From the emerald jungles of the Amazon to the sugar-white shores of Saint Lucia and Grand Cayman, 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year for luxury hospitality across South America and the Caribbean. A wave of highly anticipated hotel openings promises to redefine the region’s travel landscape and promote the region to those seeking both adventure and indulgence.
Whether it’s a sustainable sanctuary on Playa Esmeralda, a design-forward hideaway in Cartagena, or a boutique resort perched above the turquoise waters of St. Thomas, these properties blend world-class amenities with authentic local experiences. This curated list reveals 12 of the most exciting hotel openings to watch in 2026 in both regions.
Secrets Macao Beach Punta Cana – Projected Opening: Early 2026
Secrets Macao Beach Punta Cana will offer a refined adults-only escape on the Dominican Republic’s picturesque coast. Positioned beside its sister property, Dreams Macao Beach, this elevated retreat features 406 suites, including 111 swim-out options and 13 panoramic high-level swim-out suites with sweeping ocean views. Guests can enjoy full access to the dining and amenities at the family-friendly Dreams resort, creating a seamless, dual-resort experience and a top destination for couples and travelers seeking luxury and tranquility in Punta Cana.
Sapphire Sands Villas – Projected Opening: Early 2026
Bay Gardens Resorts will debut Sapphire Sands Villas, a luxe beachfront retreat on Reduit Beach in Rodney Bay Village, Saint Lucia. Featuring nine modern Caribbean-style villas (convertible into one- to three-bedroom options), the resort blends barefoot elegance with comfort. Guests will enjoy full kitchens, private balconies, ocean views, and plunge pools in select villas. Amenities include a beachfront Asian-Caribbean fusion restaurant, spa, kids’ club, Splash Island Waterpark access, and the “Stay at 1, Play at 5” program. Wellness and water activities abound, while 24/7 butler service ensures effortless relaxation. Early bookings through Jan. 31, 2026, receive up to 25% off stays from Feb. 1 through May 7.
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Dominican Republic at Tropicalia – Projected Opening Early 2026
The new resort will offer sustainable luxury and tropical modernist design on 60 acres of Playa Esmeralda’s beachfront along Samaná Bay. Designed by architect Isay Weinfeld, the 95-key resort and 25 private residences blend elegance with nature. Amenities include a spa, yoga pavilion, racquet sports, kids’ club, and diverse dining options. Guests can enjoy whale watching, sea turtle conservation, and explore Los Haitises National Park. A future Tom Doak golf course and curated native landscaping will enhance the eco-conscious experience. Indoor-outdoor architecture and beachfront views invite travelers to connect deeply with the surrounding natural beauty.
ONE | GT – Projected Opening: Q1 2026
ONE | GT is set to redefine luxury in the heart of George Town, Grand Cayman. Rising 11 stories just steps from the Caribbean Sea, the hotel offers 95 stylish condo-style suites and world-class amenities. Designed by Trio Architecture and featuring interiors by Carolina Hane, the property blends modern sophistication with island vibrancy. Guests can expect rooftop and poolside dining, a fine-dining French-Mediterranean restaurant, an on-site upscale café, and signature service including in-room check-in and private dining. With award-winning architecture and a coveted Small Luxury Hotels of the World™ affiliation, ONE | GT is a bold new icon for Grand Cayman.
Treasure Beach Village – Projected Opening: Spring 2026
Designed for elevated, all-inclusive family escapes, Treasure Beach at Beaches Turks and Caicos is the resort’s newest and most exclusive village. Featuring 11 new villa and suite categories with family-friendly layouts, tropical design, and stunning ocean views, it’s the ultimate coastal retreat. Guests can enjoy seven new dining options and relax by the zero-entry infinity lagoon pool or in private cabanas. With new waterslides, a cinema, and endless beach access, Treasure Beach offers a perfect mix of adventure and relaxation.
