It’s in some of the world’s most secluded hotels, lodges and resorts that you’ll find luxury fused with a reverence for the surroundings, which in this case is a celebration of the star-filled skies.
Anantara Medjumbe Island Resort, Mozambique
Set on its own private island in the Quirimbas archipelago of Mozambique, Anantara Medjumbe feels a world away from everyday life, combining five-star luxury with its pristine island setting. But this sense of seclusion doesn’t compare to the experience of staying on the resort’s nearby uninhabited island for the Star Bed Experience. You’ll begin by sailing to the island on a traditional dhow, over water that teems with the Indian Ocean’s rich marine life, before watching the sunset with a cocktail or two, enjoying a long drawn out candlelit beach dinner, and spending the night sleeping under the stars in a four-poster bed. When the sun rises the following morning you’re free to stroll along the beach and swim in the sea before returning to the resort for breakfast.
Image: Instagram @anantara_medjumbe
L’And Vineyards, Portugal
Home to just 25 luxury suites, this vineyard retreat in Alentejo is one of the region’s most exclusive places to stay. With its Michelin-starred cuisine and surrounding vineyards, food and wine is an integral part of the experience, with the added luxury of Caudalie Spa, but one of the characteristics that makes it unique is its collection of Sky View Suites enabling you to sleep under the stars amid the fields of vines. In each of these 10 suites you can fully open the bedroom ceiling for a view of the night sky, and make use of your own private indoor garden with plunge pool, plus large terrace with fireplace and private patio.
Image: Instagram @landvineyards
Soneva Jani, Maldives
Here in the Maldives, you know you’ll be treated to a star-filled sky on any clear night you’re here. The ultra-stylish and environmentally conscious island resort Soneva Jani is among the archipelago’s most talked-about. More than anything, the resort is renowned for its inspiring design, and testament to this are the innovative touches integrated into each luxury villa. While staying over water, make the most of your villa’s retractable roof, which can be slid open above your bed for a night under the stars. The roof automatically closes when it starts to rain, letting you sleep beneath the night sky without worrying about a tropical downpour.
Las Ventanas al Paraiso, Mexico
Located in an area that’s revered for its especially dark skies and stargazing opportunities, this Rosewood resort gives guests the opportunity to experience this side to the coastal region in absolute luxury. While staying in a suite with its own rooftop, you’re able to book the Sleeping under the Stars at Las Ventanas star bed experience. An outdoor bedroom will be set up for you, with a four-poster bed, champagne and flowers, plus a telescope for taking a closer look at the stars above you.
Image: Instagram @lasventanasalparaiso
Abu Camp, Botswana
The Okavango Delta takes up a vast area of northern Botswana, with flooded plains and grassland stretching all the way to the horizon. This land is only home to the occasional lodge, thriving instead with a diversity of wildlife, from elephants, leopards and lions to abundant birdlife. With minimal human development here, the huge open skies are filled with stars after dark. The luxury tented lodge, Abu Camp, has enhanced this stargazing experience by creating a Star Bed on a raised platform. The open-air bedroom comes with a four-poster bed and dining area overlooking the elephant boma, as well as a bathroom on the tier below. Savor a candlelit dinner on the top deck then fall asleep beneath the stars.
Image: Instagram @wearewilderness
Amangiri, USA
With the stars shining particularly bright here in the desert, stargazing is a natural part of any overnight stay. At Amangiri resort you can have this stargazing experience on the lantern-lit sky terrace of your suite’s private rooftop. For a full star bed experience, the resort sets up an open-air bedroom here with the same quality bedding you’ll find inside the suite, plus any enhancements you’d like to request such as champagne and s’mores. Whether you choose to stay in the Amangiri Suite, Girijaala Suite, Mesa Pool Suite or Desert Pool Suite, which all come with their own sky terrace, you’ll wake up to breathtaking views of the resort’s desert surroundings.
L’Albereta, Italy
This Relais & Chateaux property amid the hills and vineyards of Franciacorta, Italy, is best known for its idyllic surroundings, gastronomy and award-winning Espace Chenot Health Wellness Spa, but a lesser known feature is the hotel’s unique Cabriolet Suite where the roof can be opened to reveal the sky. Stay in this sumptuously furnished suite to sleep beneath the stars and look out at the vineyards and Lake Iseo from your private balcony before venturing out to explore.
Tswalu Kalahari, South Africa
As South Africa’s largest private game reserve, Tswalu Kalahari covers a vast expanse of mountains and grassland, making the luxury lodge feel particularly special. While the wildlife and environment are the reason for coming here, other aspects of the stay enhance the experience. Among the highlights is The Malori (which means dreamer in Tswana) sleep out deck. The raised platform comes with a thatch overhang and weatherproof blinds so you can stay the entire night without worrying about the weather. This space is furnished with a king-sized bed and panoramic dining area where you can see the sunset over the Kalahari.
Image: Instagram @tswalu
The post Extraordinary Places to Sleep under the Stars appeared first on Elite Traveler.