andBeyond’s recreated Sossusvlei Desert Lodge opens Oct. 16, following 10 months of renovations. The property is situated in the NamibRand Nature Reserve, part of the world’s oldest desert and the only Dark Sky Reserve in Africa. The lodge was specifically created to take full advantage of the amazing natural landscape and night skies. As such, guests enjoy floor-to-ceiling glass walls and above-bed retractable skylights.

Guest suites offer true luxury, with 1,400 square feet of space, desert views from all angles, butler hatches with solar-powered freezer drawers stocked with ice cream and craft beer, in-room fireplaces, artist easels, private verandas, outdoor showers, fire pits, plunge pools and all the amenities you would need to brave the African desert elements.

Beyond the suites, guests take advantage of an array of experiences, including daytrips to Deadvlei, with its petrified trees; jaunts to the Sossusvlei dunes, stretching up to 1,000 feet high; self-guided dune walks; hot air balloon rides; and astronomer-led stargazing. New dining options allow guests to enjoy meals in a variety of spots, including on the sand dunes or within fairy circles. Dishes employ local ingredients and traditional cooking methods. An interactive kitchen allows guests to learn some of these methods for themselves.

Keeping with the brand’s commitment to sustainability, the lodge boasts its own water-bottling plant. The lodge recycles more than 26,000 gallons of grey water per month and bottles water on site, using recycled glass bottles. The efforts absorb some of the lodge’s carbon footprint and eliminates more than 45,000 plastic water bottles annually. All cleaning products are 100 percent biodegradable and environmentally friendly.