Sleeping with the Stars: Bed Down Outdoors at Four Luxury Hotels

by  Chanize Thorpe | Jul 13, 2011
AKA Central Park Penthouse
AKA Central Park Penthouse / Photo courtesy of the property

This isn’t some Page Six story about bumping uglies with Brad Pitt. No, with summer caressing our skin, these four luxury hotels are taking sleeping outside to another level.

AKA Central Park, New York: The New York skyline is already exciting enough, but it goes to new levels at AKA, which bills itself as the first outdoor bedroom in Manhattan. The Central Park penthouse has a wraparound terrace with its queen-sized bed fronting a wood-burning fireplace during chilly late-summer nights (it’s available through October 31st, weather permitting). Music via iPod or Bose, a bottle of Veuve Cliquot champagne and midnight snacks like s’mores from Maison du Chocolate are served for one heck of a romantic night. Package is $3,000 a night. Reservations via 866-AKA-9999

Las Ventanas al Paraiso, Los Cabos, Mexico: The resort’s Director of Romance came up with the idea of taking king-size beds and putting them atop the wide-open, but private rooftop terrace and penthouse suites. They’ve become the place to watch the stars, the sparkling Sea of Cortez, and the waves via the provided telescope. These rooms already have a Jacuzzi and a Kiva fireplace which only adds to the ambience, so you may find yourself sneaking downstairs. But in the morning, use the provided coffee maker to brew a pot of java and then watch the humpback whales as they frolic just off the coast. Suite rates begin at $855 plus a $100 fee (plus tax and service charge) for first-night outdoor bedroom set up; $50 plus tax and service each additional night. www.lasventanas.com.

Star Beds at Loisaba: Sure, Kenya’s far flung, but the ultimate viewing spot to spy creatures great and small are from these homemade wooden and wheeled, four-poster queen-sized platform beds perched on a ledge overlooking a watering hole. The Star Beds are in a remote location a half-hour drive away from Loisaba, the main lodge of this all-inclusive safari experience. Once you agree to stay there, you’re making a commitment to dine and sleep in the bush for the night after a day filled with game drives. The experience comes with a tasty evening barbeque and a breakfast prepared by Maasai and Samburu warrior staff. It’s truly an “Out of Africa” experience.  All-inclusive rates in high season are $650 per person, sharing; www.loisaba.com

The Treehouses at Lodge

Sleeping with the Stars Treehouse Mansion / Lodge Kura Hulanda and Beach Club

Kura Hulanda: This Curaçao resort has two treehouses. One is a rustic set up where guests climb up a ladder, through a trap door, and on to a platform where an jumbo tent is erected and inside is a king size bed outfitted with electricity and even a television. The bathroom’s down the steps and there’s no AC, but when unzipped, the breeze keeps the tent cool and the stars in view. The Treehouse Mansion is an opulent 1312-square foot, two-bedroom, two-bathroom suite built atop wooden stilts among island foliage. In the open air living room is an ornate Bali Bridal bed, and rooms are lavishly decorated safari-style. Treehouse Tent is $125 a night; Treehouse Mansion is $1,200 a night; www.kurahulanda.com

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