In the third quarter of 2023, several hotel companies — including Hyatt, Hilton and Marriott — posted record development pipelines.
As those same companies increasingly turn to conversions for their midscale and extended stay brands, the pipeline of ground-up builds is increasingly dominated by the growing luxury and lifestyle segment.
That means a slew of high-profile openings slated for 2024. And this year, new hotels will cater to the growing number of travelers seeking luxury, sustainable stays and adventure and experiences — meaning amenities will go far beyond the hotel pool.
Here are the top hotel and resort projects to watch in 2024.
Signia by Hilton Atlanta
Atlanta — January 2024
Opened this month, Signia by Hilton Atlanta was one of the most anticipated openings of the year. At 976 rooms, the hotel is designed to capture events and meetings travelers — key drivers of Atlanta’s hotel market — visiting the nearby Georgia World Congress Center and Mercedes-Benz Arena.
A flagship for Hilton’s relatively new Signia by Hilton brand, the prototype now in operation in Atlanta will inform future openings, such as an Indianapolis location set to open in 2026. The hotel includes eight food and beverage outlets, a spa, a rooftop pool and fitness center, more than 100,000 square feet of meetings and event space, an outdoor deck and lawn and a Club Signia lounge with all-day food and beverage offerings.
Fairmont The Breakers, Long Beach
Long Beach, California — spring 2024
Not every hotel gets to say it has a jazz club, but Fairmont The Breakers will. The project by the Accor brand will revitalize historic California luxury hotel The Breakers, which first opened nearly 100 years ago.
In addition to its jazz club, the 185-room property will feature a two-story spa and fitness center, 12,000 square feet of event space and a rooftop pool and lounge with views of the Pacific.
Le Méridien Fort Worth Downtown
Fort Worth, Texas — spring 2024
Fort Worth’s third luxury hotel, according to The Dallas Morning News, Le Méridien joins the growing list of high-end projects slated for the quickly growing Fort Worth area.
Designed with both Texan and European influences in mind, the 188-room hotel will include the Bouvier Brasserie, which offers a French bistro look and local ingredients, as well as a rooftop bar with views of downtown Fort Worth.
Cloudland at McLemore Resort Lookout Mountain, Curio Collection by Hilton
Rising Fawn, Georgia — spring 2024
Hilton’s Curio Collection ended 2023 with a milestone of 150 properties open. Its forthcoming 245-room Georgia resort will capitalize on growing demand for experiential and wellness travel, a major hospitality trend for 2024.
Its mountaintop location — featuring views of McLemore Cove and the Blue Ridge Mountains — will include a golf course and spa, plus 20,000 square feet of meetings and event space. The property’s spa and fitness center will feature a Peloton studio and instructor-led exercise classes.
Populus
Denver — summer 2024
Billed as the U.S.’s first “carbon positive” hotel, the 265-room Populus will offset its carbon footprint through forest and agricultural collaborations that sequester more carbon than the building will emit throughout its lifecycle. Though the hotel isn’t open yet, it’s already been responsible for the planting of over 70,000 trees through a partnership with One Tree Planted.
The sustainable hotel also boasts a unique design by construction engineering company Studio Gang that developer Urban Villages calls “skyline defining.” Upon opening, Populus will include a restaurant, flexible event spaces, a coffee bar and a rooftop bar offering views of the mountains and Denver skyline.
The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort
Longboat Key, Florida — summer 2024
Part of Marriott’s ongoing luxury push, the forthcoming St. Regis Longboat Key is on an island off the coast of Sarasota, Florida. The 18-acre setting will grant guests access to a private beach and saltwater lagoon, where the hotel will offer a “wildlife experience” with resident Galapagos tortoises.
The property will also include the St. Regis Spa, an upscale steak and seafood restaurant, pools and private cabanas and a family-friendly winding waterway.
Regent Santa Monica Beach
Santa Monica, California — summer 2024
IHG Hotels & Resorts’ upper luxury brand Regent will grow this year as part of the company’s strategic development of its luxury and lifestyle segment. Billed as a flagship for the brand in the Americas region, Regent Santa Monica Beach will showcase a new look and feel for Regent hotels.
On the beachfront, steps from the Santa Monica pier, the hotel will feature a “destination spa” and a restaurant concept created in collaboration with “an acclaimed celebrity chef,” according to IHG.
The Dunlin
Johns Island, South Carolina — summer 2024
One of Vogue magazine's most anticipated hotels for 2024, The Dunlin is on the banks of the Kiawah River, 20 miles from Charleston. Its tranquil location will include a 100-acre working farm and 72 cottage-style guest rooms. The resort’s 2,000 acres will offer 20 miles of nature trails, kayaking and fishing. An ample open-air event space and a spa are also planned.
The Dunlin is part of Auberge Resorts Collection, which recently opened another luxury hotel in Fort Worth, Texas.
VAI Resort
Glendale, Arizona — late 2024
The $1 billion, 60-acre VAI Resort will offer far more than a hotel. VAI will feature a $40 million stage designed to host leading entertainment acts, intended to make the resort a destination unto itself. And its 1,100 luxury rooms, suites and villas will be spread across four towers — one of which will offer guests private balconies with a view of the stage.
Additionally, the resort’s 5-acre swimming area will include sand beaches, a man-made party island, a DJ booth and an aerial bar 130 feet off the ground. The resort will also boast the first-ever Mattel Adventure Park, a theme park designed by the toy manufacturer.
Thompson Hotels
Houston; Palm Springs, California; and South Beach, Florida — throughout 2024
At the end of the third quarter of 2023, Hyatt’s development pipeline hit a record size amid the company’s luxury push. Part of that push is the expansion of luxury lifestyle brand Thompson Hotels, three of which are slated to open this year in popular leisure destinations.
Thompson Palm Springs will offer 20,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, including a 3,400-square-foot wine-tasting room. Thompson Houston will have a full floor dedicated to wellness offerings and a heliport. And Thompson South Beach, which will feature a rooftop pool, is in proximity to Miami arts and entertainment destinations.
