Stargaze at These Bubble Hotels and Airbnbs Worldwide

Just when you thought glamping couldn’t get any more visually stunning, bubble tents with transparent roofs ideal for stargazing have emerged everywhere—from the vineyards of Baja, California, to the Arctic Circle. These “five-million-star hotels” combine luxury amenities (high-thread-count sheets, memory-foam mattresses, climate control) with the enchantment of sleeping beneath the stars. From inflatable tents to robust Alaskan domes, here are nine hotels and Airbnbs showcasing that living in a bubble isn’t always a negative experience.

Buubble

Buubble features one site near Reykholt along Iceland's Golden Circle and another outside Selfoss on the South Coast, but the exact locations are kept secret to protect guests’ privacy. Each bubble tent is heated to fend off the Arctic cold and equipped with a ventilation system to ensure a fresh and dry atmosphere inside. Guests will need to bundle up to access the bathroom located in a nearby service house. Enjoy stargazing or, during the right season, catch the aurora borealis dancing in the night sky from your bed. You can book a one-night stay as part of a tour or separately: Buubble offers a Golden Circle Tour (including stops at Geyser hot springs, Gullfoss, the Secret Lagoon, and Thingvellir National Park) as well as a South Coast Tour (featuring Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, and a black-sand beach).

Igloos at Borealis Basecamp

Nestled in 100 acres of boreal forest in the Alaskan wilderness near Fairbanks, the fiberglass-domed igloos at Borealis Basecamp are inspired by structures used in polar expeditions and research stations—perfectly designed to withstand Alaskan winters. Each of the 20 igloos features comfortable beds, a full bathroom, and 16-foot-wide roof windows, allowing two to three guests to marvel at the aurora borealis at night. The camp is ideally situated under the auroral oval, where the aurora is most vivid. A large yurt on-site serves as the central hub and dining area, with options for mushing and snowmobiling tours available for guests.

For larger families of up to five guests, Borealis Basecamp will introduce the Family Suite Cube in August 2024. While it lacks the rooftop aurora views of the glass-domed igloos, the cube features a glass wall on the northeast side, providing excellent views of the northern lights.

Bubble Tent Airbnb in Joshua Tree

This enchanting Airbnb boasts breathtaking desert views, just a five-minute drive from the town of Joshua Tree and about 10 miles from Joshua Tree National Park, renowned for its consistently clear and dark skies ideal for stargazing. Enjoy the night sky from the “stargazing/meditation dome,” equipped with two cozy lounge chairs and blankets. Additional amenities include a hot tub, small pool, cold plunge bath, and a cedar sauna, along with a two-bedroom, one-bathroom villa featuring a fully stocked kitchen.

Bubbletent Australia

Picture waking up to the stunning views of one of the world’s largest canyons. This experience awaits at any of Bubbletent Australia’s three bubbles, which overlook the Capertee Valley—wider than the Grand Canyon—located in New South Wales, about a two-hour drive from Sydney. The region is home to 237 species of birds, allowing for daytime bird-watching and nighttime exploration of Aboriginal astronomy. Each bubble features its own wood-fired tub, firepit, and telescope. Cooking utensils are provided, but you'll need to bring your own food and beverages—luckily, the Mudgee wine region is less than an hour away.

Campera Hotels, Mexico

Campera Hotel Burbuja features two unique locations: one in the heart of Baja California’s Valle de Guadalupe wine country, renowned for its family-owned wineries and farm-to-table dining, and the other overlooking a lake in the emerging wine country of San Miguel de Allende. Each inflatable bubble tent at this 'bubble hotel' includes a queen-size bed (draped for privacy) and an attached private bathroom. Both locations are far from light pollution, making them perfect for stargazing. In the morning, enjoy stunning views of the surrounding vineyards or the lake.

Dream Domes at Ridgeback Lodge

No TV, no phone, no internet—that's the allure of Canada’s Ridgeback Lodge, nestled in the New Brunswick wilderness near the Maine border. The romantic Sky View Domes offer panoramic bay windows and raised lounges with skylights, perfect for stargazing. Each dome includes a king-size bed, a full kitchen with a fridge and oven, and a Japanese-style wood-fired hot tub (available on request for an additional fee).

Bubble Domes at Finn Lough

Awake in a four-poster bed, brew a Nespresso, and curl up in an armchair to savor your morning coffee in a chic bubble dome at Finn Lough resort, nestled among the trees on a tranquil lakeside peninsula in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland. Guests can enjoy a day of hiking or fishing for pike in the Erne River, followed by sunset drinks by the lake with toast-your-own s’mores, or unwind with a movie in the vintage cinema room, complete with freshly popped popcorn each evening. When it's time for bed, retreat to your bubble for stunning 180-degree views of the sky, best enjoyed in the cozy bathrobe provided.

Bubble Dome Airbnb in the South of France

This charming bubble Airbnb is nestled among the trees on a rustic property in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France, close to the eastern Pyrenees and the Spanish border. Enjoy breathtaking mountain views and stargaze from the bubble’s double bed, or take a dip in the shared pool on the property. Amenities include a heater for chilly nights, a shared bathroom just a short walk away, and a fully equipped communal kitchen. Message the host an hour before your arrival to have champagne ready as part of a special birthday or romantic package.

Aurora Cabins at Nellim Wilderness Hotel

In the far reaches of Finnish Lapland, the Nellim Wilderness Hotel offers several glass-roofed Aurora Cabins where guests can gaze at the northern lights, visible nearly 200 nights a year, all while being shielded from the biting -22°F winds. Both standard and premium cabins come equipped with en suite bathrooms, but the premium option features a snug interior fireplace. Savor traditional Lappish dishes like reindeer meat and smoked fish at the hotel’s restaurant, then head back to your room, decorated with elements inspired by Indigenous Sami culture. While sightings of the aurora are not guaranteed, there are plenty of activities available, including snowmobiling, dog sledding, and ice fishing.

Reporting for this article was contributed by Lauren Vespoli, Maggie Fuller, and Bailey Berg. Originally published online in 2017, this article was most recently updated on April 17, 2024, to reflect current information.