10 hot hotels opening before the end of the year

Believe it or not, the end of 2021 is creeping up quickly.

But as the days get shorter and the temperature gets colder, the hotel world is heating up with some highly anticipated end-of-year openings.

We all know the last two years have been rocky due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These new hotel openings, however — plus properties that debuted this past fall, summer and spring — give us a lot to look forward to.

Each opening on this list is proof that the travel industry is rebounding, and there are so many exciting new places for us to start planning trips to as the world continues to reopen.

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.

From snowy hotels with ski slopes and hot chocolate to sun-filled beach resorts perfect for escaping the approaching winter with a margarita in hand, each of these new hotels should be on your radar as we start to put 2021 to bed.

Montage Big Sky

One of the most anticipated hotel openings of the year, Montage Big Sky will bring 139 luxurious new hotel rooms, suites and residences to Montana when it officially opens on Dec. 15.

The first luxury resort to open in Big Sky, this Montage property will give fans of the great outdoors something to look forward to, including ski-in, ski-out access to more than 5,8000 snow-packed acres for skiers and snowboarders to enjoy, plus snow tubing and snow biking. Come spring, there's also access to three rivers for fly fishing and entry to the Spanish Peaks Mountain Club's 18-hole golf course.

If that’s not enough, there’s an indoor pool, 10,000-square-foot spa with heated plunge pools, Pelotons, a bowling alley and kids club with plenty of activities.

Bookings at Montage Big Sky seem pretty steady ahead of the opening, with dates in December and January already sold out. A recent call to the resort founds rooms starting at $1,595 per night (before taxes) and the opportunity to save 15% on the best available rate by booking 45 days in advance.

Reykjavík Edition

It didn’t seem like Iceland could get any better — and then Ian Schrager announced that Edition, his ultra-sleek and luxurious concept brand, was setting up shop in the capital city.

Opening Nov. 2, the Reykjavík Edition is a five-star addition right on the water and near Laugavegur Street, the city’s main shopping area. The Edition brings its laidback cool (and signature scent) into 253 chic rooms, an Icelandic restaurant and a bar, spa, gym and nightlife areas.

A Category 8 Marriott Bonvoy property, the most expensive rooms at the Reykjavík Edition can cost between 70,000 points a night on off-peak nights and 100,000 points on peak nights — at least before Marriott ditches its award chart. A search found standard room rates around $410 per night all the way to $2,876 for an ocean view corner suite.

Four Seasons Napa

The only Napa-area resort smack in the middle of a working winery, the Four Seasons Napa is an upscale “farmhouse-chic” destination where the views are stunning and the wine is plentiful.

Located in Calistoga, California, this 85-room resort has two pools, a fitness center offering classes and an outdoor fitness deck, bocce ball courts and bicycle rentals guests can use to explore the area. The Spa Talisa offers specialized “seed-to-skin” treatments that incorporate grape seeds and olive oil produced on property for a hyper-local experience.

For food, Truss Restaurant and Bar serves a seasonal, farm-inspired menu at indoor and outdoor tables overlooking the pool and vineyards, and Campo Poolside serves California-style Mexican food by the water. To take full advantage of the resort’s location, Elusa Winery brings the grape-to-glass literally to your doorstep while winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown offers wine tasting sessions on-property to help guests learn more about the flavors of Napa.

The Tasman, Hobart

Australia may still be relatively closed off to the world, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t gearing up for this big hotel opening. Marriott is bringing its first Luxury Collection property down under to Hobart, the capital of Tasmania, with the Dec. 1 opening of The Tasman, Hobart.

Set in a series of heritage buildings dating back to the 1840s, The Tasman will restore original elements such as windows, floorboards and fireplaces across its communal spaces and 152 guestrooms.

Inside the Parliament Square-area hotel, Peppina offers an Italian-influenced food menu; Deco Lounge gives travelers and locals a place to sit indoors or out for tea and light bites; and Mary Mary, a secret cocktail bar, is where folks in the know will head for a delicious beverage.

Until Marriott moves to dynamic award pricing, rates for this Category 5 property currently start at 30,000 points per night for off-peak dates, 35,000 points on standard nights and 40,000 for peak nights.

Thompson Central Park

Hyatt has been on a Thompson opening spree lately, with new properties opening up coast to coast. And the one we're most excited about right now in the heart of New York City.

Located steps away from Central Park, Carnegie Hall and other must-visit attractions, Thompson Central Park is bringing its sophisticated-cool character to the somewhat stuffy streets of Midtown. Inspired by the building's musical history — it was once home to recording studios — expect live music, at times, and a musical motif throughout.

In early November, the first section of the hotel will open, including 250 guest rooms and suites alongside a handful of dining options: Burger Joint, a Midtown staple, and SRO (Standing Room Only), a coffee bar in the morning and a cocktail bar when the sun sets.

In 2022, the hotel will introduce more dining options, plus a new series of luxury rooms and suites called "The Upper Stories" with incredible views, premium amenities and a lounge.

