Amangani, Photo Credit: Amangani
A once-in-a-lifetime experience is coming this summer to a city near you. For a single day (August 21), a total solar eclipse will be visible in 14 states from the Pacific to the Atlantic, a cosmic event that hasn’t transpired in nearly 100 years.
Only certain cities will be in the path of totality (where a true total eclipse can be viewed), meaning most accommodations in these areas have already been snatched up. But some luxury properties still had a few extra spots, with out-of-this-world packages to match.
Even if you miss the eclipse, though, these hotels, from Oregon to Rhode Island, offer unforgettable stellar stargazing opportunities all year long.
Jackson Hole
To enjoy a secluded escape with your eclipse, book a stay at Four-Star Amangani in Jackson Hole, where the most exclusive of experiences is being offered.
For a cool $13,000 per night, stay in a private home on the picturesque mountain resort filled with perks like a private workout room and hot tub. You’ll also have a nearly week-long itinerary of informal talks, get cocktails and gaze at stars with a visiting scientist leading up to the eclipse on August 21.
On the big day, partake in a celestial celebration on the pool terrace, accompanied by live classical music, 2,000 feet above the valley floor.
A total solar eclipse can be viewed from Jackson Hole, so plan ahead and expect crowds.
The southern edge of Grand Teton National Park (about a 30-minute trek from Amangani) is also widely considered to be one of the best spots in the country to view the phenomenon.
Portland
The city’s hotels are in high demand in August, as Northern Oregon marks the beginning of the eclipse’s path across the United States.
For a sumptuous solar experience, head to Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star The Nines, A Luxury Collection Hotel to enjoy the property’s experiential package. You’ll be set up in a stylish superior guest room and receive two tickets to the OMSI Planetarium for some simulated celestial observation, a map of the eclipse path and a comfortable Nines picnic blanket for taking it all in. A surprise commemorative amenity to mark the occasion also will be thrown in.
Though Portland is not in the path of totality, you’ll still be able to see a partial solar eclipse from your perch at The Nines. The eclipse is expected to make landfall on Oregon’s coast at 10:15 a.m. PST.
Primland, Photo Credit: Primland
Southern Virginia
Escape to the secluded Blue Ridge Mountains for a stellar stay at Four-Star Primland, where the high altitude and distance from city lights allow for incredibly clear views of the night sky most any time.
The Virginia resort takes full advantage of this absence of ambient light with an on-site observation dome, a Celestron CGE Pro 1400 telescope and in-house astronomers offering opportunities to gaze upon celestial bodies beyond our solar system. A smaller telescope is also available for aspiring astronomers on the terrace by request.
A partial solar eclipse can be viewed at Primland on August 21 at roughly 2:35 EST.
Lake Tahoe, California
Four-Star The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe proves that just because you can’t view a full solar eclipse, doesn’t mean you can’t experience an out-of-this-galaxy adventure this summer.
With the Extravagant Après Adventurist Summer Package, families can take in all that the rustic California resort has to offer, and then some, with highlights including a personal guide for daytime action (hiking, mountain biking) and private stargazing sessions with Tahoe Star Tours come sundown. There’s also after-hours access to the hotel’s Four-Star spa for a heavenly 80-minute signature massage.
To see the partial solar eclipse from Lake Tahoe, head to the terrace of the Ritz-Carlton’s brand-new Lake Club around 10:20 a.m. PST.
Castle Hill Inn, Photo Credit: Castle Hill Inn
Newport, Rhode Island
Weekly waterside bonfires illuminate the night in Newport at Four-Star Castle Hill Inn this summer. Every Sunday through September, head down to this New England resort private beach for s’mores, storytelling and a moonlit show atop the Narragansett Bay with a local astronomer.
By day, indulge your sense of adventure and follow the trails on the property to the Castle Hill Lighthouse. Standing 34 feet tall, the historic structure has been guiding ships in the night for more than 120 years. It makes a wonderful perch for some private observation come sundown.
If you’re in town on August 21, a partial solar eclipse will be visible from the resort’s lawn about 2:45 p.m., just before it heads out of view over the Atlantic Ocean.
Colorado
Dreamed up by Discovery Channel founder John Hendricks, the Four-Star Gateway Canyons Resort prides itself on curating experiences to satisfy the curious at heart, and its stargazing opportunities throughout the year are no exception.
Take a drive out into the Colorado desert for impossibly clear views of the night sky away from the city’s light pollution during the Ancient Astronomy experience. Visit three ancestral Puebloan sites to learn how this ancient society observed the stars and used its celestial knowledge in everyday life.
Return to the hotel after a day in the desert for a gourmet Southwestern dinner under the stars on the patio at Entrada.
Las Ventanas al Paraíso, A Rosewood Resort, Photo Credit: Rosewood Hotels and Resorts LLC
Los Cabos
Though Mexico is far from the path of totality, you can still have a luminescent getaway with a stay at Five-Star Las Ventanas al Paraíso, A Rosewood Resort. Sleep under the stars in paradise with a sumptuous bed set up on the rooftop terrace of your suite so you can look up at Baja’s unspoiled night sky in comfort.
Not to be outdone, the Los Cabos resort will also equip you with a bottle of pink Clase Azul tequila, local flowers and an assortment of sweet and savory bites to enjoy while you stare in space.
Personal telescopes are also available in each room, along with monthly sky summaries, for a more low-key evening of observation.
