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USA Today
2 days ago
- USA Today
12 family-friendly resorts that are even better after dark
12 family-friendly resorts that are even better after dark Show Caption Hide Caption 2025's must-see astronomical events: Eclipses, supermoons & more 2025 will be a fascinating year for astronomy and space exploration enthusiasts, with several unmissable events on the calendar. unbranded - Newsworthy Many travelers these days aren't slowing down after the sun sets. Nocturnal tourism – commonly known as noctourism – has been a major travel trend for 2025, with vacationers interested in everything from stargazing and chasing the Northern Lights to exploring destinations when temperatures are cooler and sunburns aren't a concern. As a Florida resident, I definitely understand the appeal of activities that take place after the sun goes down, especially during the hot summer months. In some locations, families don't even have to leave their hotel or resort for some amazing after-dark experiences. Here are my picks for the best family-friendly hotels and resorts for noctourism activities. 1. Tenaya at Yosemite Fish Camp, California Surrounded by the natural beauty of Sierra National Forest and just two miles from the south entrance of Yosemite National Park, Tenaya at Yosemite is already a great hotel option for amateur astronomers. But it gets even better with the resort's Night Skies Package, available through Dec. 31, 2025. The package includes a two-night stay, a blanket for staying warm after dark, a National Geographic star guidebook so you know what you're seeing, a guided flashlight hike to explore the resort at night, and the chance to peer through telescopes at Jackson Road Loop Trail Meadow with the help of expert astronomers. The resort (read our full review here) also offers the Sierra Stargazing program Wednesday to Saturday nights from April to October, which are led by an expert local astronomer. 2. Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve Dorado, Puerto Rico Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve isn't just a great place for a luxe beach vacation. The oceanfront resort is also a spot where families can enjoy the destination after dark. Its Ambassadors of the Environment program offers immersive noctourism experiences for children, adults, and families, including night snorkels using waterproof flashlights and the Wonders of the Night activity featuring storytelling, telescope viewing, and laser-guided constellation spotting. And for adults, a moonlight massage provides a memorable self-care experience. 3. Under Canvas Multiple locations As part of its Mindful Approach ethos, Under Canvas designed its camps to limit light pollution, maximize open spaces, and fit within the natural topography of the land where they're located. As a result, stargazing is easy to do here, and the brand's Zion, Bryce Canyon, Lake Powell-Grand Staircase, Grand Canyon, and Moab locations were recently recognized as the world's first official DarkSky-certified resorts. Under Canvas's new We Own the Night campaign celebrates this achievement, offering complimentary camp programming like astronomy talks, full-moon hikes, star parties, and starbathing meditation sessions to encourage guests to look to the skies. 4. Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock Sedona, Arizona Located amidst a certified Dark Sky Community with clear high-desert skies and minimal light pollution, Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock offers both stunning red rock views and excellent star viewing. The resort holds stargazing sessions on Friday and Saturday nights by The Porch at ShadowRock Tap + Table, which also conveniently hosts family-style fireside s'mores for double the fun. Or you can gaze at the skies from your private patio if you book one of the resort's Fire Bowl Suites. 5. Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo Jalisco, Mexico Set on a private peninsula along Mexico's 'Happy Coast,' Four Seasons Resort Tamarindo occupies 2% of a protected nature reserve. Which means it's a great spot for outdoor activities day and night. Families can take part in the Small Wonders Night Exploration, a lamplit experience led by the resort's resident team of biologists and bug experts. There are also private starlit dinners, s'mores on the beach, and movies under the stars to go along with daytime fun like snorkeling, birdwatching, and swimming at the resort's three-level pool and private beaches. 