Fora: The HOT LIST 2026

Where we’ll be going, and what we’ll be booking, in the year ahead

Mexico City

Soccer fans know CDMX is one of the host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Others know it as an exciting food city. All the while, though, Mexico City has been expanding its imprint on the global art world.

Art travel has become what food tourism was a decade ago—the reason people choose their next destination. Mexico City boasts more than 150 museums, including the home of Frida Kahlo, also known as Casa Azul, and a museum dedicated to Diego Rivera’s murals. Museo Jumex houses more than 2,000 works by big-name contemporary artists such as Jeff Koons and Olafur Eliasson, as well as Mexican creators Abraham Cruzvillegas and Mario García Torres. And Museo Soumaya is home to the largest collection of Rodin outside of France.

Young gallerists, innovative architects, and art fairs are also painting their influences across Mexico City. Among the newer galleries are JO-HS, an exquisite residency and project space founded by a fashion-forward Danish curator, and Pequod Co., which regularly collaborates with artists showing works at major shows such as the Whitney Biennial. And don’t miss Zona Maco, Latin America’s largest contemporary art fair, which happens in the capital each February.

Another reason the city is a goal for travelers in 2026? A slew of luxury and boutique hotel brands are debuting new properties in CDMX this year, including Pendry, Park Hyatt, Hyde, The Standard, SO/, Mama Shelter, and El Cortés (Namron Hospitality), plus the Four Seasons Hotel will be finishing up a major renovation in the spring and Rosewood is opening in Mexico City in 2027.

And don’t forget about the FIFA World Cup—Estadio Banorte (a.k.a. Estadio Azteca) will host the opening match on June 11, making it the first stadium to host matches during three World Cup tournaments. Concerts, museum exhibitions, and a festival in the historic Zócalo are among the many events surrounding the tournament.

150% Increase in Fora bookings to Mexico City in the past year

Japan

Skip the lines and crowds in Kyoto and Tokyo for more peaceful experiences that promise excellent cuisine, even better accommodations, and—most importantly—the feeling of being among the first to discover them.

For years, these roads-less-traveled only had business hotels on offer. Not anymore. High-end properties showcasing the best of Japan’s food, culture, design, and access (to sites and traditions) are being cultivated across the archipelago nation. Head to Karuizawa, a small hot-springs resort town that can be an alternative to the crowds in Hakone. Shishi-Iwa House, the embodiment of quiet luxury, has 30 rooms spread across three buildings, each created by a big-name architect. Equally exciting for its innovative architecture is Simose Art Garden Villa on the shores of the Seto Inland Sea just past Hiroshima, which features 10 one-of-a-kind villas and is part of a larger art collective. Its combo of art, architecture, and location make it a great complement or alternative to Naoshima, the “art island.”

It may not be undiscovered, but Hakone is rightfully famous for its hot springs and views of Mount Fuji; the big news for 2026 is the planned opening of Hotel The Mitsui Hakone, a follow-up to the acclaimed Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto. An hour away, the design-forward Gora Kadan Fuji is a Relais & Châteaux property that opened in July and is positioned deep in a forested expanse that sits in the shadow of the hotel’s famous namesake. (It’s the sister property of the original Gora Kadan Hakone, the ryokan that put Japanese inns on the international map.)



Long popular with Australian travelers, the Hokkaido region is a powerhouse destination for powder. Dubbed the Alps of Japan, the area is known for its excellent ski conditions, and the town of Niseko has a slate of luxury hideaways. Park Hyatt Niseko Hanazono has ski-in/ski-out access and signature suites boasting private onsens (traditional baths) with epic mountain views. More recent openings include Setsu Niseko (recently voted Japan’s best ski hotel at the 2025 World Ski Awards); Muwa Niseko, modern apartment-style lodging with ski-in/ski-out access; and Nikko Style Niseko Hanazono, winner of world’s best new ski hotel at the World Ski Awards.

245% Increase in Fora bookings to Hakone in the past year

265% Increase in Fora bookings to Niseko in the past year

The Nordics

This group of countries has long been known for quiet luxury, architecture, and cuisine. In 2026, the sky’s the limit on the opportunity to catch epic celestial phenomena—including a total solar eclipse.

Norway, with its dramatic fjords and sparsely inhabited islands, is best explored via a small-ship cruise. Hurtigruten, originally founded in 1893 as a passenger and cargo service, is a singular experience that highlights local cuisine and cultural experiences; outdoor experiences including fjord treks, kayaking, and bike tours; and—depending on the season—24-hour sun or the Northern Lights. Or check out the Northern Lights sailings from HX, which come with a guarantee—if there’s no Northern Lights sighting from your ship during your cruise, they’ll offer you credit for a future trip. But Norway isn’t just about cruises—new properties are welcoming visitors, including Wood Hotel Bodø, a nature-centric resort located above the Arctic Circle; Åmot, a lovingly restored 19th-century farm estate; and Villa Nord, a new boutique hotel in Trondheim (opening in 2026).

Iceland is primed to welcome eclipse-chasers this August, with the western coast of the island nation located in the path of totality. If you’d rather avoid the eclipse crowds, new openings in 2026 include the hotly anticipated Black Sand Hotel on the south coast, Skáld Hotel Akureyri Curio Collection by Hilton, a boutique fjord-side property in North Iceland close to the Diamond Circle, and Hyatt Centric Reykjavik.

