Preferred Hotels and Resorts has announced its expansion roster for 2026. From a secretive palazzo in Valletta to a rooftop that watches over Granada’s Sierra Nevada, the eight properties set to join the brand next year. The additions range from a meticulously restored Moroccan palace to contemporary urban retreats in London and Mexico City, each selected for its ability to offer substantive engagement with local culture.
Recent luxury travel research indicates a shift in booking patterns, with heritage and authenticity increasingly influencing property selection. The 2026 additions reflect this trend, with four properties joining the Legend Collection and several entering the L.V.X. tier. These tiers typically feature properties with established histories or notable architectural pedigree.
The Newman, London
Opening in February 2026 in Fitzrovia, The Newman occupies the cultural intersection between Bloomsbury and Soho. Design studio Lind + Almond has created 81 rooms and suites that reference the neighbourhood’s literary and artistic history without pastiche. The Penthouse Suite spans the entire rooftop floor with private terrace access and converts to a four-bedroom configuration when required.
One floor is given over entirely to wellness, with hot and cold experience cabins, a salt therapy room, hydrotherapy pool, meditation studio and gym. Dining comes via a modern European brasserie on the ground floor, whilst the Gambit Bar sits below ground alongside two private dining rooms. It’s a straightforward offering in a neighbourhood that’s become increasingly popular with hotel groups over the past decade.
Romègas Hotel, Valletta
Arriving in Malta’s capital during Q1 2026, Romègas Hotel occupies a 500-year-old palazzo constructed for Knight of Malta Mathurin Romègas. The restoration has preserved traditional terrazzo floors, wood panelling and the hand-carved stone façade whilst introducing contemporary infrastructure across 23 individually designed rooms and suites.
Interiors by Maltese designers Camilleri Paris Mode balance heritage elements with modern functionality. The rooftop pool provides elevated views across Valletta, the bay and Manoel Island. Chef Marvin Gauci helms the destination restaurant, complemented by a cocktail bar. Traditional Maltese balconies afford ground-level street perspectives, creating dual viewpoints within a single property.
The Cooper, Charleston
Launching in March 2026, The Cooper secures the only luxury waterfront position in Charleston’s peninsula. The 191-room property overlooks the Cooper River, drawing architectural and cultural references from the French Quarter surroundings. An outdoor infinity pool frames views of the harbour and historic downtown skyline, whilst the full-service wellness centre provides skin treatments, body rituals and structured fitness programmes.
Four dining concepts include Bar Marti, positioned poolside. Additional amenities comprise a private marina and curated coastal activities from yacht cruises to riverside walks. The property capitalises on Charleston’s sustained growth as a luxury destination whilst addressing the previous absence of premium waterfront accommodation.
Gran Hotel Claridge Granada, Granada
Debuting in April 2026 within Plaza de Villamena, Gran Hotel Claridge Granada positions itself steps from Granada Cathedral and the Alhambra. The 70-room property functions as an architectural bridge between the city’s Moorish and Christian heritage layers, housed in a plaza named for a 17th-century Spanish sculptor.
Two dining venues anchor the offering: a ground-floor restaurant focused on Andalusian culinary traditions, and a rooftop space providing views towards the Sierra Nevada mountains. The boutique wellness facility offers spa treatments and personalised fitness programming. The location choice suggests strategic positioning for visitors prioritising cultural sites over resort-style seclusion.
Palais Jamaï Fès, Fes
Reopening in Spring 2026, Palais Jamaï Fès undergoes comprehensive restoration of its late 19th-century mansion structure. Originally the residence of a Grand Vizir during the Alaoui dynasty, the property operated as a hotel from 1930 until 2014. The relaunch presents 94 guest rooms and suites, including 31 suites and one Royal Suite.
Groupe Alain Ducasse oversees culinary operations across three restaurants and four bars, including a sky bar overlooking the Medina of Fès. Wellness facilities incorporate traditional hammams, two swimming pools and a padel court. Additional amenities include a children’s club, curated retail spaces encompassing a florist and art gallery, plus a productive vegetable garden. The scope suggests ambitions beyond boutique positioning towards destination resort status.
Serras Sevilla, Seville
Opening Spring 2026, Serras Sevilla occupies a landmark building designed by Spanish architect Aníbal González between 1915 and 1917. The 43-room property balances González’s Andalusian architecture with contemporary luxury infrastructure, positioned adjacent to Seville Cathedral within the historic centre.
Three dining venues include a rooftop terrace with cathedral views, whilst a rooftop swimming pool provides alternative outdoor space. The location places major cultural sites within walking distance, positioning the property for guests prioritising architectural exploration over leisure amenities. The relatively modest room count suggests focus on service standards over scale.
Pendry Mexico City, Mexico City
Arriving in Roma Norte during 2026, Pendry Mexico City targets the district’s established cultural and artistic community. The property features 114 guest rooms and suites alongside 20 Pendry Residences, designed in collaboration with local firms Central de Arquitectura and IZ Arquitectos, with AVROKO handling interiors.
Dining concepts include an all-day café, Bar Pendry, and a chef-led rooftop restaurant and lounge. A rooftop pool and sundeck complement Spa Pendry and a fitness centre. The Roma Norte positioning leverages the neighbourhood’s creative credentials, though the residential component suggests broader investment strategy beyond hospitality operations.
The Stelle, Park City
Opening Winter 2026 at Jordanelle Reservoir, The Stelle positions itself within the SkyRidge Mountain Resort development. The 67-unit mountain lodge offers views towards surrounding peaks or the reservoir, with three dining venues comprising fine dining, a rooftop bar, and grab-and-go delicatessen.
Resort amenities include an equestrian centre, golf facilities, lake access, and shuttles to Deer Valley Resort for skiing. An expansive spa features seven treatment rooms, private outdoor saunas and a dedicated terrace. Numerous hiking and mountain biking trails serve active guests. The positioning within a broader resort development provides infrastructure that standalone mountain properties cannot match.