Emyr Thomas from Bon Vivant, London’s premier concierge service, gives us the lowdown on the most exclusive hotel opening to look forward to throughout 2012.

Thompson Belgraves, London

Thompson Hotels’ first hotel outside of North America will open in London in February 2012, in a joint venture with The Harilela Group.

The hotel will be located in the exclusive Belgravia district and will feature 85 rooms, an 80-seat restaurant from celebrated chef Mark Hix along with another outpost of Mark’s Bar, his popular bar in Soho.

Palacio Nazarenas, Cuzco, Peru

Palacio Nazarenas is Orient Express’ latest venture in Peru, scheduled to open in June 2012 in a former palace and convent.

The all suite hotel will have oxygenated suites (Cuzco is located 11,000 feet above sea level in the Andes mountain range), iPads in every room, and will be a contemporary reflection of Cuzco culture.

It will feature the first outdoor pool in the city, a glassed in original Inca wall in the spa, and an all day dining experience showcasing contemporary Andean cuisine.

W Hotel Paris

Opening on Valentine’s Day, a year to the date that the London equivalent opened, the W Hotel Paris will have 91 rooms as well as a signature W lounge and bar area.

The hotel is located a short walk from the Garnier Opera House and ideally positioned for the upscale shopping boutiques nearby.

Monastero Santa Rosa, The Amalfi Coast

Perched on the Cape d’Orso’s cliff edge, Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel & Spa was originally a 17th century monastery.

It will be reinvented as a 21 suite boutique hotel and spa in May 2012, located between Postiano and Amalfi, creating another exclusive stop on the Amalfi Coast.

Palais Namaskar, Marrakech

Located between the Atlas Mountains and the Djebilet Hills in Marrakech, Palais Namaskar is due to open in April 2012, only a 30-minute drive from Marrakech International Airport.

The hotel will include 41 Villas and Suites, as well as two restaurants, a bar lounge and a 650 square metre spa.

Palais Namaskar will be the fifth hotel to join The Oetker Collection, which currently include Hotel Le Bristol Paris; Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc Cap d’Antibes; Château Saint-Martin & Spa, Vence.

Bulgari Hotel, London

The Bulgari Hotel London is scheduled to open in April in the exclusive Knightsbridge area, adding to the brand’s properties in Milan and Bali.

The hotel will feature 85 stylish rooms and will also offer a restaurant, bar and spa.

 SLS Hotel, South Beach, Miami

The first SLS hotel opened in Los Angeles in 2008, and in the first half of 2012, its sister will launch in South Beach, with further hotels in New York and Las Vegas planned as well.

Once again, Philippe Starck will take charge of the interiors and Jose Andres will reign over the restaurant.

Lenny Kravitz is reported to be involved in designing a luxury poolside bungalow and penthouse suite.

The Yamu, Phuket

COMO Hotels and Resorts will launch a brand new property on the Yamu Peninsula of Phuket in Thailand, scheduled for September 2012.

Only 20 minutes from Phuket airport, the hotel will have 129 rooms with panoramic views of the Yamu Peninsula and the surrounding Andaman Sea.

The resort will offer a 100-metre swimming pool, a COMO Shambhala retreat with a yoga studio, two restaurants and a private beach.

Niyama Maldives

Due to open late February 2012, Niyama promises ‘an edgy, modern resort that will offer guests more than a romantic Maldivian escape’.

Niyama is from the people behind Huvafen Fushi in the Maldives and Desert Palm in Dubai, and will feature 86 studios and pavilions, some with 24 hours butler service, private pools and exclusive beach access.

There will be a variety of dining options, including a signature restaurant that is accessible by boat, and an underwater nightclub.

Castello di Casole, Tuscany

The Castello di Casole Hotel is a 41-Suite five-star boutique hotel, situated on a private estate of 1,700 hectares in the heart of Tuscany.

The hotel is located 20 minutes southwest of Siena, 45 minutes south of Florence and within easy reach of the Chianti region.

The hotel will feature beautiful landscaped gardens, an outdoor pool and a large spa.

Source: Emyr Thomas from Bon Vivant

Emyr is the founder of Bon Vivant, a lifestyle management and concierge service based in London with an emphasis on providing great personal service.

They specialise in every travel, leisure and lifestyle need that you don’t have the time, inclination or expertise to do yourself so you can maximise your free time. 

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