I spend more nights in airport hotels than I’d care to admit. Over the years, I’ve developed some strong preferences, and I tend to have pretty polarizing takes on them. I love some airport hotels so much that I’d almost want to vacation at them (purely for aviation geek reasons), while there are plenty I…
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I've stayed at numerous airport hotels over the years. Here's my list:
-Regal Airport Hotel Hong Kong
-Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott
-Crowne Plaza Changi
-Pan Pacific Hotel Kuala Lumpur (Now Sama Sama Hotel)
-Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel
-Hotel Nikko Kansai, Narita
-Grand Hyatt Incheon
-Vancouver Airport Marriott
I've stayed three times at the DFW Grand Hyatt and have had problems each time. The front desk has an attitude. Want a coffee maker in your room? First visit: "Sorry, there isn't enough space in the room for one". Second visit: "We are a different hotel and we offer barista coffee in the lobby" (but I want a cup of coffee so that I can get a cup of coffee). Third visit: "We'll bring a coffee maker up, but it will take some time because we're really busy", and it never came. It also takes an engineering degree to figure out how to turn on the lights in the room. The restaurant staff has an attitude - only QR coded menus, and they don't like special requests or bringing you a paper check, etc. As Ben said, its as if they only rely on the fact that they are literally an escalator ride up from baggage claim.
Because of all this we've lately only stayed at the Hyatt Regency DFW instead and have received wonderful treatment. It's a little harder to get to, but still no more than 5 minutes - and if you arrive in the C terminal you can walk there.
While I wouldn't put it in the category of the "best," the Hilton at Heathrow is convenient and has a good selection of restaurants.
There is literally a SkyTrax category for this:
https://www.worldairportawards.com/worlds-best-airport-hotels-2024/
Come on, Ben. I don't know how anyone could compose a ranking that includes the Crowne Plaza at Singapore's airport, the Hyatt Regency at Zurich's airport (not actually inside the terminal), or the Hyatt Regency at Orlando (no club lounge!) without at least mentioning The Westin inside Detroit's main terminal used primarily by Delta. That probably is probably the best in-terminal airport hotel in the USA. The rooms and overall services/amenities are nicer than the Hyatt Regency at MCO, though the Hyatt Regency does have a resort-like pool. Both Calgary and Montreal's airports have in-terminal Marriott properties. The Montreal property while a little tired even has a luxury spa.
The Westin at DTW even has its own dedicated TSA security checkpoint. For a domestic Westin, it's excellent.
The Crowne Plaza and co-located Holiday Inn Express are very convenient if flying out of Terminal 4, although the club lounge is poor.
LHR T4 has several hotels directly connected to the terminal: Hilton, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn Express and Premier Inn. Some of those offer incredible views of the runway, and nothing beats the variety of planes you see at LHR. Whenever I stay there, I spend the entire day plane spotting
I would definitely include the Sofitel at LHR. Directly connected to T5, with a lounge and great rooms.
Haven’t stayed there in almost 10 years, but the Westin Detroit Airport used to be a great airport hotel. Had (has?) its own TSA checkpoint so you could go directly from your room, take an elevator and go right into the terminal. Great tarmac views, a decent bar/restaurant and gym.
Crowne Plaza Singapore Changi's main advantage is its very convenient location within the airport, which is a welcome sight for those arriving with significant jet lag. Stayed there a couple of times and found it to be perfectly adequate and reasonably nice by Crowne Plaza standards, even if not exceptional. A much easier trek than, say, Hilton Garden Inn at LHR, which requires quite a hike through terminals, tunnels, a parking garage, escalators, etc.
Speaking of convenient location, a relatively new Hilton right on the BNA property looks like a solid option, literally a 60-second walk from the exit. Have not stayed there but noticed it a few months ago for the first time immediately after exiting and then saw it has accumulated many favorable reviews. Granted, not many people connect at BNA, but this appears to be a great option for those with an early morning flight.
The Sofitel at Heathrow. I don't know how they manage to keep it so quiet! You would never believe you were at an airport
The Sheraton/Marriott at Frankfurt is extraordinarily convenient, has a great lounge, a nice gym, and it's perfect for an early morning longhaul flight.
I like the Loew's (former Intercontinental) at O'Hare. It's a pain to get over there, but it's far nicer than other options. The rooms are great.
And one secret: the Cedarbrook Lodge at Seatac. It's hidden in the forest but quite close to the airport. They have beautiful food and lovely surroundings. It feels nothing at all like an airport hotel.
Airports that beg for better options:
LAX: The Sheraton is probably the best choice with the Westin a close second. But none of them are good. I think I've stayed in all of them.
PHX: Nooooo. The Crowne Plaza is a dirt, tobacco, and weed-infused catastrophe. The Marriott is grim, dank. And it's still fairly far from the airport. It's best to stay in town.