6. Yavapai Lodge Grand Canyon, Arizona Book a stay at Yavapai Lodge and you'll have easy access to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, which is open 24 hours a day and is an ideal spot for seeing why the Grand Canyon has been recognized as an International Dark Sky Park. The hotel adds to that experience with its Stargazing Package that includes overnight accommodations, a pair of Celestron binoculars, a Petzl LED headlamp with night vision, a National Geographic night sky guidebook, and a pocket star finder. Yavapai Lodge has also partnered with local NASA Solar System Ambassadors to host Night Sky Talks each month. The free noctourism events include a James Webb Space Telescope talk and a star-viewing party. 7. Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon Cannonville, Utah The first glass-dome resort in the U.S., Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon offers a stay that's truly out of this world. Floor-to-ceiling panoramic glass allows you to sleep under the stars without having to rough it, as each climate-controlled dome features high-end mattresses and private baths. The resort makes the most of its secluded 80-acre setting with activities like campfires and s'mores and stargazing tours. It's also just 15 minutes from Bryce Canyon National Park, an International Dark Sky Park that hosts full-moon hikes and weekly stargazing programs. 8. Atlantis Paradise Island, The Bahamas Atlantis is known for over-the-top amenities like its massive water park. But its Marine Life Camping Adventure offers families the opportunity for some after-dark fun, too. The noctourism experience includes kayaking alongside dolphins at dusk, an exclusive twilight snorkel, a behind-the-scenes nighttime tour with Atlantis's expert Sea Keepers, and an overnight stay under the stars in climate-controlled tents set along the shores of the resort's Dolphin Cay. It's definitely a unique way to experience the popular Bahamas resort. 9. Evergreen Lodge, Rush Creek Lodge & Spa, and Firefall Ranch Groveland, California If you're visiting Yosemite National Park, you won't go wrong with a stay at sister properties Evergreen Lodge, Rush Creek Lodge & Spa, and Firefall Ranch. And after a day at the park, you can turn your attention to the night sky with a stargazing session at one of the resorts. You'll get to look through a Unistellar telescope with the help of a Star Guide, who uses a high-powered laser pointer to spotlight constellations, star clusters, and other stellar sights. And you'll want to make sure you fuel up before the astronomical action at the resorts' nightly s'mores-making sessions. 10. Loews Ventana Canyon Resort Tucson, Arizona Tucson serves as the headquarters of DarkSky International, so of course it's a great place for stargazing. Stay at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort and you can take part in a complimentary, family-friendly stargazing adventure in partnership with the University of Arizona's Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter. Offered three times a week, the experience includes guided telescope observations and provides insight on everything that's visible in the Sonoran Desert night sky. 11. Carneros Resort and Spa Napa, California A relaxing escape in the middle of California wine country, Carneros Resort and Spa offers plenty of fun for kids and grownups. Book one of the cottages here and you can add on the Camp Carneros kids set-up that includes a tent, sleeping bag, lanterns, and a kid-friendly campfire with s'mores kit. You can also rent one of the resort's telescopes to admire the stars from your cottage backyard, reserve a private backyard movie night experience, or enjoy a complimentary movie under the stars on the resort's lawn. 12. ADERO Scottsdale Resort Scottsdale, Arizona The only Autograph Collection Resort in a certified Dark Sky Zone, ADERO Scottsdale Resort offers a signature night sky program called Find Your Way. The complimentary experience includes a private star-viewing session upon request using high-definition telescopes, exclusive use of the Star Walk 2 mobile app, and Friday night sky tours with the resort's 'Star Dudes' (based on seasonality). And the area near the resort will become even more stellar with the new International Dark Sky Discovery Center opening later in 2025. 12 family resorts that are even better after dark originally appeared on More from FamilyVacationist: The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. and are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. Using the FamilyVacationist travel recommendation methodology, we review and select family vacation ideas, family vacation spots, all-inclusive family resorts, and classic family vacations for all ages. TourScoop covers guided group tours and tour operators, tour operator reviews, tour itinerary reviews and travel gear recommendations. If you buy an item through a link in our content, we may earn a commission.
