Skip to main content

World’s First Luxury Space Hotel Promises Climbing Wall, Low-Gravity Basketball Courts

Gateway Foundation

Space travel will soon be a reality for The Everyman. For those under the age of 70, there’s a good chance they’ll see the opportunity to visit space in their lifetime. One ambitious design firm is on track to complete its portion of the first commercial space project in history, and it’s way cooler than we ever expected.

The ominous-sounding Gateway Foundation recently announced big plans to debut the world’s first luxury space hotel. If the concepts presented as part of the so-called Von Braun Rotating Space Station are any indication, the hotel won’t be anything like the cold, featureless, white-on-white design depicted in films like 2001: A Space Odyssey. Instead, every guest room and common area throughout the 24-module station will feel more like a trendy luxury cruise. The station is likely to house restaurants, bars, concert halls, and educational forums. Thanks to its futuristic, spinning wheel design, it’s expected to have a low-gravity environment like that of the moon (about one-sixth of Earth’s). Because of that, visitors will be able to enjoy beds, showers, and toilets similar to those found on Earth. That same low-gravity environment will also open the possibility for unique space sports like low-gravity basketball, trampolining, and rock climbing.

The Gateway Spaceport

Initially, Gateway Foundation expects 100 guests weekly aboard the Von Braun Station. The modules will be open to temporary tourists, government agencies, scientific researchers, and even permanent residents. The company anticipates a total population of around 400 for the first station, with the hope of opening two more stations in the first five years. All could be used as waystations for lunar passengers and, ultimately, even for travelers transiting to Mars.

Recommended Videos

We reported the first whispers of commercial space “glamping” in June 2018 with the announcement of the new Axiom Space Station. This year, NASA announced that the International Space Station was officially open for commercial stays. With the right transportation and sufficient disposable income, almost any traveler can now book a month-long stay in low-earth-orbit aboard the ISS. Keep in mind nightly rates top $34,000, and there’s currently no way for average, non-astronaut travelers to ferry themselves to and from the station. What’s more, the ISS is no “hotel.” While a stay there would no doubt be amazing, it would also be cramped, smelly, and difficult.

Thanks to ambitious, big-talking billionaires like Elon Musk and Richard Branson, we’re living in something of a Golden Age of tall technological promises. So it should come as no surprise that Gateway Foundation is aiming for the hotel’s completion by 2025. Regardless of when it happens, commercial space travel will likely be a reality and even seem “normal” sooner than most of us expect. As the hotel’s senior design architect, Tim Alatorre, noted, “Eventually, going to space will just be another option people will pick for their vacation, just like going on a cruise, or going to Disney World.”

For an almost out-of-this-world experience, travelers can prebook a stay at Tera — a 3D-printed Mars-worthy habitat in upstate New York — right now.

Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
Apple’s new AirPods Pro 3 may be the perfect travel companion — here’s why
Improved ANC, better battery life, and a brand new translation tool set these earbuds apart
Two people conversing in a cafe while wearing AirPods Pro 3

Apple has announced a new set of AirPods, and there’s a fair argument that the compact audio devices totally overshadowed the new Apple Watch, iPhone 17, and iPhone Air -- which debuted during the same showcase.

The AirPods Pro 3 has vastly increased capabilities when compared to its predecessors. The most useful new function for travelers is likely to be the translation feature. With the feature enabled, the AirPods automatically translate the speech of anyone the user is talking to, so that user will hear the conversation in their selected language. ANC also kicks in to lower the person speaking’s voice, which makes the translation sound more prominent.

Read more
Airbnb says this iconic capital is the most popular fall destination
Paris is the place to be this fall
Paris apartment airbnb panoramic view

Airbnb has unveiled its 2025 fall travel trends report, and one city tops Gen Z’s must-visit list this season: Paris, France. The study found Gen Z traveler searches are up 26% compared to last fall, with young globetrotters more likely than Millennials to book longer, international escapes. But the data isn’t just for Gen Z, anyone can use it to plan an affordable shoulder-season getaway.

Paris has emerged as the No. 1 trending fall destination, as travelers flock to the French capital for cooler weather, fewer crowds, and a chance to check off bucket list experiences. Autumn in Paris offers plenty to enjoy: strolls along the Seine as leaves turn golden, café-hopping in Saint-Germain, and cultural events like Nuit Blanche, the citywide all-night arts festival in October. Visitors can also enjoy iconic attractions, from the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre, without peak-season lines.

Read more
7 unforgettable Montana destinations that go way beyond Yellowstone
Explore outside of Yellowstone
Glacier National Park

Something about Montana is just different. The air is cleaner, the skies feel wider, and the pace of life slows down in the best way. If you've ever taken a trip to Yellowstone, you know how stunning the landscape is, but Montana's beauty doesn’t stop at the park gates. 

While Yellowstone is absolutely worth a visit, there’s a whole world beyond it that’s just waiting to be explored. From charming small towns to incredible mountain views and world-class Montana ski resorts, this state is full of unforgettable destinations. These are some of the best places to visit in Montana for every type of traveler.

Read more