Here’s Why You Should Never Underestimate a Good Airport Hotel

The lowly airport hotel is often overlooked in favor of slick city-center properties or sprawling beachfront resorts. But the utility of an airport hotel is unmatched: It can greatly enhance a trip, whether through time savings, cost savings, convenience, or extra sleep.

As award travelers, utilizing an airport hotel is essential when redeeming points and miles for sought-after flights. Plus, as an AvGeek, I’ll never say no to a great view of the runway!

In my travels throughout the years, I’ve stayed at many airport hotels, whether the night before an early flight, the night after a late flight, or for an entire (short) trip. Let’s examine all the things that make airport hotels fantastic and why you should consider using one on your next trip.

What Is an Airport Hotel?

An airport hotel is adjacent to or connected to an airport complex. Most airport hotels are located near airport terminals, though the very best are connected to a terminal, and some are even inside a terminal.

Airport hotels are often lower or midscale brands, such as Courtyard by Marriott, Hilton Garden Inn, or Hyatt Place. However, some airports feature higher-end brands like InterContinental or Westin.

Airport hotels are known to offer travelers clean, efficient spaces and often provide important amenities like business spaces, speedy Wi-Fi, complimentary breakfast, and, most important to me, killer views of all the action happening at the airport.

Why You Should Stay at Airport Hotels

There are numerous reasons to stay at an airport hotel — here are a few reasons I regularly take advantage of these properties.

1. The Convenience Is Unmatched — And Your Body Will Thank You

By their nature, airport hotels are designed for convenience, primarily based on location. They are located near terminal facilities, and some are connected to or even inside a terminal.

This is especially helpful when you have an early morning departure or a late arrival — even more so if the airport is a significant distance from your home. Few things are more daunting than going to bed the night before a flight knowing that you’ll have to be up again at 3 a.m. (or earlier) to give yourself enough time to travel to the airport, check in, go through security, and make it to your gate before the boarding process begins for your 6 a.m. flight.

If you’re at an airport hotel — even one that’s not connected to or inside the terminal — you likely won’t be much further than a mile at most away from the terminal. You can give your body the rest it deserves and sleep for a few more hours since you’ll be close to where your flight departs.

If you’re staying at a property off the airport site, you’ll likely be able to take a complimentary shuttle that will drop you off right at the departures area, eliminating the need to take a taxi or Uber. If you’re staying in a hotel connected to or within a terminal, you can walk just a few steps from your room to the terminal and sometimes will even have access to separate security lines, saving even more time.

Further, staying at an airport hotel is great if you arrive late at your destination. Instead of journeying into a city — which can sometimes take quite a while, depending on where you are — you can check in to your airport hotel, get extra hours of sleep, and then begin your trip in earnest on a good note.

2. They’re Often More Affordable

Staying at an airport hotel can save you money on your travels because, in most cases, hotels located at or by the airport are less expensive than those found in city centers or other desirable areas.

If you have a trip planned to a destination where the airport is easily accessible to much of the city — whether thanks to its geography or connection via transit — staying at an airport hotel can enable you to keep more money in your pocket to spend elsewhere on a trip, from experiences to food and beverage.

Here’s another real-life example. Let’s say you’re staying at a beachfront resort for a long weekend in Miami but arrive at 10 p.m. Instead of paying for that night to stay at your fancy resort, which presumably is expensive, you can check in to an airport hotel at a much lower rate immediately after your arrival. That way, you don’t “waste” a day of accommodations at your preferred resort.

3. They’re a Lifesaver for Avid Award Travelers

If you — like all of us here at UP — are a big fan of redeeming points and miles for incredible flight experiences, you know that you’ll often need to be flexible with your travel plans to secure some of the most sought-after flights. This often means “positioning” to another city to take advantage of award availability when it comes around.

I’ve had to do this many times — for example, when I lived in New York City but could snag a first class seat on Lufthansa’s Boeing 747-8 from Chicago (ORD) to Frankfurt (FRA). The flight departed in the early evening, around 4 p.m. local time, but I wanted to avoid flying to Chicago the day of my flight because it was winter. I didn’t want to take any chances and find myself in a situation where I would miss this flight, which I’d wanted to experience for a long time.

I flew to Chicago the night before my flight to Frankfurt. Since I was only in Chicago to catch that flight, I didn’t even bother with going into the city. Instead, I booked an airport hotel, which allowed me to get a full night’s sleep and even work from the hotel for much of the day before leaving to catch my flight.

That’s just 1 example, but similar scenarios have played out for me many times when I’ve had to get to a different city to catch a particular flight. Even better, I can usually book hotels like these with points, keeping my out-of-pocket costs minimal.