CLT: The Sheraton is distant and sad. Like Phoenix, it's a massive hub and deserves a far better hotel.
IAD: the best choice (in my experience) is the Westin in Reston because it rhymes. It's quite far from the airport, and it just isn't that great.
The Sheraton at CDG is very convenient in Terminal 2, and has great views onto the tarmac.
Sofitel at Heathrow is awful. Yes, it is crazy quiet and yes it is connect to T5, but I found the hotel so unsanitary that I've stopped staying at Accor hotels all together.
Sheraton CDG. Needs update but super convenient.
Also, I was pleasantly surprised by the Holiday Inn at the Santiago, Chile, airport.
Can't say enough good things about the Fairmont Vancouver. It's just a great hotel regardless of being at an airport, and then add that they have terrific service, quiet rooms (the design and furnishings work well to reduce noise), etc., plus the convenience can't be matched. Also, the restaurant quality and service is superb. Hope they all know how good they are.
+1 for Holiday Inn Santiago. Location is great, service is very friendly. Their restaurant has some fantastic ceviche, which seems like an insane thing to say about a Holiday Inn lobby bar and yet...
The Sofitel at the Athens Airport and Hilton at Schipol airport are my favorites!
3 Bonvoy Canadian airports I think are good value for the points and convenience and Elite lounges for value are YYC Marriott, nice lounge in airport, YUL Marriott nice lounge Monday-Friday in airport but at the far end of the airport terminal by US Departures. Finally YYZ Sheraton- great lounge and one of the nicest lounges but does not have airport views. All of these I have redeemed my free night certificates at too.
Think Price should really be a metric. Some of them are an absolute rip off. Sometimes the best airport hotel is the one with a free 5min airport shuttle to the same chain brand at half the price...
For the people who are not on expenses..
2nd this one Ralf Toenjes. Great airport hotel.
Ben, with your newly minted Accor Platinum status you could review the LHR Sofitel and review the hotel lounge as well.
I really like the Sheraton LAX. It is walking distance from the Airport, has great elite recognition, and many of the rooms have exceptional views of the very interesting LAX runways.
The Sheraton Toronto Airport is extremely convenient as it is directly connected to the airport. It is a nice hotel but has limited views.
The Marriott SeaTac is also walkable from the Airport and light rail station though it is up a bit of a hill (could be difficult with lots of luggage though it does have a reliable shuttle). The hotel rooms are comfortable and quiet though the Club Lounge is marginal and it has no views.
I see some value to the TWA Hotel at JFK, not like some of the posters. The location and history are great. The extra services beyond the room are a little spartan but are fine with me. The room rate is not necessarily overpriced. I have seen dates where the room rate is less than some midtown Manhattan hotels. In fact, I was going to stay the first night at the TWA Hotel for one business trip but the trip was cancelled for business reasons.
The Hilton at O'Hare is not mentioned. The exterior looks nice. I stayed there once many years ago. It was fine.
The Hilton in Seattle (SeaTac) is somewhat like an airport hotel. It is not connected to the terminal but it is across a small street from the Sound Transit light rail station. If you have a rollaboard carry on, you can walk. If you have heavier suitcases, then there is a free shuttle that is slower than walking with one carry-on.
There are several hotels that are technically on airport property and well connected to transit. For example, Taoyuan airport (Taipei) has a Novotel, soon to change names, if not already. That is connect to the MRT, 1 stop. Toronto has a hotel on the train that connects terminal 1 and 3.
It's a shame you've never visited Hyatt Regency SZX & HGH, two excellent airport Hyatts with runway views, *and Category 1*, and SZX one literally world second best.
Wow going to say that. People who doesn’t give a shit about china are missing out a ton.
Even the hyatt place in those two airport are awesome.
I get rates below 500rmb for hyatt regency there.
Also these people who.
The only thing sucks about Chinese aviation rn is the lack of wifi, but i can see that as a good thing or else someone uncivilized will blast their douyin. Which happened more time than often in US flights as well esp on LCC like spirit or allegiant or even southwest..
You lost me at Dallas eww
Singapore and Dallas on the same list? Nope Dallas is pure trash makes sense why AA is always trailing.
I would echo @Ben's assessment of the TWA hotel. The issue is that there really haven't been that many alternatives around JFK until very recently. The prices have thus been outrageous, and now that the novelty of the place is over for many, I suspect there won't be as many repeat visitors (though that's total conjecture!). If I need to overnight near JFK, I take a cab up to the Hyatt Place by LaGuardia...it's way cheaper than the TWA, and it costs far less to get there than into the city; nothing special, but what you would expect from a well-run HP, and great dumplings around the corner :). Airport hotels I've liked include the Sofitel at LHR, the Clarion and Comfort hotels at ARN, the Grand Hyatt at ICN, and the Sheraton at YYZ, and the Novotel (now Hyatt) at BKK (though I usually got upgraded to a suite so that might make me biased...); the worst have included the Hilton at SEA, the Ibis Budget at AMS (you get what you pay for...but this was awful), the Ibis Styles at CDG (super convenient and fun Star Wars theme, but needs refurbishment), and Sheraton BRU (well taken care of and adjacent to the airport but they do not care...).
