The Best New Hotels in the Caribbean, Mexico, and North Atlantic: 2023 Hot List
Nothing makes us more excited to get up and go than putting together our annual Hot List of the best new hotels, cruises, restaurants, cultural destinations, and transportation projects. Now in its 27th year, this curated collection is a labor of love for our global team, which spends the year researching, visiting, and vetting the entries to bring you a definitive directory of places whose style, ethos, and service set new standards for hospitality. This year's best new hotels in the Caribbean, Mexico, and the North Atlantic have no shortage of cultural treasures and incredible cuisine. All that’s left is for you to decide is where you’re going first.
Click here to see the entire Hot List for 2023.
This story appears in Condé Nast Traveler's Hot List issue. Never miss out when you subscribe to Condé Nast Traveler.
All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Patrick Michael/Cambridge Beaches Resort & SpahotelCambridge Beaches Resort & Spa — Bermuda
$$ |
Hot List 2023 
Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023Bermuda is generally divided into two parts, east and west, with the capital of Hamilton somewhat in the middle. Most luxury resorts reside in Hamilton or on the east end, but one historic hotel is found on the quieter west end. Celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, Cambridge Beaches recently completed a full revamp, thanks to new owners Dovetail + Co (the hospitality group behind the Urban Cowboy and Wayfinder brands). The resort’s iconic pink cottages, four bars and restaurants, two-tiered pool, and expansive grounds that include four private beaches have been brought into the 21st century—no small feat since some architectural details date back to the 1600s. The 86 cottages are newly chic, with a tropical-inspired coral and seafoam green color palette, dark wood statement beds, quirky rattan chairs, and boldly patterned textiles. Vintage-inspired pastel-colored scalloped umbrellas and cushy lounge chairs now populate the refurbished pool area and its accompanying bar and restaurant, which also sports a magnificently detailed shell-encrusted back bar. A highlight is the brand-new Sunken Harbor Club (an outpost of the same-named Brooklyn bar), which is decorated with shipwreck treasures rescued by the late Bermudian diving legend Teddy Tucker. Bermudian-rooted cuisine is on offer, with dishes like shark hash and plantain-stuffed wild boar to complement classic island cocktails and new creations by barmaster St. John Frizell. A revamp of the spa and indoor pool is planned for this year. Rooms from $495. —Devorah Lev Tov
Karyn Millet/Casa PolancohotelCasa Polanco — Mexico City
$$$ | Hot List 2023Set in Mexico City’s posh Polanco neighborhood, a stay at this elegantly renovated Spanish Revival-style mansion feels like a peek inside the lives of well-to-do chilangos (Mexico City locals). Polanco is within walking distance from sites like Chapultepec Park, a popular hangout for local families on the weekends, and lovely for morning jogs; and a short drive from Museo Soumaya, known for its unique architecture and mirror-like façade. Just around the corner are the trendy Roma Norte and Condesa neighborhoods for eating, drinking, and boutique shopping. While many Mexico City hotels play to classic heritage motifs, Casa Polanco shows off a different side of the city. Here, the lines are clean, neutrals take precedence, and there’s a subtle prep-school flavor with houndstooth pillows and plaid napkins. Given this is a home, soak up the spaces that so clearly remind you that you're in one. Order a glass of wine at the lobby bar and take it to one of the many shared terraces; after a long day, grab a nook in the well-curated library and flip through one of the many coffee table books on Mexican art, history, or culture. Rooms from $584. —Megan Spurrell
Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort, Punta MitahotelNaviva, A Four Seasons Resort, Punta Mita — Mexico
