Travel
Sleep Under The Stars: The World’s Top Bubble Hotels
Sleep under the stars, among the vines or deep in the jungle: our roundup of the world’s best bubble hotels takes you through every season and every enchanting setting
The global phenomenon that is glamorous camping, aka “glamping”, has come a long way since its beginnings. Now, it’s less of a trend and more of a travel lifestyle, and bubble tents have firmly staked their claim as one of the most unforgettable ways to sleep under the stars – without actually sleeping under the stars. From charming vineyards in Mexico to front-row stargazing in Australia and a private jungle observatory in Thailand, we round up the world’s best nature-filled bubble-shaped getaways for every season.
For Winter Wandering
Go Off The Grid In Iceland
Set in two scenic spots – one near Iceland’s Golden Circle, the other along the breathtaking South Coast – Buubble offers a one-of-a-kind overnight experience. Their guided overnight tours, either private or in a small group, take you to five spectacular sites of interest before ending with a night in a transparent heated dome tucked away in nature. Open year-round, the bubbles stay warm and cosy even in winter – which is, incidentally, the best time to come. Visiting from November to January gives you the highest chance of watching the magnificent aurora borealis dance above you as you snuggle up, toasty under the blankets in your bubble.
Stargaze Down Under
From its scenic vantage point on the grounds of a working farm about 200 kilometres from Sydney, Bubble Tent Australia offers guests expansive views of Capertee Valley, the widest canyon in the world. But the real show starts after sundown, when the dazzling Milky Way stretches across the night sky in this remote wilderness. The Australian winter, from June to August, is a prime time to visit, with longer, clearer nights and better chances of catching the display in all its glory. Each tent is kitted out with thoughtful extras like telescopes, cooking equipment, a private outdoor deck with a fireplace, and even a spa tub, not to mention 100% wool blankets and slippers for keeping warm on chilly nights.
For Springtime Renewal
Wake Up To Vineyard Views In Mexico
Spring is the sweet spot for a vineyard escape, and Campera Hotel Burbuja in Mexico’s Valle de Guadalupe makes the most of it. With mild temperatures perfect for winery hopping, this 10-bubble retreat puts you right in the heart of Baja California’s top wine region, just a few hours south of the US border. Each French-designed bubble suite features climate control, private bathrooms and four-poster beds with privacy curtains, all in expansive, transparent domes that allow for optimal stargazing after a day spent sipping the valley’s best vintages.
Glamp In The Arabian Desert
Located deep within the Wadi Rum Desert, a protected wilderness area in southern Jordan known for its dramatic scenery and iconic dusty red sands, Luxotel Wadi Rum Bubble invites you to spend a night or two and see this otherworldly landscape in a new light. Spring in particular brings clearer skies and just-right weather for enjoying the desert vistas, which seem even more Martian after darkness descends. Stays include two hearty buffet meals and a line-up of tempting adventures, from camel rides and jeep tours to some of the most magical stargazing on this side of the planet.
Bubble Up In Big Bend
Bubbles at Basecamp Terlingua, situated just outside Big Bend National Park in southwestern Texas, offer a see-through sanctuary in the high desert, where spring brings wildflower fields, active wildlife, golden hour hikes, and a climate that’s neither blazing-hot nor bitingly cold. Choose among the cosy one-room domes or upgrade to a deluxe bubble with a private hot tub, all equipped with climate control, indoor showers, a coffee station and a fire pit. Grill under the stars, rinse off in the outdoor shower, or just melt into the desert silence and take in this rugged-meets-refined West Texas wonder.
For Savouring Summer
Go Wild For Conservation In Kent
How about a British summer getaway with a wild twist? Run by the animal conservation charity Aspinall Foundation, Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve in Kent makes for an epic sleepover: their Treetop Bubble and Lookout Bubble cocoon you in fully equipped transparent domes as giraffes, zebras, rhinos and bears wander below. From June to August, days stretch long and golden, perfect for exploring the 600-acre safari reserve by buggy, strolling through the gardens before taking afternoon tea, or toasting with sunset cocktails on the terrace. As night falls, nature sings its own lullaby under a sky full of stars.
For Autumn Exploration
Spot Peak Foliage In Thurgau
If you’re a leaf-peeper, head to Switzerland’s Thurgau region in autumn. That’s when Himmelbett das Thurgauer becomes one of the dreamiest places in the country to spend the night, beckoning you to enjoy the colourful foliage from the comfort of one of their many bubbles scattered across the vineyards, orchards and gardens. Open from March to late October, the last few weeks of the season are the best time to come, promising fewer crowds, cooler temperatures and painterly landscapes bursting with colour. Take your complimentary e-bike for a spin, savour floral-themed meals or sample local wines, all with 360-degree autumnal views at every turn.
Sleep Among Elephants In Thailand
Perched high in the misty hills of northern Thailand, the ultra-luxury experience at Anantara Golden Triangle’s Jungle Bubbles is a dreamlike escape into nature. Guests sleep beneath the stars in air-conditioned domes, as resident rescued elephants roam just a few steps away. Each one- or two-bedroom bubble features cloud-like beds, a plunge pool and private dining served on the deck. Stay during the autumn months for cool, dry conditions, crisp nights and low humidity, not to mention vibrant foliage that creates a unique jungle adventure and renders the elephant encounters all the more enchanting.
