New Openings & Updates 2026
SPRING 2026: NEW PUB WITH ROOMS - THE CANDOVER OPENS IN HAMPSHIRE
Hampshire has a new place to call home: The Candover, a relaxed country pub with rooms set in the village of Preston Candover near Alresford and Winchester. With very few places to stay in this part of the county, The Candover will continue its long legacy as a coaching inn for those who live nearby, and for visitors looking to explore this overlooked corner of Hampshire only 1.5 hours from London. Think timber and stone floors, limewashed walls, antique furnishings, and a cosy bar with log fires – the kind of place you wander back to after a walk and feel instantly at home. The Candover combines the warmth of a traditional village pub with contemporary hospitality, whilst staying true to the essentials - perfectly kept beer, great wine, and excellent food.
Rooms start at £200 per night (room only) | www.thecandover.com | @the_candover
MAY 2026: NEW HOTEL TO OPEN IN TUSCANY - LA DARBIA IN CHIANTI
An avenue of ancient pine trees leads to La Darbia in Chianti, a new 17-suite hilltop hotel by Italian architect brothers Gian Carlo and Matteo Primatesta. The 15-hectare estate combines olive groves, meadows, Mediterranean woodland, and lavender fields and sits between Panzano and Greve in Chianti, just 25 minutes from Florence. An 11th century historic hamlet, ancient stone buildings are nestled among olive trees, others rise on hilltops, each with panoramic views across the Tuscan hills. Centuries-old stone walls have been restored and buildings renovated using local materials to create a sense of place, in harmony with the surrounding hills, olive groves, and lavender fields that shape the estate. Every detail is guided by respect for the environment and Tuscan culture, creating a place where the architecture feels inseparable from the landscape and the rhythm of rural life.
La Dabria in Chianti is the second property in the La Darbia Collection, following the much-loved La Darbia Lake Orta. Double room rates start from £310 including breakfast www.ladarbia.com
HADDINGTON HOUSE HOTEL, DÚN LAOGHAIRE, DUBLIN UNDERGOES REFURBISHMENT
Overlooking Dún Laoghaire Harbour, Haddington House Hotel marks a major milestone in its evolution from a much loved Victorian landmark to one of Dublin’s most distinctive boutique hotels. The recent renovation blends the property’s historic charm with modern sophistication and will give the hotel a new lease of life as it enters its next phase.
The renovation has reduced the hotel to 40 rooms (previously 55), in order to create more spacious rooms and bathrooms, and the design features William Morris wallpaper, bespoke Irish joinery by RHD, fine Irish fabrics from Derry’s and custom lighting by Mullan. At Haddington House Hotel, guests move easily between Italian-inspired dining at Oliveto, leisurely breakfasts in The Garden Room, daytime coffee or evening cocktails in The Parlour, and private events in The Drawing Room.
Perfectly positioned on the seafront in the vibrant coastal town of Dún Laoghaire, Haddington House offers guests the chance to experience Dublin’s most scenic setting. Morning sea swims, bracing walks along the East Pier, sailing, and easy access to the nearby bathing spots at Sandycove and the Forty Foot make this an enviable base for both locals and visitors. With the city centre just a short train ride away (20 minutes), guests can enjoy the best of both worlds – coastal calm and the buzz of Dublin.
www.haddingtonhouse.ie | Rooms from £165.
VILLA EZZAHRA, MARRAKESH RENOVATES BEDROOMS
Villa Ezzahra, the largest property in the Ezzahra Estate collection, has undergone a renovation of its bedrooms, enhancing the brand’s commitment to comfort, excellence and Moroccan craftsmanship. The seven en-suite bedrooms (each with a dressing room, private terrace and some with open fireplaces) have been refreshed, with every room now featuring a double shower, in the most recent evolution of a property that strives to deliver beyond the very top levels of hospitality. The renovation celebrates local artistry, something Ezzahra Estate are passionate about keeping alive, by working with skilled Moroccan artisans to design and execute elements such as traditional decorative plasterwork, handwoven carpets and fabrics, and bespoke soft furnishings. The Ezzahra Estate is a secluded escape in Marrakech’s Palmeraie area offering the experience of a private hotel, with chefs, beauty therapists, and dedicated staff. The estate includes a 16-metre pool with loungers and daybeds, a Berber tent for drinks and dinners, outdoor and roof-terrace dining, a Technogym fitness suite, and a spa with two treatment rooms and a hammam. The adjacent Owner’s Pavilion accommodates two additional guests, while the wider estate, including Villas Alkhozama, Azzaytouna, and Azeer, can host up to 29 guests.