Sheraton Manila -- next to terminal 3, attached to mall, resort pool
Intercontinental JNB -- 4 star hotel easy walk from arrivals hall and avoid all the Joburg hotel shuttle scams
Westin Detroit -- I don't think the TSA checkpoint is open much anymore tho.
Sheraton Hartford -- 60 second walk from lobby to Precheck
Intercontinental MSP -- Attached to airport and new
Sheraton Toronto -- Attached to terminal, very easy access to train into city
I recall you wrote a very favourable report on the Le Méridien Cairo Airport a few years ago.
Staying 'in the city' if you've only got an overnight connection is a waste of time and money. The smart thing to do in the circumstances is look at the train/metro map and find a hotel that's next to a station 2-3 stops from the airport. The suburban stations are relatively quick and easy to navigate and the prices should be cheaper than the centre (unless you're unlucky enough to coincide with a trade fair held in the vicinity).
It's baffling the TWA Hotel is so bad. As you said, it has the potential to be the worlds best airport hotel.
A 500-room airport hotel that doesn't offer room service?!? That is a license to print money they are missing out on.
Is there no ambition there? Surely the staff, dealing with all the complaints about how bad it is, wish they were working for a better hotel?
The Grand Hyatt San Francisco Airport (SFO) and The Hyatt Regency Zurich Airport (ZRH) are my 2 favorite airport hotels as well!
Agreed. Like the DFW Hyatt Regency vs. the Grand Hyatt in the terminal, at often 1/3 the price and better service
I trust Ben a lot more than Skytrax. Although I mildly disagree on the Fairmont YVR. Yes, it's connect right to the terminal, and the view are fantastic. But I found the rooms and the gym/pool area a little underwhelming for the price. Still, any hotel attached to a (hub) airport is super convenient. I also like the Sheraton, Marriot Hilton and HGI in Frankfurt for the same reason.
Generally, yes, the biggest drawback for the Fairmont is definitely the price. Multiples of the prices for all the other airport hotels reachable by shuttle.
Two observations:
(1) I find it telling, but not surprising in the least, that 5/8 hotels you mentioned are Hyatt properties. The HR MCO is a personal favorite (I'll often stay here when visiting Orlando - a friend lives over in Lake Nona, and I usually stay on points so as a Hyatt Globalist I don't have to pay for parking, and as hotel restaurants go McCoy's is a personal favorite).
(2) I've stayed at the TWA hotel once, pre-pandemic in 2019. It was fairly nice (especially for being stuck with a clumsy layover), but the available food options were a bit desultory and it had the feeling of being "half a hotel". Since then...the only times I've considered it are when I'm pretty sure my travel insurance will be paying (this happens rather more than it "should"), and even then I'd rather get a night at a Hyatt downtown reimbursed and go out for ramen.
Westin at DTW has its own checkpoint for TSA open every day.
Intercontinental at MSP does not have an open checkpoint since covid. You have to take a bus to/from.
The hotel itself is a franchised Intercontinental that doesn't honor Intercontinental ambassador benefits and doesn't have a club lounge.
Are you kidding me? The DFW Hyatt Regency is an absolute dump. No club lounge. They downgrade globalists on a confirmed suite upgrade stay. Old rooms. And they've now eliminated table service at breakfast.
Except there's no signage to find the Sheraton inside CDG. That is a challenge. But yeah, the location is way more convenient than the off-airport Marriott or any other nearby hotel. Old rooms that are more than five years overdue for a renovation. But the staff are excellent and extremely competent. And elites get wonderful recognition and treatment. They also sell day rooms if you have a 7-hour layover at CDG.
This baffles me. Were I the management, I'd charge what I needed to charge but I'd offer at least a limited 24-hour room service menu (a burger, some soup, a salad, and a few sandwiches) because you /know/ you're going to get folks coming in on a late flight who need a meal. As you've said, it's a license to print money.
This is why I always used to swear by the Royal York - I got in after midnight (bump hilarity had ensued, and I'd made like $1300 in vouchers, but I'd also had no time for meals between the last few flights) and I was able to get a decent meal (soup and a salad IIRC) at 0130. I didn't care that I had to pay like $35 or $40 for this - it was a decent meal at a clumsy hour and I was grateful for it.
Seriously, Hyatt or Fairmont should take up the TWA Hotel. Stick it in the Unbound Collection or something and put some stick about, but the price point, added "resort fee" or whatever, and so on just end up pricing me out of what I'm willing to pay for a half-effort experience. It /should/ be the AvGeek equivalent of a Monorail Resort at Disney World, but it isn't.
