This brand new Luxury Collection Resort on Koh Samui openend in January 2013 with 80 suites, each with a private pool. Set in the Ang Tong National Marine park, the Vana Belle runs Thai cookery classes, elephant trekking excursions as well as a traditional Thai spa. A special offer to mark its launch is valid until 15th July 2013: of £366 per room, per night including accommodation in a classic pool suite, breakfast and £40 dining credit per night.

This month (January 2013). JA Resorts & Hotels launched Dubai’s only beachfront four-star hotel, the Ocean View. All rooms and suites are sea-facing, and guests can wine and dine in one of six restaurants and bars or relax at health club, which has its own spa, jacuzzi and steam room. The hotel sits on a public beach and also runs a complimentary shuttle to the five-star secluded sandy beach at the Jebel Ali Golf Resort, recently awarded the World Travel Award for the ‘World’s Leading Family Resorts.'

The four-star Ambre hotel, on the east coast of Mauritius, nestles on a tropical lagoon with 700m of white sand running along a sheltered bay. There's a distinctive focus on nature for both adults and children, with scuba diving and big game fishing as well as environmental excursions for families. Kuoni offers seven nights all-inclusive at Ambre Mauritius from £1,670p per person.

Set at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, the Taj Palace Marrakech boasts 161 rooms including 25 suites. A blend of Asian, Moroccan and Indian decorative influences means this place a distinct and lavish atmosphere, aided by the Jiva Grande Spa which boasts 14 treatment rooms as well as two large hammams and fitness centre. The hotel is expected to be open for April, with rates showing at around £500 per night.

The highly anticipated luxury hotel inside the spire of London's Shard building is due to open in March 2013, complete with 202 rooms, a "food theatre" cafe with a range of international cuisines, and, of course, the best views of London. Visit shangri-la.com

Sitting on a rugged coastal landscape on an island off the coast of Newfoundland, this five-star hotel is intended to become "one of the world's great rural inns". Scheduled to open in the spring, the hotel houses a gallery, a heritage library, a rooftop spa overlooking the North Atlantic and Canada's first English language e-cinema. Visit fogoislandinn.ca.

2013 sees Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts launch its first property in India. Set on a private island in the backwaters of Kerala, this villa hotel is framed by the palm-lined picturesque backwaters for which the area is renowned. Each of the resort’s 59 villas features a private pool, and the hotel hosts a dedicated Ayurvedic Centre. A houseboat offers leisurely evening rides on the tranquil backwaters, and there's an array of dining options including South Indian and Thai cuisine.

The Botanique Hotel & Spa in the Campos do Jordão is a design-led property comprising 11 private villas and six suites which opened in January. There's a Brazilian spa, a dramatic fine dining restaurant and Brazilian cookery school, private movie theatre and stables with Olympic standard horses. 

This year, Art’otel Amsterdam joins the art’otel collection of contemporary hotels that fuse exceptional architectural style with art-inspired interiors. The new upscale lifestyle hotel will have 107 rooms including four suites and a gallery displaying works of art by the hotel’s signature artist. There's an art curator-concierge, library, fitness  centre and swimming pool, cocktail bar and destination restaurant with a 300 sqm art gallery and multi-purpose exhibition.

Due for its grand opening in February, the world's tallest hotel will stand at 355mm high and spread across two towers. It features nine restaurants, five lounges and entertainment venues, a spa and health club plus a huge sun deck with a swimming pool and cabanas. Rooms come complete with spectacular views, iPod stations and LCD TVs. Dialaflight is offering four nights at the JW Dubai from £799 on departures in March, based on flights and B&B accommodation.