Bangkok, Krabi, Kyoto, Hollywood, New York and more – 10 best luxury hotel launches of 2020 to bookmark for the ultimate city break, wellness retreat or culture trip

Oct 13, 2020

The lush surrounds of the Avani Ao Nang Cliff Krabi Resort in Thailand. Photo: Avani Hotels

Start planning for post-pandemic travel with these stylish new and revamped hotels including Kyoto’s Hotel the Mitsui, Aman New York and Capella Bangkok, plus remote getaways like Thailand’s Avani Ao Nang Cliff Krabi Resort

2020 will go down as the year we went from being jet-setters able to fly around the globe whenever we wanted, to enforced expert city break staycationers. Still, being grounded has not dampened our wanderlust.

Here’s 10 new hotels that deserve to be explored the moment you’re free to go roaming again – bookmark them on your list for future travels.

1. Hotel the Mitsui (Kyoto, Japan)

Hotel the Mitsui Kyoto thermal spring spa. Photo: Hotel the Mitsui Kyoto

Craving privacy and serenity? Brand new Hotel the Mitsui Kyoto is opening its doors in November 2020 as the only luxury hotel in the heart of Kyoto with its own onsen (hot spring). Offering a spa journey based around the traditional Japanese onsen experience, guests can even opt for their own private suite. The multiple thermal spring pools, spa therapies and facilities will make this a rejuvenating wellness escape, perfect for unwinding after a few days on the tourist trail around the temples.

Hotel the Mitsui Kyoto; hotel suites with Japanese garden features. Photo: Hotel the Mitsui Handout

Tranquillity can be found in the spa’s surroundings too, thanks to the hotel’s traditional Japanese architecture while your taste buds can be invigorated with Michelin-star Japanese or Italian cuisine.

2. Avani Ao Nang Cliff Krabi Resort (Krabi, Thailand)