USA TODAY International Edition
Look up! ‘ Astrotourism’ resorts will have you seeing stars
When Valerie Stimac spotted HaleBopp, that was it. She was hooked.
That unusually bright comet, which flew by Earth in the mid- 1990s, sparked her lifelong fascination with the night sky. Add to that the fact that she grew up in Alaska watching the aurora borealis on a regular basis, and it’s easy to see why she fell for starry nights early on. It also makes sense that her career now focuses on all things celestial.
As the founder of Space Tourism Guide and author of “Dark Skies: A Practical Guide to Astrotourism,” she loves getting others stoked on stellar encounters through astrotourism. What exactly is astrotourism?
It encompasses any travel related to astronomy experiences, she says, whether it’s a solar eclipse, meteor shower, rocket launch, or something more off- worldly such as taking a zero
gravity flight or going to space.
Try to plan your trip around an astronomy event. In 2021, Stimac says to consider the lunar occultation of Mars in April, total lunar eclipse in May, lunar occultation of Venus in November and total solar eclipse over Antarctica in December.
“The best astronomical phenomena in 2020 were ones we didn’t necessarily know to plan for – Comet NEOWISE was only discovered in March,” she says. “I’m also excited for what new wonders we’ll discover this year.”
Here are several resorts with a focus on astronomy:
Hotel Jackson, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
The Wyoming wilderness is dazzling by day, of course, but by night, well, it’s even better. That said, there’s nothing quite like staying at Hotel Jackson, a four- star boutique property, for a bespoke, socially distanced stargazing
experience. Wyoming Stargazing takes guests to Grand Teton National Park where they can bundle up in a blanket and cozy up in a camping chair while an astronomer guides them through the cosmic display. At the hotel, you’ll have views of the Snow King and the Jackson Valley Mountains. Plan a day trip to nearby Yellowstone National Park to hit the slopes or go for a hike.
Stimac recommends paying attention to the moon phase and dressing in layers. “The moon is astonishingly bright and can prevent you from seeing the stars in that area of the sky,” she explains. “If you want to go stargazing without the moon, aim for nights near the new moon – or plan to enjoy some moongazing during the rest of the month.”
Getting there: Fly into Jackson Hole Airport, and the hotel’s luxury car will pick you up.
Hyatt Regency and Ritz- Carlton, Maui, Hawaii
Maui meets all the requirements for epic stargazing: fantastic weather all year, barely any light pollution and impeccable star visibility. Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa is a seaside escape known for its focus on the stars. For two decades, Edward Mahoney has served as the director of astronomy for the hotel’s Tour of the Stars program. Needless to say, he can answer nearly any question you come up with. And, since Maui is just 20 degrees north of the equator, guests can gaze at 80 of the 88 constellations. Choose from an 8 or 9 p. m. nightly astronomy session for your glimpse of the crystal- clear skies. Or book the romance tour at 10 p. m., which
comes with sparkling wine and chocolate- covered strawberries.
Nearby, The Ritz- Carlton Kapalua has a program where guests learn about the significant role the Polynesian voyagers played in the migration to Hawaii. Telescopes are available upon request so you can spot constellations throughout your stay. When you’re ready to venture outside of the hotel, there are miles of hiking trails and six beaches.
Getting there: Maui is open for tourism with some travel protocols and restrictions. Hawaiian Airlines has nonstop flights from several major cities. Four Seasons Resort, Bora Bora The first thing that comes to mind when you think of Tahiti might be overwater bungalows and turquoise water. But stargazing should top the list. Bora Bora is one of the best places to view the Southern hemisphere sky.
For the ultimate stargazing getaway, make a beeline to the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, where the overwater bungalows make for the perfect spot to
lounge and look up at the stars. Come nighttime, get cozy on your patio lounge chairs and gaze at the night sky with the sound of waves rolling below. With no light pollution and perfect clarity, it’s often possible to see the Milky Way and the Southern Cross.
“Many of our guests are coming for an escape from the big cities, traffic, noise and stress,” says Etienne Baldeschi, head concierge. “The environment here is really about privacy, romance, peace and exploration, so stargazing fits right in and is enjoyed here by almost every guest to various degrees.”
To learn more about the night sky, book a stargazing session with Vavau where guests take a sunset cruise to a motu ( small island) and learn about how ancient Polynesians used celestial navigation.
Getting there: You’ll have to wait for tourism to reopen in French Polynesia before you visit. But once it does, book an Air Tahiti Nui direct flights from Los Angeles International Airport to Tahiti.
Amangiri Resort, Canyon Point, Utah
At Amangiri Resort, a 600- acre paradise near Page, Arizona, guests can sign up for a complimentary stargazing session with the in- house astronomer. There’s even an astrophotography machine that allows up to 10 users to connect wirelessly and download astrophotos from the machine directly to their device. With Amangiri being super remote, the stargazing is spectacular.
Come nighttime, rest your head in a suite with a sky terrace. During the day, spend time trekking through the national parks and kicking back at Aman Spa for a healing Navajo- inspired treatment. During the day, explore nearby natural wonders like the majestic Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument.
Getting there: Page Municipal Airport is located 25 minutes from Amangiri and is the closest airport.