Anytime a “world’s best stargazing” list is created, you can be sure Chile’s Atacama Desert ranks at the top. It’s the driest non-polar place on Earth, and the lack of rain makes for a barren landscape — two things that provide optimal stargazing.

In fact, the skies above the Atacama Desert are so clear and open that it was selected as the site for some of the world’s biggest and most advanced observatories and telescopes, including the world’s largest radio telescope, ALMA, and the world’s most advanced visible-light astronomical observatory, Very Large Telescope. The desert is also the future site of the Giant Magellan Telescope, which will be more powerful than any existing ground-based telescope when it is completed.

The best stays for uninterrupted stargazing experience in Chile’s Atacama desert

These tools make the Atacama Desert a hub for astronomers, but it has also become a popular Astro-tourism site, drawing travellers who yearn to see the hallmarks of the Southern Hemisphere sky — perhaps the Tarantula Nebula or even the Large Magellanic Cloud.

Those who come to Chile to stargaze may enjoy the perks of viewing the night sky from a high-powered telescope, but chances are the privilege of seeing the night sky from bed and drifting off to sleep under a pitch-black, star-studded blanket is the Atacama Desert’s biggest appeal. To that end, we’ve highlighted a few of the area’s best stargazing hotels, including those with dedicated stargazing domes and their own private observatories.

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Our Habitas Atacama

Our Habitas Atacama is the latest property to join the scene and is committed to showcasing Chilean culture. Its 51 rooms, for example, are furnished with local decor and textiles. And its on-site restaurant and bar showcase regional ingredients. Guests can take part in workshops to learn cooking, mixology, ceramics and crafts, and wellness activities like sound baths and meditations.

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MiLodge Elqui Domos

Elqui Domos isn’t new to the astro-tourism lodging scene, but the hotel is still one of the area’s best options. For starters, the hotel is set in the Elqui Valley on the southern fringe of the Atacama Desert. Unlike the barren desert, the valley can support plant life, including a stretch of vineyards.

Elqui Domos is set among this desert oasis. The boutique hotel has just 11 rooms, including seven geodesic domes and four observatory-style cabins. The roof on the former opens to reveal starry skies, while the latter has a giant window designed for stargazing. There is also an on-site observatory and regular stargazing tours.

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Explora Atacama

At Explora Atacama, the roofs don’t open to the night sky, but there’s a private observatory and a natural hot spring — both of which provide an excellent way to see the stars. The luxury Explora property is set on a desert estate with an indoor and outdoor pool, a spa, and a menu developed by the renowned Peruvian chef, Virgilio Martínez. The clean, modern rooms have desert views in lieu of TV and Wi-Fi and they offer spectacular journeys and expeditions, including multi-night trips through South America.

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Tierra Atacama

There’s no bad room at Tierra Atacama, a property that overlooks the Licancabur Volcano and the Atacama Desert. In fact, the hotel was built to take advantage of the area’s expansive views and some rooms even have al fresco bathrooms so guests can shower under the starry skies.

Beyond rooms with serious views, Tierra Atacama has a spa with an indoor and outdoor pool, a steam room, and a menu of treatments that incorporate regional specialties, including sheep’s milk, honey, and clay. Similarly, the on-site restaurant does its best to rely on local produce to create its menu of north Chilean cuisine.

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Hotel Awasi Atacama

The experience at Hotel Awasi Atacama is all-inclusive, so guests don’t have to worry about getting to and from the hotel or paying for food or drink (including alcohol). There are also a series of excursions guests can choose from, including horseback riding, biking, and tours to the salt flats, highland lagoons, and local archaeological sites. In the evening, guests can book an astronomical tour with a local guide.

The property is also unique because it is made of stone, wood, and mud and is set under a latched roof — a traditional way of building in the desert. The highlight of the eight well-appointed guest rooms is the private patios with solariums and outdoor showers.

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Related: The World’s First Dark Sky City Is In Arizona On Route 66

Tucked along Colombia’s north Caribbean coast is one of South America’s oldest colonial cities: Cartagena de Indias. Colonised by Spain in 1533 and liberated in 1821, the historic architecture remains well-preserved within its “Old City,” which is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (The Old City is surrounded by a nearly 2.5-mile or 4.02 km wall that was built in the 1590s by Spain to protect the port city from attacks.)

