Travel Weekly: At more resorts, outdoor activities are happening long after the sun sets

By Christina Jelski | Published on December 5, 2023

Stargazing has emerged as one of the trendiest nocturnal pursuits in hospitality in recent years, with rural properties in particular leveraging their access to dark skies that offer optimal star-viewing conditions.

The Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Ariz., for example, reports heightened interest in its complimentary stargazing program, which debuted a few years ago. The outdoor stargazing sessions give guests the opportunity to get a closer look at the galaxy via telescope, under the guidance of an educator from the University of Arizona's Mount Lemmon SkyCenter observatory. 

"When we first launched, we offered it one day a week," said Brandy White, director of sales and marketing at the Loews resort. "And now it's become so popular that we're doing it three nights a week."

Prior to the pandemic, the property's stargazing program primarily attracted corporate and association groups, whose organizers were looking to complement their events with unique programming. In more recent years, however, a larger share of leisure guests have opted to join the sessions, including families.

"It's not just an 'adult activity' or 'kid activity' but something everyone can do together," said White. "And it's something that's easy, educational and something that you're not going to see at every resort."

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