$$$ | Hot List 2023This is not your parents’ Four Seasons. Formalities, like a front desk, have disappeared, and the traditional concierge has been replaced with guides who can help arrange everything from dinner reservations to surf lessons. The all-inclusive model means the entire stay is blissfully transaction-free, and the intimate scale—at just 30 guests, the size is also a shift for the brand—allows for unscripted experiences such as mezcal tastings with local distillers. And the tented suites are what it takes to persuade travelers to book a hotel in Punta Mita that isn’t right on the beach. Terraced into 48 acres of forested Pacific-facing cliffs, this adults-only luxury tented resort was designed by sustainably minded safari-tent pioneers Luxury Frontiers. Each of its 15 spacious rooms has an indoor soaking tub, an outdoor shower, and a private plunge pool with sunset views. Taking in and getting out into nature is at the heart of Naviva, but a visit to the two spa pods is a must for treatments informed by Mesoamerican traditions, like the five-hour Refuge Retreat. It includes a copal cleansing and Mayan mud massage, plus post-pampering time to soak in the pod’s oversized palm-shaded tub. Guests have access to the amenities at sister property Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, just next door, but it’s doubtful you’ll want to leave this jungle oasis. Rooms from $3,950. —Jen Murphy
Auberge Resorts CollectionhotelSusurros del Corazón, Auberge Resorts Collection — Mexico
$$$ | Hot List 2023 Readers' Choice Awards 2023Everything about this property is seemingly curated to feel more like a boutique hotel than a resort. It’s normal to stumble upon things like a sound bath experience on the beach led by a local bohemian who infuses jazz with the singing bowls or a sombrero making class. The on-site boutique, a Fashionkind outpost (which opened last December) co-owned by Nina Farran and Sophia Bush, includes leading designers from across Latin America, with a special focus on those local to Mexico. The design by Paul Duesing and Glazier Le Architects, sporting stone walls that continue from the balcony to the interior of the room with pebble-floored rain showers clad in colorful tiles almost entirely Mexican made and also supports local and regional makers, artisans, artists, and purveyors, solidifies the POV of being a boho-fresh, intentional, and barefoot sanctuary for those in-the-know. Don’t get me wrong, it still feels like a resort—just a resort that is focused on what is important to today’s customer. Rooms from $999. —Scott Bay
Albert LewishotelRancho Pescadero — Mexico
$ | Hot List 2023 Readers' Choice Awards 2023Owner Lisa Harper has always placed a great importance on uplifting Todos Santos, Mexico since Rancho Pescadero’s inception in 2009. So when they decided to overhaul and expand the resort—going from 12 guestrooms to 103—they implemented rare and lengthy programs for the industry, ranging from creating a solar farm and installing a desalination plant to transplanting thousands of plants moved during construction and placing them back in their original locations. But they are also concerned about the strains that a luxury resort can bring to rural areas. Therefore, they plan on building a complex of 170 homes for employees, while also breaking ground on a technical school that will be open to all in the area, and investing in a clean-air incinerator for the resort’s waste but also for local use. Waking up on my last day in my elegant-yet-beachy guest suite—designed by Mexican architect Alejandra Templeton of Indigo Añil—and jumping into the private plunge pool overlooking the crashing waves, I found myself thinking, this is true well-being. A place to disconnect, reconnect with what matters most, and feel confident that the investment is eco-responsible and helps to uplift the people who live in this slice of desert paradise. Rooms from $895. —Scott Bay
Rock House Grace BayhotelRock House — Turks and Caicos
$$$ | Hot List 2023As one of the world’s most desirable winter destinations, the Caribbean has an abundance of resort options based on a familiar model. These are the expansive beachfront properties with grand entries, cavernous lobbies, and ostentatious styling featuring a plethora of palm trees, pools, and piña coladas. I’m not suggesting this can’t make for a fantastic getaway—but if this is what you desire, Rock House is not for you. Located in tropical Turks and Caicos but taking its inspiration from the Mediterranean, Rock House offers guests something refreshingly different. Elegant yet subdued, this is not a resort that overwhelms; instead, it whispers in your ear and asks you to dance. Opened in 2022, the property is the newest addition to the renowned Grace Bay Resorts brand and synthesizes 30 years of luxury resort expertise into a modern European-style experience that satisfies the senses and nourishes the soul. Every detail at Rock House, from the painstaking dedication to preserving the native ecology surrounding it to the in-house phone app that enables you to effortlessly communicate with the guest experience team without leaving the beach or your private infinity pool, has been thoughtfully considered. Families are welcome, but Rock House may appeal most to lovers and those seeking a truly tranquil environment to relax and recharge. Rooms from $720. —Caryn B. Davis
