Where to Stay in 2026: Our Global Hot List

Nile River, Egypt

The world is entering a new era of travel—bold openings, visionary redesigns, and destinations that feel more compelling than ever. From remote islands redefining barefoot luxury to city hotels pushing the boundaries of design, 2026 is shaping up to be a year of unforgettable stays.

Consider this your curated guide to the hotels and hideaways setting the global standard for where to check in next.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is emerging as a true luxury hotspot, where verdant tea plantations, sun-drenched beaches, ancient temples, and lush jungles come together in one irresistibly elegant arc of experience. Boutique resorts and private lodges now dot the south coast, the highlands, and the cultural triangle—each offering a blend of wellness, sustainability, and design-driven intimacy. Here, mornings might begin with golden light stretching across near-empty beaches, afternoons spent sipping hand-picked teas in mist-wrapped gardens, and evenings unfolding beneath the stars in a private pavilion built for serenity.

But Sri Lanka’s allure doesn’t end there. Venture inland and you’ll find world-class jungle safaris where leopards glide through tall grasses, elephants wander ancient forests, and sunrise game drives offer the kind of quiet magic usually reserved for East Africa. It’s this dynamic mix—coast, culture, highlands, and wild terrain—that makes the island so compelling.

For travelers heading to the Maldives, Sri Lanka is the perfect supplement: a rich, soul-stirring counterpoint to overwater-villa bliss. Yet it also stands effortlessly on its own. In 2026, the island promises a fresh sense of discovery and a refined, understated luxury that feels every bit as memorable as the world’s marquee destinations.

Nile River, Egypt

The Nile has long been a symbol of timeless history, yet in 2026 it is reinventing itself for the discerning luxury traveler. Ultra-intimate river cruises and boutique floating lodges now offer a level of personalization and refinement previously reserved for high-end land resorts. Days are spent gliding past temples and tombs, witnessing the rise and fall of the desert sun over the riverbanks, with excursions tailored to curiosity and comfort alike. Evenings are reserved for private dining under the Egyptian sky, as stars reflect in the water and interiors fuse modern luxury with local craftsmanship. The Nile now invites travelers to experience both history and exclusivity, where every visit feels like a bespoke journey through time and culture, wrapped in elegance.

Madagascar

Madagascar is a destination like no other, famed for its endemic wildlife, dramatic landscapes, and pristine beaches. In 2026, new luxury eco-lodges are emerging in secluded corners of the island, offering travelers an intimate connection with nature while delivering refined comfort and thoughtful, design-forward spaces. Guests can wander among ancient baobab trees on the main island—towering silhouettes that define Madagascar’s wild, cinematic beauty—or trek through rainforests alive with chameleons and vibrant birdlife.

For those staying on smaller islands like Nosy Komba, the experience becomes even more immersive: wild lemurs leap through the canopy, village paths wind toward hidden coves, and the water feels impossibly clear for snorkeling over coral gardens.

Beyond adventure, Madagascar offers pockets of deep calm—private decks suspended over turquoise seas, lodges seamlessly integrated into their surroundings, and experiences intentionally crafted to honor the island’s rare biodiversity. For travelers seeking discovery, wonder, and quiet indulgence, Madagascar is an unforgettable destination poised to captivate in 2026.

Iceland

Iceland’s dramatic landscapes—glaciers, fjords, volcanic plains, and geothermal waters—are already legendary, but 2026 will see travelers exploring its less-traveled regions with a level of luxury and design-conscious hospitality previously unseen. Remote lodges in the Westfjords and highlands offer curated adventure experiences alongside wellness-focused retreats, creating a balance of thrill and serenity. Imagine mornings in private geothermal pools overlooking icy fjords, days hiking rugged volcanic landscapes or kayaking through glassy fjords, and evenings in lodges where minimalist interiors and attentive service create a cocoon of warmth. Iceland offers the extraordinary combination of isolation, natural grandeur, and refined comfort, making it a top destination for travelers who crave both adventure and thoughtful luxury.

Namibia

Namibia is increasingly recognized as one of the most dramatic and intimate safari destinations on the planet—an experience that feels fundamentally different from more traditional safari regions. Here, it’s not just about wildlife but about the scale, silence, and surreal beauty of the landscapes themselves. Private lodges and boutique camps across Sossusvlei, Damaraland, and the Skeleton Coast offer encounters in cinematic, otherworldly settings where crimson dunes, moonlike deserts, and sculpted granite mountains create a backdrop found nowhere else in Africa.

Visitors can track desert-adapted elephants navigating dry riverbeds, watch sunrise ignite the towering sand dunes of Sossusvlei, or float in a hot air balloon above rippling desert horizons—an ethereal experience that reveals the country’s vastness from an entirely new perspective. The wildlife may be more elusive here, but the sense of exclusivity and the elemental drama of the terrain make every sighting feel deeply personal.

Evenings unfold in lodges that merge raw natural beauty with discreet luxury, where silence is profound and the desert sky becomes a canopy of stars. Namibia offers adventure and solitude in equal measure, giving travelers the rare feeling of having the entire landscape to themselves. In 2026, it promises safaris that are as intimate as they are extraordinary—a place where privacy, drama, and refined minimalism coexist effortlessly.