Or a 12-hour layover. Very reasonable. I paid 200 euros for 9 hours in a room. Sure beat staying in the Air France lounge for 9 hours.
The Sheraton at Frankfurt is a dump, although the lounge has better food and booze than the Marriott. The Marriott has the newer rooms. You have to take a shuttle to the other terminal, however. That can be a hassle.
Concur on Westin Detroit (stayed there on a WX meltdown) and Sheraton Toronto (wound up there during a flight delay conga in '23). I'd also add the Montreal Airport Marriott (I've stayed there twice - once right as the pandemic was breaking out, once last year).
The HR MCO has one of the better (and at least until '22, one of the more reasonably priced - the miso soup going from $5 to $8 between two stays was a bit of sticker shock) hotel restaurants. I wish there was a lounge, but the breakfast buffet is solid (I'm staying there tonight, btw). If they'd sub in complementary tea/coffee downstairs that'd be a fine replacement - I've spent many, many evenings at McCoy's relaxing after a long day at e.g. Disney.
IC at JNB. Great use of a Chase free night! Just walk over, avoid driving at night around J-burg, get a good night's sleep, have breakfast, pick up your rental car and be in Kruger NP in time for lunch.
Couldn't agree more about the HR ZRH. They also offers one of my favorite Globalist welcome gifts! This stuff is amazingly good (and is available for purchase).
https://www.laeckerli-huus.ch/en/BaslerLackerliSelection820g/artdet/4883
The Sheraton LAX can be quite a walk - like 30 minutes - if you come into Tom Bradley terminal And even if you come into the closest terminal (1 - Southworst), it is still a 15 minute walk. I live in LA and stayed there Wednesday night when I was evacuated due to the fires, and I’ve stayed there a few times before an early morning flight. It’s a perfectly fine hotel, but it’s nothing special at all. The rooms are a bit dated, the restaurant is mediocre, and the club lounge is quite pedestrian
The Marriott IAH next to Terminal C is my favorite domestic airport-connected hotel. Friendly staff, decent rooms, decent elite recognition for Marriott elites, and one of the better M-club lounges in the system.
I too stayed at TWA Hotel when it first opened and everything was new, The pool situation with incredible views of gate 5 where you see EY and EK A380's pulling in and out was totally. That said, I returned May of 2024 and everything was already dirty and worn. My runway view room that I paid a lot extra for all it did was give me a view of the Jet Blue sign of terminal 5. When I complained, they were absolutely horrible about it. Only thing good there is the gym which is unusually large and well equipped for any hotel.
And I like the convenience of taking the little underground train to the IAH Marriott; it goes to all the terminals from baggage claim ateas.
I second the Sheraton at CDG. It is the only hotel actually in the airport. It's in Terminal 2, and RER and long-distance trains are below. Very convenient.
The rooms at the Marriott at the Montreal airport are virtually unchanged from a Marriott or Courtyard circa 2007-2008. And the club lounge is way too small for the number of rooms and elites.
I like the resort-style rooftop pool at the Hyatt Regency MCO but I think the quality of the food and wine for the price charged is poor. Especially when there are some options in the airport concourse. The lack of a club lounge is disappointing. They're also poor at globalist recognition. Upgrades can be difficult and there's no welcome amenity or anything extra, besides two bottles of water and breakfast. Would it be too much to ask for a bottle of the cheap Hyatt Canvas wine or a free drink voucher for one mediocre glass of wine from the lobby bar or a can of Diet Coke from the pantry at the front desk?
I think there are two categories of "world's best airport hotels." One is hotels physically located inside the terminal, preferably with their own entrance and security checkpoint. The other is hotels physically located either outside the terminal or off-airport.
Within those two categories, you then have to look at which properties check all the boxes: elite recognition, upgrades, overall operating standard, F&B options, club lounge, etc. I think the Sheraton CDG is one of the few that can check all the boxes, even if the rooms are at least five years overdue from an exhaustive renovation.
If you slightly broaden the second category of off-airport hotels then you have airports like Kuala Lumpur, where you can book a VIP airport greeting for next to nothing, a train ride and then shuttle from the train station to your hotel. Basically, you get a bellman the whole way. The Le Méridien Kuala Lumpur even sends a butler with a luggage cart.
Meanwhile, in the first category, I couldn't even get the bellman at the Hyatt Regency inside MCO to carry my luggage to the airline check-in desk even with the offer of a generous tip.
That said, the Hyatt Regency at MCO is nice because you can get up super early and check your bags as soon as the ticket counters open as opposed to fighting the lines later in the morning. Sadly, you still have to deal with Orlando's awful TSA checkpoints since the Hyatt Regency doesn't have its own dedicated TSA checkpoint.
