How Hotels Are Incorporating Stargazing into Design

How Hotels Are Incorporating Stargazing into Design

Astrotourism is a low-impact, sustainable form of tourism focused on the viewing of celestial objects and events. With recent astronomical events like the April solar eclipse taking center stage in the US, hospitality providers are increasingly considering how to incorporate the sky and stars as part of the guest experience. 

For example, multi-faceted design firm Luxury Frontiers (notably behind Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort, and numerous Wilderness lodges) ensures buildings and outdoor spaces are oriented to maximize views of the night sky, and the positioning of rooms, terraces, and common areas is carefully considered to provide unobstructed views. Designs include large windows and, in some cases, walls and doors that can be completely opened, allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in nature and enjoy stargazing from anywhere onsite. To reduce light pollution and enhance the visibility of stars, Luxury Frontiers implements dark sky-friendly lighting practices (by using low-intensity, shielded lighting, and motion sensors) to minimize artificial light, ensuring that the constellations remain clear and brilliant. 

See below for three specific examples of Luxury Frontiers’ star-oriented designs: 

Puku Ridge (Zambia)

The newly revitalized Puku Ridge lodge in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park pays homage to the land and cultures with local elements, patterns, and traditions woven into the architecture and style. When the sun goes down, each suite has incorporated a raised starbed concept to maximize appreciation of the surrounding land and sky. The beds are enclosed within a mosquito-net, sit under a shaded canopy, and can slide out into the open air, creating a ‘star bed’ for sleeping under the glittering blanket of the night sky above.

Camp Sarika by Amangiri (Utah)

Set within the dramatic landscape of Southern Utah, Camp Sarika by Amangiri introduces a level of luxury built to blend seamlessly into the canyon environment. Camp Sarika’s remote location boasts an unparalleled night sky, which guests are encouraged to experience as part of the canyon immersion. Each tent comes equipped with a telescope and plenty of outdoor seating for guests to do their own stargazing. The property additionally offers pavilions with the best lookouts for an unforgettable stargazing session. Guests can watch pink and orange-hued sunsets followed by mesmerizing starry skies while relaxing in their private plunge pool or telling stories around the fire pit.⁠

Boma at Madwaleni River Lodge (South Africa)

At Madwaleni River Lodge, Luxury Frontiers collaborated with local artisans to weave recycled timber into a steel framework to create the boma, a traditional African enclosure meant to provide protection and a space for communal gathering. While it stands as a design spectacle within the lodge, it also offers an immersive guest experience rooted in the region's rich heritage. The structure itself opens to the sky providing an immersion into the dazzling stars at night. Inside the protective cylindrical woven shape, guests can enjoy outdoor seating and a firepit to relax at whilst basking in the evening light.