The DDRE Luxury Edit
What's Capturing Our Attention in 2026
From global cultural moments to destinations, design, hospitality and horology; these are the signals capturing our attention this year.
A curated perspective on what's shaping luxury now and where the world is moving next.
Where will you be headed?
The It List
Queensway Regeneration, London
The reinvention of Queensway’s historic Whiteley’s landmark stands poised to define 2026 as the year this once-overlooked West London enclave steps into the spotlight of global luxury living. Behind its meticulously restored Grade II-listed façade, 139 bespoke residences and the UK’s first Six Senses hotel and spa set a new benchmark for sophisticated urban life, marrying heritage with discreet contemporary design.
Residents will enjoy wellness spaces, social lounges, a state-of-the-art gym by Third Space and a curated mix of shops, cafés and restaurants that elevate daily rituals into refined experiences. With a Whole Foods Market joining the neighbourhood’s offer, Queensway’s blossoming cultural and lifestyle tapestry is fast becoming one of London’s most compelling new addresses.
Milano Cortina 2026, Italy
The Winter Olympics return to Italy in February 2026, casting an international spotlight on Cortina d’Ampezzo’s snow-kissed slopes and Milan’s urbane glamour as the co-hosts of Milano Cortina 2026. This fusion of alpine prestige and city sophistication elevates Cortina, already beloved for its dolce vita ambience and dramatic Dolomites backdrop, into a season of global attention, refined hospitality and sporting spectacle that resonates far beyond the piste.
From Michelin-starred dining and elegant mountain retreats to world-class cultural exploration and bespoke Olympic hospitality, 2026 promises an unforgettable blend of high-end leisure and once-in-a-generation energy in one of Europe’s most storied landscapes.
Four Seasons Yacht
The debut of Four Seasons Yachts in early 2026 marks an unprecedented chapter in luxury travel - a floating sanctuary that reimagines the notion of a superyacht as a high-end, hotel-at-sea experience. The inaugural vessel, Four Seasons I, spans 14 decks with 95 ocean-view suites, a one-to-one guest-to-crew ratio and expansive wellness, dining and entertainment spaces that blur the line between residential comfort and grand hospitality.
Tailored itineraries across the Mediterranean, Caribbean and beyond invite discerning travellers to explore iconic ports, hidden coves and sapphire seas with unparalleled service at every turn - from private marinas and bespoke shore excursions to lavish spa decks and social spaces that rival the world’s finest resorts.
With its residential-scale suites, panoramic vistas and meticulous attention to detail, this ultra-luxury yacht experience sets a new benchmark for refined exploration on the water.
Venice Biennale Arte, Italy
The 61st Venice Biennale Arte - opening 9 May and running through 22 November 2026 - stands as the most prestigious convergence of contemporary creativity on the global calendar. Titled In Minor Keys, this edition unfolds across the historic Giardini, Arsenale and hidden palazzos throughout Venice, inviting visitors to slow down, feel and reflect through a poetic, sensory-driven curatorial vision conceived by the late Koyo Kouoh.
Beyond the main exhibition, national pavilions offer world-class moments of discovery, making every corner of the city a gallery in its own right.
For discerning travellers, the Biennale isn’t just a festival, it’s an invitation to experience art as emotional resonance, dialogue and design inspiration against the backdrop of Venice’s romantic canals and Renaissance splendour.
Loulous Les Amis Members' Club, London
Parisian hospitality luminaries Loulou Groupe are set to unveil Les Amis, their first UK members’ club, in the heart of Mayfair at 16 Charles Street in autumn 2026. More than a private retreat, this 25,000 sq ft, five-floor Grade II*-listed townhouse - once the salon of society hostess Dame Margaret Greville - will be reimagined as a refined pied-à-terre for the world’s most discerning tastemakers, with elegant salons, bars and intimate dining spaces that echo the brand’s famed Parisian warmth and joie de vivre.
Led by executive chef Benoît Dargère and conceived by an acclaimed design team, Les Amis promises a seamless fusion of culinary artistry, cultural curation and effortless style. One ground-floor French brasserie will remain open to the city, hinting at the exclusive experiences awaiting members above - a place where conversations, connections and celebrations unfold with Paris-inspired grace in London’s most storied enclave.
Watches & Wonders, Geneva
Watches and Wonders Geneva remains the quintessential destination for connoisseurs of haute horlogerie - a seven-day celebration of craftsmanship, innovation and timeless design that places Geneva at the centre of the luxury world every April 14–20, 2026. Across the expansive Palexpo halls and immersive “In the City” activations, 66 prestigious maisons - including icons such as Audemars Piguet, Cartier, Rolex, Patek Philippe and Hermès - will unveil their latest creations, revealing the year’s most anticipated premieres and artisanal masterpieces.
More than a trade show, Watches and Wonders is a cultural phenomenon where collectors, designers and tastemakers converge, where exclusive soirées and brand showcases spill into Geneva’s elegant streets, and where the art of watchmaking is experienced as both heritage and avant-garde spectacle.
