The Mergui Archipelago off the western coast of southern Myanmar has remained largely uninhabited until now. In spring, the Wa Ale luxury eco-resort will settle on a kilometre of pristine white beach, comprising of a modest 11 luxury villas - three of which are squirrelled away in the jungle canopy. Providing unobstructed sea views, the castaway lodgings will offer more than just an idyllic hideaway, with 20% of the resort's annual profit going to the Lampi Foundation which funds conservation projects in and around the national marine park that the hotel is situated in.

La Peer is the latest addition to the Kimpton Hotel group's ever-growing portfolio. Situated in West Hollywood's design district, Icelandic designer Gulla Jónsdóttir has fused bespoke artwork with earthy tones and European furnishings, mirroring the neighbourhood's on-trend aesthetic. The decidedly bold interiors, complete with leather cocoon wall, six-foot round light sconces in the lobby and vintage bass fixtures emphasise LA's token laid-back vibe. Paying homage to the city's health-conscious lifestyle, each room is equipped with eco-friendly Jade Yoga mats and a morning mediation soundtrack.

As Soho House's seventh London establishment, the reborn Kettner's Townhouse neighbours the group's original Soho House on Greek Street. Inside, the 33 room residence is decidedly grand with sizeable bedrooms finished in 1920s style furnishings. As one of London's first restaurants to serve French food, the simple menu at the townhouse is decidedly satiating and the champagne bar is set to be a surefire Soho hotspot. Its hedonistic heyday precedes it with former guests including Sir Winston Churchill, Agatha Christie and Oscar Wilde; newcomers are expected to follow in their rambunctious footsteps.

Climate change campaigner and Hollywood heartthrob Leonardo DiCaprio is joining the celebrity-cum-hotel-owner-ranks ranks this year. Located off of the coast of northern Belize near the world's second-largest reef, Blackadore Caye will pave the way in eco-tourism as the world's first restorative island. After a decade of planning, the 104-acre island is being divided into two composite parts. One half will serve as a wildlife reserve and research centre, while the other half will house 36 luxury bungalows and off-grid homes. Designed by the inimitable Jean-Michel Gathy - the man behind some of the world's most sumptuous hotels, including Aman Venice, Chedi Andermatt and Cheval Blanc Randheli - expect next-level luxury and flair.

Not many hotels can say they travelled over 700km before taking root. In one of China's boldest conservation projects, over 10,000 trees - including a 1000 year old Emperor tree - were transported to Minhang to create Aman's fourth sanctuary on Chinese oil. Amanyangyun, the Aman group's first property in Shanghai, is the result of philanthropist Ma Dadong and Kerry Hill Architects' (the team behind Aman Tokyo) endeavour to relocate thousands of camphor trees and relics of Chinese history that were under threat from developers. Of Amanyangyun's 26 antiquated villas, many still bear ornate stone carvings and inscriptions. Seamlessly fusing ancient history with minimalist design, the Ming courtyard suites offer guests sleek, refined-wood interiors, light-flooded bedrooms and private courtyards in an ethereal hideaway.

After opening their beautiful Paris enclave last year, we're eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Hoxton's first North American outpost. With the area's eclectic mix of indie bookstores, waterfront flea markets and buzzing rooftop bars, it was always going to be Williamsburg that the Hoxton took root. Rooms will feature bespoke bed linen designed by Dusen Dusen, plush velvet furnishings, locally crafted ceramics and bookshelves filled with the work of neighbourhood artists. The former Rosenwach Factory will house three restaurants, meeting rooms and a rooftop bar offering glittering Manhattan views. Downtown Los Angeles and Portland will also receive their own Hoxton hustle later in the year.

Following the success of the Treetop hotel, another whacky concept has emerged from the endlessly innovative Bertil Harström and Johan Kauppi (two of Sweden's most renowned architects). In the far reaches of Swedish Lapland, this six-bedroom hotel and spa will float atop the Lule river during summer and as winter sets in will freeze into place. The main building has a hot bath, several saunas and spa, where the brave can plunge into the central ice bath.

The former BBC headquarters is undergoing a transformative facelift. Comprising of 950 apartments, a new Soho House member's-only club and a second Bluebird restaurant, expectations for the campus have reached mighty heights, almost outshining The Ned which was the most talked about hotel opening of 2017. Unlike the shabby surroundings of BBC classic Fawlty Towers, expect the White City 50-room hotel to decked to the highest standards with sumptuous velvets and instantly Instragrammable floor tiles.

Perched on the edge of a working tea plantation are the grass-thatched lodges of One&Only's newest nature resort. Cocooned in the foothills of the Virunga volcano range the One&Only Gorilla's Nest vows to offer the closest encounter to some of the rarest primates on earth. Lush jungle landscapes surround wooden villas where guests can watch mountain gorillas roaming freely in their natural habitat. With the secluded experience of watching these majestic primates from your own private balcony, jeep-safaris suddenly seem so 2017.

Following a magnificent three-phase restoration project, Singapore icon Raffle's is set to reopen its doors. Retaining its signature white exterior, the historic haunt of Joseph Conrad and Charlie Chaplin will benefit from a new range of residence suites named and styled after local cinemas. Home to the Singapore Sling cocktail, the Long Bar's plantation-inspired décor has been revamped, though the novelty tradition of throwing peanut shells on the floor while sipping on the notorious cocktail has been endures.

Forget chauffeur-driven transfers; zip-lining is the most direct route into this extravagantly luxe camp. Located in the nature corridor that joins three Cambodian national parks, the lodge's style teeters on colonial safari chic. Pitched up in the mountainous terrain, tent-like structures are suspended above cascading waterfalls. These design-led accommodations are adorned with vintage luggage trunks, retro brass phones and freestanding bathtubs on the veranda. Guests can accompany rangers and researchers as they study the wild forests and its inhabitants - namely gorillas.

As the 2018 European Capital of Culture, Valletta is stepping into the spotlight, and it's the second venture from Mark Weingard that all eyes are on. Made up of two houses, a former bank and several vaults, the 24-room boutique is an eclectic space of varying designs. For those seeking contemporary aesthetics, the stone-clad penthouse suite with rooftop plunge pool is the top contender. The boho brigade will love the vaulted rooms with basement jacuzzis, while those wishing to immerse themselves in the baroque architecture characteristic of the city should plump for the two-bedroom suite with harbour views.

Created by the people behind Ace Hotel, Sister City is taking a minimalist approach to travelling by focusing on guests core needs. A respite from urban life, the Ace’s latest Manhattan posting is “an experiment in essentialism.” Shaving off the excess, the hotel’s zenified aesthetic is influenced by Japanese and Scandinavian design, with rooms offering little more than compact shelving space, a comfortable bed and hardwood flooring. Inspired by a “less, but better” philosophy guest will find satisfaction in the simple sleekness of the rooftop bar and in-house restaurant right on Bowery.