competitive landscape.
For more insights on hospitality industry trends, explore our comprehensive coverage of what’s driving innovation in food and beverage services across the globe.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Top 40 Under 40” for founding American Wholesale Floral. Politz is also the founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
