9 Hotels With Out-of-This-World Stargazing

With a rare total solar eclipse and some of the best northern lights viewing in decades, 2024 has been a big year for astrotourism. But even when the calendar isn't stacked with celestial events, trips to experience wonders like dazzling meteor showers and lunar eclipses are on the rise—and hotels are taking notice.

Located far from the reach of harmful light pollution, in deserts, private islands and Dark Sky Reserves (designated spaces that boast exceptional star viewing), the hotels below offer some of the best stargazing experiences in the world. Rounding out their astral offerings, these nine properties also include activities like full moon hikes, aurora wake-up calls, open-air movie nights and other astronomy-related programming to help you explore the skies like never before. (Photo courtesy of Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas.)

Zannier Hotels Sonop (Sonop Farm, Namibia)

Set in the Namib desert, in the heart of one of the world's 16 International Dark Sky Reserves, Zannier Hotels Sonop should be a bucket-list stay for amateur astronomers. The hotel, which is inspired by the 1920s-era safari, takes advantage of its location by stocking rooms with vintage binoculars, maps and telescopes to aid your stargazing adventures. If those amenities don't push you outdoors to look up at the skies, your room's private terrace and roll-up canvas "windows" will.

As day turns to night, catch classics like "The Lion King" and "Titanic" at the open-air cinema or opt for the Astronomy Discovery experience, during which a guide will teach you to use a telescope and identify stars and planets from the property's main deck.

Hotel Rangá (Hella, Iceland)

Chase the northern lights in the remote Icelandic countryside at Hotel Rangá, which offers a range of services from September to mid-April to ensure a successful viewing. With the press of a button on your room phone, you can set an aurora wake-up call to signal the hotel's concierge to reach out when the lights are visible. Then, head straight for one of the outdoor lookout benches or three geothermal hot tubs around the property for the best views. You don't even need to worry about packing the right outerwear or heavy photo gear, as the hotel has snowsuits, blankets and tripods for guests to borrow.

Hotel Rangá also has an on-site observatory complete with two high-powered telescopes. On clear nights, a local astronomer provides tours of constellations, galaxies, planets and other celestial bodies not visible to the unaided eye.

Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas (Baa Atoll, Maldives)

Home to the Maldives' only over-water observatory, Anantara Kihavah puts a luxurious spin on stargazing. The observatory doubles as the rooftop SKY Bar, where you can sip Champagne as the on-staff 'SKY Guru' points out planets and shares stories about the stars. The resort is located on a private island, and most rooms come with pool terraces or direct access to the beach for admiring the stars in total seclusion. If you're open to meeting your neighbors, hit the cinema under the stars for an outdoor movie paired with Champagne, oysters or popcorn.

AutoCamp Joshua Tree (Joshua Tree, California)

Take your camping trip to the next level in a decked-out airstream at AutoCamp's Joshua Tree location. All accommodation types feature kitchenettes and private bathrooms, so you can focus less on setting up camp and more on getting outside to see the skies.

Book the full moon hike, where a guide will lead you on a mile-long excursion through Joshua Tree National Park under the moonlight. Or, opt for a two-hour open-air sound bath, led by a certified sound practitioner after the sun sets during the new moon (arguably the best time to stargaze, thanks to the extra-dark skies). You can also sit by the campfire and join the hotel's monthly stargazing session, hosted by an astronomer and accompanied by a live DJ set. You'll get to check out the constellations while listening to disco and electronic dance records on vinyl.

Nayara Alto Atacama Desert (Atacama Desert, Chile)

Located in Chile's remote Atacama Desert, Nayara Alto offers some of the world's best stargazing at the only open-air observatory in the region. During the property's guided Andean Astronomy experience, you can climb to the hilltop observatory while an expert walks you through the night sky. In the rooms, outdoor showers and terraces show off the stars and impressive views of the Andes Mountains. For even more breathtaking vistas, plan for a meal in the hotel's outdoor dining room, where you can enjoy traditional South American barbecue under the stars.

Hyatt Regency Maui Resort And Spa (Lahaina, Hawaii)

Once the sun sets at this Maui resort, guests can participate in the hotel's NASA ambassador-led astronomy program. The island's Pacific Ocean location offers a rare opportunity to spot an impressive 80 constellations (out of 88 in total), and the resort's rooftop observatory opens for a few hours every night for guided star searching. For travelers who want to hone a new skill, astrophotography workshops are available by request.

Arctic TreeHouse Hotel (Rovaniemi, Finland)

Witness the magic of the northern lights from one of the cabins at the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel, all of which feature large floor-to-ceiling windows. The GlassHouse suites even have fireplaces, kitchenettes and a private in-room sauna. When you're ready to venture outdoors, book the hotel's starry sky experience, which brings you through the snow-filled forest to enjoy a traditional Lappish feast on a heated sledge. Or, opt for a nighttime reindeer tour, where you'll be led to a crackling campfire under the moonlight.

ADERO Scottsdale Resort (Scottsdale, Arizona)

Because of its location in a designated Dark Sky Zone, ADERO has gone to great lengths to make stargazing possible from almost every corner of the property. The hotel serves as the only Dark Sky community resort in the Sonoran Desert, and each room is outfitted with a private balcony, allowing you to take advantage of the remote location during solo star viewing sessions. The hotel's stargazing offerings don't stop there, you'll also have complimentary access to high-definition telescopes and the Star Walk 2 mobile app for self-guided star viewing. Or, on Friday nights, spring for a guided tour with a trained ‘Star Dude.'

Spicers Peak Lodge (Maryvale, Australia)

Experience peak outdoor adventure during your stay at this secluded mountain lodge in Queensland, which overlooks the rainforest during the day, and offers unpolluted views of the stars at night. The hotel's popular lodge suites feature a patio that opens up to the mountainside, where meals and drinks can be enjoyed under the stars. Guests can also join the guided campfire constellation experience, where a guide will teach you to navigate using the stars.