The breathtaking landscapes of Namibia create an unrivaled setting to start this journey through the new accommodations that will make us sleep and dream this year. After restoring and converting the Palacio de Figueras in Asturias or the Son Vell estate on the island of Menorca into exquisite boutique hotels, the Spanish brand Vestige Collection is venturing into Africa with the opening of four lodges in some of the most unknown corners of the African country.
Each of the lodges is located in a different ecological region and together they will form a circuit that will allow travelers to thoroughly explore this country admired for its impressive contrasts. The first to open, in the fall of 2026, will be Xaudum. Located on a sand dune in the Kalahari, in the remote Khaudum National Park, the accommodation is a partnership with local conservation and will provide access to one of the last truly pristine territories on the continent. It is a landscape that is home to abundant antelopes, thriving elephant populations, and elusive packs of wild dogs. It also serves as a gateway to the untamed plains that stretch northward to the Caprivi Strip (vestigecollection.com).
For nature-sensitive guests, 2026 has other surprises in store. We now head to Bolivia to discover what will be the first luxury hotel in the Andean country. Although when we talk about Casa Gastón, located at the foot of the sacred Tunupa volcano with spectacular views of the Salar de Uyuni, it would be more accurate —and much more beautiful— to speak of a habitable home. Designed and conceived by the late artist Gastón Ugalde (1944-2023), recognized as the father of contemporary Bolivian art, this architectural masterpiece is imbued with the idea that art can be transformative.
Starting in March, the opening date, it will feature ten peaceful suites with views of the salt flat and private terraces with access to lithium-rich thermal waters. The hotel will also have art pavilions, a contemplative lobby, a bar, as well as saunas and steam baths. "Casa Gastón is poised to revolutionize the way high-level hospitality is conceived in Bolivia. We have managed to merge art, hospitality, and gastronomy, the latter led by the Aramí restaurant and chef Marcia Taha, recently recognized as one of the most important culinary figures in America and highlighted by the 50 Best guide," the hotel explained to EL MUNDO (casagaston.com).
We will have to wait until the end of the year to experience the Explora El Calafate, just in time to enjoy the summer season in Patagonia. The wait will be worth it. Designed by Chilean architect José Cruz Ovalle, the new lodge of this pioneering exploration and conservation company offers panoramic views of the Perito Moreno Glacier from its windows. The almost 20 rooms or spa with outdoor jacuzzis, massage rooms are almost irrelevant. The essential part is the more than 30 guided experiences for all levels of activity, in the 70,000 hectares surrounding the estate, from glacier hikes and wildlife encounters to the hidden steppe horizons of the Santa Cruz River, the Península de Magallanes Provincial Reserve, and the Chorrillo Malo Valley, each revealing a different facet of the natural beauty of Patagonia (www.explora.com/es).
We stay in the American continent to peek into one of its most exclusive paradises, Los Cabos, in Mexico. For Aman, the hotel brand that combines ultra-luxury and wellness experiences in stunning natural settings, placing its latest stake on the tip of the Baja California peninsula was almost a given. The new Amanvari is located in Costa Palmas, a community facing the Sea of Cortez with a marina for superyachts and a golf course. We know it has only 18 rooms, in addition to private residences, several restaurants, a spa with a temazcal (the traditional Mesoamerican sweat lodge), and an outdoor yoga pavilion (www.aman.com).