Overview
With so many incredible stays opening every year, it takes a surprising amount of work to stay on top of the very best new hotels. Having just published its 20th edition, Travel + Leisure's 'It List' is a helpful starting point, with 100 outstanding properties from around the globe making the final cut, giving you a head start on planning your next luxe getaway.
But don't think you have to jet-set overseas to experience the world's best accommodation. In 2026, four Australian stays placed on the list, spanning creative inner-city hotels to far-flung island escapes. If the latter sounds more appealing, The Sundays demands your attention, offering a truly luxe retreat on Hamilton Island amid the Great Barrier Reef. Think sunrise yoga and award-winning dining — guided by Josh and Julie Niland, no less — overlooking the Coral Sea.
The Sundays, Hamilton Island. Credit: Supplied.
Yet this headline-grabbing destination wasn't the only new stay to land itself a sought-after recommendation. Back amongst the inner-city action, 1 Hotel Melbourne is housed inside (and on top of) the heritage-listed Goods Shed No.5, the last of the unrenovated 1800s goods sheds that once made up Melbourne's busiest port. Nature-led in design, this waterfront property is also home to From Here by Mike — chef Mike McEnearney's produce-driven, low-waste fine diner.
In Sydney, staying in town has likely never been so good, with 25 Hours The Olympia making Travel + Leisure's list. Years in the making, the wait was worth it when the doors finally opened, with the Paddington hotel's eclectic design paying tribute to the halcyon days of cinema, inspired by the grand theatres that once stood on the same site. Meanwhile, four standout food and drink venues, organised by culinary director Mitch Orr, help shape an unforgettable visit.
1 Hotels Melbourne, Docklands. Credit: Mikkel Vang.
Edging back towards the tropics, Mondrian Gold Coast marked the global chain's first Australian property, finding a sun-drenched home in Burleigh Heads. Featuring 208 rooms, suites, beach houses and residences, this sprawling hotel invites guests to relish the idyllic scenery, then head to its assortment of food and beverage venues, spanning the Italian summer vibes of LiTO, the elevated coastal cuisine of Haven and the cocktail-forward Haven Pool Club.
Across the ditch, two of New Zealand's recent hotel launches also received special nods. While Taupo's Huka Lodge opened in 1924, an expansive $22-million renovation has taken the property to a whole new level of luxury. Then, in Queenstown, Roki Collection offers an opulent stay perched on the edge of Lake Wakatipu, featuring 15 suites that provide sweeping glacier and alpine views — with the price to match.
25hours Hotel The Olympia. Credit: Justin Nicholas.
Mondrian Gold Coast. Credit: Mietta Eve.
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Top image: The Sundays, Hamilton Island.