Always have appreciated the DTW Westin. Food options are a little "lazy" but do like the plane views, convenience , and "private" TSA checkpoint
Not true. Quite often I will do so if I am flying in later in the day and connecting early the next morning. That airport /city may not necessarily be part of my trip and I don't much feel like going to a "airport" hotel that is called that but is actually 15 minutes away and could double as a homeless shelter. If you're on this site then you should be well versed with flying into a city on your own dime to catch a business class flight on another airline you got on points and you want to get in the day before so that you don't miss the flight. And sometimes it makes financial sense. I got into Changi at 11pm. I was staying at the Fairmont in Singapore but I wasn't about to spend $500 that first night to just literally go to bed so I stayed in the airports airside hotel overnight then head into Singapore.
Ben - I believe you live in Miami, but am surprised that you did not include the luxurious MIA Airport Hotel! It was built in the 1950's and retains most of that charming era, HaHA. I know Mayor Daniella $$$ Cava is building a new airport hotel but am not sure if it is - or will be - connected to the terminal. Hopefully it will function better than the airport.
Thanks to the posters that mentioned the DTW Marriott in the DL terminal. Very nice property that I enjoyed due to a DL IRROP. DL did not offer the hotel but did reimburse me afterwards.
I also like the Marriott YUL - great for early am US departures but yes, it is a hike from the main terminal.
The food is good but sooooo expensive. That;s the one downside. There are also no food options in the terminal pre-security. So, you're stuck at the hotel. Though I guess with a boarding pass you could go inside the terminal and to the Sky Club to eat for free but the 3-hour rule probably makes that unrealistic.
I have stay at the TWA hotel simple as an airline geek. Super high prices and, I may be wrong, but they open up the roof pool to anyone so its packed with non-hotel guests in the summer (or it was on the one time I was staying and it was open). Will avoid at most costs now.
Very much liked the Auckland Novotel with its very modern interiors and food options.
I agree with Grand Hyatt SFO. The lounge is especially nice for plane spotting and dinner (since their food comes from the attached restaurant.)
I’m staying at Hyatt Regency Taoyuan tomorrow… Flyertalk posts tell me the hotel is in a state of wild disrepair and to check all my expectations at the door. Maybe after they’re done refurbishing it, it’ll be another story.
Hard to beat the Sheraton for convenience (unless you are flying in/out of T1)
The purpose of staying at an airport hotel is usually when in transit or just before or in between trips. As you correctly mention these hotels generally do not get much repeat business. However, I do think the better ones are more convenient - actually at the airport and those probably get much more repeat business than if you need to take a shuttle. It is a shame how low quality the TWA hotel has become. Some of them have attempted not to follow the guidelines from the bigger affiliated brands or charge unusual fees in my expereince in the past...
I always liked the steam / relaxation room after a flight at the AMS Sheraton. Any airport hotel (or post travel hotel at all) with a nice steam room / sauna setup gets my vote.
I mostly agree with you and TWA Hotel at JFK has so much potential but now I don't even bother checking the price. I really hope a major chain can take it over and make it at least worthy for paying $300+ for a night.
All the major airports in Canada including YYC, YEG, YUL and YYZ all have convenient Marriott-branded hotels attached to the main terminal. While they are more expensive, the convenience factor can't be beaten. At least those hotels are luxurious and the rooms are spacious and modern. Even Marriott in terminal YYZ T-3 hotel has completed a renovation.
Australia/NZ wise - Rydges at Sydney (next to T-1 international terminal) is great especially you have a late international arrival or early international departure. The plane-spotting rooms are some of my favorites in the world. I also like the new Novotel at Christchurch airport too. It is brand new and the rooftop restaurant is excellent for planespotting. Christchurch is not super busy but is a nice spot in the evening watching the daily Emirates A380 taking off. The food is good too. Pullman has a new branch at Auckland airport. While the view from the rooms are not as great as Novotel next door in terms of airport views, the rooftop restaurant/lounge is nice for plane-spotting.
US wise - I actually like the Hyatt Regency at LAX and is walkable if you don't have many bags. Many crews actually walk to and from Hyatt. Grand Hyatt at SFO is of course the best, but taking the Air Train after 10pm still confuses me.
Honestly the trend for airport hotels is directly attaching to terminal or walkable from terminals in a covered walkway, as the airport shuttle situation has gotten pretty bad on the post-Covid era. Many hotels even charge for that shuttle service. Things in US seem to improve a bit now but I personally still prefer those airport hotels that are within walkable distance or else I mind as well find a nearly suburban chain hotel and take Uber there.
As for the TWA Hotel at JFK, it is very, very convenient since it part of the JFK AirTrain. Great for an early morning departure. Also, has the novelty of the mid-century vibe....don't forget your fedora.
However, the platitudes stop there. Very long walk from the front desk to the elevators of each wing. A bit pricy. Also, found 2 persons sleeping on a bench in the food hall late one evening. Made it feel like a bus station.
Can't believe no one has mentioned the Westin Denver. The convenience factor (and nice rooms, lobby bar, views, etc.) is huge for an early morning flight. Have spent many a night here after a ski trip before an early morning departure.
