8 Must-See New Hotels Across Europe, the Middle East and Africa

Across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, a whole host of enticing new hotels have opened their doors to guests. From striking city-centre hubs to lakeside Alpine resorts and South African safari lodges, there's a property here for every type of traveller.

Paragraph Freedom Square, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Tbilisi

Georgia remains a hidden gem, but this historic country at the crossroads of Europe and Asia is fast becoming better known, both for its jaw-droppingly diverse landscape and its lively capital city, Tbilisi. Here you’ll find the new Paragraph Freedom Square, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Tbilisi, the brand's debut in the country – and arguably its first luxury hotel. It’s easy to explore, with the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town a short stroll away, but you might be tempted to stay in instead, lounging by the circular pool while its floor-to-ceiling windows show off the cityscape.

W Edinburgh

Experience the bronze swirling marvel that is the W Edinburgh just off St James Quarter in the heart of the city (Photo: Marriott International) 

Scotland’s capital is abuzz thanks to the arrival of the astounding W Edinburgh hotel. Eye-catching sculpted in bronzed metal, it swirls upwards from the brand-new St James Quarter at the city’s heart and offers a unique rooftop deck with 360-degree views over Edinburgh. Suites are bold, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, standalone bathtubs and a firepit on the balcony – some even come with revolving circular beds for real wow-factor. Don’t miss an eclectic Japanese-Brazilian-Peruvian dinner at 10th-floor SUSHISAMBA, followed by cocktails at speakeasy-style Joao’s Place. There’s also a spa with four treatment rooms themed around the elements of Fire, Earth, Water and Air.

Arabella Alpenhotel Am Spitzingsee, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel

The Arabella Alpenhotel Am Spitzingsee, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel, is nestled in the heart of the Alps in Germany (Photo: Marriott International) 

Fresh mountain air, soothing silence and blissful tranquility combine to make a stay at the Arabella Alpenhotel Am Spitzingsee, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel the escape you’ve been dreaming of. Located at more than 1,000 metres elevation in the Bavarian Alps in Germany, you’re penned in by peaks up here – for skiing through the winter and hiking come snow-melt. Get out and explore before returning for a soak in the thermal baths of the Alpenspa, or to warm up in the sauna, and take a table for dinner at lakeside Spitzing Alm, a Bavarian cabin serving delicious local cuisine.

JW Marriott Hotel Muscat

Take a dip at the JW Marriott Hotel Muscat (Photo: Marriott International)

Spread your wings in a sanctuary of nature, culture and connection to self at the JW Marriott Hotel Muscat in Oman’s vibrant capital. The property immerses you in calm surroundings – from lush gardens and soothing guestrooms to a spa that leads you to a place of harmony and balance. Wander the world through five culinary experiences and let your children explore the depths of their imagination through an immersive Family by JW experience. The hotel's restaurants, fed by the inspiration and ingredients of the JW Garden, capture both local and international flavours. Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite, Titanium Elite, and Ambassador Elite members enjoy access to the exclusive Executive Lounge.

Dorothea Hotel, Budapest, Autograph Collection

The Dorothea Hotel, Budapest, Autograph Collection's stunning architecture has to be seen to be believed (Photo: Marriott International) 

Autograph Collection Hotels debuts in Hungary with the opening of the Dorothea Hotel, Budapest, Autograph Collection, a superbly located address in the heart of Budapest. It’s easy walking distance to the shops of pedestrianized Váci street and the city’s lively Vörösmarty Square, where you’ll find events such as the annual Spring fair and Christmas market. The hotel itself evokes the glamour of the city’s golden age, with its grand facade and elegant interiors. It’s worth staying in for a farm-to-table dinner at Pavilon Restaurant & Bar, which specialises in inventive dishes from carefully sourced ingredients.

Courtyard by Marriott Biel Bienne

Enjoy a cosy, comfortable room at the Courtyard by Marriott Biel Bienne, a mere stone's throw from Bern, Switzerland (Photo: Marriott International) 

There’s an understated chic vibe throughout the new Courtyard by Marriott Biel Bienne in the bilingual Swiss town of Biel/Bienne, its palate of crisp whites and blond woods entirely in keeping with the brand's timeless design aesthetic. You won’t be too distracted from the gorgeous surrounding landscape then, with some of Switzerland’s most beguiling scenery on your doorstep. It’s an easy journey to the shores of Lake Biel/Lake Bienne, for boat trips and bird-spotting on the placid water, and visits to wine-making villages along its northern shore. Back at the hotel, dinner at Bluma is an international affair, with dishes inspired by global cuisine.

Arabella Jagdhof Resort Am Fuschlsee, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel

A stay at the Arabella Jagdhof Resort Am Fuschlsee, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel is enough to make you feel like Austrian royalty (Photo: Marriott International) 

Standing in large, leafy grounds on the shores of Austria's Lake Fuschl, the Arabella Jagdhof Resort Am Fuschlsee, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel offers total relaxation. Book a stay here and you can sink into the 15-metre indoor swimming pool, unkink tired muscles in the suite of saunas or book a massage or reflexology treatment. Many of the bedrooms have balconies or terraces for taking in the bucolic views across the lake, while the gourmet restaurant Fuxbau serves elevated Austrian cuisine by highly regarded chef Johannes Fuchs each dinnertime.

AC Hotel by Marriott, Glasgow

The stunning Hazel bar at the AC Hotel by Marriott, Glasgow (Photo: Marriott International)

The AC Hotel by Marriott, Glasgow couldn’t be better located for enjoying the lively personality of Scotland’s largest city. Standing just off Glasgow’s central George Square, this new four-star hotel shows off the heritage building it's housed in, its best bedrooms featuring original domed windows and tiled fireplaces. You’re within easy reach of all the city’s top attractions here, and just a few moment’s stroll from the Merchant City for boutique shopping and local restaurants. It’s back to the hotel for dinner, though, in the seasonal Scottish restaurant Hazel, which serves dishes made with local produce, such as gin-cured salmon and seared king scallops served with iberico black pudding. 

Published: February 12, 2024