*Image courtesy of Santa Marina, A Luxury Collection Resort, Mykonos*

This month’s hotel lineup brings a mix of new beginnings and old-world charm — from the first-ever Orient Express hotel in Rome to the chic Waldorf Astoria in Osaka. Read on for the freshest new stays to add to your travel list.

Orient Express La Minerva

The first-ever Orient Express hotel hits the tracks in Rome — and it’s a stunner. Its setting in Piazza della Minerva, just steps from the Pantheon, feels like a well-kept secret in the heart of the centro storico. Housed in a 17th-century noble residence just behind the Pantheon, La Minerva mixes aristocratic old-world glamour with quirky train-inspired touches — think steamer-trunk nightstands, vintage record players and cloud-soft Italian linens once used on original train carriages. No two rooms are alike, and all are lovingly detailed by designer Hugo Toro, with hand-painted ceilings, Murano glass and a warm, Roman palette. Breakfast is served on the rooftop at trendy Gigi Rigolatto, and there’s a Japanese restaurant, speakeasy and pâtisserie on the way.

Fora Perks include $100 hotel credit, daily breakfast, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.

Santa Marina, A Luxury Collection Resort, Mykonos reopens May 9

Perched on a private peninsula, Santa Marina is the only resort on Mykonos with its own sandy beach — no pebbles, no crowds, just calm, swimmable waters and cushioned cabanas that float above the Aegean. Owned by the same local family for over four decades, the resort pairs warm, intuitive service with high-end touches: villas with private pools, deep walk-in closets, bamboo four-posters and standout dining at Buddha Bar Beach and Elais.

It’s both chic and family-friendly, with a kids’ pool, a small whitewashed chapel for weddings and spacious suites that work just as well for couples as they do for multigenerational getaways. Look forward to enhanced rooms, the new HydraFacial at the Ginkgo Spa and a lineup of fun activities, from tennis to watersports

Fora’s Marriott STARS perks include $100 hotel credit, welcome amenity, daily breakfast, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.

Viceroy at Ombria Algarve now taking summer bookings

*Image courtesy of Viceroy at Ombria Algarve*

Viceroy at Ombria Algarve is the perfect stylish escape for your summer vacation, tucked into the green rolling hills of Southern Portugal. This 370-acre retreat feels like its own Portuguese village, with whitewashed buildings, colorful azulejos, sprawling olive groves and pieces by local artisans. Rooms are filled with handwoven rugs and custom headboards made from the trees cleared during construction.

With six dining spots (yes, there's pastel de nata at Café Central), four pools, a golf course with stunning views and a Kid’s Club offering fun activities like cooking classes in a mini kitchen — there’s plenty to keep everyone busy. (Portugal is one of the best European trips for families.) For something a little different, try your hand at pottery, tile painting or baking bread with the hotel chefs.

Fora Perks include a complimentary wine tasting for two, $100 hotel credit, daily breakfast, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.

SLS Barcelona

Stylish, bold and unapologetically glamorous, SLS Barcelona is the newest name on Barcelona’s luxury hotel scene. This five-star urban resort marks the brand’s European début, bringing its signature mix of playful opulence and party-ready energy to the Port Fòrum waterfront.

Enter through a neon-pink tunnel-turned-catwalk, then head up to your suite — every one has a private balcony and most come with sea views. Interiors are surreal and theatrical, with mirrored walls, sculptural furniture and bold pops of colour. Days here are all about poolside lounging, spa time and rooftop cocktails at Cósmico, while nights come alive across six bars and restaurants, from seafood with a side of DJ sets to late-night bites at Bar L’Anxova Divina.

Fora’s Accor Preferred perks include $100 hotel credit, daily breakfast, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.

Fairmont La Hacienda Costa del Sol

Fairmont La Hacienda, which opened in February, is Costa del Sol’s chic new retreat — tucked into the quieter end of the coastline near Sotogrande, about an hour from Marbella. Sprawled across a hillside with front-row views of the Mediterranean and direct access to La Alcaidesa beach, a golden 2.5-mile stretch, the striking terraced architecture and earthy design palette blend beautifully into the landscape.

Inside, spacious rooms (the smallest clocks in at 560 square feet) come with sea, pool or golf-course views. (Golfers will love the iconic course, ranked among the best in Spain). You’ll love the natural materials like Campaspero limestone, noble woods, jute and linen, plus sun-soaked terraces. The LEED-certified resort takes sustainability seriously — they even calculate the carbon footprint of each dish before it hits your plate.

Fora’s Accor Preferred perks include $100 hotel credit, daily breakfast, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.

Six Bells Hotel accepting reservations from June 1

The Six Bells is a charming, storybook country inn in Hudson Valley. Housed in a three-story building dating back to 1850, the inn features 11 uniquely designed rooms featuring canopy beds, archival wallpaper and pine cladding.

The inn’s tavern, The Feathers, serves hearty, early-American-inspired dishes that celebrate the region’s culinary history, while the riverside restaurant offers views of Rondout Creek. The Six Bells is an extension of the Brooklyn country design brand founded by Audrey Gelmen, bringing guests a curated experience of vintage treasures and classic country style. Pro tip: Don’t miss the inn’s murder mystery weekends.

Waldorf Astoria Osaka

Waldorf Astoria’s long-awaited début in Japan lands in Osaka’s up-and-coming Umekita district, occupying the top floors of the Grand Green Osaka South building. Designed by renowned designer André Fu (of Upper House Hong Kong and Capella Singapore), it’s a stunning fusion of Art Deco glamour and serene Japanese minimalism, with washi paper panels, kumiko woodwork and a seven-meter-high lobby that feels like stepping into a glowing lantern.

Rooms are among the largest in the city, with walk-in closets, plush seating and panoramic city views. Details delight at every turn: personalized pyjama sets, marble bathrooms with Aesop products and minibars stocked with local goodies. Dining is exceptional. French-meets-Japanese brasserie Jolie serves dishes like Kyoto duck confit, while Tsukimi prepares ultra-rare Tajima Wagyu teppanyaki. Peacock Alley offers Champagne and afternoon tea beneath chandeliers, and Canes & Tales is a chic speakeasy with Fitzgerald-inspired cocktails and skyline views.

Fora’s Hilton for Luxury perks include $100 hotel credit, daily breakfast and an upgrade whenever possible.

Original article

Whats new in May: Sun-Soaked Mediterranean Retreats, Countryside Inns & Urban Showstoppers