The Age
3 days ago
- The Age
Ten technology changes that will transform your next holiday
Travel for good By collecting valuable research data, citizen science is a hands-on way for travellers to help give back to the destinations they visit. Not too long ago, expensive hardware made researchers reluctant to hand over the controls to inexperienced travellers, but advances and cheaper technology are opening new opportunities. Guests at Ritz-Carlton Maldives can aid turtle conservationists by piloting drones (after completing simulation training) to detect harmful ocean plastic and ghost nets, and at Tanzania's Usangu Expedition Camp they can help set up camera traps to monitor big cat activity. The iNaturalist app has also gamified conservation tourism by helping travellers collect wildlife sightings, much like Pokemon. Antarctic cruise operator HX encourages travellers to download the app once onboard to help document whale, seal and penguin sightings on a voyage to the White Continent. See GPS self-guided tours Elon Musk's SpaceX has ambitious plans to launch thousands of satellites into orbit, with a record number of satellites launched in 2024. More satellites armed with next-gen technology will lead to stronger GPS systems, which is making independent travel more accessible. Australia-based European adventure company UTracks now provides hikers with a GPS-enabled app designed to help them navigate the trail and alert them if they go off-course. Closer to home, Australian Cycle Tours has developed a similar app that gives cyclists turn-by-turn instructions and statistics, such as distance covered, while suggesting local sights, cafes and restaurants for a pitstop. See Hotel service goes digital One legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic is that it forced companies, such as Hilton Hotels, to adopt socially distanced digital room keys that can be downloaded to your phone. That innovation has since diverted hundreds of tonnes of plastic cards, so expect it to become more widespread as hotels increasingly go green. Also on the rise are AI-powered concierges such as Jean, the digital butler recently introduced at Park Regis by Prince Singapore. Jean can be called on for room service or to help decide how to spend your day in Singapore. Marriott Hotels has also created Renai, which merges staff insights with ChatGPT and other open-source data to create local recommendations. See Smart gate tech rolls out Last year, Sydney's International Airport joined the rollout of SmartGate systems across Australia, joining Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth in the move to the new Gen 3 technology, reducing the time it takes to clear customs (in theory, at least). While biometric technology has been in airports for a while now, a push for frictionless travel will see automated electronic gates introduced at border crossings and ports. Testing is already under way in Malaysia, Singapore, Bhutan, India and Zimbabwe, with updated algorithms that can adapt to a growing problem with deepfakes and spoofing, such as fake fingerprints and facial masks. Power banks tighten up In April, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways and other Asian carriers tightened their rules on carrying lithium-ion power bank battery packs due to the fire risk posed by overheating. Battery packs can still be taken onboard along with other carry-on items, but travellers won't be allowed to use it, charge it using seat-back power outlets, or place it in overhead lockers. South Korea has indicated it will also require battery packs to be stored in a plastic bag. Virgin Australia and Qantas now allow power banks to be used or charged onboard and don't plan to change their policies, though Qantas advises against using power banks during flights. Drones take flight Aided by AI and armed with specialist accessories, drones are now being deployed to do more than just capture sweeping beach panoramas. Case in point: New Zealand, Spain, France and the United States are trialling lifeguard drones to patrol tourist beaches and deliver life vests to struggling swimmers. Drones armed with bacteria-destroying ultraviolet light are being used to clean airports and aircraft cabins, while cities such as Dubai, Shanghai and Miami are embracing environmentally friendly drone light-shows instead of fireworks. Australia has joined in on the aerial entertainment with Wintjiri Wiru, a light show at Uluru that brings Aboriginal storytelling to life using 1200 drones. See Loading Emissions-free flights With the International Air Transport Association aiming to achieve net zero by 2050, the race is on to decarbonise Australia's aviation industry, which produces about 5 per cent of Australia's carbon emissions. Smaller Australian aviation companies are already retrofitting existing aircraft with green propulsion systems, such as Kite Magnetics in Victoria and Stralis in Queensland. But fleet manufacturers such as Boeing will need more time to adapt, transitioning to blended fuels made from waste by-products before switching entirely to electric. Perth-based FlyOnE is expecting to offer fully electric commercial flights later this year, with cheaper emissions-free air travel to be more widespread in the next five years. See
AsiaOne
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- AsiaOne
I had a mini cook-off with Chef Bob as he launches his latest creations - here's how it went, Lifestyle News
