Luxury openings to define the Accor Group in 2026

Encompassing more than 45 brands, Accor plans to debut around 350 new addresses over the next 12 months. If 2026 is set to be another year of rapid expansion for Accor’s internationally renowned brands, ultra-luxury and luxury brands of the group are likely to steal the show in 2026. 

At the ultra-luxury end, the expansion of Orient Express beyond rail into sailing yachts and landmark hotels marks a defining moment for experiential travel, while Raffles and Fairmont continue to anchor large-scale destination developments in the Middle East and Asia. Sustainability, wellness, and cultural immersion are no longer differentiators but expectations, as seen in projects from the Red Sea to the Canadian Rockies.

Leading the narrative is Orient Express Corinthian, a groundbreaking sailing yacht set to redefine ultra-luxury cruising. Launching in June 2026, the 54-suite vessel will make its maiden Mediterranean voyage between Marseille, Corsica, and Liguria, before crossing the Atlantic for a 14-night transatlantic journey from Lisbon to Barbados in October. Designed by architect and creative director Maxime d’Angeac, the yacht’s interiors celebrate French craftsmanship, while five restaurants and private dining spaces are curated by multi-Michelin-starred chef Yannick Alléno. The Corinthian marks a bold maritime expansion for the legendary brand, 140 years after its first luxury train.

On land, Orient Express Venezia at Palazzo Donà Giovannelli will open in early 2026, following an eight-year restoration of a 15th-century Venetian palace. Located along the Grand Canal, the hotel will feature 47 guestrooms and suites, honoring its aristocratic past—once home to the Duke of Urbino—while ushering in a new chapter of refined Venetian hospitality.

Saudi Arabia leading destination-wise

In Saudi Arabia, luxury development continues at scale. Raffles Jeddah, overlooking the Red Sea corniche, will open in early 2026 with 142 rooms and 40 suites, three signature restaurants, a spa, and a 1,292-square-meter grand ballroom. Adjacent to it, Raffles Residences Jeddah will rise across 48 floors, offering private lobbies, pools, wellness platforms, and sweeping sea views. Further north, Raffles The Red Sea, opening mid-2026 on Shura Island, will offer 121 guestrooms, 14 suites, and 33 villas, complemented by five dining venues and the brand’s signature butler service.

Sharing the destination, Fairmont The Red Sea will debut in early 2026 with 193 rooms, six dining concepts—including an overwater restaurant—and an 18-hole championship golf course. Designed with sustainability at its core, the resort sits amid untouched coastline, coral-rich waters, and ancient archaeological landscapes.

Urban luxury also takes center stage. Fairmont Hanoi, opening early 2026, will bring 241 rooms to Vietnam’s capital, blending Indochinese design with French colonial influences. Meanwhile, Fairmont New Orleans, set for mid-2026, will transform the historic former Bank of New Orleans building into a 250-room hotel featuring a rooftop bar, pool, and a 10,000-square-foot spa overlooking the city skyline.

In Asia, Fairmont Dalian will open mid-2026 following a sensitive restoration of a four-story heritage building, offering 70 guestrooms, Fairmont Gold accommodations, and elegant event spaces. Europe joins the momentum with Fairmont Cheshire, The Mere, launching late 2026 on a historic 157-acre estate near Knutsford, UK. The property will feature 116 rooms, including 27 suites, alongside an 18-hole golf course and extensive wellness facilities.

Iconic destinations are also welcoming new luxury chapters. Rimrock Banff, Emblems Collection, opening mid-2026 in Canada’s Rocky Mountains, will debut as the first Emblems Collection property in North America, introducing infinity pools, panoramic saunas, and alpine wellness experiences. In Italy, Masseria Furnirussi, Emblems Collection, opening mid-2026 in Puglia, will offer 60 suites set within Europe’s largest fig orchard, celebrating slow living and Mediterranean craftsmanship.

From palatial city landmarks to remote natural sanctuaries, these openings signal a renewed focus on storytelling, place, and experience. As 2026 approaches, luxury travelers can look forward to a world where heritage and innovation meet—seamlessly, and spectacularly.