Storey Hotel Management Group announces the launch of “Storey Nights,” an exciting new stargazing program offered at select properties within its global luxury portfolio. This initiative is part of the company’s broader sustainability effort, “A Sustainable Storey,” which aims to expand eco-friendly practices in luxury travel.
Storey Nights: A Celestial Adventure in Sustainable Luxury
In collaboration with Dr. Franck Marchis, founder of Unistellar and a senior planetary astronomer at the SETI Institute, Storey Nights offers guests a unique opportunity to explore the cosmos using state-of-the-art Unistellar smart telescopes. Beyond stargazing, the program integrates opportunities for citizen science initiatives that contribute valuable data and meaningful science to organizations like the SETI Institute and NASA. Storey Nights exemplifies sustainable luxury travel by offering guests unique experiences and the opportunity to generate valuable scientific data that informs research across multiple fields.
Laura Rose, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Storey Hotel Management Group, said, “Integrating astronomy and space science into our guests’ experiences fosters a deeper connection with the Universe and our place within it. Storey Nights is a perfect blend of luxury, education, and global citizenship, expanding the future of sustainable travel.”
Sustainable practices across the Storey portfolio share a common thread of deep commitment to sustaining local community culture, reducing environmental impact, and ensuring guests enjoy eco-friendly amenities, including products and seasonal, locally-produced menu items. Participating properties have developed distinctive stargazing experiences tailored to their unique locations, including special offers for guests to purchase their own Unistellar telescope.
- Malliouhana, Anguilla: Celestial Stargazing at Malliouhana invites guests to explore the Universe through the lens of the Unistellar Odyssey Pro telescope. Serving up the stars with gourmet popcorn and champagne, the experience is also available at sister properties The Villas by Malliouhana.
- The Park James, Silicon Valley: Constellations and Cocktails offers a romantic package including telescope access, a private viewing area, a bottle of wine, and a decadent three-course dinner. The hotel will a host public sky viewing sessions and a special taping of its regularly-hosted podcast Silicon Zombies Speaker Series, featuring “The Best Brains From the Bay to Beyond,” with Senior Planetary Astronomer Dr. Franck Marchis. The Park James Hotel in Menlo Park presents Beyond the Stars—Innovation, Discovery & YES, Aliens” on Monday, February 10, from 5-9 PM.
- Nanuku Resort, Fiji: Fijians have practiced the art of celestial navigation for thousands of years. Now, Journey to the Stars allows guests to explore deep space from the Moon and stars to planets beyond in one of the world’s best stargazing destinations. The experience includes viewing through a NASA-donated telescope and a Unistellar smart telescope alongside a beach bonfire complete with marshmallows, drinks, and bites for the ultimate astronomic event.
Josua Cakautini, Nanuku’s Celestial Concierge, enthusiastically explained, “So close to the equator, Fiji’s skies reveal the Southern Cross, the Milky Way, and even the Magellanic Clouds with unmatched clarity. It’s a journey through time and culture as our guests connect with the wonders of the Universe and the rich seafaring history of our people.”
- The Walton Residence, Chicago: Starlight Social invites Walton residents and short-term guests for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. The summer stargazing mixers on Oak Street Beach head indoors during winter with unobstructed views from a stunning Duplex unit for year-round celestial wonder.
- The Ameswell, Silicon Valley: A special Valentine’s Day event kicks off Cocktails & Cosmos, offering couples a romantic private session to explore the heavens with the Unistellar Telescope over two bubbly champagne cocktails.
A Sustainable Storey: Commitment to Eco-Friendly Luxury
The Storey Nights program is a key component of A Sustainable Storey, the company’s comprehensive initiative to implement environmentally conscious practices across its portfolio of properties. This commitment extends beyond stargazing to include various sustainability efforts tailored to each location.
- Batiwai at Nanuku Resort, Fiji: Batiwai, the collective name of a local tribe, implies a shared connection. Nanuku’s vision to foster sustainability, empower local communities, and create meaningful guest experiences includes coral restoration, mangrove planting, Pack for a Purpose supporting schools and other cultural immersion.
- The Eco-Tour at Malliouhana, Anguilla: On 25 acres of lush tropical gardens, a focus on preserving local culture and history includes self-guided eco-tours and opportunities to engage with local artists and traditions.
- The Ameswell Hotel and The Park James Hotel, Silicon Valley: Both properties are built to LEED Silver standards, with The Ameswell being Silicon Valley’s only carbon-neutral hotel. They feature organic amenities and a commitment to zero plastic use.
Dr. Franck Marchis, who has already participated in programs at Malliouhana and local schools in Anguilla, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership: “Storey Nights is an innovative way to combine luxury hospitality with citizen science. By engaging guests in stargazing experiences, we’re providing unforgettable memories and contributing to our understanding of the cosmos in a way that helps our planet.”
For more information about Storey Nights, please visit the websites of individual Storey properties or contact their respective concierge services. For more information on A Sustainable Storey, visit https://www.storeyhospitality.