Are your “go to” sun, sand & surf incentive destinations starting to feel a bit too familiar or perhaps a little stale? Is it time to shake things up now that you’re contemplating incentive locations for 2026 and beyond? Read on and you may just broaden your options …
Of course everyone loves a Caribbean escape or Hawaiian getaway – especially if it falls in the dead of winter – but I sense there’s a hankering among your sales team for something new, fresh and as-yet unexplored. Yes, they love that high-end, beachy resort from last year and they’d love to return one day but maybe not just yet. After all, you can always alternate the tropics one year and someplace different the next.
There are some wonderful new properties that have opened in 2025 and some coming online in early 2026. Before I share those with you, remember one thing: Every new restaurant, hotel, resort, etc. has a break-in period, a time when operational wrinkles get ironed out and all services are still being tuned to a fine hum. Unless you actually like being a guinea pig, you might want to factor in this “ramp-up” period before locking in your dates.
Here are 10 primo properties for your thoughtful consideration …
____________
FAENA NEW YORK
Step into the vibrant world of Faena New York in the West Chelsea District, where artful luxury unfolds along Manhattan’s High Line. Scheduled for a late-summer opening, the hotel will feature 120 luxurious rooms and suites, each with panoramic vistas of the Hudson River and NYC skyline. Interiors will include rich textures, custom furnishings, and contemporary flair along with a respectful nod to New York’s cultural spirit. The property will also include a signature restaurant overseen by renowned Argentinean chef Francis Mallmann, and a 17,000-square-foot Tierra Santa Healing House spa. Faena promises a mélange of art, nightlife, and transformative wellness with a touch of theater tossed in for good measure.
Learn more: www.faena.com/new-york
____________
BELMOND BRITANNIC EXPLORER [London]
Scheduled to begin operations any day now, Belmond’s Britannic Explorer — the newest jewel of British rail luxury — looks to be a Whoa! experience. Traversing scenic heartlands of England and Wales, this luxurious sleeper train features 18 artfully crafted cabins, three Grand Suites and 15 Suites, each featuring British wit and modern elegance, accommodating up to 36 guests. Interiors blend lush textures of wood, stone, wool woven into vibrant fabrics, and rich detailing. There’s also gourmet dining curated by Michelin-starred chef Simon Rogan and a rolling, onboard spa. All aboard, settle in, and revisit the Golden Age of rail travel.
Learn more: www.belmond.com/trains/europe/uk/britannic-explorer
___________
FOUR SEASONS MALLORCA [Spain]
Nestled on the fabled Cap de Formentor in Spain’s Balearic Islands, Four Seasons Mallorca is a celebration of Mediterranean luxury and natural beauty. The resort opened in mid-March and features 110 elegantly designed rooms and suites, all with private, seaview terraces opening to gentle sunlight with subtle touches of island glamour. Surrounded by pine forests and crystalline shores, this iconic retreat invites guests to unwind on golden beaches, enjoy local cuisine at a number of nearby restaurants, and rejuvenate in a tranquil spa inspired by Mallorca’s lush flora. Originally opened in 1929, the updated edition of the property honors its storied heritage while adding fresh, contemporary twists with an emphasis on being eco-conscious.
Learn more: www.fourseasons.com/mallorca
__________
ONE&ONLY MOONLIGHT BASIN [Big Sky, Montana]
Set to open in November, One&Only Moonlight Basin promises to be a spectacular alpine sanctuary in Montana’s breathtaking 8,000-acre Moonlight Basin community, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and Western wilderness. The ultra-luxury resort will include 73 guest rooms and suites along with 19 stand-alone cabins, all masterfully designed by Olson Kundig to maximize expansive mountain views and comforting warmth. Guests will have their choice of six on-property bars and restaurants, a world-class spa, outdoor pool, and endless outdoor adventures — from private ski lifts [no lines!] with direct access to Big Sky’s legendary slopes, in addition to hiking and fly-fishing in warmer months.