Today, charming squares, cobblestone streets, and colourful buildings await travellers who visit. And this past spring, the Walled City welcomed a new boutique hotel in a Colonial-era building: Casa Pestagua. The historic 18th-century mansion underwent a USD 15 million (HKD 11,74,04,925) renovation that merges the city’s Colonial past with its contemporary present. (The property is notably Colombia’s only Relais & Châteaux hotel.)

This charming boutique hotel in Cartagena is in an 18th-century home

As part of the update, the property has an upgraded lobby, an on-site restaurant, a new bar, and a gym. “As a carefully renewed and restored hotel, the team put all our best efforts into reopening it,” Paula Andrea Chamorro, the director of sales and marketing, told Travel + Leisure. “Its Moorish-inspired arches; its double-height ceilings; its rooms, each one different from the other and with a history related to the Count of Pestagua; the service and luxury amenities — all these aspects make our hotel unique.”

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Casa Pestagua

• The hotel is located in the heart of the city, just a one-minute walk from Plaza de Santo Domingo.
• The vibe and aesthetic of the hotel blend seamlessly with the historic Old City, while simultaneously offering modern amenities.
• You don’t need to leave the property to find a great meal. The on-site restaurant, Ánima, offers local dishes plus international fare.

Casa Pestagua comes from the same owners as Hotel Casa San Agustin, another boutique hotel in the area with three Colonial-era homes that were merged to offer 20 rooms and 11 suites. Preserved throughout the property, much like Casa Pestagua, are original frescoes.

Here’s everything you need to know about the boutique hotel.

The Rooms

Casa Pestagua has 16 rooms and suites in a beautifully restored home. No two rooms are the same — each is unique in its shape and size. The common thread tying the rooms together is the design and thoughtful amenities.

The boutique hotel in Cartagena has two suites — the Count de Pestagua and Madariaga suites — that are equipped for larger groups. Each suite has three rooms, plus private elevator access and a terrace with a jacuzzi and city views.

Food and drink

At the center of the boutique hotel in Cartagena is a Moroccan-style open-air courtyard framed by arches and filled with greenery. That’s where the on-site restaurant — Ánima, under the helm of chef Heberto Eljach — sits. “I was mainly inspired by the ancestral traditions of Colombian cuisine, the gastronomic heritage left to us by our grandparents, the great biodiversity of Colombia, and my family,” Eljach told T+L.

Each stay comes with a complimentary breakfast. Every table is given a bread basket of assorted treats and a fruit platter with seasonal and local bites. Guests can order an assortment of beverages: coffee, water, orange juice, and green juice. And then there’s the a la carte breakfast entrees, which range from arepas to acai bowls and yoghurt parfaits. I opted for the arepa con huevo y carne after a server told me it was his favourite breakfast — whether he gets it at the hotel or from a street vendor. (And he was right, it was delicious.)

“Ánima’s relationship with Colombian cuisine is focused on ancient techniques of traditional cooking — this includes preservation methods (cured, salted, fermented, canned, smoked, pickled), the use of local products, artisanal fishing, organic products from the Montes de Maria, Amazon, and other regions of Colombia,” Eljach said. “Each dish tells a story and it’s important to us that we can keep our traditions alive in our cooking.” (Chef’s tip: he said Ceviche Eljach is a must-try dish. It’s a blend of fish, octopus, shrimp, onion, local chilli peppers, and pork rinds served with a roasted arepa.)

You could also walk over to Casa San Agustin for dinner to dine at Alma, which was also conceived by Eljach. The restaurant is widely considered to be one of the best in the city. (In fact, I dined at Alma when I visited Cartagena in 2019 on a personal trip, as the restaurant’s reputation made it a must-visit.)

You’ll find Ceviche Eljach on both menus, but other than that, the experience is completely different. “Alma’s menu is inspired by the cuisine and products of the Colombian Caribbean and Pacific coasts,” the chef said.