Thompson Central Park is a World of Hyatt Category 5 hotel with award nights starting at 20,000 points. Don’t forget, World of Hyatt’s peak pricing changes went into effect on Oct. 26.

Le Belgrand Hotel Paris Champs-Élysées, Tapestry Collection

Paris is not short on hotels and, in fact, a handful opened over the last several months while borders were closed to many travelers due to COVID-19.

Now, if getting back across the Atlantic isn’t enough reason to visit France, the Le Belgrand Hotel Paris Champs-Élysée sure will be when it opens its door in November and becomes Hilton’s sixth new opening in the country this year.

Part of Hilton’s Tapestry Collection, this 46-room hotel is a short walk from the iconic Arc de Triomphe and is an ode to the beauty, art and architecture of the City of Light.

The pet-friendly hotel offers fresh coffee and tea in The Lounge to caffeinate before a day of exploring. Afterward, rest your head in any of the well-appointed rooms, but the queen duplex rooms are especially charming, offering a living room with a chic spiral staircase leading up to a bed below a skylight.

Currently, Hilton isn't showing award availability until April 2022, though a spokesperson for the property said it's on track to open in November as scheduled. For April, awards range from 41,000 to 102,000 Hilton Honors points for a standard room reward. Cash rates fluctuate between roughly $161 to $246.

Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth

Touted as the only full-service resort on the Caribbean island of St. Barth, the November opening of this high-end property is breathing new life into the historic Le Guanahani, which was open from 1986 until 2017.

With Rosewood’s takeover of the 18-acre resort set on a private peninsula, travelers can opt for one of 66 rooms, suites and villas to call home before exploring the luxury resort's wide range of amenities, including two beach areas, two pools, the Sense Spa, a tennis court, immersive children’s programming and more.

At Beach House St. Barth, a new style of experiential dining has guests visiting different parts of what is, essentially, a private beachfront home, depending on what time of the day you visit. For drinks, Bar Mélangé serves house-distilled spirits and refined cocktails in a setting that transitions from a casual day spot into a lively bar for cocktail hour or a tropical nightcap.

The Loutrel

Charleston, one of the most beloved cities in the U.S., is getting even better, thanks to the Nov. 1 opening of The Loutrel, a charming 50-room boutique hotel in the Historic District.

Inspired by the city’s lush greenery and Lowcountry location, the Loutrel is charming, stately and Instagram-ready. With a handful of rooms to choose from, including five suites and rooms with views of the Ravenel Bridge, try to snag a balcony room. The hotel, located close to shopping on King Street, also offers a state-of-the-art fitness center with Peloton bikes.

Hotel guests have access to a private lounge with local snacks and treats while Veranda Lounge, open to the public, serves botanical-inspired cocktails in a setting evoking one of Charleston’s iconic pastimes: sitting on the front porch. And at the rooftop lounge, cocktails are served best with sweeping views of the Holy City.

Hilton Cancun, An All-Inclusive Resort

The world is currently crazy for all-inclusive resorts, partly due to the comfort and security they can offer travelers amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic — and hotel brands are betting big on them.

Hilton is no exception, and the recently-opened Hilton Cancun, An All-Inclusive Resort is one that’s drawing the attention of Hilton loyalists and travelers seeking something new on the Yucatan Penninsula.

Opening Nov. 7, this mega all-inclusive has more than 700 rooms set on 100 acres of beachfront about 19 miles away from the nonstop party of the Hotel Zone.

Designed for family vacations, romantic getaways and everything in between, the all-inclusive package includes all meals across 12 restaurants, drinks at three bars plus in-room minibars and premium wine and liquors, 24-hour room service and unlimited ice cream and churros.

Guests can also join in on live entertainment and activities, get fit at the state-of-the-art gym or join a yoga class, take out a nonmotorized water vehicle or unwind at one of two infinity pools. For families, there’s a kid’s pool area and splash playground as well as clubs for kids and teenagers.

With plenty of dates already selling out leading up into the holiday season, a search for a room for two adults in January averaged about 95,000 Hilton Honors points per night, though some December and November nights maxed out at 196,000. January cash rates for Hilton Honors members could cost about $557 for a resort view king, inclusive of all taxes and fees.

Aman New York

Arguably the most exciting hotel opening in New York City, we’re not entirely convinced this ultra-luxe Fifth Avenue hotel will open its doors in 2021, as anticipated.

But good things are worth the wait, and Aman New York promises only the best.

With 83 rooms in the historic Crown Building, the first home of the Museum of Modern Art, Aman is bringing its legendary service to Manhattan, along with a three-story spa with an indoor swimming pool and Aman’s first urban private residences, some with infinity pools overlooking Central Park.

Guests and locals can take in the views at Garden Terrace’s 7,000 square feet of outdoor space, imbibe at Jazz Bar and dine at one of two restaurants: Arva, serving Italian food, and Nama, inspired by the Japanese dining tradition washoku.