What about your preference at CDG?
Hard to beat the Sheraton for convenience (unless you are flying in/out of T1)
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.
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.
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.
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!
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
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).
And is it me but I like the crossroads vibe of bustling airport hotels
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
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...
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
Agreed for LHR T5; for T2/3, I'd say, the Hilton is great, too, especially for a day-time stay. Even when I've booked via 3rd parties like Day-Use, they've honored my Diamond status, etc. (not that it meant much, extra bottle of water, etc., but at least it 'counted' as a stay for Hilton purposes.)
Anyone have any recommendation for Taipei airport?
@Niko Hyatt Regency Airport is the closest one to the airport. Though, not sure how good it is. It is the former Novotel. I really like the Holiday Inn Airport hotel. It is not super expensive and they treat IHG Diamond elites well. You do get complimentary upgrades as a Diamond elite but nothing to sway you one way or the other. Basically, all of the rooms are the same except whether you are on a higher floor and the hotel is not that big. What I liked about it was the friendly service and how clean it was. Nothing to eat at the hotel except for the limited hours for lunch at the lobby cafe and of course breakfast during the breakfast hours. No restaurants outside the hotel. You do get a choice of Family Mart or 7-Eleven. You can go across the street for a discount (but basically that discount is just used to off set the mandatory service charge) on a meal at the Sheraton hotel. You just need to inform the staff member that you are a guest at the Holiday Inn. Both hotels are run by the same owner. Also upon payment of meal, you just fill out your room number to ensure that you are a guest at the Holiday Inn. There is a small park very nearby the hotel. If you want more of a choice for food, you can order a taxi to Gloria Outlets where you will be able to dine and shop. Moreover, as a Diamond elite you are allowed an extra piece of luggage without any extra charge for the airport shuttle ride though the hours for the shuttle are limited from the early to late mornings.
Airside, the Plaza Premium lounge has 10 'resting rooms' for purchase in Terminal 2, Zone A, 4th floor. I've been to that lounge, but did not attempt the private rooms. Ben reviewed the lounge before (2020), but not the 'hotel': https://onemileatatime.com/plaza-premium-lounge-taipei-review/
Landside, like Stanley C said, there's that Hyatt Regency nearby; I just wanted to add that it's a Cat 2, so you can burn a WOH Chase card free night there! Ben wrote about it in 2024: https://onemileatatime.com/news/hyatt-regency-taipei-taoyuan-airport/
Hyatt Regency is the closest but tend to be overpriced if you’re paying cash (usually goes for $180-250, though could be decent value on points / certificates). City Suites Gateway is ~5 mins taxi away and is cheap and cheerful (usually <$80/night), but is a kinda in the middle of nowhere. If you have a longer transit time, I’d recommend the Fullon Hotel A8, it’s <15 mins away by Airport MRT, conveniently located inside a mall, and has an excellent gym and public bath / sauna, usually ~$120/night. The Cozzi Blu is another option for longer layovers, ~15 mins away by Airport MRT or taxi, located inside an outlet mall, usually ~$150/night.
@Wayward I totally concur with you about the Hyatt Regency. I thought about how overpriced it was as well. And from the hotel reviews from Hyatt Globalists, they tend to dislike this hotel as top tier elites but the certificate is of good value but there are much better uses for that. And I would not waste the hard to earn Hyatt points on this hotel. Speaking of the Hyatt free night certificates, It is a good choice to redeem it at the Hyatt Centric Hong Kong. One used to be able to use it for the Hyatt Regency TST before the change to category 5. Though, service wise, that Hyatt Centric is good but location wise that Hyatt Regency is good. All depends on what you want, need or prefer for hotel stay. Also, is the Fullon hotel worth it? Good hotel?
@Stanley C — the Fullon Taoyuan A8 is a new-ish business hotel, comparable to a decent Holiday Inn or Courtyard internationally, imo. Nothing fancy but is decently priced for the convenience of being attached to one of the “Express” Airport MRT stations. It’s located in Linkou District, which is quite urban with tons of local shops and food options nearby.
Thanks for the tips! I think I'll go with the Fullon A8 as I have 24 hour stop over and there is a mall attached so something to look at.
24 hours?! Why didncha say so! You should just go into Taipei! So many options there, too.
I am surprised that there is no mention of Villa Fontaine Premier at Haneda?
Sofitel Heathrow and YYC (Calgary) Marriott are also lovely.
The Hotel Villa Fontaine Grand at Haneda Airport is connected to T3, and has and incredibly nice onsen with outdoor baths too. Incredibly nice to visit that after a long flight.