Experiences and amenities

My favourite experience on offer at Casa Pestagua was a visit to Acasi — a private beach in Barú that is only open to guests of Casa Pestagua and Casa San Agustin. “For those looking to escape the noise, Acasi is the perfect place to unwind and experience the natural environment of the lush mangroves and beautiful white-sand beaches,” Chamorro said. “We welcome up to 10 people per day and serve delicious Colombian-Caribbean cuisine.”

After a scenic, one-hour ride on a private boat, we pulled into a dock and walked through mangroves to a gorgeous beach. I was greeted with a cocktail served in a coconut, snacks, hammocks, and oceanfront loungers. The entire experience was relaxing and private — a stark difference from the bustling beaches in the area. For lunch, we enjoyed shrimp ceviche, paella, and a chocolate cake.

(Guests can pick between two food packages: the standard day trip and the VIP one. Both packages include a private speedboat, a host, and transfers between the hotel and the dock. The difference is the food: the standard package serves shrimp ceviche, fruit, and plantain chips, while the VIP one serves specialties like lobster empanadas and grilled octopus. The standard package is USD 600 (HKD 4,696) for two adults, plus USD 75 (HKD 587) for additional adults and USD 35 (HKD 274) for each child. The VIP package is USD 620 (HKD 4,853) for two adults, plus USD 83 (HKD 650) per extra adult and USD 50 (HKD 391) per child.

Coming to the private beach this October are six bungalows that will allow guests to stay overnight. Each will have an ocean view, and access to a massage area, bar, restaurant, and pool.

The property concierge can set guests up with local activities, too: walking tours, coffee tastings, rum tastings, and cooking classes.

I joined a coffee experience at Café San Alberto, where I learned about Colombia’s coffee scene, explored the flavour notes of different beans, and became obsessed with a refreshing coffee mocktail made with in-house syrup and sparkling water. (I also learned that, as a reaction to the climate crisis, Colombia’s coffee plants are moving to higher elevations to handle the warming temperatures.)

On a walking tour with local operator Galavanta, I learned about the city, its colonial history, and its present. Our knowledgeable guide, Javier, talked me through Cartagena’s slave trade history and even explained what each home’s quirky ornate door knockers represent. (Spoilers: During the Colonial era, the door knockers symbolised what a resident’s profession was. For example, a lion meant the home belonged to a military family and a lizard meant that the resident was someone of high-society status.)

Casa Pestagua’s Aurum spa

Guests of Casa Pestagua can book a spa treatment at Aurum Spa, which is at the Casa San Agustin location. “Aurum Spa is different than other spas in Cartagena, as it has an official Hammam space offering the service as it is originally done in Marrakesh,” Chamorro said.

During my spa experience, I had a full body massage that made me forget I had just spent the bulk of my day flying to Cartagena. After the treatment, I was taken to the relaxation room to slowly reacclimate to the real world.

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The location

Casa Pestagua is just four miles (6.43 km), or a 15-minute drive, from Rafael Núñez International Airport (CTG). The boutique hotel in Cartagena can arrange airport transfers for guests.

Within Cartagena’s old town, the property is conveniently located and walkable to most sites within the historic areas. Las Bóvedas, for example, is a 13-minute walk; Plaza de Santo Domingo, home to the iconic Fernando Botero sculpture, is around the corner; and Santuario de San Pedro Claver is four minutes away. (Pedro Claver was a missionary who advocated for slaves and became the patron saint of slaves.) Even the hip Getsmani neighbourhood is a 20-minute walk or 10 minutes by car.

Chamorro said the hotel’s proximity to the historic city centre is ideal. “Not only because of the city’s history and diversity but also because of how easily navigable the area is — you will never be far from the property.”

Accessibility and sustainability

Though the surrounding city is flat in terms of elevation, visitors should know most nearby streets and sidewalks are cobblestone, which may be challenging for those with limited mobility.

Casa Pestagua encourages its guests to reuse sheets and towels instead of requesting a daily replacement. It also recycles all plastic packaging, working with a recycling plant that then uses the money to financially support children with cancer and other illnesses.

At the private beach, there has been a conscious effort to keep things undeveloped. This means mangroves were planted and the pathway to access the beach is made of washed-up coral instead of pavement.

Casa Pestagua’s nightly room rates, which include breakfast, start at USD 550 (HKD 4,305). You can book your stay here.

