three Resorts That Supply Out-Of-This-World Stargazing Experiences

Many hotels have telescopes or stargazing kits in their rooms to appeal to travelers who like to explore the night sky while on vacation. But some properties become, well, infinite and beyond, to make stargazing vacations special.

From a boat trip with an astronomer in Florida to a hotel in a Dark Sky Park in Arizona to “star bathing” in the midst of the majestic sequoias of California – these three vacations are written in your stars.

Go to the starry sky on the ocean with the Kimpton Vero Beach Hotel and Spa in Florida

You know Florida as the “Sunshine State”. But the stars that twinkle over the Atlantic also make for an excellent after-hour show. Kimpton Vero Beach Hotel and Spa, an oceanfront property on Florida’s Central Treasure Coast, offers a complimentary Starry sky on the sea Program through a partnership with Paddle by the sea. Guests can take a night river cruise led by a local astronomer who is also the president of the Mission Astronomy Group and view stars and planets through a telescope. While the Heavenly Trip is free for guests, reservations must be booked 48 hours in advance and are available on a first come, first served basis. The private river boat tour departs from the Indian River Lagoon and picnic snacks are available at the on-site restaurant Heatons. The next dates for stargazing at sea in 2021 are April 15-16. October and the 12th-13th November.

The Kimpton Vero Beach Hotel and Spa, Florida offers a free Stargazing at Sea experience.

Visit Indian River County

Enjoy astro cocktails in ADERO Scottsdale’s SkyTop Lounge

The certified Dark Sky is a first-class amenity at ADERO Scottsdale, which towers high above the rugged Sonoran Desert. The hotel celebrates its starry sky with a “Skytop Lounge”, which offers an astro cocktail menu with drinks such as The Smashed Lens with Bulleit bourbon, mixed-up mint cucumber, blackberries and an in-house grenadine. On selected evenings, the resort offers binoculars and telescopes with guided stargazing from the “Star Dudes”, ADERO’s Dark Sky Zone experts, who will tell you everything about the Orion constellation and the “Dog Star”, the brightest star visible from Earth can. Guests can also use a high-powered telescope to explore the sky on their own. QR codes are placed in the room so you can view a night sky map. Book a Signature Dark Sky Corner Suite at the southernmost end of the resort that features a wraparound balcony from which to take in dramatic desert views. Or the Celestial Suites also have wraparound balconies and panoramic views.

After sunset, the night sky comes to life and ADERO Scottsdale invites guests to the newly opened … [+] Skytop Lounge to immerse yourself in the Dark Sky community while enjoying astro-themed cocktails.

COME TO SCOTTSDALE

Go Star Bathing in the Redwoods with Alila Ventana Big Sur in California

Perhaps you have already heard or even tried forest bathing, this is a contemplative walk through the forest. But what about star bathing? Alila Big Sur window, a luxury adults-only resort in Big Sur, offers a range of unique experiences from foraging to photo walks that allow guests to immerse themselves in nature. The 2-hour guided “star bathing” is well suited for star gazers. During this meditative excursion, guests glide quietly through the towering sequoia trees that surround the resort. The flashlights will turn off as soon as you arrive at the Star Bathing Place, a place surrounded by ancient sequoias and where you can stare up at the sky. For an extra cosmic experience, you can have an astrology reading.

Guests at Alila Ventana Big Sur California can take a 2-hour Star Bathing excursion and … [+] Learn about the region’s flora and fauna as you bask in the star-studded night sky.

Alila Big Sur window