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Val d'Isère, France
The French Alps town of the moment is undeniably Val d'Isère, a longtime favorite for its superb ski options, including more than 300km of trails of varying intensity, heli-skiing offerings, and an abundance of off-piste routes. Right near the Italian border, the town is also beloved for its laid-back, traditional ski town vibe, but the hotel scene here was lacking until the 2020 arrival of luxury, ski-in, ski-out property Airelles Val d'Isère, a five-star hotel with a Guerlain spa and amazing restaurants including an Italian trattoria and an outpost of Nobu. Rounding out the previously slim hotel offerings is the brand-new Experimental Chalet Val d'Isère, which opened in early December and has the brand’s signature colorful-cool interiors, plus pretty reasonable rates (for a European ski resort). For more Val d'Isère recs, follow French tastemaker Laura Vidrequin Roso. When to Go: December through early April for skiing
Switzerland
We’re really feeling the mountains this year, and it seems hoteliers are, too, as there are even more high-altitude retreats that have recently swung open their doors in Switzerland. First is the very trendy Drei Berge Hotel & Restaurant, a Wes Anderson–esque property in the Swiss town of Mürren from Ramdane Touhami, the creative genius behind French beauty brand Buly 1803. The 19-room hideaway puts a modern spin on the traditional mountain chalet, with fun patterns alongside traditional woodwork, and a focus on the outdoors, with skiing in winter and hiking in summer. Over in Adelboden (1 hour by car from Bern), you’ll find the 22-room Brecon, a chic new stay with a pampering spa, Art Deco outdoor pool, sauna, and seasonal culinary program (with all meals already included in the room rate). It’s a blissful spot for a few days of R&R, both in summer and in winter. When to Go: November through March for skiing, June through September for hiking
Bornholm, Denmark
The most enticing, laid-back summer destination for us this year is the Danish island of Bornholm, a low-key escape and the go-to resort isle for Danes (including local tastemaker Hanna Stefansson—follow her for her Bornholm recs). Reached by fast ferry from Denmark, Sweden, and Germany, Bornholm is an idyllic, family-friendly summer locale, referred to as the “sunshine island” (Bornholm’s harborside town of Svaneke is the sunniest place in Denmark). Days here are spent exploring by bike, dining on fresh seafood, and unwinding at expansive, white-sand beaches like Dueodde Beach. There’s a major culinary destination, the seaside, one-Michelin-starred Kadeau, and advance reservations are highly recommended, as you can’t come to Bornholm and miss having a meal here. Accommodations-wise, there’s the new Eco Beach Camp, which offers a low-key glamping experience, as well as many rental homes, where you can affordably spend a week or more. When to Go: May through September
Bangkok, Thailand
Thailand’s capital of Bangkok is a dizzying metropolis, a place that can take time to unpack (and to get around: it’s notorious for bad traffic). But it’s also rife with creativity, from a dynamic culinary scene to burgeoning arts offerings, including wave-making contemporary art center Bangkok Kunsthalle, run by a Thai philanthropist and a former Hauser & Wirth director. On the hotel front, there’s the uber-luxe Capella Bangkok, but also the new Soho House, the latter of which opened in 2023 and is contributing to the city’s recent creative renaissance. Perhaps most relevant right now is the fact that Thailand is the setting of season three of White Lotus, which debuts in February. Set on Koh Samui, one of Thailand’s 1,430 islands, the show is certain to kick-off a surge in tourism for the country (as it did for season two’s setting, Sicily). We recommend planning your trip to Bangkok and a nearby island ASAP, before the crowds descend. When to Go: November through March
Rome, Italy
Italy’s most classic city has been bucking tradition as of late, with a seemingly neverending influx of new hotels. In recent years, Rome has welcomed properties including the boutique Casa Monti, a whimsical hotel designed by Laura Gonzalez, and the wellness-focused Six Senses Rome. The coming year will see even more five-star debuts, including the just-opened, Zaha Hadid–designed Hotel ROMEO Roma, as well as mid-2025 arrivals the Corinthia Rome and Orient Express La Minerva, the latter of which is the Orient Express brand’s first hotel and will be an elegant, Art Deco stay set in an old palazzo. Also arriving later in the year: a stylish and affordable new property from the Experimental hotel group. When to Go: Year-round
Cairo, Egypt
It’s not often that a museum can singlehandedly thrust a destination into the spotlight, but Cairo’s hugely anticipated Grand Egyptian Museum has done just that. Under construction and eagerly awaited for more than a decade, the museum dedicated to Ancient Egypt has cost more than $1 billion to construct, and is the largest archaeological museum in the world (spanning an area the equivalent of 90 football fields). While it’s not officially open, the museum launched a soft opening in October 2024 that gives visitors access to most of the galleries (but notably not the King Tut galleries). The full opening hasn’t yet been announced, but it can’t be far behind. When to Go: October through April
Byron Bay, Australia
Australia’s capital of laid-back cool is Byron Bay, a surf town just a one-hour flight from Sydney that’s become known as a hideaway for some of Australia’s most famous celebrities. But it couldn’t be further from Hollywood as it’s one of the most down-to-earth resort towns in the world, a blissfully low-key destination with rolling farmland, beaches prime for surfing, farm-to-table restaurants, and retro-cool hotels (plus, admittedly, very beautiful people). In recent years, the hotel landscape has blossomed, with cool new additions that are laid-back and not overly fussy, including the 10-suite, Mediterranean-inspired Raes Guesthouses, which opened in November and is the sister hotel to beloved local institution Raes on Wategos. Our other favorite properties include the retro-cool resort Sun Ranch—owned by Julia Ashwood, who’s shared all her local recs on AmiGo—and motel-chic property The Sunseeker. Book one of these, or rent a house for a month for a truly restorative vacation. When to Go: October through April
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