I've watched my fair share of cooking competitions, from Culinary Class Wars to MasterChef, but never did I expect to be participating in one. Even if it was just a friendly cook-off. My opponent for the day? None other than Shahrizal Salleh, better known as Chef Bob, an established name in the local culinary scene. For the uninitiated, Chef Bob had stints at luxury hotels like Grand Hyatt and Ritz-Carlton. He also began his own ventures like The Landmark, a halal buffet in Bugis, and Bobmi, which specialises in Indonesian Bakmie. On Wednesday (May 28), at a media preview for his latest collaboration with Halal restaurant Good Old Days in Sentosa, I had the chance to sample his three new dishes: Nasi Lemak Goreng, Assam Pedas Pasta and Ginger Fish Horfun. These dishes will available on Good Old Days' menu for the next seven months. Being a self-proclaimed foodie, I was naturally excited to have a first taste of these creative inventions. That enthusiasm would soon morph into mild panic when I found out I'd be cooking alongside Chef Bob during the event. Behind the kitchen counter To be fair, I willingly accepted the offer to step into the kitchen with Chef Bob. Regardless, that sense of dread was genuine. The cook-off was simple enough in-theory. I had to mirror Chef Bob in whipping up his new Assam Pedas Pasta. Once plated, our dishes would be put through a blind taste test to decide the winner. Ingredients included fresh prawns, Thai asparagus, laksa leaves, onion, asam pedas, evaporated milk and pappardelle pasta. Mix it all up in a pan and there's the dish. Sounds easy enough, I thought. In practice? Not quite. Chef Bob's knife skills had me trailing behind from the very start. As he sauteed his onions like a seasoned pro, I was already left sweating (both figuratively and literally) just trying to keep up. Despite the early wobbles, I managed to complete cooking the dish and both our Assam Pedas Pasta was done and sent off to plating. The blind taste test was a wipeout, with every participant picking the "cylinder" instead of the "sampan" option. Imagine the surprised, and slightly suspicious, look on my face when it was announced that I cooked the winning dish! The cook-off was all in good fun and once that was done, I had the chance to dive into all of Chef Bob's latest creations. Verdict on new dishes Right off the bat, I'll admit that I've never been particularly fond of assam pedas. So there was a slight hesitance on my end on whether I'd appreciate his Assam Pedas Pasta ($12.80). But having won the cook-out, I thought: "Why not go in with an open mind?" I took a bite and was pleasantly surprised. The tangy and lightly spiced sauce was a winner for me, and it paired well with the choice of pasta. Fresh prawns and crunchy Thai asparagus also added texture to the dish. Did the dish completely win me over when it comes to a classic assam pedas? Probably not. But would I order it again at Good Old Days? Highly likely. Then came the Ginger Fish Horfun ($10.80). Fans of Chef Bob will be glad to see this classic menu item return from his earlier culinary career A comforting dish featuring rice noodles, dark soy sauce, egg gravy and fish slices, this is a solid pick if you're a hor fun lover. But my suggestion would be to save space for a plate of Nasi Lemak Goreng ($12.80) instead. Rich, aromatic and so addictive. Coconut rice is wok-fried and plated with Chef Bob's signature crispy turmeric chicken, a sunny-side up egg and a variety of sides such as cucumber slices, sambal, ikan bilis and peanuts. Simple in appearance but deceptively tricky to execute. Chef Bob explained that due to the rice's high fat content, a different level of skill was required to fry it right. We got a sampler portion that left me wishing for a full-sized plate. [[nid:716024]] After the tastings, I sat down with Chef Bob to talk about the collaboration. He told AsiaOne that he'd long been a patron of Good Old Days. When asked about the creation of his three new dishes, Chef Bob replied: "I came up with [these dishes] to complement whatever Good Old Days already has. "Because their menu is already extensive." He also noted that bringing new ideas to the table is often an arduous process, especially when it comes to menu planning. According to Chef Bob, the R&D process can take six months as it involves numerous tweaks and iterations before the final dish is finally presented to the public. Take the Assam Pedas Pasta, for example. I learnt that the choice of pappardelle was intentional. "Pappardelle is very wide so when you cook it with a sauce, it'll hug the pasta. When you eat each strand, you can get all the flavours as well," Chef Bob explained. And having tasted and cooked the dish myself, I can certainly vouch for that. Address: 60 Siloso Beach, Singapore 098997 Opening hours: 10am to 10pm daily, last order at 9pm [[nid:717704]] amierul@
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
How resorts are changing in South Florida. See what's new and what's coming