hotelSunset Reef — St. Kitts
$$$ | Hot List 2023You’d never know it takes just 10 minutes to drive from the airport to get here. After turning off the main road in the village of Trinity, expect to trundle down a bumpy side road shrouded by palms and little else—this level of seclusion will soon reveal itself to be one of the highlights, and what makes Sunset Reef feel a little unique on an island where most of the luxury offerings are resorts. Between the clifftop location and number of rooms (just seven renovated suites), you can pretend to have the whole place to yourself, until it’s time to trot off for lunch by the pool or down to the pocket-size bar, Sandbar, to watch the sunset and spot the other vacationers. There is a tailor-made concierge service available to arrange activities for guests depending on how adventurous they’re feeling, from a rainforest walk with local operator Greg’s Safaris to a rum tasting at family-owned Old Road Rim distillery. And for days when you’re more interested in staying on property, there’s a yoga deck, as well as opportunities to use requisite beach amenities like kayaks, paddle boards, and electric jet skis. Rooms from $777. —Lara Kramer
Edgardo Contreras/Casa ChabléhotelCasa Chablé — Mexico
$$$ | Hot List 2023 Readers' Choice Awards 2023Located within one of Mexico’s most spectacular nature refuges, this luxury lodging experience is a welcome respite from Cancun’s endless strip of all-inclusives and Tulum’s increasingly frenetic development. After boarding a small fishing boat that whisks you past mangroves and colonies of frigate birds, guests are greeted by a lobby filled with beaded chandeliers, thatched ceilings, and rattan chairs and sofas. The overall vibe is: tranquil. With just 10 rooms (decked out with ocean-facing hammocks and outdoor moon showers) and no immediate neighbors, you’ll feel a bit like Robinson Crusoe—albeit with drinks service. Don’t expect a large pool or a bar scene; instead, you’ve got a warm, aquamarine sea at your disposal, and the best drinks happen on the pier at sunset (Chablé is perhaps unique in all of Mexico in that you can view a sunrise and a sunset over water). Come to Case Chablé to fill your eyes and mind with sea and sky. Rooms from $889. —Tom Vanderbilt
Victor Elias/Waldorf Astoria CancunhotelWaldorf Astoria Cancun — Mexico
$$$ | Hot List 2023 Readers' Choice Awards 2023For all the resorts that crowd Mexico’s east coast, the Waldorf stands out for its truly white-glove service and amenities that make it hard to leave the property. There are infinity pools aplenty, acres of pristine coastline, and that most glorious asset of all, the feeling of complete privacy in one of the country’s most bustling vacation spots. The decor, a soothing sea of creams and sand hues, spotlights Mexican artisans and highlights materials like tropical woods and local stone. The vibe here is palpably slow—no rushing from one activity to the next, just relaxing. And there are enough private cabanas to go around—you can forget about the dreaded visit to the pool at dawn to reserve a great spot. There are also dozens of lounge chairs facing the beach for when the ocean is your dip du jour. With comfortable yet polished rooms, an excellent spa, and a clutch of bars and restaurants serving excellent riffs on traditional dishes and drinks, this is Cancun like you’ve never seen it. Rooms from $790. —Meaghan Kenny
Coulibri RidgehotelCoulibri Ridge — Dominica
$$$ | Hot List 2023Combining eco-sensitive best practices with true luxury, this sleek eco-resort is a model for Dominica and the wider Caribbean, demonstrating that you needn’t sacrifice creature comforts to have a sustainable vacation. Coulibri Ridge was built with environmental consciousness at its core—a construction process that took the Canadian-Dominican owners a whopping 15 years (including a five-year delay after the devastating passage of Hurricane Maria in 2017) to complete. Now, what was once a colonial-era citrus plantation has been transformed into an eco-sensitive hillside retreat, which aims to be self-sufficient. The 285-acre property is completely powered by the sun via solar 225 panels and 288 recyclable non-lithium batteries; two communal pools are solar heated and kept clean not with chlorine, but by using a copper ionizer to kill algae and fungus. But if you think the resort is more functional than fancy, think again. Guests are treated to modern studios, lofts, and penthouses with sweeping views of the water, tropical and bountiful breakfasts (included in the rate), and a spa with open-air treatment rooms. Rooms from $700. —Caryn Davis
