Esquire has unveiled its highly anticipated selection of the world's best new hotels for 2026, featuring an extraordinary collection of 43 properties spanning from Kenyan safari resorts to opulent Texan establishments. Compiled by expert reviewers, this year's prestigious list highlights two notable UK-based offerings alongside a diverse range of international destinations, including former royal palaces in Brussels and trendy stays from Paris to Mexico.
Global Luxury Accommodations
The top spot is claimed by Collegio Alla Querce, part of the Auberge Collection in beautiful Florence, Italy. This magnificent property offers 83 rooms, an original chapel and theatre, two restaurants, and a signature bar that was once a headmaster's office, providing guests with quiet interior gardens and stunning views of the Duomo di Firenze and Tuscan hills.
North American Highlights
Across the Atlantic, L'Auberge de Sedona in Arizona presents an oasis of calm amid picturesque red rocks, complete with a brand new resort pool, spa, and fitness centre. California boasts multiple entries, including the historic Hotel El Roblar in Ojai, established in 1919 and recently renovated with 50 rooms and a Mexican restaurant, and the iconic Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego, which served as the set for Marilyn Monroe's 1959 film Some Like It Hot.
The whimsical Treehouse Hotel Silicon Valley in Sunnyvale offers uniquely designed rooms, while Hotel Wren in Twentynine Palms transforms a 1940s roadside motel into a 12-room desert retreat that donates proceeds to local environmental organisations. Further east, The Asticou Hotel on Mount Desert Island, Maine features elegantly renovated cottages tucked away in trees overlooking the bay.
European Excellence
Europe showcases remarkable properties such as the Corinthia Brussels, a Belle Époque building formerly known as the Grand Hotel Astoria, and Parisian gems like Experimental Marais with its 43 bedrooms and American Bar, and La Fondation featuring 58 contemporary-style rooms, two restaurants, and a rooftop with swimming pool and climbing wall.
Italy dominates with multiple entries including Terre di Sacra in Capalbio, Tuscany, offering access to a 12-kilometre beach stretch, and The Hoxton in Florence with 158 rooms divided between a 16th-century palazzo and modern addition. Spain contributes standout properties like METT Barcelona, a five-star hotel with 70 elegant rooms overlooking the city, and The Palace Hotel in Madrid surrounded by renowned cultural institutions.
UK Representation
Britain makes its mark with Templeton Garden in Kensington, London, praised for its tranquil gardens and interiors as a peaceful oasis in the historic neighbourhood, and The Newman in Fitzrovia featuring 81 spacious guest suites with bohemian charm and an extensive spa facility including sauna, steam room, and hydrotherapy pool.
Global Destinations
Beyond Europe and North America, the list includes spectacular properties such as Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal in Mexico with personalised service and culinary prowess, Rosewood Mandarina in Nayarit offering ultra-luxurious accommodations with private plunge pools, and andBeyond Suyian Lodge in Kenya's Laikipia County with just 14 suites in unfenced terrain for authentic safari experiences.
Asian entries feature the Waldorf Astoria Osaka, the brand's first property in Japan blending historic design with modern luxury, and Park Hyatt Tokyo with 171 refined rooms including 29 suites renowned for exceptional service. The Middle East is represented by Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab in Dubai, a beachfront development with 11 restaurants and four bars offering dazzling views.
This comprehensive collection demonstrates the evolving landscape of luxury hospitality, with properties carefully selected for their unique character, exceptional design, and outstanding guest experiences across six continents.
