KAPARA’s favourite hotel openings from across our destinations
From beachfront luxury to hillside hideaways, Asia and more remote destinations are having a standout moment when it comes to new and exciting hotel openings.
With many of our partners based in India, Sri Lanka and Africa, as well as Chile and Peru, let’s dive in and find out more about our pick of the hottest hotels for 2025...
Sri Lanka
Uga Halloowella, Hatton
Looking to stay in the very heart of the tea country? Found in a 250-acre estate is Uga Escapes’ latest edition, centrally located within the Halloowella tea estate and with stunning views across the highlands and Castlereagh reservoir. Designed by architect Channa Daswatte, Geoffrey Bawa’s most famed student, this luxurious bungalow includes an infinity pool, spa treatments and standout Sri Lankan cuisine.
With six large suites complete with four-poster beds, guests are perfectly positioned to take on the Pekoe trail, while other nearby activities include kayaking sessions and cooking classes.
The best part? That morning cup of tea is going to taste rather incredible...
Date of opening: January 2025
Uga Prāva, Tangalle
Another outstanding property from the Uga hotel group, Uga Prāva can be found along the Tangalle coastline, and offers residents of its seven exclusive minimalist suites a private beach, restaurant, and infinity pool that seems to flow directly into the Indian Ocean itself.
Mixing clean aesthetics with its tropical surroundings, the property has been inspired by the neighbouring jungle and ocean. With the name ‘prāva’ originating from the Sanskrit word for coral, this stunning property honours nature while offering a truly indulgent stay.
Date of opening: May 2025
Uga Prāva, Tangalle
India
Raffles, Jaipur
An iconic brand since its first hotel opening in Singapore in 1887, the latest project from Accor saw the opening of a 50-room pure white marble palace in the outskirts of this stunning city.
Blending the rich history of Rajasthani craftsmanship with opulent touches, this treasure trove of a building offers guests hot and cold mineral baths, large balconies overlooking the Aravalli Hills, plunge pools and an impressive Indian dining menu.
Decorated with the brand’s signature palm trees, this is the ideal spot for guests to relax and refresh after a long day of exploring the many sights and activities on offer in Jaipur.
Date of opening: July 2024
Ran Baas the Palace, Patiala
An authentic Maharaja palace and formally a guesthouse of the royal family of the kingdom of Patiala, this 35-suite hotel is nestled in the 10-acre fort complex of Qila Mubarak. Meticulously restored and transformed into a luxurious boutique hotel, this former royal holiday home features a mixture of eccentric and bold statement pieces alongside sophisticated interiors and beautiful frescoes. With beautiful patio spaces and gardens, and a sumptuous spa, this is a luxurious location to retreat away from the busy streets.
A Relais & Chateaux property, guests can soak up palace life with touches of royalty throughout, and dine on exceptional flavours in the property’s two restaurants. Ideal after long days discovering the local history, traditional markets and cookery classes.
Date of opening: November 2024
Oberoi Vindhyavilas Wildlife Resort, Bandhavgarh
Set moments from the Bandhavgarh National Park and Tiger Reserve, the Oberoi Vindhyavilas Wildlife Resort offer luxurious tents with private gardens, and villas with private pools.
With the highest density of tigers found anywhere in the world, this national park is spread across over 1500 square km, offering visitors the chance to see Royal Bengal tigers, elephants, leopards, exotic birds and much more. Now, after days spent exploring the reserve, this new resort offers the perfect location to kick back and relax.
Led by naturalist Ratna Singh, this sprawling hideaway offers an authentic experience where guests can enjoy a luxury lifestyle while surrounded by nature. Verandas lead directly out onto terraces, while regional dishes are served by the lake.
Date of opening: March 2025
Oberoi Vindhyavilas Wildlife Resort, Bandhavgarh
Africa
Kutandala Camp, North Luangwa, Zambia
The safari pioneers behind Musekese Camp, Kutali Island Camp and more, Classic Zambia are venturing into the North Luangwa National Park with their new camp Kutandala.
Nearby, the South Luangwa has gained fame for epic walking safaris, whilst the North Luangwa remains untouched and rarely explored. Yet, with incredible wildlife and none of the crowds, it deserves its place on the safari map without a doubt. Spend days seeking out black rhino, lion and leopard, exploring the rivers and bush for birdlife and abundant elephant herds (the park is home to Zambia’s highest density of elephant).
The camp itself has just five tents made of canvas and reed, tucked into the riverine woodland along the Mwaleshi river. Classic Zambia have always put the quality of guides, location and experience at the forefront at all of their operations, as well as opening up the less trodden paths for intrepid safari-goers.
Date of opening: September 2025
Chicari Camp, Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique
The allure of Gorongosa’s rugged landscapes has made it a feature of Attenborough documentaries, but seldom visited, until now. After decades of civil war, the past 20 years have been dedicated to conserving this wild park and make it a welcoming home once more for wildlife, which today is thriving. The new Chicari Camp offers a stylish high-spec, low impact tented camp overlooking a waterpan which attracts wildlife year-round.
Each of the eight tents has a private deck overlooking the water, and two further tents sit at the base of a tree hide, interconnecting - ideal for families or couples travelling together. Activities range from walking to boating to game drives, and for long-stays of 5+nights, guests can accompany carers take pangolins out foraging.
For safari-goers looking to live and breathe a real conservation story, and be one of the first visitors, this is a truly unique and exciting prospect.
Date of opening: May 2025
Kibale Lodge, Kibale Forest, Uganda
Perched on a ridge in Uganda’s western highlands, this retreat offers sweeping views of the Rwenzori Mountains and the Queen Elizabeth National Park. Just a 30-minute drive from the famous chimpanzee trekking trails of Kibale National Park, it occupies a prime location for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers alike, and supports community initiatives through a Jane Goodall Institute program empowering youth in wildlife conservation.
Featuring eight banda rooms crafted from wood and papyrus, each have been designed with a private lounge and both indoor-outdoor bathrooms, and interior decorations showcase vibrant local textiles.
With an outdoor pool, sauna and complimentary massages, this location is perfect for some relaxation after a day exploring the forest.
Date of opening: July 2024
Pangolin project visit from Chicari Camp, Mozambique
South America
Tinajani, Peru
Nestled away from it all in southern Peru, the new and secluded location of the Tinajani camp is a family-run tented paradise, located within a 370-acre nature reserve. Comprising a rustic farmhouse and six safari-style luxury tents, all with separate tents for sleeping and living, guests can relax in this somewhat undiscovered beauty spot alongside incredible views, hot tubs and private terraces.
Located between Cusco and Lake Titicaca, Tinajani canyon is an otherworldly adventure, stepping back in time through its network of red rocks and stone forest.
With its history in pre-Inca civilisations and dating back over three millennia, the area has been landscaped by water and wind over thousands of years, and offers guests an incredibly unique experience.
Date of opening: April 2025
The Cormorant, Chile
While this location won’t technically be offering stays until 2026 (as part of the 2025-26 Antarctica season), this exceptional hotel is one to be added to anyone's must-visit list.
Designed by luxury experiential brand Silversea, The Cormorant at 55 South will take on the title of being the southernmost hotel in the world, in Puerto Williams, offering guests easier, faster and more seamless access to discover all that Antarctica has to offer, by ship or air for those wanting to bypass the Drake Passage.
Taking its name from both its location and honouring the aquatic bird of the cormorant, often used a good luck symbol in the seafaring and adventuring world, this hotel’s design puts the guest in heart of the area, with panoramic views across the Beagle Channel and a selection of experiences with local communities on offer.
Date of opening: January 2026
CGI of the The Cormorant, Chile