Holiday Destinations

Elqui Domos: The hotel for star-gazers

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Located in the Elqui Valley in Chile, Elqui Domos is one of the few astronomical hotels in the world
The new cabins or "observatories" comprise of an innovative design, maintaining maximum potential to view the sky
Elqui Domos hotel hosts a pool side astronomic tour
Located in the Elqui Valley in Chile, Elqui Domos is one of the few astronomical hotels in the world
Dome lodgings offer simple comforts as not to disturb from the sky views
Designed by RDM Arquitectura, each cabin has been equipped with a private roof top terrace
The new cabins or "observatories" comprise of an innovative design, maintaining maximum potential to view the sky
Observatory living zone with panoramic outlook
Observatory sleeping zone with open sky outlook
Observatory sleeping zone with open sky outlook
Designed by RDM Arquitectura, each cabin has been equipped with a private rooftop terrace
Guests can attend astronomy lectures in the on-site amateur observatory
The hotel hosts a series of geodesic domes with elevated loft beds and open rooftops
Dome lodgings offer simple comforts as not to disturb from the sky views
Dome bathroom
The hotel hosts a series of geodesic domes with elevated loft beds and open rooftops
Designed by RDM Arquitectura, each cabin has been equipped with a private roof top terrace
Each cabin is slightly raised above the ground and features a graded interior design
Each cabin is slightly raised above the ground and features a graded interior design
Each cabin features a graded interior design spread across three levels
Poolside at Elqui Domos
Observatory cabin view (image: RDM Arquitectura)
Observatory cabin view (image:RDM Arquitectura)
Observatory cabin view (image: RDM Arquitectura)
Elqui Domos restaurant
Located in the Elqui Valley in Chile, Elqui Domos is one of the few astronomical hotels in the world
View gallery - 25 images

Located in the Elqui Valley in Chile’s Norte Chico region, Elqui Domos is one of the few astronomical hotels in the world. The area is renowned for its sparkling clear skies and Elqui Domos takes advantage of this by offering lodgings in a series of geodesic domes with elevated loft beds and open rooftops as well as recently added wooden cabins designed with star-gazing in mind.

Designed by RDM Arquitectura, the new cabins or "observatories" are geared towards providing a view of the sky from your bed, lounge or private rooftop terrace.

If you prefer a spot of glamping, the geodesic domes offer simple accommodation spread over two levels. The ground level is equipped with a spacious living room and bathroom, while the second level features the main bed strategically positioned underneath a detachable roof cover. Both the geodesic domes and observatory cabins are furnished with their own telescopes for guest use.

The hotel hosts a series of geodesic domes with elevated loft beds and open rooftops

The hotel also hosts a pool side astronomy tour to familiarize guests with the stellar evolution and cosmology of the southern skies. Guests can also partake in night time horse riding tours or attend astronomy lectures in the on-site amateur observatory. While those wishing to see how the experts view the sky, the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO) is not too far away. Here visitors can appreciate astronomy through the lens of several large telescopes.

Daytime activities include hiking, horse riding, mountain biking, wine tasting and yoga. Prices at Elqui Domos start from US$120 per couple per night.

Source: Elqui Domos, RDM Arquitectura via Archdaily

View gallery - 25 images
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3 comments
ZipZapRap
Stayed here in 2009 on a backpacking trip around South America. It's excellent, and highly recommended to everyone!! Can't wait to go back.
Slowburn
They need to keep the indoor light in. Those glowing domes will ruin your night vision.
ZipZapRap
No, they don't, Slowburn. Those glowing domes are just a product of a long exposure. The night skies there are dark.. REALLY dark.