4. The Views Are Incredible

One of the best aspects of staying at an airport hotel — at least for AvGeeks like myself — is marveling at the views of the tarmac and runways just outside your window. There’s nothing quite like the sight of a wide-body aircraft rumbling down the runway for takeoff or coming in for a smooth landing, and airport hotels are positioned perfectly to get a front-row seat to all the action.

Some airport hotels, like the TWA Hotel at New York’s Kennedy Airport (JFK), even offer amenities designed specifically to take advantage of those stunning vistas. At TWA, there’s an outdoor pool, deck, and bar that perfectly frame some of the tarmac, making it the perfect place to take a dip, enjoy a cocktail, and breathe in the fresh smell of Jet A from the hulking jets moving just beyond.

Some of My Favorite Airport Hotels

I’ve stayed at numerous airport hotels throughout the years, so I’ve gained a pretty thorough understanding of what makes a good one. Here’s a look at some of my favorites.

TWA Hotel

In 2019, the TWA Hotel opened in the former headhouse of the now-defunct TWA’s Flight Center at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Originally designed by Eero Saarinen, the building was completed in 1962 and decades later was transformed into a glamorous hotel and event space that harkens back to the golden years of the jet age.

It’s the only hotel on-site at JFK and features rooms with floor-to-ceiling glass windows that provide incredible views across the tarmac and runways. Throughout the hotel, guests will be treated to 1960s mid-century decor, several bars and restaurants (including one by Jean-Georges), and the pièce de résistance: the rooftop bar, pool, and deck with an infinity-edge pool with a tremendous view of the planes and other activity on the tarmac.

Hot Tip:

The TWA Hotel doesn’t participate in a traditional hotel loyalty program but can be booked via American Express’ The Hotel Collection, which offers elite-like perks!

The Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport

As a Delta flyer based in the Midwest, I’ve passed through the airline’s Detroit (DTW) hub countless times. Delta’s home in the McNamara Terminal is one of the best in the country, and something that sets it apart is The Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport, which is directly connected to the terminal.

The dedicated TSA screening checkpoint in the hotel lobby is even better than the direct connection. This checkpoint allows flyers to pass directly from the hotel to the McNamara Terminal, which is home to Delta and its SkyTeam Alliance partners.

If you have a flight on another airline departing from the Evans Terminal, the hotel provides a shuttle to take you there.

Hilton Chicago O’Hare Airport

While not as seamlessly connected as the Westin at DTW, the Hilton Chicago O’Hare Airport provides convenient access to Terminals 1, 2, and 3 via an underground walkway and to Terminal 5 via shuttle.

Despite being located within one of the world’s busiest airports, the Hilton O’Hare provides quiet accommodations ideal for a quick layover or even a business trip to the Windy City. The hotel features an on-site restaurant, a fitness center, plenty of meeting space, and is pet-friendly.

Another standout feature of this Hilton Honors hotel is that you can access Chicago’s downtown core by public transit in under an hour.

Sheraton Gateway Hotel in Toronto International Airport

Located inside Toronto’s Pearson International Airport (YYZ), the Sheraton Gateway Hotel in Toronto International Airport packs a punch for travelers. The hotel directly connects to Terminal 3, which is home to American Airlines, Air France, Alaska Airlines, British Airways, Delta Air Lines, Cathay Pacific, Etihad Airways, Korean Air, Qatar Airways, and more.

The newly renovated property also boasts an indoor pool, a fitness center, a dedicated Peloton studio, an onsite restaurant, a Sheraton Club lounge, and, of course, incredible runway views.

Hot Tip:

Learn all there is to know about Marriott Bonvoy in our comprehensive program review.

Crowne Plaza Changi Airport

The Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, an IHG One Rewards property, would be right at home in a city center, never mind at an airport. Directly connected to Terminal 3 at Singapore Changi Airport (SIN), this property connects to all terminals at the airport and The Jewel, the … well … crown jewel of attractions at SIN.

Guest rooms here are modern, spacious, bright, and well-appointed. You’d be forgiven if you forgot you were at an airport hotel — though the sublime runway views will quickly remind you. Elsewhere, the Crowne Plaza offers a lush outdoor pool, a Club Lounge, an Italian restaurant, landscaped gardens, and more.

Despite being located at the airport, the Crowne Plaza is just 25 minutes outside Singapore’s Central Business District via its excellent public transit system, the MRT. Of course, taxis are available as well.

Final Thoughts

Today’s airport hotels aren’t just run-down places to (cautiously) lie your head at night before an early flight or after a late one.

Travelers can find a range of amenities, from pools to full-service restaurants, in addition to the utmost convenience, with many newer airport hotels providing direct connections to terminal complexes. And if you’re an AvGeek like we are here, airport hotels provide a certain thrill that others don’t, given the ability to soak up all those glorious runway views!

On your next journey, remember how strategic airport hotels can be, and don’t hesitate to book one if it adds convenience or value to your trip.