Totally agree. One of the biggest advantages to this site is how Ben never accepts comped hotels or quid-pro-quo deals. Some bloggers get a 50-90% discount and rate the hotel five stars.
Some even try to gaslight their readers about a "raffle at work" - which would be highly illegal in the European Union if not disclosed as an ad. We're talking giant, business-ending fines.
Ben would never do that.
I know the airport itself isn't the best, but Le Meridien Cairo Airport hotel is a really nice hotel and super convenient. The breakfast is great as well.
Stayed at the Fairmont twice this December (flying in and out of YVR) as well as at the Hyatt Dallas. Queues to check in at YVR were mad - even having checked in online already. Took 25 minutes to get checked in. Rooms decent and nice free snacks within the room - Staff very polite and helpful. G.Hyatt at Dallas much easier to check in (allowed us in 4 hours before due check-in) and the suite was large and well appointed. Not too different from the Fairmont.
I'm not sure why Grand Hyatt Incheon deserves to be on the list. The shuttle would take more than 15 minutes to go to Terminal 2, slightly better for Terminal 1.
A few people have mentioned Detroit Westin. The TSA line at the hotel was so convenient!
I avoid CDG at all costs. Terrible airport. Starts when you land and you have to bus to the terminal after a 14 hour long haul flight! Get through passport priority queue takes another hour at least. Then find your hotel.
Stayed there two weeks ago. Rooms clean and decent size. Staff very friendly and rates really cheap. Signage from the airport could be better. It takes you only so far and then signage disappears.
Hilton has a new hotel attached to the terminal in Nashville. It has entrances directly across a skywalk from the ticketing level and across a covered street one level below baggage claim. There are two restaurants and a coffee shop. The restaurant and bar on the rooftop on the 10th floor has amazing runway views and downtown views with a pool. Many rooms have great runway views as well. It might not be the best, but it’s a fun addition to Nashville’s airport. I like it better than the Hilton Boston Logan (restaurant/bar is way more fun) or the Athens Sofitel (most uncomfortable bed ever).
Sheraton at CDG. Sofitel at LHR. Both great. Marriott at IAH is very good. All are expensive but you can’t beat the proximity to the airport.
My worst airport hotel is the Hilton Ohare . The HVAC only is set to heat or air . So on hot early fall day expect to fry
Best Airport Hotel Embassy Suites PWM . Walk to terminal. 38 years old. You wouldn't know it . The staff are consistent and wonderful
My worst airport hotel is the Hilton Ohare . The HVAC only is set to heat or air . So on hot early fall day expect to fry
Best Airport Hotel Embassy Suites PWM . Walk to terminal. 38 years old. You wouldn't know it . The staff are consistent and wonderful
I've stayed at the Sheraton Toronto Airport twice and really liked it.
Also agree with Ben on the Fairmont Vancouver Airport, definitely tops my list.
The Calgary Airport Marriott was convenient w/great views when i stayed there in 2018.
I agree the SFO Grand Hyatt is great. A little pricey but staff and location cannot be beat!! OUr other fav is the Trump Towers in Chicago..the only problem is now that he is our President for the 2nd time the cuties will be picketing in front of the hotel daily. They cannot seem to get a life...
The Hilton Garden Inn at LHR T2 is great for arriving & departing T2 as in fact I will be next month. Also useable for T3.
Most of the other self-styled airport hotels are outside the airport perimeter, completely unwalkable, with flaky shared shuttles, or public transport (albeit free) reliant with limited timetables.
Stayed at the Premier Inn when it had just opened, for a quick overnighter. It was very basic, but brand new, and thought that with normal wear and tear it could look pretty tatty before its time.
I love the Sofitel at Heathrow! Whether it's a planned stay to catch a very early flight or an emergency stay, they always deliver.
Ron R
I’m definitely a big fan of the Crowne Plaza at Changi!
I've stayed at numerous airport hotels over the years. Here's my list:
-Regal Airport Hotel Hong Kong
-Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott
-Crowne Plaza Changi
-Pan Pacific Hotel Kuala Lumpur (Now Sama Sama Hotel)
-Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel
-Hotel Nikko Kansai, Narita
-Grand Hyatt Incheon
-Vancouver Airport Marriott
I've stayed three times at the DFW Grand Hyatt and have had problems each time. The front desk has an attitude. Want a coffee maker in your room? First visit: "Sorry, there isn't enough space in the room for one". Second visit: "We are a different hotel and we offer barista coffee in the lobby" (but I want a cup of coffee so that I can get a cup of coffee). Third visit: "We'll bring a coffee maker up, but it will take some time because we're really busy", and it never came. It also takes an engineering degree to figure out how to turn on the lights in the room. The restaurant staff has an attitude - only QR coded menus, and they don't like special requests or bringing you a paper check, etc. As Ben said, its as if they only rely on the fact that they are literally an escalator ride up from baggage claim.
