Now, Amsterdam, Dubai, London, Sydney, Rio, Toronto, Phuket, Singapore & Miami Airport Hotels Elevate Tourism with Unmatched Runway Views: Here’s More To Know – Travel And Tour World

For aviation enthusiasts or anyone looking for something a little different, a room in an airport hotel with spectacular runway views is a surprisingly exciting part of the modern travel experience. Whether it’s seeing a massive Airbus A380 fly over Maho Beach from a Caribbean balcony, or getting an early morning view of aircraft taxis at Amsterdam’s Schiphol, these sky-high spectacles are now offerings in the guest-experience arsenal of several credit-card and hotel programs near some of the world’s most-trafficked travel hubs.

Tourism experts, urban planners and hotel operators are paying attention: hotels that were previously places to simply stop over for layovers or early morning flights are now the attraction itself. From plane-spotters to families to business travelers to even social media influencers on the lookout for Instagram opportunities, the demand for rooms with runway views is soaring, generating tourism dollars and raising the bar for guests worldwide.

The Emergence of Airport Hotel Tourism

Airport hotels were, for decades, functional — places for an efficient check-in, shuttles to the terminals and quiet rooms to sleep in before a flight. But in recent years, this formerly-pragmatic corner of the hospitality industry has become more sensory, immersive and luxurious.

Culled from global travel data produced by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and regional tourism boards like Tourism Australia and the Netherlands Board of Tourism, it’s a phenomenon many major airports are experiencing: As the new year begins, more and more airports are reporting a surge in overnight guests who aren’t merely passing through airside but rather intentionally booking stays on the public side for the view, convenience and novel experience. Increased foot traffic around Schiphol’s surrounding hotels has been developing in cities such as Amsterdam, where CitizenM has been at the forefront.

Just a 5-minute walk from Schiphol’s terminal, the CitizenM Amsterdam boasts a view of aviation activity. Guests can enjoy sunrise takeoffs and nighttime landings all from the panopticon-like comfort of a smart room outfitted with adjustable light, high-tech controls and a king-size bed, fusing design and spectacle. As a guest put it: “It’s better than Netflix.”

Destinations, Become Experiences: A City-by-City Guide

Amsterdam, Netherlands:

Not only is CitizenM Schiphol renowned for its modern, tech-forward aesthetic, it also claims some of the best views of one of Europe’s most crowded airports. It’s a lure for aviation buffs, business travelers, and Instagrammers, too. “With it’s seamless connection to rail services and the city itself, Schiphol takes some beating as one of the most accessible and experiential airports in Europe,” the Netherlands Tourism notes.

Dubai, UAE:

At Premier Inn Dubai International Airport, guests can unwind on the rooftop as Emirates A380s – one of the world’s largest commercial jets – glide across the tarmac. As far as airport hotels, that’s integral to the strategy of how Dubai Tourism is marketing itself aggressively as a premium layover and multi-day stopover location.

London, United Kingdom:

At both BLOC Hotel at Gatwick and Hampton by Hilton at Stansted, you’ll find iconic views of the runways, meaning what might have been a dull overnight stay becomes something memorable. VisitBritain said it has seen its airportside hotel properties in London busier with families and aviation enthusiasts, many of whom are adding extra nights for easy access to the airfield.

Sydney, Australia:

The Felix Hotel, now rebranded as a Citadines Connect, has a penthouse-level lobby with bouncing chairs and a bar that looks out over the runways of Sydney Airport. With Tourism Australia spotlighting unique urban stays, flashpacking is part of the larger trend for “experiential accommodations.”

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil:

Prodigy Hotel Santos Dumont rooftop’s pool and views of aircraft aren’t the only ones, offering guests access to a deck with Sugarloaf Mountain and Guanabara Bay as a backdrop. The Brazilian Ministry of Tourism says such blends of aviation and famous scenery are luring a niche, but expanding base of tourists.

Toronto, Canada:

For Canadian air travel enthusiasts, Sheraton Gateway at Toronto Pearson International Airport is one of the best. Set above Terminal 3, the hotel has rooms with runway views and Club Lounge to suit aviation aficionados, business travelers and plane spotters.

Phuket, Thailand:

Grand West Sands Resort & Villas sits on the north end of Phuket International Airport. The dual offering — of beach and runway access — is one that the Tourism Authority of Thailand acknowledges is also a draw, and it markets to consumers as part of its “Two Worlds, One Island” campaign.

Singapore:

Relax in style at Crowne Plaza Changi Airport as you gaze down on planes amongst the lights and sounds of one of the world’s most awarded airports. Hotels like this one are doing their part to push Changi beyond transportation hub and toward full-blown lifestyle destination, reports Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry.

Miami, United States:

Sitting in a choice position to watch aircraft from the Miami International Airport is the Hilton Miami Airport Blue Lagoon. With a view of the intersecting runways and a lagoon, it’s a favorite of aviation journalists, spotters and influencers. Such properties are also adding to Miami’s allure as a destination for air travel and for hospitality, according to data from Brand USA and Miami-Dade tourism officials.

Economic and Cultural Benefits

The hotels’ economic imprint is not limited to nightly room rates. Local restaurants, transportation services, aviation museums, and tour operators see greater numbers of visitors. More to the point, guests often extend or return based on the impact of their stay, and what is a one-time overnight stop becomes the multi-day visit to the city.

Where airport hotels connect to transit routes, such as in Amsterdam and Singapore, tourists would also be able to venture into the city, generating more tourism dollars. The Changi Airport in Singapore, for instance, incorporates its hotel with shopping centers, gardens and attractions like Jewel, turning it into a layover spot and a destination.

These hotels also serve as an unofficial aviation museum, providing a cultural look into the realm of flight. Some incorporate aviation-inspired decor, photography, and even live air traffic channel streaming within rooms — providing an educational aspect to the stay.

Challenges and Future Outlook

In that reality, city planners and aviation authorities will have to contend with environmental issues including noise pollution and sustainability. Eco-friendly building certifications Many hotels are also double-glazing away the sound and triple-glazing for their windows to keep carbon footprint to a minimum. Moreover, working with airport staff ensures safe, uninterrupted progression.

In the future, more hotels are likely to cater to this niche. Istanbul, Doha and Kuala Lumpur airports are among three that are already experimenting in new hotel concepts that focus on views, wellness and connectivity.

More Than a Room with a View

There is something undeniably magical about watching planes take off and land — a ballet of technology, timing and connecting space across nations. For plane enthusiasts, or for those just looking for a room with a tale to tell, rooms with a runway view at an airport hotel are a front-row seat to the action. Whether you’re a child delighted by jets or a seasoned traveler who craves serenity before the next flight, these sky-facing rooms are comfort and wonder, and a subtle nudge of a reminder that travel itself can also be a destination.

Sources: Netherlands Board of Tourism, Tourism Australia, Brazil Ministry of Tourism, Singapore Ministry of Trade and Industry, Brand USA (U.S. Travel and Tourism Office)