The Most-Anticipated Hotels in the Caribbean & The Americas

The start of another year is like Christmas to us. Across the globe, hoteliers are gifting us with new properties to discover in some of our favorite locations. As we watch them begin to take shape, we can’t help but be excited about their luxe offerings, such as the latest tech amenities, exciting immersive experiences and their beautifully-designed interiors and exteriors. In the Caribbean and The Americas, there will be a mix of new and newly-renovated hotels, but we’re taking a look at those making their debut in 2017 for the first time. Here’s a brief look 10 properties to check out this year:

Alvear Icon – Argentina

The same group that opened Buenos Aires’ Alvear Palace Hotel in 1932 will debut the new Alvear Icon come June. The more contemporary property will be located in the same city as its sister hotel and will be housed within a 35-story skyscraper along the Puerto Madero waterfront. Along with 159 guestrooms and suites, the hotel will include a 32nd-floor rooftop bar and restaurant, a courtyard eatery, an upscale Glatt kosher restaurant and a milk bar.

Awasi Iguazu – Argentina

A 15-minute drive from one of the world’s largest waterfalls, the new Awasi Iguazú hotel is set to open at the end of 2017 in the Misiónes province. The hotel will be built on stilts to limit its environmental impact and will only be home to 12 lodges. Guestrooms will feature outdoor showers, private plunge pools, spacious living areas and a 4WD vehicle for private use. A dedicated guide will also be assigned to each villa, offering guests the chance to experience biologist-led excursions.

Conrad Cartagena – Colombia

Conrad Cartagena will open in June of this year along the coastline of the Caribbean Sea in Colombia. The property will sit nearby to Cartagena’s UNESCO World Heritage Site which is home to many ancient fortresses and monuments, cafés and colonial architecture. The hotel will feature 273 guestrooms and suites, an 18-hole TPC golf course designed by pro champion Jack Nicklaus, the Conrad Spa and salon, seven restaurants and lounges, four swimming pools, a fitness center and a Kids Club. Guests will also be able to book one-, three- and five-hour curated itineraries through the hotel to explore the city.

Itz’ana Resort & Residences – Belize

Opening this spring, Itz’ana Resort & Residences will welcome guests to the coastal village of Placencia on the Caribbean peninsula next to the world’s second largest barrier reef. Itz’ana will feature 39 boutique cottages and villas boasting high ceilings and open-air living spaces. Around the resort, guests will find a sea-to-table restaurant, rum room, spa, swimming pool, Hemingway-inspired library, and an 18-slip marina. The full-service marina will feature a watersports activity center, servicing boat tours, and sunset sailing trips.

Nayara Tented Resort – Costa Rica

Nayara Hotel, Spa & Gardens and Nayara Springs are already staples for affluent travelers heading to Costa Rica, and this winter, the brand will open its third property in the country. Nayara Tented Resort will be located in Arenal Volcano National Park and will feature 24 tents. Each 945-square-foot residence will sit on its own platform and include a master suite with en-suite bathroom, an outdoor living area and a plunge pool filled from the nearby hot springs. The resort will also be home to a restaurant, spa and wellness center.

Palácio Tangará – Brazil

Architects B+H Architects, Bick Simonato and PAR Arquitetura have been tapped to design São Paulo’s newest hotel: the Palácio Tangará. Set to open in the second quarter of 2017, the Brazilian property will sit on 26 acres of land overlooking the renowned Burle Marx Park. Along with 82 guestrooms and 59 suites, the hotel will include a fitness center, kid’s club, the Sisley spa, private gardens and indoor and outdoor swimming pools. Palácio Tangará’s dining venues will be overseen by famed French chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.

Park Hyatt St. Kitts – St. Christopher & Nevis

The five-star Park Hyatt St. Kitts will debut in St. Kitts and Nevis this summer, just in time for beachside cocktails and sun-kissed adventures. The West Indies property will sit on a secluded area surrounded by white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters and overlooking The Narrows. Of its 126 guestrooms, many will feature individual rooftop pools, and all will boast a terrace or balcony. Further amenities include a 9-room spa and yoga pavilion and three unique dining concepts offering local and international cuisines. Guests will also be able to enjoy a range of activities such as yachting, golfing, snorkeling, diving and fishing around the island.

Rosewood Puebla – Mexico

Located in the heart of one of Mexico’s most significant colonial cities, Rosewood Puebla will open later this year with 79 rooms and suites housed in a collection of buildings from different time periods. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city is home to over 2,600 historic sites and over 365 churches and is famous for being the place where mole poblano was created. The hotel will offer a restaurant with outdoor courtyard seating, the Lavaderos de Almoloya bar and a Sense spa, a rooftop bar and swimming pool and a 300-year-old chapel, which will be available to guests as a wedding venue.

UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya – Mexico

The all-inclusive UNICO 20°87° Hotel Riviera Maya, opening this March, is aiming to specialize in “no itinerary necessary” vacations and redefine the all-inclusive landscape. The adults-only resort will be home to 448 accommodations, and guests staying on floors two through five will be treated to hydro Jacuzzis on their terraces. First floor homes will come with a plunge pool, and all rooms include mini bars stocked to your preference. Travelers will also have access to the UNICO Experience App which features updated information on weekly activities and programs such as cooking classes taught by renowned regional chefs and impromptu popup sessions like Mezcal tastings, cocktail hours in a nearby Mayan village or full moon parties on the beach.

By Nicolle Monico