If you think you've seen everything the Sunshine State has to offer, honestly, you're probably looking at a map from 2023. Things are moving fast. Florida is currently in the middle of a massive hospitality pivot that feels less like "another hotel opening" and more like a total reimagining of what a vacation actually looks like. We aren't just talking about fresh paint and some lumpy new mattresses.
There’s a shift toward massive, self-contained "ecosystem" resorts. Think 8-acre crystal lagoons and entire amusement park-adjacent districts. At the same time, the Gulf Coast is finally getting the ultra-luxury treatment it’s deserved for decades. If you're planning a trip for 2026, the old favorites might not even be the best options anymore.
The Orlando Power Shift: New Resorts in Florida Redefining Central Hubs
Everyone focuses on the parks. It's the default. But the new resorts in Florida popping up around Orlando are trying to make you never want to leave the property.
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Take Evermore Orlando Resort. It's basically a 1,100-acre middle finger to the "cramped hotel room" era. They’ve built an 8-acre crystal lagoon—Evermore Bay—that uses 98% less chemicals than a standard pool. It's massive. You can kayak on it. You can slide into it from a four-story waterslide.
What people get wrong is thinking Evermore is just another hotel. It's a hybrid. You’ve got the Conrad Orlando (luxury, 400+ rooms, very "grown-up") sitting right next to massive 5-to-11-bedroom vacation houses. It’s perfect for those chaotic family reunions where you want to see your cousins but maybe don't want to share a bathroom with them. The houses even have slides from the third floor to the second. Seriously.
Then you have the Universal side of things. With Epic Universe opening its gates, the hotel landscape is changing overnight. Universal Stella Nova Resort and Universal Terra Luna Resort are already taking bookings, focusing on this heavy "outer space" aesthetic. But the real crown jewel is the Universal Helios Grand Hotel. It’s physically attached to the new park. You can literally walk out of your lobby into a world of dragons and Nintendo. It’s a level of integration we haven't seen since the Grand Californian in Anaheim.
The Quiet Luxury Surge on the Gulf Coast
While Orlando is busy building space-themed towers, the Gulf Coast is leaning into what I’d call "aggressive relaxation." For the longest time, if you wanted top-tier luxury in Florida, you went to Miami or Palm Beach. Not anymore.
The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort just changed the game for Sarasota. 18 acres of pure, unadulterated "I'm richer than I look" energy. They have a saltwater lagoon where you can snorkel with tropical fish, and—no joke—they have resident Galapagos tortoises. It’s a 168-room sanctuary that feels like it belongs in the Maldives rather than just south of Tampa.
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Speaking of Naples, the Naples Beach Club, a Four Seasons Resort, is finally becoming a reality. It’s built on the site of the historic Naples Beach Hotel, but they’ve basically leveled the old vibe for something much more sophisticated. We’re talking a Tom Fazio-designed golf course and 1,000 feet of private white sand. It’s scheduled to be the heavy hitter for 2026 bookings.
Miami’s Boutique Renaissance
Miami is always doing the most. But the new trend isn't just "bigger is better." It’s about the "Proper" way of doing things. The Shelborne by Proper in South Beach is a perfect example. They took an iconic Art Deco gem and gave it a mid-century modern soul. It’s got that space-age neon glow that makes you feel like you’re in a 1950s spy movie.
And then there’s the Andaz Miami Beach. It took over the old Confidante (which was the Thompson before that... keep up!), and it’s now a José Andrés playground. If you’re a foodie, this is basically your Mecca. You have Bazaar for the fancy Spanish avant-garde stuff and Aguasal for Mediterranean vibes.
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- The Sunny (Sunny Isles Beach): Debuting late 2025/early 2026, it’s replacing the old Newport Beachside. Expect yellow-striped umbrellas and seven different restaurants.
- Nobu Hotel Orlando: Slated for a 2026 opening, this 50-acre project near Lake Buena Vista is going to be a beast. 16 restaurants. An entire "entertainment village." It’s Nobu, so expect it to be expensive and very, very cool.
- Fairmont Orlando: Also eyeing a 2026 entrance. 550 rooms, including 12 villas. This is Fairmont’s first foray into Florida, and they chose a 30-acre spot in the heart of the entertainment district.
Why These Resorts Actually Matter for Your Wallet
A lot of people think new resorts mean higher prices across the board. Sorta, but not always. When huge properties like Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel (801 rooms!) open up, they add massive inventory to the market. This often puts pressure on older, "legacy" resorts to either renovate or drop their prices to stay competitive.
The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne just finished a $100 million renovation. They didn't do that for fun; they did it because the new competition is terrifying. If you're savvy, you can find deals at these newly renovated "older" spots while everyone else is distracted by the shiny new openings.
The Epic Universe Factor
You cannot talk about Florida in 2026 without mentioning Universal. The opening of a whole new theme park is a once-in-a-decade event. If you are planning to stay at Stella Nova or Terra Luna, book now. Seriously. The demand for anything near the "Epic" district is going to be astronomical.
But here’s a tip: The Waldorf Astoria Orlando just finished its own massive "reimagining." If you want to be near the action but need a break from the screaming kids and the smell of churros, that’s your spot. They’ve kept the iconic lobby clock but updated everything else to this "Organic Deco" style that feels incredibly fresh.
Actionable Steps for Your 2026 Florida Trip
Stop booking the same hotel you’ve stayed at for the last five years. Florida’s geography of luxury has shifted.
- Check the Opening Buffers: If a resort says it opens in "Spring 2026," do not book your wedding for April. Give them at least three months to figure out why the elevators keep stopping on the 4th floor.
- Look for "Soft Open" Rates: Many of these properties, especially the boutique ones in Miami like The Daydrift, offer significant discounts during their first few months while construction is being finalized in minor areas.
- Cross-Reference the "Lagoon" Resorts: If you’re traveling with a huge group, Evermore is currently unbeatable for the "house with hotel perks" vibe. Just make sure you understand the transport situation; it’s a big property, and you’ll want a golf cart.
- Prioritize the Gulf for Romance: If this is a couples' trip, skip Orlando and Miami. The St. Regis Longboat Key or the Four Seasons Naples are providing a level of quiet sophistication that Florida has lacked for a while.
The reality is that new resorts in Florida are moving toward "Destination Resorts"—places where the hotel is the vacation. Whether you’re sliding down a 3rd-story indoor slide in Orlando or sipping a cocktail next to a Galapagos tortoise in Sarasota, the 2026 season is looking wild.
Stay flexible, watch the opening dates closely, and maybe finally try a resort that doesn't have a mouse on the lobby wallpaper.