The 9 Best Hotels Inside Airports Where You Can Actually Rest

1. Fairmont Vancouver Airport — Vancouver, British Columbia

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The Fairmont Vancouver Airport has the brand’s standard trimmings. An upscale restaurant in the lobby hosts live music and a bustling bar scene. The rooms are hyper-modern and kind of feel like corner-office suites. What makes this hotel worth the stay, beyond its 30-second walk to the ticketing check-in counters, though, is the view. From your room’s massive bay windows, you can spot the differences between a 737 and an Airbus A320 with the help of a complementary “plane spotting guide.”

Here, travelers can experience the city’s hospitality without ever leaving the airport. Fairmont operates another pristine property in Vancouver, one high on the list of the world’s best airport hotels. The Fairmont Vancouver Airport is located inside the international terminal, though once inside one of its soundproofed rooms you’d hardly know you were there. Until, of course, you look out the window over the tarmac and with the help of a provided “plane spotting guide” begin identifying each type of aircraft parked below. 

Airport hotels exist to serve a primary function of convenience. The Fairmont Vancouver Airport accomplishes this with a walk of fewer than five minutes to both baggage claim and the check-in counters of all major carriers serving the airport. What makes this hotel unique, though, is that it’s as much of an escape from the hectic nature of air travel as it is a play on convenience. On the backend of my recent trip to British Columbia, I stayed here the night before a 9 am flight back to Colorado. The Globe@YVR restaurant serves fresh, upscale fare. I chose a table by the fireplace and opted for what proved to be an excellent Vongole Pasta with manila clams, paired with an Amber Ale from the city’s Stanley Park Brewing.

The lounge frequently hosts live acoustic music. There’s a pool and hot tub, along with a large fitness center, for those staying long enough to dig their swimsuit or workout clothes out of their pack. All rooms feature a large en-suite and work desk. In a nod to the frequent comings and goings of its guests at odd hours, the hotel accommodates room service orders to fit travelers’ schedules, reservable in advance or whenever hunger strikes. I rested easily on the pillowtop bed and enjoyed watching the early-morning flights depart from their gates as I sipped coffee in the morning. In what was a busy trip to the north of British Columbia, my nights in Vancouver proved a tranquil escape from the madness.

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2. TWA Hotel at JFK International Airport — New York, NY

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Gone are the days of actually having to head into Brooklyn to experience New York’s epic food hall scene. The new TWA Hotel, which opened this year at JFK, throws the airport experience back to when flying wasn’t just enjoyable — it was classy. A cocktail lounge occupies an old TWA airplane, and runway-side rooms offer front-row seats to planes lifting off. There’s also an infinity pool overlooking the runway, which we suppose gives departing passengers something to look at instead of that seatback magazine.

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3. Hilton Munich Airport — Munich, Germany

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You’re likely going to be drinking a good amount of beer while in Munich, so make your departure as responsibility-free as possible by staying at the Hilton Munich Airport. It’s walking distance from both Terminals 1 and 2 and is designed to feel like you’re in a luxury lodge high in the Alps. Charles Lindbergh, the hotel’s upscale buffet restaurant, switches up its themed buffets each week, taking inspiration from other countries — which should make a nice break from the schnitzel and pretzels you’ve gorged on throughout your time in Munich.

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4. Westin Denver International Airport — Denver, Colorado

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Denver’s airport is 27 miles from downtown in a setting that looks more like the open plains of the Midwest than the jagged mountain landscape that Colorado is known for. If you’re staying anywhere west of Aurora, an early morning flight means leaving the hotel before sunrise and slogging across I-70 towards the plains. Or you could book a room at the Westin Denver International Airport, an addition to the Jeppesen Terminal that opened in 2015. The hotel was built to look like those little airplane wing pins that airlines used to give out to kids back when legroom and free checked bags were a normal thing. It features an in-house art gallery and an outdoor plaza that hosts everything from business meetings to an annual beer festival, and when the time comes to actually head to the gate, the security checkpoint is just downstairs.

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Check out Matador’s guides to the best airport hotels in US cities:

• These Denver airport hotels put you close to the terminal with luxe amenities
• The best Dallas airport hotels to bookend your trip
• The best Miami airport hotels
• The best Orlando airport hotels
• The best JFK airport hotels
• The best Philadelphia airport hotels
• The best Seattle airport hotels
• The best LAX airport hotels
• The best San Diego airport hotels
• The best San Francisco airport hotels
• The best Atlanta airport hotels

5. Crowne Plaza Changi Airport — Singapore

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As far as modernity and architecture are concerned, Singapore is the best-looking city in the world. The Crowne Plaza Changi keeps up the image within the already ridiculously attractive Changi International Airport. It’s located within Terminal 3’s Skytrain reach and comes with access to Jewel, the self-described “rain vortex” inside the terminal that is actually the world’s largest indoor waterfall, inside the hotel’s Forest Valley. This sounds like something out of Fern Gulley, and that’s pretty much what it is. It can go toe to toe with the Gardens by the Bay as the coolest thing you saw in Singapore.

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6. Grand Hyatt DFW — Dallas, Texas

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You don’t have to dive into the Gulf of Mexico to do some saltwater swimming in Dallas if you pay a visit to the rooftop saltwater pool at the Grand Hyatt DFW. Another cool thing about staying inside the Dallas airport is that you can actually walk to the airport’s best food court and some great shops pre-security, which is ideal for acting like you totally didn’t forget to buy your significant other a gift on your trip. If a bit of privacy is in order, order room service from McCoy’s Bar & Grill inside the hotel.

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7. Sofitel London Heathrow — London, England

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Sofitel apparently set out to build London’s best spa inside Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport. Whether or not you were overwhelmed by the massive urban jungle that is London, the Sofitel London Heathrow is worthy of your final night in town, if only because of the spa. There’s also a Champagne bar for those who have had their fill of gin. Either option is the perfect way to celebrate the fact that you don’t have to worry about missing your tube time in the morning.

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Yotel Istanbul Airport

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Yotel Istanbul Airport offers a unique option for travelers catching flights at Istanbul Airport. With two distinct hotels, it caters to both those who haven’t cleared customs and those already in the international departures area. The landside Yotel, perfect for layovers or early morning flights, boasts a convenient location near the departures floor and terminal entrance #7. It features modern, compact rooms designed for maximum comfort in a minimal footprint. Guests can unwind in the on-site gym or grab a bite at the stylish bar and restaurant.

For those already airside, YOTELAIR Istanbul Airport provides a haven within the duty-free zone. This location is ideal for long layovers or catching a connecting flight. Similar to the landside hotel, YOTELAIR offers various room configurations, all with en-suite bathrooms and amenities like powerful rain showers and complimentary toiletries. Guests can stay connected with free, fast WiFi and enjoy 24/7 food and drinks from the Komyuniti Lounge (charges apply).

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Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport

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Elegance and convenience combine at Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport. This terminal hotel boasts a prime location directly within the Orlando International Airport, accessible from all terminals. Beyond its unbeatable location, spacious and modern rooms provide what feels like an actual escape from the dross of airport life, featuring amenities like free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and expansive work areas. Unwind after a long flight with a dip in the inviting outdoor heated pool, or stay on top of your fitness routine at the 24-hour gym. In-house restaurants cater to various palates, while room service ensures ultimate comfort. With its unbeatable convenience and top-notch amenities, Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport is perfect for travelers seeking a stress-free and pampered pre- or post-flight experience.

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