Bulgari Hotel & Residences, London
2012 looks all set to be a good year for fashion house-owned hotels, with Armani thought to be opening in Marrakech at some point. And whilst the good people over at Bulgari have been keeping a little tight-lipped about details of their 2012 London opening, if its anything like its elder sisters Bulgari Milan and Bulgari Bali, itll be absolutely gorgeous.
When? Spring 2012
Where? 171 Knightsbridge, London
More details: Bulgarihotels.com
Hotel Selman, Marrakech
With a hotel list that includes LHotel, Hotel Bourg Tibourg and Hotel Costes in Paris, its hard to ignore a new Jacques Garcia hotel. This Marrakech offering from the French designer comes off the back of his work reviving the citys grande dame, La Mamounia, and with a couple of restaurants, a spa and a stable of Arab horses for guests use on a 15-acre plot on the outskirts of Marrakech, it is by all accounts going to be luxe-y and lovely in equal measures.
When? March 2012
Where? Marrakech
More details: Gla-hotel-operator.com
Delicious Hotel, Franschhoek
Taking the price point down a notch or two, the five rooms at Delicious Hotel (which actually soft-launched in December 2011) are fun in design with bright, bubble-gum splashes of turquoise, pink and green. Most importantly, though, theyre very reasonably priced starting from around £37 per night which means you can enjoy Franschhoeks fab wine and food (some of the best in South Africa) without too many budget worries.
When? January 2012
Where? 11 Wilhelmina Street, Franschhoek
More details: Delicioushotels.com
Hotel Modern, New Orleans
Klaus Ortlieb, one of the forces behind the stunning Cooper Square Hotel (now the Standard East Village) in New York, is set to re-launch Hotel le Cirque in 2012. Things that piqued our interest? Its likely to be an informal set-up: theyre doing away with a conventional reception area and check-in, and instead will be seeing guests to their room with a glass of wine and a tour of the premises; plus, in keeping with the seamy Nawlins vibe, the hotel will also put on regular burlesque nights. But its the restaurant, Tamarind a Vietnamese-French joint from renowned local chef Dominique Macquet thats really getting foodies worked up over there.
When? Opening date has not been set yet
Where? 936 St. Charles Avenue, New Orleans
More details: Thehotelmodern.com
The Siam, Bangkok
While Bangkok is due a new Sofitel and the Oriental Residence in the next 12 months, the most exciting new hotel in 2012 has to be The Siam. A collaboration between Krissada Sukosol Clapp and interior/landscape designer Bill Bensley, its already looking like a gorgeous blend of colonial chic styling think high ceilings with whirring fans, dark wood floors and floaty white curtains to go with some lovely gardens and a regal riverside location.
When? Spring 2012
Where? Thanon Khao, Vachirapayabal, Dusit, Bangkok 10300
More details: Thesiamhotel.com
Five More New Hotel Openings in 2012 to Watch Out for
ME London: Another year, another new London hotel... While the Shangri-La looks fun for its Shard location and The Wellesley is going all out for six stars, if the ME London is anything like its Madrid counterpart, itll be the best new hotel to open in the capital in 2012.
Castello di Casole, Tuscany: Whats not to like about a grand Tuscan castle surrounded by vineyards, orchards and cypress avenues?
Lord Balfour, Miami: Due to open in winter 2012, the Lord Balfour looks like its going to bring a fair dollop of quirky chic to South Beach.
The Magdalen Chapter, Exeter: After last years well-received launch of the Montpellier Chapter in Cheltenham, were looking forward to seeing the Exeter arm open in late Spring 2012.
Soho House Somewhere? There are more than a few whispers about new Soho Houses in the pipeline in 2012. And if thats the case, all bets are off its almost guaranteed to be our pick of the bunch.
Like our pick of the best new hotels of 2012? Check out some of our favourites of last year's new hotels in London.