For a more urban experience, head to the epicenter of the Scandinavian design movement, the Danish capital of Copenhagen. The artificial island of Refshaleøen is home to an up-and-coming cultural scene complete with innovative eateries and Copenhagen Contemporary, a large-scale collection of emerging and established artists housed in a former industrial building. Besides great design, Copenhagen is also known for great food, with multiple Michelin-starred and Bib Gourmand restaurants. Last year saw the opening of 1 Hotel Copenhagen, featuring the collection’s signature sustainable luxury, and Park Lane Copenhagen, which blends historic architecture with modern Danish design and has already been awarded a Michelin Key. And the Admiral Hotel, located in an 18th-century riverside warehouse, has undergone a major refurbishment, giving it a fresh new style without losing the historic character of the building.

117% Increase in Fora bookings to Denmark in the past year

128% Increase in Fora bookings to Iceland in the past year

131% Increase in Fora bookings to Norway in the past year

South American beaches

If you love both the scene and natural beauty of Ibiza, you’ll adore the beach towns of South America, where you’ll find both laid-back bohemian flair and loads of luxury properties. Long popular with locals, these towns are poised to take off in a big way with American and other global travelers thanks to their low-key plus high-fashion vibes.

In Brazil, Santa Catarina boasts more than 100 beaches. The 25-room Awasi Santa Catarina is a quiet retreat that feels both elevated and totally unplugged from the outside world. Trancoso, further north, has become a magnet for the haute hippie set but has somehow kept its fishing village soul intact—mostly because the hotels here actively care about sustainability. Check out UXUA, a rustic luxe hilltop hideaway, and Etnia Casa Hotel, a series of breezy low-slung buildings a short walk from town center.

For elevated dining, a totally remote beach scene, and a dash of excellent antiquing, consider Carmelo, a sleepy village in Uruguay located just a half-hour private flight across the Río Plata from Buenos Aires. (The ferry/cab combo is about five hours.) We love Carmelo Resort & Spa, tucked away in a forest with horseback riding and a private beach. Called by some the Saint-Tropez of South America, Uruguay’s Punta del Este is a favorite for golden beaches, a social-media-savvy party scene, and ultra-modern accommodations. Hotel Fasano has robust wellness programming (the sound healing sessions are reason alone to book), tennis courts, and more.

Only 12 miles down the coast is José Ignacio, featuring the newly renovated Playa Vik, a collection of intimate casitas, each with an expansive private garden and a living roof, centered around an high-design main building with a curved facade and inclined glass. Amenities include a cantilever pool, horseback riding excursions, and three restaurants. Its sister hotels Bahia Vik and Estancia Vik also just emerged from major renovations, each with their own unique vibe.

111% Increase in Fora bookings to Brazil in the past year

192% Increase in Fora bookings to Uruguay in the past year

The Carolinas

Popular for generations with vacationers within driving distance, this pair of states is having a renaissance, with plenty of new offerings to appeal to travelers from all over the U.S. and abroad.

In North Carolina, surfers worldwide know the Outer Banks (a 100-mile stretch of barrier islands that runs from the Virginia border south to Ocracoke Island) boasts the biggest waves on the East Coast. And families will find a wallet-friendly and classic seaside destination with historic sites, relaxed eateries, and unexpected wildlife—you won’t want to miss the wild horses in Corolla. Traditionally, home rentals were the main accommodation options here, but in the past few seasons, a wave of new boutique hotels have joined the scene. Popular resort The Sanderling (now run by EOS Hospitality) got a major renovation in 2025, with new restaurant Theodosia presenting an innovative take on local cuisine.

For live music, art, and an award-winning food scene, all eyes are on Asheville. Set in the western part of the state in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the buzzy destination just emerged from an impressive rebuild following Hurricane Helene. Among the revitalized offerings are the South Slope Mural Trail, a self-guided tour of elevated street art in the South Slope Cultural District, and Resurrection Studios Collective: Housed in a historic manufacturing building downtown, the group hosts open studios, rotating displays, and pop-up shops. Hotel openings in recent years include The Restoration Hotel Asheville, located in the heart of downtown, and The Radical Asheville, Tapestry Collection by Hilton in the River Arts District, for those who like an edgier vibe—both of them now fully reopened after Helene. Or head to one of the luxury resorts in the mountains near Asheville, like High Hampton in Cashiers, a historic mountain lodge bought and relaunched by the Blackberry Farm owner a few years ago, or Cataloochee Ranch, whose owners have pledged $2 million to local recovery efforts.

Meanwhile in South Carolina, people are flocking to the iconic city of Charleston. The coastal enclave has long been beloved for its Lowcountry cuisine, candy-colored historic row houses, walkability, and celebrated festivals. In 2026, The Cooper, a riverfront boutique hotel with multiple restaurants, will join the recently opened The Dunlin, Auberge Collection (20 miles outside Charleston) and The Nickel Hotel. And iconic The Charleston Place offers new experiences including a private yacht charter and a year-long residency with acclaimed chef Daniel Humm.

174% Increase in Fora bookings to Asheville in the past year

157% Increase in Fora bookings to South Carolina in the past year