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This story first appeared on travelandleisure.com

All currency conversions were done at the time of writing

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This inspiring brand incorporates farm fresh foods, local produce options and reduced waste in its sustainability strategy.

EXPERIENCING LOCAL CULTURE and sampling authentic regional flavours are amongst the best reasons to experience places like Zanzibar, Tunisia and Mauritius. The Residence by Cenizaro is a luxury brand that exceeds those expectations through a deep commitment to sustainability, the planet and people — all in some of the planet’s most awe-inspiring locations.

The Residence by Cenizaro is dedicated to nurturing people and the environment through its unique Earth Basket Programme, which launched in 2020 and allows the brand to develop and share ongoing initiatives toward conservation. The programme is active across all of the brand’s properties and is evident in its range of farm fresh foods, local produce options and reduced waste.

Showcasing Local Biodiversity

Kitchen gardens are a key part of the brand’s strategy to offer world-class sustainability alongside experiences that also enrich the local community.

Earth Basket is part of the Cenizaro Cares initiative and challenges each resort to transform a dedicated space into a year-round on-site kitchen farm. Each resort is given independence in developing the farms to suit their unique needs, layouts and climates to provide the best showcase for native produce.

By letting each resort lead its own kitchen farm, the brand encourages agricultural education among staff and showcases local biodiversity in each destination. The programme also allows guests to dine on rich varieties of zero-kilometre produce at peak freshness — a unique experience for cuisine-loving guests. 

Another facet of Earth Basket is lowering food waste from each resort while composting the unavoidable waste. All compost on the properties is then used to fertilise the kitchen gardens and avoid the need for pesticides.

“We want to be more than a window for our guests to view the natural beauty of their surroundings. We want to offer travellers an immersive, enriching opportunity to experience the real local biodiversity of each of our properties, the full flavours of the land and feel a connection with the community,” says Alexys Tjhia, Director of Corporate Responsibility at The Residence by Cenizaro. “We are incredibly privileged to be in some of the world’s most breathtaking places, and we want to ensure that we pay it back by kickstarting efforts to preserve and grow what makes them so special.”

Earth Basket in Action

At The Residence Bintan, Earth Basket has harvested over 10,100 kg of fresh produce since December 2019 and. in 2023 to date, the resort has harvested over 4,250 kg. The resort has a family of chickens and ducks to provide 13,400 fresh eggs this year and dwarf coconut trees, pulai trees and Singapore cherry trees to enhance dishes. The kitchen garden also has its own spice garden, featuring herbs from which guests can learn to make jamu, a traditional Indonesian herbal tonic.

The Residence Maldives cultivates Ayurvedic plants to incorporate into uplifting, health-focused beverages and produces house-made virgin coconut oil for its spa treatments, while The Residence Tunis produces its own olive oil for use in its kitchens.

Seeing Sustainable Results 

The Earth Basket initiative has also positively impacted the environment surrounding the resorts by rehabilitating degraded land into thriving habitats with increased biodiversity. At some resorts, native fauna has even begun to return as the land evolves into welcoming homes for animals.

Other ongoing projects led by the brand include mangrove restoration and coastal clean-ups beyond the resort boundaries, each organised to involve, educate and benefit the broader community.

With the Earth Basket programme fully integrated into an elevated guest experience, guests can eat and live better than ever at the properties. On-site activities at the farms will also let visitors get involved and create memorable experiences with nature, such as gardener-led tours that share knowledge about the ecosystem and native plants.

These initiatives lie at the core of Cenizaro’s sustainability efforts and show its commitment to inspiring change for a sustainable future. So, no matter which destination you choose, visiting any of The Residence by Cenizaro properties will be a delicious and delightful journey into sustainability.

Article Sponsored by The Residence by Cenizaro.
Images courtesy of The Residence by Cenizaro.

These days, road trips take place at high speed — wide interstate highways, quick bathroom breaks, and never-ending Spotify playlists. But the golden age of the great American road trip had a completely different feel. Back then, travellers drove down the two-lane cross-country roads with their windows down, stopping for the night at roadside motels. One of the first and longest road trip routes during that time was Route 66, which travelled between Chicago and Los Angeles and traversed eight states.