Because of all this we've lately only stayed at the Hyatt Regency DFW instead and have received wonderful treatment. It's a little harder to get to, but still no more than 5 minutes - and if you arrive in the C terminal you can walk there.
While I wouldn't put it in the category of the "best," the Hilton at Heathrow is convenient and has a good selection of restaurants.
The Crowne Plaza and co-located Holiday Inn Express are very convenient if flying out of Terminal 4, although the club lounge is poor.
We really liked the Novotel in Auckland. kids very entertained by the views.
There is literally a SkyTrax category for this:
https://www.worldairportawards.com/worlds-best-airport-hotels-2024/
I trust Ben a lot more than Skytrax. Although I mildly disagree on the Fairmont YVR. Yes, it's connect right to the terminal, and the view are fantastic. But I found the rooms and the gym/pool area a little underwhelming for the price. Still, any hotel attached to a (hub) airport is super convenient. I also like the Sheraton, Marriot Hilton and HGI in Frankfurt for the same reason.
Generally, yes, the biggest drawback for the Fairmont is definitely the price. Multiples of the prices for all the other airport hotels reachable by shuttle.
Generally, yes, the biggest drawback for the Fairmont is definitely the price. Multiples of the prices for all the other airport hotels reachable by shuttle.
Totally agree. One of the biggest advantages to this site is how Ben never accepts comped hotels or quid-pro-quo deals. Some bloggers get a 50-90% discount and rate the hotel five stars.
Some even try to gaslight their readers about a "raffle at work" - which would be highly illegal in the European Union if not disclosed as an ad. We're talking giant, business-ending fines.
Ben would never do that.
Come on, Ben. I don't know how anyone could compose a ranking that includes the Crowne Plaza at Singapore's airport, the Hyatt Regency at Zurich's airport (not actually inside the terminal), or the Hyatt Regency at Orlando (no club lounge!) without at least mentioning The Westin inside Detroit's main terminal used primarily by Delta. That probably is probably the best in-terminal airport hotel in the USA. The rooms and overall services/amenities are nicer than the Hyatt Regency at MCO, though the Hyatt Regency does have a resort-like pool. Both Calgary and Montreal's airports have in-terminal Marriott properties. The Montreal property while a little tired even has a luxury spa.
The Westin at DTW even has its own dedicated TSA security checkpoint. For a domestic Westin, it's excellent.
The HR MCO has one of the better (and at least until '22, one of the more reasonably priced - the miso soup going from $5 to $8 between two stays was a bit of sticker shock) hotel restaurants. I wish there was a lounge, but the breakfast buffet is solid (I'm staying there tonight, btw). If they'd sub in complementary tea/coffee downstairs that'd be a fine replacement - I've spent many, many evenings at McCoy's relaxing after a long day at e.g. Disney.
I like the resort-style rooftop pool at the Hyatt Regency MCO but I think the quality of the food and wine for the price charged is poor. Especially when there are some options in the airport concourse. The lack of a club lounge is disappointing. They're also poor at globalist recognition. Upgrades can be difficult and there's no welcome amenity or anything extra, besides two bottles of water and breakfast. Would it be too much to ask for a bottle of the cheap Hyatt Canvas wine or a free drink voucher for one mediocre glass of wine from the lobby bar or a can of Diet Coke from the pantry at the front desk?
LHR T4 has several hotels directly connected to the terminal: Hilton, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn Express and Premier Inn. Some of those offer incredible views of the runway, and nothing beats the variety of planes you see at LHR. Whenever I stay there, I spend the entire day plane spotting
Stayed at the Premier Inn when it had just opened, for a quick overnighter. It was very basic, but brand new, and thought that with normal wear and tear it could look pretty tatty before its time.
Agree on TWA hotel. What a complete let down.
I would definitely include the Sofitel at LHR. Directly connected to T5, with a lounge and great rooms.
2nd this one Ralf Toenjes. Great airport hotel.
Ben, with your newly minted Accor Platinum status you could review the LHR Sofitel and review the hotel lounge as well.
Do they still have the Perrier Jouet champagne bar? The lounge on the ground floor is also decent.
Haven’t stayed there in almost 10 years, but the Westin Detroit Airport used to be a great airport hotel. Had (has?) its own TSA checkpoint so you could go directly from your room, take an elevator and go right into the terminal. Great tarmac views, a decent bar/restaurant and gym.
Crowne Plaza Singapore Changi's main advantage is its very convenient location within the airport, which is a welcome sight for those arriving with significant jet lag. Stayed there a couple of times and found it to be perfectly adequate and reasonably nice by Crowne Plaza standards, even if not exceptional. A much easier trek than, say, Hilton Garden Inn at LHR, which requires quite a hike through terminals, tunnels, a parking garage, escalators, etc.