South Florida How resorts are changing in South Florida. See what's new and what's coming South Florida resorts are changing with major projects and upgrades. The Mandarin Oriental on Brickell Key will close for demolition and return as two sleek towers focusing on luxury residences and an updated hotel experience. The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne is undergoing a $100 million renovation, temporarily laying off workers as it makes updates. In Fort Lauderdale, the opening of the new Las Olas Marina brings superyacht facilities and high-end dining to the waterfront. Meanwhile, new legislation makes it easier for historic coastal hotels, particularly in Miami Beach, to be demolished, paving the way for further development. View of the piece titled 'Patria y Vida' by Cuban-American artists Antonia Wright and Rubén Millares, a large-scale light sculpture that celebrates people's right to peacefully protest including Cuba where many were sentenced to prison after the anti-government protests that took place on July 11th, 2021. This project is part of the City of Miami Beach's A No Vacancy Project in partnership with Faena Art, for the Miami Art Week 2022, on Tuesday November 12, 2022. By Pedro Portal NO. 1: DESANTIS SIGNS BILL THAT MAKES DEMOLISHING HISTORIC FLORIDA BUILDINGS EASIER Bill proponents have said the changes are crucial to ensuring that buildings are up to code near Florida's coast. | Published March 22, 2024 | Read Full Story by Alexandra Glorioso The Las Olas Marina is officially open after eight years of planning and negotiating. NO. 2: SUPERYACHTS AND HIGH END RESTAURANTS: FORT LAUDERDALE UNVEILS NEW $130 MILLION MARINA It includes spaces for superyachts. | Published October 29, 2024 | Read Full Story by Amanda Rosa The Mandarin Oriental on Brickell Key will be demolished for two new resort and condo towers. By PATRICK FARRELL NO. 3: A SIGNATURE MIAMI LUXURY HOTEL IS CLOSING AND WILL BE REPLACED BY TWO NEW TOWERS What we know about the plans. | Published December 20, 2024 | Read Full Story by vsreeharsha@ Sreeharsha The Ritz-Carlton in Key Biscayne opened in 2001. By Chuck Fadely NO. 4: A MAJOR MIAMI HOTEL IS CLOSING FOR A $100M REMODEL THAT WILL LAY OFF HUNDREDS OF WORKERS Here's the timeline for the changes to a signature resort. | Published March 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Vinod Sreeharsha The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Luxury 794ft superyacht ‘sea hotel' with five restaurants & mini-marina completes trial before first voyage this summer
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A LUXURY superyacht 'sea hotel' has completed its sea trials ahead of its first voyage this summer. The Luminara - the third The Ritz-Carlton superyacht to take to the seas - is set to embark on its maiden voyage on 3 July. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 9 The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection currently operates three yachts: Evrima, lma and Luminara, which launched in 2020, 2024 and 2025 respectively Credit: Ritz-Carlton 9 A glamorous trip aboard which will cost as much as $78,377 (£58,120) for a seven-night trip, according to booking site Clean Cruising Credit: Ritz-Carlton 9 The 452-passenger vessel will sail from Monte Carlo to the port of Rome in its inaugural trip Credit: Ritz-Carlton 9 An increasing number of luxury hotel chains are taking to the high seas Credit: Ritz-Carlton The 452-passenger vessel will sail from Monte Carlo to the port of Rome, in a glamorous trip which will cost as much as $78,377 (£58,120) for a seven-night trip, according to booking site Clean Cruising. But that's in the best room in the house, of course. The Luminara Suite boasts "magnificent" ocean views with floor to ceiling windows, according to The Ritz-Carlton. It has a private terrace decked out with a hot tub where the superyacht's wealthiest passengers can lounge in style. The namesake room boasts a large living and dining area, as well as a king bed and double vanity bathroom. It even has 24-hour in-suite dining, so passengers won't have to venture into one of the five fine dining restaurants or seven bars on board - if they don't feel like dressing up. The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection currently operates three yachts: Evrima, lma and Luminara, which launched in 2020, 2024 and 2025 respectively. 9 There are eight to 10 ships planned for the next five to 10 years for multiple Marriott brands, including the The Ritz-Carlton franchise It is the largest superyacht from the luxury hotel franchise, spread across 10 decks. It has two swimming pools - an infinity pool on deck five and a main pool on the top deck. Inside the invite-only superyacht 'sea hotel' with four-story penthouse - & another $450m 'twin' ship is on the way The Luminara will also include an expansive marina, marina terrace, and marina beach, all anchored by a dynamic floating lounge platform with a central pool where guests can swim directly in the sea. "With Luminara, we've raised the bar once again, uniting legendary service, elevated design, and an extraordinary onboard experience to further define our distinct approach to ultra-luxury travel at sea," President of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Ernesto Fara, said in a statement. "This remarkable super-yacht opens the door to new destinations and deeper guest experiences, reinforcing our commitment to thoughtful exploration and continuous innovation across the fleet." An increasing number of luxury hotel chains are taking to the high seas. There are eight to 10 ships planned for the next five to 10 years for multiple Marriott brands, including the The Ritz-Carlton franchise. The Four Seasons will also launch its first superyacht hotel in January 2026, where seven nights will cost your north of $25,000 (£18,500). 9 It has two swimming pools - an infinity pool on deck five and a main pool on the top deck Credit: Ritz-Carlton 9 The Luminara Suite boasts "magnificent" ocean views with floor to ceiling windows, according to The Ritz-Carlton Credit: Ritz-Carlton 9 The namesake room boasts a large living and dining area, as well as a king bed and double vanity bathroom Credit: Ritz-Carlton