Almost a century later, most of Route 66 has been abandoned for travel on the faster, more direct interstate highways. But in certain places, like Flagstaff, Arizona, Route 66 has been carefully preserved. In the city of Flagstaff, the lore of this historic route is now complemented by a renovated roadside motel from 1962 that will be reopened in June — just in time for summer road trip season.

A ‘futuristic’ roadside retreat in the world’s first dark sky city

The Americana Motor Hotel, which sits right off Route 66, will offer nostalgic travellers the chance to stay in a reimagined roadside retreat. The design of the hotel is retro with a futuristic feel. There are 89 vibrant rooms with playful touches, like in-room disco balls and geometric carpeting.

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In addition, overnight guests will be treated to a series of throwback amenities with a twist, including “dive-in” movies in the year-round heated pool and on-property bike rentals. There’s a walk-up “diner” serving burgers, fries, and ice cream, and an expansive fire pit and telescopes where guests can watch the night sky — an activity that has become synonymous with Flagstaff, the world’s first International Dark Sky Community and the site where Pluto was discovered.

Flagstaff’s deep ties to stargazing and astronomy are well-represented at the Americana Motor Hotel. The lobby walls change from warm desert shades to the deep hues of the night depending on which way you walk through the space, and the hotel is close to both the U.S. Naval Observatory Flagstaff Station and the Lowell Observatory, where Pluto was discovered in 1930.

Less than an hour-and-a-half drive north is Grand Canyon National Park, which is also a designated dark sky place. The Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument is less than 30 minutes by car and Wupatki National Monument, which protects ancient pueblos, is under an hour away.

The central location of the Americana Motor Hotel makes it an excellent base camp for excursions into the area’s many parks, monuments, and wilderness areas. And if your favourite road trip companion is a furry one, keep in mind that dogs are welcome at the Americana Motor Lodge and there’s even a fenced “Barkyard” that ensures pups get plenty of time outdoors.

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If you like the bright colours of Kentucky Derby fashion, you’ll love the newest boutique hotel in Louisville, Kentucky.

Hotel Genevieve is a chic property by Austin-based hospitality company Bunkhouse Group located in Louisville’s trendy NuLu (or New Louisville) neighbourhood. It started welcoming guests on May 3.

“Louisville is just a great town. Totally underrated in our view,” Amar Lalvani, Bunkhouse Group’s executive chairman, told Travel + Leisure. “Beyond the Derby and the bourbon trail, both of which we love, the city has a lot to offer culturally in terms of the art scene and food scene as well.”

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This boutique hotel is a reminder of Louisville’s French roots

The hotel’s name refers to its inspiration: the patron saint of Paris, Saint Genevieve. It’s a nod to the historic American city’s French roots. (Louisville was named after Louis XVI, the last king of France, in honour of his support of the American colonies during the Revolutionary War.)

A floral space filled with colour!

Bunkhouse Group partnered with interior design studio Rohe Creative to design a floral space filled with colour, from the pink and gold front desk to the shades of blue throughout the 122 guest rooms. That’s paired with a number of antique finds, including an art collection largely sourced from antique fairs, including Texas’ famous Round Top Antiques Fair.

“This is our first urban-core, new-build hotel, which means it doesn’t have some components that are central to our other properties — lushly landscaped grounds, a garden, a beach, etc.,” Tenaya Hills, Bunkhouse Group’s SVP of design and development, told T+L. said. “So we really wanted to make up for the lack of natural setting with really beautiful architectural details.”

Bunkhouse Hotel is a culinary destination

Hotel Genevieve is not just a place to rest your head, but a culinary destination, too, thanks to three restaurants and bars by James Beard-nominated chef Ashleigh Shanti, as well as a mini-market filled with local provisions.

Lalvani said the hotel’s all-day eatery Rosettes “transports you to the feeling of dining alfresco in a beautiful Parisian cafe,” while The Bar at Hotel Genevieve offers craft cocktails, light bites inspired by French street food and Mediterranean cuisine, and boasts sweeping views of the city and the Ohio River. There’s also a late-night speakeasy-like joint, Lucky Penny, hidden in the hotel. “All of them bring things that are new to Louisville but somehow, feel like they totally belong,” Lalvani said.

