At last, 2001, A Space Odyssey comes to the hospitality industry as Galactic Suites orbits the newswires with the announcement of a planned space hotel checking in by 2012. No mention if HAL-9000 will be at the front desk.

Brainchild of a group of architects, engineers and big-idea dreamers in the United States and Spain, the Galactic Suite Project has presented the first space tourism package to include preparation, transport and accommodation in an orbital hotel. The journey is likely to last 18 weeks, and the first tickets should go on sale in 2008.

According to Xavier Claramunt and Marsal Gifra, the directors of Galactic Suite Project, “This is the first package deal, as it includes transport from the tourist’s home to the Caribbean island, the training required for journeys into orbit, the flight to the hotel and three nights’ accommodation in the Galactic Suite”.

And just so you know, this will be a working vacation where the space tourists will also take part in scientific experiments, all while enjoying a journey that will orbit the Earth 15 times every day. What's not to like about 15 sunrises and sunsets. As for location, the hotel will be located at a certain angle from the equator about 300 miles in space.

With an initial price tag of $4 million for a three-day stay in space, the out-of-this-world vacation does include beach time in a tropical location between training regimens. I wonder if the mint will be velcroed to the pillow?

To infinity and beyond...but first a good night's sleep.