Scientific stays

As luxury travel standards shift from sumptuous to scientific, hospitality is looking to the sea and sky for expert-led experiences. Travelers are arriving with more than a desire for relaxation: they’re looking for one-of-a-kind experiences to highlight their stay. Hotels and resorts are acting accordingly, offering unique, scientist-led activities as part of their guests’ travel packages.

Staying at the Kimpton Vero Beach Hotel & Spa will include a stargazing experience with an astronomer in June and July of this year. Guests can register for the complimentary Stargazing on the Sea riverboat cruise, during which a local astronomer will give a guided view of stars, planets, and phases of the moon on that particular night. As an upgraded version of the stargazing talks that the hotel has offered from their pool decks, now guests can enjoy the private boat tour with gourmet snacks and an expert guide, turning hospitality entertainment into education.

NASA is stepping into the hospitality’s exclusive education space as well. At the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, guests have the opportunity to learn about any of the 80 constellations viewable from the hotel in a session led by NASA ambassador Edward Mahoney. As part of the hotel’s broader Stay, Learn and Play experience package, guests can take part in the out-of-this-world experience now until December 21, 2021.

Travelers can take a deep dive into the Four Seasons Resort Hawaii’s 1.8 million-gallon aquarium to get an up close view of aquatic life. Led by marine biologists, guests can register for an educational diving experience in Kumu Kai Marine Center’s new King’s Pond. The Resort says King’s Pond was “born from the concepts of marine and ocean preservation and education” and is available now for travelers looking for an expert marine guide by the poolside.

“Our hope is that guests will spend the day discovering the unique features of King’s Pond,” the hotel’s general manager Charlie Parker told Travel + Leisure. “We designed the new experience at King’s Pond to combine marine education [and] interactive exclusive offerings.”