Bedrooms
Our pick of the best hotels for stargazers, all built with astronomy
5 Hotels for stargazing
LA PAUSE
NEAR MARRAKESH, MOROCCO
Take in inky Saharan skies at this wild desert outpost, only 30km from Marrakesh. The mud- and-straw cottages are kitted out with simple rugs and candles, and meals are served in a Berber tent. Try your hand at camel-riding or cross-country golf.
FROM €175 PER PERSON. TEL: +212 (0)661 306494, WWW.LAPAUSE-MARRAKECH.COM
CARRÉ D’ÉTOILES
NIEUIL, FRANCE
Wooden prefabs known as Carré d’étoiles (star cubes) have been popping up in fields and vineyards all over France recently, and are the brainchild of a couple who run an eco-camping company. This one is set in the grounds of a château in western France and has a skylight for a view of the heavens. Despite its small size, it fits in a TV, shower, toilet and mezzanine bed.
DOUBLES FROM €90. TEL: +33 (0)892 420720, WWW.CARRE-DETOILES.COM
GALLOWAY ASTRONOMY CENTRE B&B
DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY, SCOTLAND
Enjoying very little light pollution, Scotland’s Galloway Forest is one of only five Dark Sky Parks in the world. This B&B run by astronomy enthusiasts lies south of the forest and features whopping telescopes, a rooftop observatory and a star-by-star “tour of the universe”. A perfect stop for budding astro geeks.
DOUBLES £30 (€34) PER PERSON. TEL: +44 (0)1988 500594, WWW.GALLOWAYASTRO.COM
FINCA DE ARRIETA YURTS
LANZAROTE, SPAIN
See the Canary Islands’ renowned night sky from these yurts, which feature retractable skylights and are set on an eco-retreat near the beach. The glam option has to be the Eco Yurt Royale, with three bedrooms, private terrace, bath, kitchen and stylish Balinese furniture. The finca’s star chart and telescope will certainly come in handy if you don’t know your Ursa from your elbow.
FROM €420 A WEEK (TWO SHARING). TEL: +34 928 826720, WWW.LANZAROTERETREATS.COM
ALPENIGLU
KITZBÜHEL, AUSTRIA
These mountain-top igloos are perfect for gazing at the Milky Way, and sleep up to four adults on cosy reindeer hides. And at the Alpeniglu ice village at Hochbrixen, near Kitzbühel, you can also enjoy a fondue at the restaurant’s ice table, sip on cocktails from the ice bar, served in ice tumblers, and take night- time excursions under a star-lit sky. Open until April.
FROM €185 PER PERSON. TEL: +49 (0)711 3416 9090, WWW.ALPENIGLU.COM