Learn more: www.oneandonlyresorts.com/moonlight-basin
________________
NEKAJUI, A RITZ-CARLTON RESERVE [Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica]
Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, is a lush haven on Costa Rica’s Peninsula Papagayo. Open since February, it offers 107 guest rooms and suites — including enchanting treetop tents and grand oceanview villas. Each accommodation emphasizes tropical luxury with expansive terraces, private plunge pools, and seamless indoor-outdoor living spaces, surrounded by gorgeous views of Bahia Huevos and the Pacific. The resort celebrates Guanacaste’s rich cultural heritage, offering sophisticated, local dining; artisanal coffee rituals; and the holistic Nimbu Spa & Wellness, all set in perfect harmony with the protected landscape. Pura vida, indeed!
Learn more: www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/lirrz-nekajui-a-ritz-carlton-reserve/
________________
RITZ -CARLTON YACHT LUMINARA
The newest beacon of luxury on the sea, Ritz-Carlton Yacht Luminara is a 794-foot superyacht that made its maiden voyage two weeks ago, and embraces sunlight and style from bow to stern. Boasting 226 high-end suites — each with private terraces and refined, contemporary interiors — Luminara can accommodate as many as 452 guests in unrivaled comfort. Five restaurants, seven bars, a wine vault, and the expansive Ritz-Carlton Spa® create an immersive, indulgent experience. Interiors blend soft blues, marble, and rich woods for a serene and elegant yachting experience.
Learn more: www.ritzcarltonyachtcollection.com/yachts/luminara
_________________
ANANTARA KAFUE RIVER TENTED CAMP [Namibia, Africa]
There’s a striking new safari retreat in Zambia’s vast Kafue National Park coming in early 2026. Anantara Kafue River Tented Camp will stand 12’ above the Kafue River and is nestled between two islands. The property will include 12 beautifully appointed tents, including a grand 6,500sf Presidential Villa. All tents come with a private plunge pool and exclusive boat access. Guests may unwind at the spa, enjoy the pool, visit the restaurant and bar, or gather at a traditional African boma, the heart of the community. Everything has been designed for minimal environmental impact while celebrating local culture. Adventure awaits with immersive wildlife encounters and curated bush experiences.
Learn more: www.anantara.com/kafue-river-tented-camp
_________________
THE LAKE COMO EDITION [Italy]
Scheduled for a late-August opening, The Lake Como EDITION rests on the lake’s iconic western shore, and will fuse modern vibrance with Italian heritage in a reimagined 19th-century building. Featuring 145 luxurious rooms, including two carefully crafted penthouse suites, the hotel will offer a lively lobby bar, a one-of-kind floating pool on the water, and multiple dining outlets — all offering breathtaking views of Lake Como and the Bellagio mountains. Just a short drive from Milan, this EDITION promises to be a chic new centerpiece to the region’s bustling but refined hospitality scene.
Learn more: www.editionhotels.com/lake-como
_________________
CAMBRIDGE HOUSE [London]
Set to open in Spring 2026, Cambridge House, Auberge Resorts Collection, will be set in London’s distinguished Mayfair District at 94 Piccadilly. This Grade I-listed Georgian mansion is rich with history as the former home to members of the royal family and various political icons. It was also once the famed Naval and Military Club. Cambridge House will reemerge as a glorious retreat with 102 rooms featuring a blend of classic English elegance and eclectic British flair. A buzzing private members club is planned, along with a Grand Ballroom brasserie, open-air jasmine courtyard, and an expansive, double-level Roman-inspired spa.
Learn more: www.aubergeresorts.com/cambridgehouse
__________________
ROSEWOOD DOHA [Qatar]
Opened earlier this month, Rosewood Doha is a visionary new landmark along the Lusail Marina promenade, embracing Qatar’s marine heritage and its ultra-modern City of the Future spirit. Inspired by coral reefs, the striking twin towers house 155 refined rooms and suites, as well as 162 serviced apartments and 276 residences. Interiors evoke the curves of single-sail dhow boats and seashells, enhanced by immersive art and the scent of Bakhoor [Arabic incense of perfumed and oiled exotic woods]. There are eight vibrant dining concepts, the holistic Asaya Wellness Club, and various curated cultural experiences to enrich your stay.
Learn more: www.rosewoodhotels.com/doha
__________________
So there your have it – 10 new and exciting domestic and offshore options for future incentives. Bookings for incentives continue to increase annually as industry standards and expectations of productivity rise. Announce any one of these destinations to your sales team and I’ll bet you’ll feel a new and energized buzz among the group.
Cheers,
Kenneth Jones
