Great Sand Dunes National Park’s otherworldly terrain lures nature lovers from around the globe. But if you’re as passionate about high-quality bed linens as you are about outdoor exploration, your lodging options near Alamosa were severely limited—until now.

Next month, Kosmos Stargazing Resort will open its first luxury villa ($700 per night) just 15 minutes from the certified International Dark Sky Park, a designation given to natural areas with minimal light pollution. That distinction inspired Kosmos to offer design features and amenities targeted toward astrophiles, in addition to all the perks you’d find at a high-class hotel.

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The project is the brainchild of Gamal Jadue Zalaquett, a Chilean-born software developer who was living in New Jersey when he decided to visit the San Luis Valley in 2020. “I remember driving down a dirt road, seeing a coyote or a fox, and just feeling so free and connected to nature,” he says. “I was like, ‘Hold on, this area has a certified dark-sky national park with 600,000 annual visitors and there are only two hotels nearby, and neither caters to stargazing?’ ” Zalaquett plans to add 20 more villas to the 40-acre plot of remote land in the coming years.

“By 2027, we’re looking to have a full observatory and an educational facility where we’ll host planetarium events for the community,” he says. “We’re going to be the Disneyland of astronomy.”

Amenities at Kosmos Stargazing Resort

Photo courtesy of Kosmos Stargazing Resort
  • Telescope-equipped observatory deck
  • Sunken patio with a fire pit
  • Upstairs loft, which accommodates two additional guests
  • Plush king-size bed
  • Private hot tub inside a custom-built glass dome
  • Main geodesic dome with a kitchen, lounge, and meditation space

This article was originally published in 5280 January 2025.
Michelle Shortall
Michelle Shortall
Michelle Shortall is a senior editor at 5280, where she manages Compass and writes and edits home stories for 5280.com.