Speaking of convenient location, a relatively new Hilton right on the BNA property looks like a solid option, literally a 60-second walk from the exit. Have not stayed there but noticed it a few months ago for the first time immediately after exiting and then saw it has accumulated many favorable reviews. Granted, not many people connect at BNA, but this appears to be a great option for those with an early morning flight.
The Hilton Garden Inn at LHR T2 is great for arriving & departing T2 as in fact I will be next month. Also useable for T3.
Most of the other self-styled airport hotels are outside the airport perimeter, completely unwalkable, with flaky shared shuttles, or public transport (albeit free) reliant with limited timetables.
The Sofitel at Heathrow. I don't know how they manage to keep it so quiet! You would never believe you were at an airport
The Sheraton/Marriott at Frankfurt is extraordinarily convenient, has a great lounge, a nice gym, and it's perfect for an early morning longhaul flight.
I like the Loew's (former Intercontinental) at O'Hare. It's a pain to get over there, but it's far nicer than other options. The rooms are great.
And one secret: the Cedarbrook Lodge at Seatac. It's hidden in the forest but quite close to the airport. They have beautiful food and lovely surroundings. It feels nothing at all like an airport hotel.
Airports that beg for better options:
LAX: The Sheraton is probably the best choice with the Westin a close second. But none of them are good. I think I've stayed in all of them.
PHX: Nooooo. The Crowne Plaza is a dirt, tobacco, and weed-infused catastrophe. The Marriott is grim, dank. And it's still fairly far from the airport. It's best to stay in town.
CLT: The Sheraton is distant and sad. Like Phoenix, it's a massive hub and deserves a far better hotel.
IAD: the best choice (in my experience) is the Westin in Reston because it rhymes. It's quite far from the airport, and it just isn't that great.
Sofitel at Heathrow is awful. Yes, it is crazy quiet and yes it is connect to T5, but I found the hotel so unsanitary that I've stopped staying at Accor hotels all together.
The Sheraton at Frankfurt is a dump, although the lounge has better food and booze than the Marriott. The Marriott has the newer rooms. You have to take a shuttle to the other terminal, however. That can be a hassle.
The Sheraton at CDG is very convenient in Terminal 2, and has great views onto the tarmac.
Sheraton CDG. Needs update but super convenient.
Also, I was pleasantly surprised by the Holiday Inn at the Santiago, Chile, airport.
+1 for Holiday Inn Santiago. Location is great, service is very friendly. Their restaurant has some fantastic ceviche, which seems like an insane thing to say about a Holiday Inn lobby bar and yet...
Stayed there two weeks ago. Rooms clean and decent size. Staff very friendly and rates really cheap. Signage from the airport could be better. It takes you only so far and then signage disappears.
Except there's no signage to find the Sheraton inside CDG. That is a challenge. But yeah, the location is way more convenient than the off-airport Marriott or any other nearby hotel. Old rooms that are more than five years overdue for a renovation. But the staff are excellent and extremely competent. And elites get wonderful recognition and treatment. They also sell day rooms if you have a 7-hour layover at CDG.
Or a 12-hour layover. Very reasonable. I paid 200 euros for 9 hours in a room. Sure beat staying in the Air France lounge for 9 hours.
I second the Sheraton at CDG. It is the only hotel actually in the airport. It's in Terminal 2, and RER and long-distance trains are below. Very convenient.
Can't say enough good things about the Fairmont Vancouver. It's just a great hotel regardless of being at an airport, and then add that they have terrific service, quiet rooms (the design and furnishings work well to reduce noise), etc., plus the convenience can't be matched. Also, the restaurant quality and service is superb. Hope they all know how good they are.
The Sofitel at the Athens Airport and Hilton at Schipol airport are my favorites!
No relation to the original poster. Have to the props for second for Sofitel Athens airport. It's been a few years, but we enjoyed the modern clean room and location directly across the road from the terminal.
3 Bonvoy Canadian airports I think are good value for the points and convenience and Elite lounges for value are YYC Marriott, nice lounge in airport, YUL Marriott nice lounge Monday-Friday in airport but at the far end of the airport terminal by US Departures. Finally YYZ Sheraton- great lounge and one of the nicest lounges but does not have airport views. All of these I have redeemed my free night certificates at too.
The Marriot at the Montreal Airport has pretty good views of the US and International appron from the lounge and northeast facing rooms.
Think Price should really be a metric. Some of them are an absolute rip off. Sometimes the best airport hotel is the one with a free 5min airport shuttle to the same chain brand at half the price...
For the people who are not on expenses..
Agreed. Like the DFW Hyatt Regency vs. the Grand Hyatt in the terminal, at often 1/3 the price and better service
Are you kidding me? The DFW Hyatt Regency is an absolute dump. No club lounge. They downgrade globalists on a confirmed suite upgrade stay. Old rooms. And they've now eliminated table service at breakfast.