across the universe: the world’s 5 best hotels for stargazing

“Be clearly aware of the stars and infinity on high. Then life seems almost enchanted after all,” vincent van gogh wrote of the night sky. van gogh captured the utter magic of the celestial sphere in his work, and his fascination with the heavens is one that’s not unique. the night sky has captivated and puzzled humans from the beginning of time, but with most of us living in the urban centres of the world, a full night sky is a sight we rarely get to experience. from ultra-minimal forest cabins in japan to glamping in the australian outback, we’ve got the best enchanted stays across the world.

levin iglut, finland

at a vertigo-inducing height of 340m , levit iglut offers panoramic views of the finnish wilderness. sleep under the stars in your own glass igloo, with uninterrupted views of the night sky. the accomodation is decidedly lux, with each private suite offering its own sauna, balcony, and hot tub and access to an onsite restaurant, also constructed entirely of glass. situated in finland’s lapland, the igloos offer a front row seat to the elusive northern lights and finland’s pristine night skies.

https://leviniglut.net/

longitude 131, australia

we’ve been lucky enough to experience first-hand the sheer magic of nightfall in the red centre - a darkness illuminated by galaxies light years away, made visible in a cloudless night sky. set deep in the outback and with view’s of uluru, longitude 131 offers a unique glamping experience. each of the 16 luxury tents offers a king size bed, lounge area, bar, and ensuite bathroom with rain shower. but the star (pun intended) of each tent is a king sized daybed set out on a private balcony, allowing guests to cozy up under a cloudless night sky.

https://longitude131.com.au/

hoshinoya fuji, japan

at hoshinoya fuji, impeccable japanese design meets an unwavering respect for the natural world. nestled amongst towering redwoods on a mountain slope, the minimalist cabins just out like telescopes. designed by rie azuma, the clever design blurs the line between outside and inside, with floor to ceiling windows, and private balconies with day beds, sofa, and fireplace. located close to mt. fuji, enjoy a scenic hike, learn to chop wood, or dine al fresco around a bonfire.

https://hoshinoya.com/fuji/en/

Andbeyond Sossusvlei Desert Lodge, namibia

seamlessly set within a private desert reserve, andbeyond’s sossusvlei lodge is an oasis of luxury in namibia’s sprawling country. every aspect of the complex has been taken into consideration - from sustainability, to ensuring that the architecture of the lodge does not overpower its incredible natural environment. each suite includes its own rain shower with 180 degree views of the surrounding desert, a retractable skylight above the bed, and balcony with private plunge pool. bordering an International Dark Sky Reserve, those staying at the lodge are treated to some of the world’s most magical night skies. lounge under the stars in your private room, or head to their observatory with a state of the art celestron telescope to experience the night sky up close and personal.

https://www.andbeyond.com/our-lodges/africa/namibia/sossusvlei-desert/andbeyond-sossusvlei-desert-lodge/

Soneva, maldives

where in the world can you see constellations from both the northern and southern hemisphere? the maldive’s soneva hotel is uniquely placed for the most avid of stargazers, and certainly makes the most of its unique position. situated in the pristine noona atoll and far from any light pollution, each over-water bungalow has a retractable roof that allows for uninterrupted views of the night sky. lie in the masterbedroom and gaze at the night sky, take a dip in your private pool, or venture to the resort’s james bond inspired observatory for a closer look at the stars.

https://soneva.com/

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