Top Hotels Embrace the Noctourism Trend by Offering Immersive Nighttime Experiences
One of the most compelling trends reshaping high-end itineraries is noctourism, a concept centered around exploring the world after dark. “Noctourism is the overarching umbrella [term],” explains Stephanie Vermillion, a travel journalist, photographer, and author of National Geographic’s 100 Nights of a Lifetime: The World’s Ultimate Adventures After Dark. “It’s all nighttime adventures, whether it’s night markets, stargazing, aurora hunting, or night safaris. It’s basically exploring the world by night.”
From immersive night safaris and vibrant evening markets to celestial experiences under star-filled skies, hotels and travel brands are designing ever more creative nighttime programming to meet the growing demand. “For stargazing, a lot of hotels offer stargazing tours led by astronomers or people who can offer incredible insight into the night sky,” Vermillion explains. As for night safaris, this is emerging more and more as a noctourism offering. “It’s a luxury in itself because you get to go out into the bush at night [and] see the animal kingdom at its most active. That really exposes you to a side of the world you don’t get to see in the daytime,” she shares. Night markets are another great example of noctourism. Visitors can get a great feel for the culture and heartbeat of a local place. “Aurora hunting will continue to be huge this winter and fall,” notes Vermillion. “Hotels can provide exquisite experiences, with unique ways to make it cozy—private domes, hot tubs or hot springs,” she says.
A lot of high-end hotels are leaning into this trend, which is a great thing for travelers, as these types of experiences can be a little trickier to manage on your own. “Something that luxury hotels are able to do is they can give you exclusive access to places that are otherwise closed after dark,” the travel journalist explains. “You don’t have to worry about the headache of getting their safely, [or] being there legally, they take care of all the logistics. . . typically with experts, and that way you can really experience a place, again under a totally different light, often at its most active if it involves wildlife, and you just really see [that] it adds a sense of adventure that you wouldn’t have otherwise,” she effuses. As travelers seek deeper, more authentic encounters, night-based experiences are proving that luxury isn’t just a daytime affair. Read on for a few of our favorite curated noctourism options from all over the globe.
Sound Bath Beneath the Stars at ULUM Moab—Utah, USA
A luxury glamping outfit near Arches National Park, ULUM Moab is a two Michelin key resort known for its sound bath beneath the stars. There’s something so special about the desert, simply tapping into the rhythm of the area, listening to the wind and natural sounds. “Then you also add the sound bath, with the crystal bowls and all of the vibration. It’s almost overwhelming to see how your body responds to sound,” shares Vermillion. Often you have your eyes closed during a sound bath, so she suggests peeking out every so often. “Every time you open your eyes, it’s shocking to see how many stars are above you. ULUM is a Dark Sky International certified resort, so that means that they take extra precautions for preventing light pollution.” When you’re looking at the stars there, you’re seeing hundreds and thousands of stars. “You might even catch a shooting star, which I did on my visit,” she adds. Beyond the celestial soundbath, ULUM’s after dark programming includes live music under the stars, a traditional stargazing tour, and a Dark Sky Mocktology (mixology for mocktails) class.
Aurora Hunting at Hotel Ranga—Iceland
Iceland is one of the globe’s most well-known spots for aurora hunting. On the island, nowhere does it better than Hotel Ranga, part of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. “They take the guess work out of northern lights chasing, they have experts who live and breathe and know this stuff,” shares Vermillion. This is a major relief for travelers, as aurora hunting can be a challenge even in the best of circumstances. “It really is very finicky. I do it myself, but it takes all night,” she explains. At Hotel Ranga, trained staffers simply let you know when to go out and see the big show. They also offer luxe snow suits to make you more comfortable in the frigid temperatures. “It’s not only luxury, but it improves your chances of seeing the lights,” Vermillion says. Their on-site observatory is another lovely noctourism touch.
Nocturnal Safari led by Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island—Australia
Known as Australia’s Galapagos, Kangaroo Island is an incredible spot for wildlife viewing, especially at nighttime. Their signature nocturnal experience is an expert-led walking safari. “It’s an exclusive place that’s difficult to access after dark, so [the Lodge] gives you a way to experience it safely and optimally,” Vermillion states. “I just thought it was so stunning and so surprising. I know animals are more active after dark, but to actually see it with the naked eye was incredible.” The noctourism expert shares that she saw a bunch of wallabies and koalas on her nighttime safari. “Typically in Australia, you only see koalas in trees, but we saw a koala come down, crawl across the road, and go into the bush and make crazy alien-like noises. . . These are just things you don’t see during the day,” she adds. The nocturnal safari walk at Southern Ocean Lodge is a great example of how exploring a place by night, with experts, is such a special experience. “It’s the icing on top of an already amazing trip,” Vermillion says.
Stargazing in the Atacama Desert via Awasi—Chile
The Atacama is very in demand for stargazing. “What I loved about stargazing with Awasi is they have their own private observatory, with their own guide, so it’s a very private experience in a popular stargazing spot,” Vermillion notes. Visitors can enjoy views of the Magellanic Clouds and some of the world’s best views of the Milky Way. “The property also went above and beyond to help me set up the perfect astrophotography tour, [and] part of why I love them is they are so customizable, they can help you coordinate whatever you need,” she explains.
Nocturnal walk at São Lourenço do Barrocal—Portugal
Part of the world’s first Starlight Tourism Destination (and a certified Dark Sky Reserve), this area of Portugal is another must-see for noctourism lovers. The property’s nocturnal walk is lovely. “It’s very multisensory, being out at night under the stars, because your eyesight isn’t as sharp. You are so focused on what you’re hearing and smelling and even the feel of the air,” says Vermillion. “These walks almost turn into forest bathing in a way, that kind of multisensory experience where you’re really in the moment, especially when you’re going with an expert.”
Overall, luxury hotels with elevated noctourism offerings should be on travelers’ radars. “Paying attention to what’s happening in the heavens can be really grounding; it helps you not only appreciate a place in a different way, but it helps you experience yourself in a different way,” shares Vermillion.
