As interest in astrotourism surges, properties like Kestrel Nest EcoHut in New South Wales are celebrating the night sky.Grant HardwickIf you’ve ever looked up at a sky so full of stars it almost doesn’t seem real, you’re not alone. From eclipse chasing to Northern Lights trips, interest in stargazing and astrotourism has exploded in recent years. Now, a growing number of hotels are making the night sky the main attraction. DarkSky Approved Lodging, a certification from Dark Sky International, recognizes properties with exceptional star visibility and strict standards designed to protect it.To earn the designation, properties must meet rigorous criteria, including minimizing light pollution, preserving the natural nighttime environment and offering guests access to dark-sky experiences. The goal is to protect one of the planet’s most overlooked natural resources while giving travelers a front-row seat to the Milky Way.The certification program was developed in partnership with Under Canvas, which has multiple certified camps near some of the darkest skies in the U.S., from Zion to the Grand Canyon. These safari-style camps combine low-impact design with astronomy programming, telescope viewing and signature Stargazer Tents offering sky-viewing windows above the bed.Here are nine of the best DarkSky Approved hotels around the world for unforgettable stargazing—proof that sometimes, the best part of a trip begins after dark.Under Canvas Yosemite, the first DarkSky Approved property in California.Courtesy of Under CanvasBest Stargazing Hotels In The United StatesUnder Canvas Yosemite, CaliforniaJust opened on April 16, Under Canvas Yosemite is California’s first DarkSky Approved resort, bringing upscale glamping to an 80-acre forested site just 10 minutes from Yosemite National Park’s west entrance. The safari-style tents feature king-size beds, private bathrooms, decks designed for stargazing and select Stargazer Tents. With minimal lighting, no Wi-Fi and programming that includes nightly campfires, the property is designed to help guests reconnect with nature and the night sky.Under the night sky at Arizona's Diamond Mountain Retreat Center.Diamond Mountain Retreat CenterDiamond Mountain Retreat Center, ArizonaLocated in Southern Arizona’s remote Chihuahuan desert, the Diamond Mountain Retreat Center is guided by Buddhist values and designed for deep spiritual practice, far away from modern life. The property combines stargazing with education. Guests can participate in night-sky programs that highlight both astronomy and nocturnal wildlife, surrounded by more than 1,000 acres of protected land.At Under Canvas ULUM Moab, Stargazer-style tents and private decks are designed for uninterrupted views of the night sky.Courtesy of Under CanvasULUM Moab, UtahRight next to the iconic Looking Glass Arch and within easy reach of Canyonlands National Park, ULUM Moab puts the night sky front and center. Elevated canvas tents open onto wide desert views, where the Milky Way often stretches clearly overhead. Guests can take advantage of guided stargazing experiences and astronomy-focused programming. ULUM is also leaning into nature-immersive wellness with a first-of-its-kind Massage Cave carved directly into a natural rock formation. The resort’s adventure concierge can handle everything from canyoneering to Colorado River paddles, along with excursions into nearby Moab, home to the highest concentration of certified International Dark Sky Places in the world.Oregon's Antelope Basecamp uses red exterior lighting to preserve night vision and protect its exceptionally dark skies.Courtesy of Antelope BasecampAntelope Basecamp, OregonDark skies are the main event in Antelope, a tiny high-desert town with just 37 residents. Antelope Basecamp is the creation of owners Larry and Brandie McNamee, whose family has ranched here for generations. They transformed a two-acre RV park and restaurant site into a small campus of A-frame cabins and gathering spaces for travelers passing through Oregon’s Outback. The setup is simple but intentional: Exterior lighting is limited to red light to preserve night vision, while interiors are dimmable and fully shielded. Guests can borrow telescopes, join informal stargazing sessions, or just sit outside and take it in.Cataloochee Ranch in the Great Smoky Mountains.Courtesy of Cataloochee RanchCataloochee Ranch, North CarolinaOriginally founded in 1933 as the first commercial tourism outpost in the Great Smoky Mountains, Cataloochee Ranch reopened in 2024 as a boutique Relais & Châteaux property. Set high above Maggie Valley, the property offers unobstructed views of the mountains by day and the Milky Way by night. Lighting is carefully controlled and shielded to preserve clear conditions for stargazing. Guests can join regular sessions with the Asheville Astronomy Club or simply step outside to take in the stars on their own. Beyond the night sky, activities include horseback riding, wine tastings and art classes.The Swag in North Carolina.Courtesy of The SwagThe Swag, North CarolinaSet nearly a mile above sea level on the edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, The Swag is a small, all-inclusive Relais & Châteaux retreat known for its sense of seclusion. The property only hosts a few dozen guests at a time. The mountaintop location delivers minimal light interference and a 360-degree night sky. Lighting is carefully controlled to preserve those conditions, and guests can take it in from private porches or along the property’s network of trails. The Swag also offers a rotating Experts in Residence program, bringing in photographers, naturalists and artists.At Australia's Kestrel Nest EcoHut, guests can soak in outdoor baths or relax in stargazing hammocks beneath exceptionally clear Southern Hemisphere skies.RiparideBest Stargazing Hotels Around The WorldKestrel Nest EcoHut, AustraliaKestrel Nest EcoHut, an off-grid eco stay in New South Wales, is as much about disconnection as it is about stargazing. Set on a working farm and conservation property in the Eastern Riverina, the private eco hut accommodates just a handful of guests, with no Wi-Fi and little to distract from the landscape. At night, guests can stretch out in stargazing hammocks or soak in an outdoor bath under the Milky Way. The experience also incorporates Indigenous perspectives, with storytelling tied to constellations like the Dark Emu and the Seven Sisters. Meals are paddock-to-plate, sourced directly from the farm.Mexico's Rancho La Concepción.Courtesy of Rancho La ConcepciónRancho La Concepción, MexicoIn the Sierra de San Pedro Mártir—one of the best stargazing regions in the Northern Hemisphere—Rancho La Concepción offers a remote, nature-focused experience. Surrounded by pine and oak forest, the regenerative ranch sits beneath exceptionally clear skies, with little to no light pollution. Guests can use professional telescopes, join guided night walks to spot nocturnal wildlife or take part in star parties and workshops that connect astronomy with the region’s culture. Days are spent exploring the surrounding national park or simply enjoying the quiet of the landscape, with simple cabins and home-style meals rounding out the experience.Pousada Verbicaro in Brazil.Courtesy of Pousada Verbicaro Pousada Verbicaro, BrazilIn a secluded valley in the state of Rio de Janeiro, the eco-minded Pousada Verbicaro is set right on the edge of a protected Atlantic Forest reserve, ensuring minimal light pollution and excellent visibility for stargazing. The property offers guided constellation tours, telescope viewing and astronomy events with national and international speakers. Its dedication to sustainability runs deep, from organic gardens to a solar-heated pool. 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