Stay Under the Stars: Hotels Made for Stargazing

Many travelers chase stunning scenery in the bright light of day. But the night sky can be just as wondrous and captivating as waterfalls, mountains, and rivers here on Earth. Around the world, stargazing enthusiasts seek out hotels and resorts perfectly positioned for dark, starry skies. Many of these properties offer more than just a view; they invite guests to delve deeper into learning about the wonders of the night sky.

Here are some of the best hotels for stargazing.

Hotel Rangá, Iceland

Stargazing is one of the main attractions at Hotel Rangá. Situated a 90-minute drive from Reykjavík on more than 130 acres along Iceland’s scenic south coast, the hotel offers an ideal setting for viewing constellations, distant planets, and the dancing northern lights that frequently illuminate the region during the darker months from September through mid-April.

A standout feature for astronomy enthusiasts: Its on-site observatory is equipped with high-quality telescopes and a custom-built roll-off roof, providing an immersive stargazing experience rarely found at a hotel. On clear nights, the hotel’s resident astronomer guides guests on a tour of the starry sky.

Thanks to Hotel Rangá’s remote location, far from light pollution, guests have ample opportunity to enjoy unobstructed views of the night sky on their own, too. Soak in one of the hotel’s geothermal hot tubs while gazing at the stars, or wrap up in a blanket on one of the hotel’s many outdoor benches for a cozy night under the cosmos.

Guests who book the hotel’s Ultimate Starbath experience enjoy accommodation for four nights that includes a private astronomy lesson, a complimentary astro-themed cocktail, and a personalized star map of the constellations they observed during their stay.

Rusty Parrot Lodge & Spa, Wyoming

Wyoming’s Teton County holds the distinction of being the first county in the world to be certified as an International Dark Sky Community. While visiting the area, guests can enjoy spectacular stargazing from the rooftop deck at the AAA Four Diamond Rusty Parrot Lodge & Spa. It provides the perfect perch to enjoy unobstructed views of the constellations, planets, and even the occasional shooting star.

For a more immersive experience, the Rusty Parrot partners with Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris to provide a Sunset Safari and Stargazing tour in nearby Grand Teton National Park—widely considered one of the best locations for stargazing in the US thanks to its high elevation, dry climate, and near-zero light pollution. The tour includes transport, dinner in the park, and guided stargazing with a high-powered telescope. Budding astronomers may also encounter some of the park’s nocturnal wildlife, such as owls and foxes, which are more active in the park once the sun sets.

HOSHINOYA Taketomi Island, Japan

Located on a remote island chain within the Okinawa Prefecture in southwestern Japan, Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park is one of the country’s most unique protected areas—and its first certified International Dark Sky Park. Spanning multiple islands and waterways, the park offers the clearest views of the night sky in East Asia.

Travelers seeking great views of the night sky can stay at HOSHINOYA Taketomi Island, a secluded resort escape on a sparsely populated island within the park. With no streetlights and minimal light pollution, Taketomi Island provides ideal conditions for stargazing. In fact, you can observe 84 of the 88 constellations. The resort supports this by keeping outdoor lighting to a minimum, allowing the natural darkness to shine.

Guests can enjoy a view of the sky from the resort’s private patios or book unique stargazing experiences such as the Starry Night Hot Pool Floating Bath—a tranquil soak in a warm pool, accompanied by star-themed mocktails and desserts, alongside a knowledgeable guide who narrates the night sky. Another option, Tinnu Deep Breathing offers a meditative experience of gentle stretching and mindful breathing under the stars. Named after the local word for “heaven,” Tinnu captures the tranquil beauty of stargazing on the poolside lawn.

ADERO Scottsdale Resort, Arizona

Located in the town of Fountain Hills, a certified International Dark Sky Community, ADERO Scottsdale Resort is a AAA Four Diamond retreat that fully embraces its celestial surroundings. Each night, the resort offers a stargazing experience that allows guests to use a high-definition telescope to view the stars above the Sonoran Desert.

During peak stargazing seasons, ADERO’s resident Star Dudes—local night sky enthusiasts who are either on the board of directors for the Dark Sky Association or the International Dark Sky Discovery Center—host weekly sky tours for a more in-depth look at the wonders of the Milky Way, often with a side of humor and storytelling.

During the full moon and new moon every month, the resort also offers Sacred Sky Floats. During these floats, guests enter the resort’s Desert Spring Pool to gaze at the clear skies above while being guided into deep meditation.

Wharekauhau Country Estate, New Zealand

Set on a 5,500-acre working sheep station, Wharekauhau Country Estate is a luxury farm- stay experience surrounded by the dramatic black-sand beaches and windswept clifftops of Palliser Bay. Located in the Wairarapa region—New Zealand’s largest dark sky reserve—this remote escape offers a front-row seat to the southern night sky. Virtually no light pollution for miles means that guests can enjoy unobstructed views of the night sky from the comfort of their own private terrace.

For a deeper dive into the cosmos, Wharekauhau offers a guided stargazing experience led by two celestial experts: an astrobiologist and an astrophysicist. Using high-powered telescopes, binoculars, and the naked eye, guests explore the constellations, planets, the moon, and even New Zealand’s luminous gas clouds, or nebulae. It’s a rare blend of scientific insight and natural serenity—an invitation to connect with the stars from one of the darkest, most breathtaking corners of the Southern Hemisphere.

Bahía del Duque, Spain

Because prime conditions for stargazing are available throughout the island, Tenerife is part of the Starlight Destination Network, a certification granted to locations with exceptionally clear night skies and a commitment to preserving them. The island, which is part of the Canary Islands, is home to the oceanfront Bahía del Duque resort. The resort features an on-site observatory where guests can enjoy guided tours of the many constellations, planets, and stars visible from Tenerife’s pristine skies.

Alternatively, guests can book a guided astronomy tour across the expansive resort to discover the best spots for clear views of the Milky Way. While gazing at the sky, visitors also learn how the ancient civilizations that once inhabited the island used the stars for navigation and to create agricultural calendars.

Thanks to Spain’s Sky Law, which limits light pollution to preserve night sky quality, Tenerife’s stargazing conditions are protected for generations to come.

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From deserts to mountaintops, sometimes all you need to experience spectacular stargazing is to simply look up.