THE world’s first commercial “space hotel” is expected to open in 2012 and charge an astronomical US$4.4-million for a three-night stay.
This is according to Galactic Suite Space Resort (GSSR), the Barcelona-based company behind the space hotel, which plans to transport travellers out of the earth’s orbit on Russian rockets launched from a spaceport to be built on a Caribbean island.

The trip to the hotel will take about 36 hours but guests will have to undergo an eight-week training course prior to launch, a GSSR spokesperson said.

The pioneering space hotel will be made up of connecting pods positioned around a central hub. Each pod will be able to accommodate four guests and two astronaut pilots.

During their stay, guests will see the sun rise 15 times a day and travel around the world every 80 minutes.

Xavier Claremont, GSS Chief Executive and a former aerospace engineer, said the project will put his company at the forefront of the space tourism industry, which he believes is the next new frontier in tourism.

“It’s very normal to think that your children, possibly within 15 years, could spend a weekend in space,” he said.

According to him 43 paying guests have already booked their hotel “pod”, while a further 200 plus have expressed interest.