The Cormorant at 55 South – Projected Opening: Q1 2026
Silversea, the leader of luxury expedition travel experiences, announced the long-awaited opening of the southernmost hotel in Puerto Williams, Chile. The new 150-room hotel will facilitate a uniquely frictionless journey to Antarctica, allowing guests to enjoy Silversea’s personalized service on the White Continent. Overlooking the Beagle Channel and surrounded by pristine forests, the hotel will offer an expansive restaurant ideal for group gatherings, a bar and lounge, and a fitness center. Drawing inspiration from local traditional art, architecture, and materials, the hotel will blend seamlessly into the surrounding environment and present views of the water and snow-capped Patagonian mountains.
Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Cartagena – Projected Opening Mid 2026
Set in Cartagena’s vibrant Getsemaní neighborhood, just outside the Walled City, Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Cartagena blends colonial charm with modern luxury. Housed in restored colonial and Beaux-Arts landmarks, the hotel offers 131 accommodations, eight dining venues, a rooftop pool, Umari spa, and 635 m² of event space. Guests can enjoy exclusive experiences like salsa lessons, street art workshops, island cruises, and guided nature treks to see rare cotton-top tamarins. From rooftop relaxation to immersive cultural adventures, the hotel invites travelers to discover Colombia’s rich heritage and Caribbean beauty.
The Meliá Collection Lima – Projected opening: July 2026Meliá Hotels International will open its first luxury hotel in Peru with The Meliá Collection Lima, set in Lima’s historic UNESCO-listed city center. The project will launch in two phases: the first in July 2026 with 61 rooms, and the second in July 2027, expanding to 107 rooms. Surrounded by Lima’s rich cultural and architectural heritage, the hotel marks one of the brand’s most iconic developments in the region and is owned by Hoteles Bera, a partnership between the Bernui-Tarazona and Ramos-Bernui families.
The Botany – Projected Opening: Summer 2026
Perched above Botany Bay on St. Thomas’ secluded western tip, The Botany is an intimate new luxury resort opening in summer 2026. Set within a private gated enclave, the property will offer 23 one- to three-bedroom villas blending barefoot elegance with stunning ocean views where the Caribbean meets the Atlantic. Guests can expect a serene spa, two pools, a beach bar, fine dining, and scenic hiking trails. Ideal for travelers seeking privacy and sophistication, The Botany also welcomes full-property buyouts for weddings and retreats, delivering personalized luxury in one of the Virgin Islands’ most untouched corners.
andBeyond Amazon Explorer – Projected Opening: September 2026
Launching in 2026, the andBeyond Amazon Explorer is a luxury river expedition yacht offering immersive journeys through the Peruvian Amazon. Designed with just 15 suites for 32 guests, the yacht blends contemporary comfort with local culture, featuring interiors inspired by Shipibo-Conibo traditions and Kené art. Guests enjoy spa and gym facilities, elegant dining, and an Explorer Center for expert-led briefings. Sailing from Iquitos into the Pacaya Samiria National Reserve, itineraries of 3, 4, or 7 nights include rainforest walks, kayaking, birdwatching, and night safaris, all guided by naturalists and aligned with andBeyond’s conservation and community initiatives.
InterContinental Grenada Resort, Grenada – Projected Opening: Winter 2026
Nestled on the pristine shores of La Sagesse Beach in Grenada, the upcoming InterContinental Grenada Resort by Range Developments promises a world-class luxury escape. Set in a stunning Caribbean setting, the resort will feature 150 rooms, including over 30 private suites, multiple restaurants and bars, a spa, fitness center, pool with bar and grill, plus 6,000 square feet of meeting space and a business center. Designed by Simeon Halsted with interiors by Rana Nasr of Bleu Design Consultants, the resort blends luxury with Grenada’s natural beauty and island charm.
Four Seasons Resort and Residences Caye Chapel, Belize – Projected Opening: 2026
Four Seasons has announced plans to develop Caye Chapel, a 280-acre private island in Belize, into a premier luxury destination. Set along six miles of white sand beaches near the Belize Barrier Reef, the resort will offer 50 Private Estate lots, 35 Private Residences, and 100 guest rooms, including overwater bungalows. Amenities include a Greg Norman-designed 18-hole golf course, marina, private airstrip, beach clubs, wellness facilities, dining, and the Fabien Cousteau Nature and Conservation Institute. Easily accessible by boat or plane, the project is in partnership with Thor Urbana, Inmobilia Desarrollos and GFA Grupo Inmobiliario.
