Sleeping under the stars is on everyone’s bucket list, right? There is something so magical about it but if camping really isn’t your thing, we have some great alternatives for you to catch those shooting stars without having to slump it on the cold, hard ground. If you are more of a Bridget Jones ‘Glamper’ or you revel in a little bit of luxury, you can still catch those all-important shooting stars across the globe at these 15 hotels.
Don’t forget to rate your hotel though…after all, every star counts.
Bubble Domes, Finn Lough Resort, Northern Ireland
This resort in Northern Ireland is what dreams are made of. Switch off and unwind in the tranquillity of nature in these cute bubble domes, featuring 180° transparent walls and ceiling. With a bespoke four-poster bed, private ensuite bathroom and fluffy robes, this is the ultimate hotel to snuggle up with your nearest and dearest and fall asleep under the stars.
Website: www.finnlough.com
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, Finland
Everyone knows that seeing the Northern Lights can be a bit unpredictable. Queue Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort to save the day. Don’t fork out a load of cash for an Aurora tour that might just involve black starry skies and disappointment, fluff up your pillows, get into your jammies and stargaze under the sky at this Finnish hotel.
Website: www.booking.com
Soneva Jani, The Maldives
If the Maldives isn’t one of your dream destinations, then you haven’t seen Soneva Jani. While we weep at our desks, dreaming of the overwater villa, you can turn your Maldives and stargazing dreams into a reality. Not only do you get a pool, over the ocean, complete with a slide, but the bedroom roof is also retractable so you can watch the shooting stars right above your head. And you know, you also have views of the Indian ocean too. Sounds dreamy.
Website: www.soneva.com
Null Stern, Zero Real Estate Outdoor Hotel, Switzerland
Probably the wackiest one on our list, but you are guaranteed the nicest view of the sky at Zero Real Estate’s outdoor hotel…unless it rains. With just a bit of decking, half wall slats, double bed and a bedside table and lamps, there is nothing else separating you from Mother Nature but your warm duvet. This wild sleeping under the stars experience could be seen as ‘glamping’ but the ‘hotel’ even has a butler, offers a full fry up in the morning and don’t panic, alternative accommodation is on stand-by in case the heavens open up.
Website: www.nullsternhotel.ch
The Enchanted Faraway Tree, Canterbury, United Kingdom
Not only will this fulfil your wishes of sleeping under the stars but you will also get to live out your enchanted fairytale dreams. Canterbury’s pimped up treehouse looks so magical we are ready to pack our bags and leave ASAP. Sit outside and figure out the astrology at the outdoor fire pit, but fear not, if you’re feeling cold and sleepy you can vacate to your bed and carry on stargazing with the bedroom’s feature glass roof.
Website: www.coolstays.com
Lion Sands Game Reserve, South Africa
The most luxury sleeping under the stars experience you could ever dream of has arrived and it’s at Lion Sands Game Reserve. Not only will you get to see incredible views of the stars with the zero light pollution, but you will get to live out a real-life Lion King scene when all the animals come down to the watering hole at night. Watch all of nature’s finest creatures from the comfort of your bed, stargaze with your partner, but just watch out for the lions.
Website: www.lionsands.com
Panorama Glass Lodge, Iceland
There’s no better feeling than being tucked up inside, while the weather outside is more turbulent than Brexit. And Panorama Glass Lodge in Iceland is exactly where you can live out this fantasy. With your long-johns on, you can nestle into bed with a hot choc and watch the Aurora above. Although waking up to disco-lights might usually be a rude awakening, the Northern Lights are too damn magical to not want to risk losing a few hours of kip for.
Website: www.panoramaglasslodge.com
Sky Den Treehouse, Kielder Forest, Northumberland
If the walls look strange, don’t be alarmed. It’s just another weird and awesome design from William Hardie Designs and if you’re a Channel 4 watcher, you’ve probably seen this den feature on George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces. Weather permitting, the whole roof opens up for an unobstructed view of the gold tier Northumberland Dark Skies. Who says you have to travel far to see some shooting stars?
Website: www.canopyandstars.co.uk
L'Alberta Relais & Chateaux, Italy
As if holidays to Italy aren’t romantic enough with gondola rides and sharing plates of pasta Lady & The Tramp style, L’Alberta Relais & Chateaux have made our getaways even more romantic. Opt for their Cabriolet suite at the 5* hotel and have the chance to sleep under the stars at just the touch of a button.
Website: www.albereta.it/en/
Camp Kátur, North Yorkshire
For the humble folk who don’t mind roughing it a bit and being at one with nature, Camp Kátur offers guests accommodation in their uni-domes. Yep, these little domes are in the heart of the forest and can squeeze in 2 people. Let’s be honest, a view of Orion’s belt is way better in a warm cosy dome than in a tent on the woodland floor, am I right?! And the best part…they are pet-friendly, so our cuddly pooches can join us on our starry adventures.
Website: www.campkatur.com
Amangiri Resort, Utah
As they say, When in Rome, do as the Romans do – except this isn’t Rome, so we are going to go half and half by doing part of what the cowboys would have done, which is, of course, sleeping under the stars. The slight difference is we are in a luxury hotel with air-con and mattresses at our beckoning call. Call us divas, but what’s the fun in camping under the stars if we actually have to sleep on the gravel when we could camp-out in a 5* resort?!
Website: www.aman.com
Loveland Farm, Devon
This eco-friendly haven in Devon is not only the perfect spot to go to visit the sandy beaches but is a great place to rest your head and view the stars. In the day-time, you can start your day off right with a breakfast hamper from Loveland Farm and then explore everything Devon has to offer before stargazing with your friends and family in the evening. Bliss.
Website: www.loveland.farm
Atacama Lodge, Chile
Located in San Pedro de Atacama, the surrounding desert boasts some of the world’s clearest skies and is, therefore, one of the best places to practice astronomy. For a truly unrivalled astronomical experience, this lodge has one of the best private Chilean observatories, established in 2008 by Explora. As well as star-gazing, this lodge has all the charms of one of the most iconic desert landscapes in the world – salt-flats, volcanoes, geysers, hot springs, windswept sand dunes and many others.
Website: www.explora.com/atacama-lodge
Jungle Bubbles, Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort, Thailand
The attraction of these jungle bubbles is a full immersion in nature, but with the comfort of not being in nature. If you like the sound of viewing an unblemished starry sky at night before waking up to see wild Elephants going about their daily routine at sunrise – all with 24-hour in-room dining service and tea and coffee-making facilities – this could be what you’re looking for.
Website: www.anantara.com
Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, Namibia
The Sossusvlei Desert Lodge offers up a star feast each and every night – with consistency all but assured meaning you don’t have to worryingly gaze up at the cloud cover all day. It comes complete with a sophisticated on-site observatory, state-of-the-art computerised telescope and a large stargazing skylight above your bed. The lodge borders the International Dark Sky Reserve, so you are assured of phenomenal stargazing.
Website: www.andbeyond.com
Fancy more stars in your eyes? Here’s the best star gazing spots around the world…
