Where Independent Luxury Hotel Reviewers Say to Go in the Second Half of 2026

While the first half of 2026 may be behind us, these destinations still deserve a place on your travel list for the rest of the year. Here is why.

A Total Solar Eclipse in Northern Spain

A total solar eclipse will cross parts of northern Spain on August 12, 2026, presenting the country in a unique light.

Although travelers can also experience totality in places such as Iceland and Greenland, Andrew Harper editors favor Spain for its more reliable weather prospects.

The eclipse path will stretch from Galicia to the Balearic Islands, but Andrew Harper editors point to Santiago de Compostela. They recommend staying in Parador de Santiago de Compostela or A Quinta da Auga, each about a 50-minute drive from A Coruña, a prime viewing spot in Galicia.

Post-World Cup Travel in Washington State

The FIFA World Cup may be over, but Seattle’s moment in the global spotlight is not. The city hosted six matches, including two knockout games, but those arriving after the tournament can explore it at a more relaxed pace.

Just a three-minute walk from Lumen Field stadium, Populus Seattle provides a stylish base. This One Michelin Key hotel in Pioneer Square welcomes guests into a restored 1907 building that features a Pacific Northwest restaurant, Salt Harvest, and a rooftop bar, Firn. In addition to the building’s original steel beams, exposed brick, and industrial details, guests marvel at amazing  views of the Seattle skyline, the Puget Sound waterfront, and, on clear days, the Olympic Mountains.

From there, travelers can continue to the San Juan Islands, where Outlook Inn on Orcas Island has drawn renewed attention since coming under new ownership in 2022. Orcas Island offers a slower Pacific Northwest escape with ferries, kayaking, whale watching and a small-town atmosphere.

Andrew Harper editors also point to Gamble Sands in central Washington, where the Scarecrow course offers golf travelers another reason to look beyond Washington's usual destinations.

A Fall Escape for Food and Art in Mexico City

For football fans, Mexico City’s biggest moment this year came with the 2026 FIFA World Cup opening match on June 11, 2026, but for food and art lovers, the city remains a compelling choice especially in fall, when cooler weather makes exploring its celebrated dining scene even more appealing.

As of 2026, the Michelin Guide lists 11 Michelin-starred restaurants in the capital city, led by Pujol and Quintonil, each with two Michelin stars.

Its cultural landscape closely follows the dining scene, with several museums recently opened or reimagined. The most anticipated arrival was Museo Casa Kahlo, or Casa Roja, in September 2025, focusing on Frida Kahlo's early life and family.

The hotel scene also catches up with the city's momentum in food and culture. Andrew Harper editors point to Volga in Cuauhtémoc, a minimalist hotel centered on gastronomy, art and culture; Casona Roma Norte, a 32-room boutique hotel near some of Roma Norte's best restaurants and galleries; and Hotel Dama, a retro 17-room property with a rooftop bar and restaurant.

A Quieter Italian Coastline in Tuscany

Italy is on the list too, but not the overcrowded Amalfi Coast. Millions descend on Positano and neighboring towns each summer, mobbing the UNESCO-listed coastline of only about 43 square miles, slightly smaller than San Francisco.

For 2026, Andrew Harper points instead to the Tuscan coast, especially Forte dei Marmi, where the new Pensione America adds a retro-glamorous hotel option.

Farther south, Porto Ercole on the Monte Argentario peninsula could be another coastal base. Il Pellicano has long been the area's best-known luxury hotel, but Andrew Harper editors also point to La Roqqa, whose arrival brings new energy to the area.

Malta After the Summer Crowds Leave

Malta is another European pick with a small-island feel and a growing culinary scene. And the good news is that the summer peak is almost over. Fall brings not only milder weather, but fewer visitors.

Valletta, the capital, already has one of the Mediterranean's most dramatic harbors and three of the country's seven Michelin-starred restaurants.

For travelers who prefer boutique hotels, historic streets and short distances, Malta can work as a compact alternative to larger Mediterranean destinations.

Andrew Harper editors note well-known luxury brands may not yet have found their way to Malta, but that may be part of the appeal. Instead, the island has a collection of small boutique properties such as The Xara Palace.

Dry-Season Wildlife Viewing in Namibia

According to Andrew Harper editors, Namibia stands out as the safari destination for 2026 with desert landscapes, low-density tourism and wildlife uniquely adapted to harsh environments.

Fall arrives at exactly the right time in Namibia marking the end of the dry season. During this time of the year, animals gather around the last remaining waterholes, making elephants, zebras, antelope, or rhinos easier to locate. 

Travelers come for places such as Etosha, Sossusvlei, Damaraland and the Skeleton Coast, but the real draw is often the feeling of space.

For those who want a safari experience built as much around landscapes and solitude as wildlife sightings, Namibia fits that picture.

Andrew Harper editors recommend visiting Nkasa Rupara National Park and staying at Nkasa Linyanti, a new six-room Natural Selection camp opened in May 2026. They also mention the new 10-room Hoanib Elephant Camp, a base in Kaokoland for viewing desert-adapted wildlife and meeting local Himba people.

A Tropical Winter Escape to the Seychelles

As winter approaches in the Northern Hemisphere, Seychelles remains warm, lush and ready for visitors to escape the cold weather.

Seychelles is now even easier to reach thanks to new and returning air services to the Indian Ocean archipelago from Doha and Istanbul.

Andrew Harper editors point to two private islands: North Island, now under independent management and Fregate Island, set to reopen in late 2026 after a long rebuild.

High-end travelers may be interested to discover that the ultramodern beach resort Cheval Blanc Seychelles opened on Mahé in December 2024 with sister properties in St. Barths, Paris and the Maldives.

Puerto Rico After the Hurricane Season is Over

Visitors already go to Puerto Rico to explore Old San Juan's colonial streets, Caribbean beaches, El Yunque rainforest, bioluminescent bays and a food culture shaped by Spanish, Taíno and Afro-Caribbean influences.

By the end of November, the Atlantic hurricane season is over and the wetter months are giving way to the driest, least humid season in Puerto Rico, which runs from December through March.

Andrew Harper editors point to another reason to visit the island: a new wave of luxury hotel openings that has been missing in recent years.

Four Seasons Resort and Residences Puerto Rico opened in late 2025 at the former St. Regis Bahía Beach property in Río Grande, bringing one of the world's best-known luxury hotel brands to the island.

More high-profile projects are expected to follow, including Moncayo, Auberge Collection, planned for 2027 on Puerto Rico's east coast, and Mandarin Oriental, expected in 2028 in Cabo Rojo.

Okinawa, Japan After Typhoon Season

Andrew Harper's Japan pick looks beyond the country's most crowded classic stops, such as Kyoto or Hakone. A slower island rhythm sets Okinawa Prefecture, especially Miyako Island, apart, along with subtropical beaches and Ryukyu culture.

Japan remains one of the world's most in-demand destinations, and Okinawa gives travelers a way to see a different side of the country.

Since Okinawa’s typhoon season is usually over by the end of September, the destination stays mild enough for coastal walks, cultural sightseeing and outdoor exploration well into December.

Andrew Harper editors recommend staying in the 19-villa Shigira, the five-villa Namyu The Place, both on Miyako Island, or in the 55-villa Rosewood Miyakojima that has placed the island firmly on the luxury travel map since 2025.

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