New Hotel Openings Around the World Celebrate a Strong Sense of Place

Now, a new wave of hotels opening around the world is embracing localism, with properties focusing on regional identity, architecture and design to deliver an experience rooted in the destination for travelers. 

Every property, whether a palazzo in Venice or a coastal retreat in Baja California Sur, an island in Greece, a street in Paris or the natural beauty of Austin, interprets this philosophy in its own way. 

Four Seasons Hotel, Venezia, Danieli 

Venice’s iconic landmark re-opens its doors for the first time in a major renovation spearheaded by designer Pierre-Yves Rochon. 

Located on the edge of the Venetian Lagoon, Danieli, Venezia, A Four Seasons Hotel blends traditional Venetian features with a fresh viewpoint on the region's architecture and landscape. 

Inside, the hotel employs shades of celadon green, powder blue, terracotta, ochre and pink to evoke the hues of the Lagoon, while gilded details, stone, columns and carved details anchor the property in its historic setting. 

Meanwhile, the hotel overlooks San Giorgio Maggiore, and the roof-top terrace offers particularly spectacular views over Venice. Four Seasons will further expand its presence in the region later this year with the completion of the restoration of Palazzo Danieli Excelsior. 

Amanvarii 

The location is central to the design of Aman’s latest property, which is perched on the coast of the Mexican state of Baja California Sur. 

Amanvari features 18 private Casitas and a collection of Aman-branded Residences, located within the private community of Costa Palmas. 

Designed by Elastic and inspired by the surrounding desert, estuary and the Sea of Cortez, the new Aman property. 

The 82-square-metre Casitas have been designed to maximize the flow between indoor and outdoor living, with generous terraces, private heated pools, outdoor showers and an emphasis on natural light. 

The name of the hotel is derived from the Sanskrit words for peace and water, and is a fitting moniker for this sanctuary that promises unparalleled levels of privacy. 

Villa Dorothea 

In the heart of Lisbon’s Lapa district, Villa Dorothéa offers a more intimate take on luxury hospitality. 

The boutique hotel is located in a restored 19th-century hamlet of five adjoining buildings, between the districts of Lapa and Santos and the Tagus River. 

Designed by LACASTA Interior Design Studio and stylist Carla Kottmann, 20-room Villa Dorothéa brings elements of traditional cobbled streets, courtyards and terraces framed by jasmine and bougainvillea into the very heart of the hotel. 

The Secret is the soul of this restored Lisbon gem, a 25-seat gastrobar that flows from a private patio to a rooftop terrace, giving guests another perspective on the city. 

Four Seasons Hotel, Mykonos 

Overlooking Kalo Livadi Bay, Four Seasons Hotel Mykonos has opened its doors for its inaugural summer season, offering a fusion of contemporary luxury with traditional Cycladic style. 

The hotel has 94 rooms, suites and villas spread over six hectares, many with private plunge pools. 

Greek architect Nicos Valsamakis designed the Four Seasons resort to combine the whitewashed buildings and sweeping Aegean views with a host of wellness-focused amenities, including a seven-room spa, outdoor Pavilion, thermal circuit, sauna, steam room and vitality pool. 

The hotel also features a 24-hour fitness center, outdoor spin studio and fitness pavilion that boasts sea views. 

Luura Paros 

Mediterranean hospitality brand Luura has opened its first hotel on the Aegean island of Paros. 

An adults-only seafront hotel with 39 suites, 19 of which have private pools. 

The hotel also boasts two restaurants, a private chapel, wellness facilities and an events space which is ideal for weddings and private events. 

Local culture and craftsmanship are at the core of Luura’s offering. The brand’s debut on Paros draws from the island’s artistic heritage, as well as its history and contemporary lifestyle. 

Luura Paros is the first of Luura’s wider Mediterranean expansion, with further openings planned in Paros, Athens and beyond, all focusing on culture and community. 

1 Hotel Austin; 

Taking inspiration from nature, 1 Hotel Austin has debuted in the ever-evolving Waller Creek district of the Texas capital. 

The hotel is the newest addition to 1 Hotels' rapidly expanding portfolio in the U.S., Canada and Europe and is part of the 74-story Waterline development located along Lady Bird Lake and Waller Creek. 

The building was designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox, an international architecture firm, while interior design was handled by Studio MAI, and landscape architecture by TBG Partners, which brought the surrounding flora to life. 

Inside, the hotel drew inspiration from the region’s Hill Country ranches and traditional river houses, mixing natural materials, textural contrast and indoor-outdoor flow to create a design that connects guests with the landscape. 

Beaurepaire Local 101 

Local 101 Beaurepaire is giving travelers the opportunity to experience Paris like a local, right in the heart of the city. 

The 40-room boutique hotel is located in the 10th arrondissement, minutes from the Place de la République and the Canal Saint-Martin, with plenty of cafes, galleries, boutiques and bars nearby. 

The design of the hotel is heavily influenced by local identity, with French paintings, Parisian photography, books and local art, including works commissioned from local artists specifically for the hotel. 

Local 101 Beaurepaire has also partnered with several local businesses including French luxury retailer Frédéric Malle, who has fragrances and cosmetics in room, and guests can enjoy pastries from Sain bakery. 

Rather than generic “Parisian” suggestions, Local 101 Beaurepaire encourages guests to engage with the neighborhood in a more personal way. 

A new direction in hotel design 

Despite being separated by oceans, the hotels share a common goal of crafting unique, localized experiences that celebrate the destination they are located in. 

Each property – be it a restored landmark, natural materials, traditional architecture, in-house restaurants or collaborations with local businesses – has adopted a philosophy that prizes individuality over generic luxury. 

The result for the traveler is the opportunity to experience a place in a more authentic way, with design and amenities that mirror not only the local culture but the landscape itself.