Virgin Galactic has reserved a luxurious hotel in New Mexico, Hotel Encantado de Las Cruces, and world class gourmet to cater to its future spaceflight clients, the company announced Monday.
Virgin Galactic has yet to reveal launch plans of its first passenger flight in space, but the private space organization has confirmed accommodation for its future astronauts. The company has chosen New Mexico as the point to start its historic journey, with luxurious accommodation for around 700 potential space passengers, who will pay $200,000 each to make the flight from Spaceport America. The private space company said it has awarded two contracts to local New Mexico businesses. One accommodates the future astronauts at the Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces and the second is for the best cuisine available.
Virgin has chosen World Class Gourmet as the exclusive caterer under the supervision of well-known Chef Tatsu Miyazaki inside Spaceport America's "Gateway to Space" terminal.
"By partnering with Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces and World Class Gourmet, we further our vision of investing in the local New Mexico community while we define the Virgin Galactic astronaut experience," Virgin Galactic CEO George Whitesides, said in a press statement, Monday. "Future astronauts will come from around the world to New Mexico, so it's important that they experience the outstanding local offerings and character as part of their experience."
The latest announcement confirms where the first on-board members of the passenger flight to space will be resting. The crew includes some renowned celebrities of Hollywood such as Justin Bieber, Paris Hilton, Kate Winslet, Ashton Kutcher, Tom Hanks, Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie as well as Princess Beatrice, who will be the first royal to go to space. Virgin Galactic founder Sir Richard Branson is also expected to be on the first space flight, which is expected to take off later this year.
The hotel has also revealed plans to hire dedicated "Guest Concierges" for the clients and also add new rooms, facilities and multi-lingual staff to meet the needs of all travelers. The hotel has also started remodeling the architecture with several improvements to the outdoor pool, terrace gardens and a 25,000 square foot outdoor seating space of Azul Nightclub and Lounge.
Chef Miyazaki will undertake custom food menu, especially to meet the dietary needs of the Virgin clients during a 3-day training session and during their flight.
