Whether you’re looking for a cultural or nature retreat, or just a stylish escape, these new hotels offer a fresh reason to pack your bags.
Anantara Palais Hansen Vienna, Austria
Originally designed by Theophil Edvard von Hansen for the 1873 World’s Fair, this Neo-Renaissance landmark has seen many lives — as a hotel, residential building and administrative office — before returning to its hospitality roots in 2011. Now reopened under the Anantara brand, the property has been thoughtfully refreshed. Its 152 rooms and suites are calm and spacious, with marble bathrooms, oversized windows and subtle nods to Viennese elegance.
Edvard, the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant, focuses on seasonal tasting menus, while the former courtyard now houses Theo’s, a stylish bar with cocktails and live music. Brasserie Sophie adds a contemporary spin to Austrian classics. A wellness centre, complete with Hammam and high-tech treatments, anchors the spa offering. Conveniently located on the Ringstrasse, the hotel is just a 15-minute walk away from Stephansplatz, Vienna’s central square.
The Silk Lakehouse, Shangri-La Hangzhou, China
Shangri-La’s new ultra-luxury brand, Shangri-La Signatures, makes its debut with the opening of The Silk Lakehouse, a serene retreat on the banks of Hangzhou’s storied West Lake. Inspired by the refined elegance of a Jiangnan silk merchant’s residence, this 68-key property reimagines Asian hospitality through cultural immersion, artisanal design, and warm, personal service.
Interiors by Gert Voorjans and Lázaro Rosa-Violán blend Eastern tradition with contemporary flair, with the hotel’s artistic centrepiece being a striking Murano glass installation designed to look like willow branches in the wind. Guests are paired with dedicated hosts who curate tailor-made itineraries, from incense-making to silk weaving. Guests are also spoilt for choice when it comes to dining, with unique concepts like The Living Room by Michelin-starred chef Alan Yu, which features the best of East and West flavours.
1 Hotel Melbourne, Australia
Seated along the banks of the Yarra River, 1 Hotel Melbourne opened its doors in June 2025 in the beautifully restored Goods Shed No. 5, the last of the unrenovated goods sheds in what was once Melbourne’s busiest port. The hotel’s industrial roots are captured in thoughtful design details, from reclaimed timber furnishings to restored steel trusses and window frames. Its 277 rooms, including 36 suites, are earthy and tranquil, offering skyline or river views and luxury amenities by Bamford.
A wellness floor includes an indoor pool, steam room, sauna, and holistic treatments at Bamford Wellness Spa, while the Field House Gym offers a space to recharge with top-of-the-line equipment. Food-wise, From Here by Mike is a love letter to the land, spotlighting seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, while the Crane Bar & Lounge serves boutique Victorian wines and organic cocktails with botanical infusions.
The Sundays, Hamilton Island, Australia
One of Australia’s most beloved destinations near the Great Barrier Reef has welcomed a new 59-room boutique retreat, and like its namesake, The Sundays reimagines experiences that evoke the laidback joy of the weekend. Designed with families and couples in mind, the property features local artworks, coastal textures, and a soft, earthy palette in each room, with sweeping views of the Whitsundays. Curated experiences include sunrise yoga, moonlit cinema nights, and daily “Sundaes at the Sundays” by the pool.
The Catseye Pool Club, the hotel’s signature restaurant helmed by famed culinary duo Josh and Julie Niland, anchors the hotel with seasonal produce and unfussy, sharing-style dining. The cocktail list by Sam Cocks, known for his work at Saint Peter Bar, is no less impressive, perfect for poolside sipping or sundowners by the sea.
