It’s always busy in the world of new and brilliantly-updated luxury hotels and cruise ships, and with so much happening, it can sometimes be hard for agents to keep up. 

So, to help keep you in-the-know, we’ve launched a speedy round-up of five of our favourite hot properties making their way onto the luxury radar. 

From a new convent hotel in Nice (we’re not kidding) to Raffles’ second Indian property (in Jaipur), we hope our picks will spark the inspiration you need to plan the perfect holiday for your client – and maybe even yourself.

1. Hotel du Couvent

Marriott has kicked off its French expansion with a new addition to its Luxury Collection portfolio – and let’s just say, this Nice newcomer is no ordinary property. 

Located in the second-largest French city on the Mediterranean coast and created by Valéry Grégo, Hotel du Couvent is a restored 17th-century convent with 88 rooms and suites. 

Guests are encouraged to embrace slow living in every way; cuisine made with local ingredients is served in the original refectory, while a quaint boulangerie offers fresh bread daily using the traditional milled flour method. For leisure, visitors are welcome to unwind beneath the 2.5-acre garden’s olive and lemon trees, enjoy yoga in the ‘movement studio’, or take rotational dips around the Roman baths, the indoor pool and the 20-metre outdoor pool. 

2. InterContinental Crete 

InterContinental Crete has officially opened for business, marking the inaugural Greek property for the luxury group.

Built on a heritage site dating back 75 years, the hotel features 199 guest rooms and suites designed to a minimalist finish, but with Cretan influences. A select number of its accommodation options include private plunge pools as well as interconnecting capabilities, making them ideal for couples, families, or multigenerational travellers. 

There are also two outdoor pools overlooking Mirabello Bay, three Mediterranean-inspired restaurants led by Michelin-starred chef consultant Nikos Roussos, a wellness centre and a host of family-friendly facilities.

3. Raffles Jaipur 

Raffles Jaipur has made its elegant debut, marking the second addition to the luxury hotel group’s Indian portfolio. 

A short drive from the fabled Pink City, this lavish retreat has been inspired by Rajasthani craftsmanship and offers breathtaking views of the ancient Aravalli Hills. 

All 50 guest rooms and suites include a private balcony, each with an outdoor soaking tub or plunge pool, while top-notch butler service is ready to meet guests’ needs, even arranging healing rituals at the spa that are traditional to Rajasthani culture. Meanwhile dining has been inspired by plant-based culinary practices.

4. Hoar Cross Hall 

For clients seeking a spa escape closer to home, we’re wowed this week by Hoar Cross Hall in rural Staffordshire, which has unveiled its new luxury outdoor spa, complete with a three-pool deck, a sauna, a relaxation room, a lounge bar, cabanas and fire pits.

One of the largest in Europe, its £3 million Spa Terrace boasts facilities such as a Nordic heat and ice suite. There’s also a dry stone-heated sauna and three spa pools, one of which features massage jets, and a large hot tub. Meanwhile, the relaxation room has eight adjustable loungers, while the lobby features a 300-year-old olive tree with a suspended fireplace.