The five hotels below are our Inspectors’ nominees for the inaugural Opening of the Year Award presented by UOB — part of a series of awards announced this summer, with winners to be revealed along with the new global Key distinctions on Oct. 8, 2025.
There’s a reason a brand-new hotel feels so electric. When a hotelier makes this leap, you can be sure they have a fresh vision: to carve out an original niche, appeal to a new kind of traveler, or present the destination in a different light.
Each nominee below has been open for less than 12 months. Despite their recent arrival on the scene, they are already at the top of their class — chosen by our Inspectors for their excellence across all facets of hospitality, living up to what was often a mammoth sense of anticipation and delivering even beyond expectations.
Aman Nai Lert — Bangkok, Thailand
What it's all about: A sanctuary in conversation with local history — rising from a rare green center of the city.
Every new Aman carries a sense of anticipation. Aman Nai Lert marks the brand’s return to Thailand — its birthplace — for the first time since 1988. While the inaugural Aman made its home on the shores of Phuket, and later properties found similarly majestic natural settings, more recent openings in Tokyo and New York proved that Aman could transform a city into an oasis as well as any island. In Bangkok, they’ve done it again. Frequent Aman designer Jean-Michel Gathy was aided by a location in the historic Nai Lert Park, a green estate at the center of the dense metropolis.
With just 52 rooms, guests can expect the legendary personal service long associated with Aman, a robust dining program with several venues exclusive to guests and residents, and wellness facilities — in typical Aman fashion — that sprawl over two floors, complete with detox program designed in collaboration with tennis star Novak Djokovic.
Named for the developer often credited with shaping modern Bangkok, the hotel was created in close partnership with the fourth generation of Nai Lert’s descendants. Its design nods to the adjacent Heritage Home while offering guided tours of the estate, nearby museums and virtually any site in the city.
Defining features:
- Omakase and teppanyaki dining, cigar bar and Aman Lounge.
- Outdoor pool, spa treatments, movement studio and hair & nail salon.
- 52 suites with floor-to-ceiling windows or outdoor terraces.
Collegio alla Querce, Auberge Resorts Collection — Florence, Italy
Who stays here: A careful renovation of a cultural institution, now a romantic retreat just outside the bustle of the city.
The rolling hills of Tuscany are no stranger to standout hotels — to make a splash in one of the world’s most breathtaking destinations requires fortitude and a keen eye for novelty. Auberge Resorts rose to the challenge, transforming the Collegio alla Querce into a sophisticated Tuscan retreat that captures the spirit of the countryside and combines it with enviable proximity to Florence.
To call the institution that once stood here a mere boarding school would be reductive. In buildings dating to the original 16th-century palazzo that first stood on the site, some of Europe’s most elite students passed through this school for nearly a century and a half. The closing in 1999 left a gap in the cultural landscape, and the UNESCO-recognized buildings forlorn. Enter Auberge, whose careful renovation preserved stonework, frescoes and coffered ceilings, as well as a chapel and theatre — complete with original balcony seats — that now serve as special event spaces. At the inauguration of the new hotel, alumni returned for a deeply moving ceremony on the gorgeously restored grounds.
Also worth noting are the former headmaster's room, now a stylish cocktail lounge, and the most exclusive suite, Residenza la Quercia, which spans multiple floors, two living rooms and a terrace that shows off the best of Tuscany — right down to the unmistakable Duomo.
Defining features:
- Dozens of bespoke experiences, from private tours to cooking classes and wine tastings.
- Aelia Spa with a garden pool, private treatments, and meditation and yoga classes.
- Complimentary shuttle service to the center of Florence.
The Burman Hotel — Tallinn, Estonia
What it’s all about: A 17-room boutique that delivers on the scale of a much larger hotel, a center for dining and entertainment in the heart of UNESCO-recognized Old Town.
The lore of the Burman dates back 150 years, but its reinvention heralds an obsessive attention to detail that should draw both business travelers and urban explorers in Tallinn. Expect the same level of service and amenities offered at any top hotel brand, at a much lower price point.
Onsite is the Bombay Club casino — though this is no typical casino hotel. This one is the pinnacle of class, elegance and refinement, with interiors garnished with tasteful accents. The 17 rooms pair high tech with high luxury: handmade mattresses, ultra-luxe Amouage bath amenities, stunning bathrooms and control panels for blinds, lights and temperature.
Beyond the rooms, guests will find a full-service spa and three restaurants. Koyo and Shang Shi are distinctive and MICHELIN-selected, while Maison François specializes in fresh breads and pastries prepared daily.
Defining features:
- Full-service spa with robust menu of treatments, Japanese bath and jacuzzi.
- Two MICHELIN-selected restaurants: Koyo and Shang Shi.
- Onsite Bombay Club casino complex.
Le Mouflon D'Or — Corsica, France
What it’s all about: In a mountain setting better known for strenuous hiking, a deeply personal introduction to Corsica with every comfort.
This mountainous region in southern Corsica is better known for hiking trails, but the brand-new Le Mouflon D’Or is now one of its rare luxury hotels. It’s perfect for travelers who prefer their communion with the natural — surrounded by cedars and chestnut trees — alongside homemade breakfast, concierge service and, coming soon, a spa.
First built in 1926, the May 2025 reopening introduced a hotel that feels deeply personal. The passion project of married owners Lise Canarelli and Anthony Bornea, it was once a casual summer retreat with a local pool and gardens; today, it’s been transformed with respect for that beloved era still remembered fondly by locals. The original pool has been restored, and the building retains its historic splendor.
A place of revelatory moments from morning to night, the property makes an impression the moment you pass through its large gates, where nature frames a breathtaking view of the main house. At reception, the grand arches suggest something of a monastery, and the 20 rooms and two stone cottages radiate charm, filled with antiques, vintage furniture and unique found objects. At A Népita restaurant, local fare is enjoyed under a glass roof overlooking the cedars — make sure you’re here for sunset.
Defining features:
- An intimate bar and lounge with fireplace, as well as a pool bar overlooking the estate.
- Exclusive access to a spa and private beach at the nearby Grand Hôtel de Cala Rossa.
- 1,200-square-meter Spa Nucca planned for 2026.
Cheval Blanc Seychelles — Takamaka, Seychelles
What it’s all about: A masterpiece of design and exclusivity, this is the only hotel on the wild beach of Anse Intendance on Mahé Island.
Mahé’s pristine Anse Intendance is an untamed stretch of sand in the Seychelles archipelago, hugged by lush jungle, granite hills and the sparkling Indian Ocean. In the midst of such beauty are the 52 villas of Cheval Blanc Seychelles, each with a private pool. But what makes this such a unique find in the Seychelles is designer Jean-Michel Gathy’s vision: incorporating principles of local architecture while constantly blurring the lines between indoor and outdoor.
The result is a profound immersion in the island’s nature and culture, supplemented by tapestry pieces by Madagascan artist Joël Andrianomearisoa. For a beach resort of this level, inventory is limited — making for utmost seclusion in one of the dreamiest escapes in the world.
Defining features:
- Six restaurants offering Japanese, Mediterranean, Creole and Italian cuisine, including the signature Le 1974, which shares a name with its Three-Star sister restaurant in France.
- Cheval Blanc Spa with bespoke treatments, relaxation rituals, sauna and hammam.
- Dedicated kids' club, Le Carrousel, with two pools and a hidden treasure theme.
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Hero Image: Cheval Blanc Seychelles, a Jean-Michel Gathy designed retreat.