Rates at Hotel Genevieve start at USD 159 (HKD 1,247) per night. Book your stay at bunkhousehotels.com.

(Hero and feature image credit: Bunkhouse Hotels)

This story first appeared on travelandleisure.com

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El Cosmico is the name of the first hotel in the world that uses 3D printing technology in its construction. The property is expected to open in 2024 in Texas.

The name El Cosmico may already ring a bell for some glamping regulars, as it used to be a campground hotel in Marfa, Texas. However, under the collaboration between hospitality expert Liz Lambert, pioneering technology company ICON, and architecture firm Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), the glamping site is getting a relocation and a renovation into a larger, more technologically advanced hotel.

Everything you need to know about the world’s first 3D-printed hotel

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The former 21-acre venue will be relocated onto a 62-acre land, with new hospitality services provided such as an infinity pool, an open-air spa, and a communal space. Since Liz Lambert has high hopes that the property will become more than just a hotel, the innovative 3D printing technology really adds some awe-inspiring elements to the whole project, whether it’s the dome, vault, or parabolic forms of the architecture.

In addition to the upcoming hotel, the team also aims to offer housing in Marfa called Sunday Homes. These 3D-printed homes, like the hotel, will present an unrivalled connection between the desert landscape and cosmic organisations through curved surfaces, domes, and earth-inspired tones.

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Find out more via the website.

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Rancho Pescadero, a 103-key property on 30 acres in Baja California’s historic town of Todos Santos, Mexico, reopened this past November after a four-year renovation and expansion. “I wasn’t a developer who just popped in,” says Lisa Harper, the property’s owner. “I was part of the community.” Harper, who retired as CEO from Gymboree in 2006, purchased the parcel of land that would become Rancho Pescadero after spending 11 months camping on the beach right near where her Mexico hotel would eventually stand. 

In 2009, Harper opened Rancho Pescadero as a 12-room hotel, and then expanded the property’s footprint a few years later to 28 accommodations. The property’s most recent renovation, though, offers guests almost six times as many options and also includes many eco-conscious upgrades, like a water desalination and bottling plant, which helps to eliminate the presence of plastics on the property.

Here’s a look inside the renovated hotel in Mexico

Harper embraces what she calls “environmental responsibility.” “Anything that we tore up, we tried to reuse, whether it was wood or tile,” she says. “We reused tile to make patios. We reused the wood to build living walls. We couldn’t do it 100 percent, but we tried to reuse as much as we possibly could.”

Harper has come to see her role in the expansion of Rancho Pescadero — an honoree in Travel + Leisure‘s 2023 Global Vision Awards — as going hand in hand with her position in the Todos Santos community, and she aims, she says, to be a “good, responsible patron.” Although the footprint is much larger than before, she remains true to the original vision when it comes to using local vendors, employing local people, and putting business back into Mexico. Harper’s hope is that she can operate a hotel on a much larger scale the way she did on a small one — by continuing to drive business to Todos Santos.

During the build-out, Harper and her team took extra steps to ensure the ecology of the land would be preserved. The land had once been a poblano chilli farm, and any indigenous plants that were moved during construction were noted by GPS coordinates and then restored at the project’s conclusion. “We had a 91 percent survival rate of the plants we transplanted that way,” Harper says.

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Rancho Pescadero skirts a beach that is home to a nesting population of turtles. One of the property’s considerations, as a result, has been to install lighting that factors in the turtles’ natural habitat and the darkness of the sky. Dark sky lighting ensures the turtles will not get disoriented during their journey from land to sea.

Other projects remain on the horizon still. Within the next few years, for instance, the property has plans to launch a solar farm so that it’s entirely energy-sustainable. And Rancho Pescadero is currently in the process of constructing 21 homes, which, Harper says, will be used to house staff and their families. The final plan for the project, which should take several years to complete, will include a total of 170 houses and apartments, all constructed to accommodate staff and their families, the vision for which, as ever, keeps the community of Todos Santos in the foreground.

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This story first appeared on www.travelandleisure.com

Main and Feature Image Credit: Albert Lewis/Courtesy of Rancho Pescadero

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