Best airport hotels in the world

Back to Forum
Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 25 total)

  • Anonymous
    Guest

    In the June edition of Business Traveller we will be taking a look at the best airport hotels around the world, and we welcome your nominations and thoughts on the subject.

    What makes a good airport hotel, and which are the best airport hotels you have stayed in? Let us know your thoughts below…

    The Business Traveller team


    OzTraveller
    Participant

    What makes a good airport hotel? First define “good” . A good airport hotel is one that has undercover connection directly to reception. And preferably in the most direct, single level way. An airport hotel is not an airport hotel if it means a shuttle bus drive away. How often have you waited in the rain for the shuttle bus to arrive around 10pm in Tokyo for example. And of course, a good airport hotel would appreciate people dont want to hang around until 2pm “until the room is ready”. A 24 hour occupancy, for 24 hours from your arrival time, makes so much sense. A 24 hour coffee shop (not the rip off room service menu); a trouser press for the gents in the room (or really express pressing service, say 3 hours); def. tea and coffee amenities in the room complimentary, 24 hour access to the health club; a pool indoor or outdoor no matter; sensible pricing for internet connection with wif-fi in all public areas.

    For me, the airport hotel that comes closest to the mark (but not 100%) is the Pan Pacific Airport Hotel at Kuala Lumpur KLIA. They even have a transfer service (in golf buggies) from the arrivals area direct to the hotel front door, and that’s 24 hours a day.

    And, why is it that the so-called airport hotels around the world seem to think we will pay anything for their convenience. That dump, the Amari at the old Bangkok Airport, was the #1 example, sometimes charging upwards of US$200 for a decidely 3 star room and service. How pleased I am that there is a new airport in Bangkok and a new although not perfect airport hotel is there.

    My vote: Pan Pacific at KLIA.

    Cheers
    Alan Guignon
    Australia


    viking01
    Participant

    I think you’re right about that, but most airports don’t have a hotel connected in the way you’ve described.

    I think if the hotel has a complimentary – and dedicated – shuttle, then that’s fine.

    The US airport hotels are good for this – they might be several miles away, but they are cheap and you feel secure you can get back to the airport easily enough.


    spidergirl
    Participant

    You are so true about the importance of having a direct connection and 24 hour coffee shop! My colleague was in Narita, arriving at 11pm from US and there is no food to be served, not even room service!!!


    VintageKrug
    Participant

    You may wish to check the current (March) edition of BA’s High Life Magazine which ran almost the exact same article on the world’s best airport hotels.

    Presumably, many of your readership will already have waded through this month given that Business Traveller is generously distributed free in most of BA’s Lounge network:

    http://www.bahighlife.com/Destinations/Hotels/airport-hotels.html

    The Radisson in Stansted is a surprising gem, with contemporary rooms, a great feature wine tower in the lobby, superb views of the runway and apron, though the bathrooms are somewhat prehistoric compared ot the rest of the rooms.

    Sofitel T5 is also superb, but overpriced, and avoid the rip off breakfast in favour of Plane Food’s delicious eggs benedict for under £5.


    HenryBanson
    Participant

    Regal Airport Hotel attached to Hong Kong International Aiport is the best Airport HOtel in the world. I find it is very convenience, I can be at the hotel just 5 mins walk from arrival hall. I like the restaurant / bar on the ground floor next to coffee shop, they serve good hamburger ad steak. gym is 24 hours so I can work out before I go to the airport.


    MarcusUK
    Participant

    Citizen M Schipol gets my vote.

    I agree with the Pan Pacific at KLIA.
    I have stayed there several times a year over some 15 yrs now.
    The atmostphere as you enter the lobby, is wonderful.
    It’s a peaceful relaxed friendly envrionment, a great happy staff tea,. 24 hrs fitness & sauna facilities, great foods, rooms are spacious comfortable quiet, & any services to assist you are prompt.
    It really is a 24 hr hotel.

    However…
    I also stay at The CitzenM at Schipol often now.
    Its a new concept hotel, & deserves recognition for breaking the barriers. Its clever use of technology, freash art & designs, happy youthful team of staff, very cleverly designed rooms.
    But its the use of psychology in the hotel, that affects the behavious of the guests. Its always chileld & relaxed, funky & Arty, jazzy. The square cafe tables or the high seating benches promote the feeling of not being “On yr own” as you are a member of a group in the hotel, so many Business travellers, enjoy & are drawn to come out of their rooms to sit in the “community” downstairs. Mot hotels dont promote lots of single guests to sit together forming their own group.
    its a clever effect of the psychology, decor, & envrionment.

    You room becomes yr bedroom, choose from the 5 lounges to match you activity downstairs.
    It attracts a very Liberal European business traveller, (& the Dutch like the messy hair jeans & smart open neck shirt for business)
    The atmostphere, the design is unique, it breaks barriers, challenges the norms, fresh, cost effective as a business model. It creates a real sense of a community of the like minded, fun funky.

    So Citizen M (now expanding) ,gets my vote.
    This level innovation & in these tough economic times, & something so Unique in the hotel industry, deserve a unique award.


    excessbaggage
    Participant

    Crowne Plaza Changi Airport has to be up there – directly attached to the airport, great rooms, and a fabulous pool – you can be doing laps and forget you are even at the airport (until the planes fly past!).


    Mark Caswell
    Keymaster

    how about the Yotel properties? Okay, so they are not the height of luxury, and the lack of windows can make them feel a little claustrophobic, but they are incredibly convenient, and perfectly acceptable for an overnight stay before a flight.


    excessbaggage
    Participant

    Agreed – i’ve only stayed at the one at Gatwick airport, but it takes out all of the stress knowing that you are already within the terminal building. You can even go and check in for your flight, then go back to the hotel and relax before going through to security.


    acullimore
    Participant

    If you are going to mention the Marriott at Sao Paulo International airport (GRU) you simply cannot overlook the far superior Caesar Park and Business Hotel which gets my nod as the best airport hotel in Latin America.


    OzTraveller
    Participant

    Before everyone just gives the name of their favourite airport hotel, perhaps share with us why you think so.

    I agree. Hong Kong Regal Airport Hotel should definitely make the shortlist; this is my favourite to stay at for convenience and value for money.


    MarkCymru
    Participant

    I agree — it does depend what you’re looking for. The Sheraton at CDG might deserve a nod on most scores. The service is excellent — fast, efficient and friendly. The rooms are small but very comfortable and very quiet (they keep the bed as far away from the door as possible — really basic but it seems to escape most hotel designers). I asked a bit tentatively if they had soya milk for my tea. “Bien sur” — it arrived five minutes later at no charge. I’ve gone back many times since.

    Putting the Yotel on there must be a joke. I’ve stayed twice at the Schiphol one. Both times, I’ve paid for the more expensive room and regretted it both times. The technology is temperamental so checking in is always painful (it’s not just me — I watched others do it on both occasions) and once the entire electronic ordering and entertainment system didn’t work at ll. It’s under-staffed so resolving problems takes for ever (surely not the point of a hotel designed for layovers). The rooms are extraordinarily noisy — you can hear everything in the corridor and from the rooms next door. Not to mention the machinery that unfolds the bed. And it’s not even very cheap — you can have a full night at the Citizen M for about the same as one of the Yotel executive rooms (it’s landside but Schiphol’s electronic border system works flawlessly so, if you have an immigration card, you can be there in minutes). A colleague stayed at the T4 one and said it was worse

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 25 total)
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Business Traveller March 2024 edition
Business Traveller March 2024 edition
Be up-to-date
Magazine Subscription
To see our latest subscription offers for Business Traveller editions worldwide, click on the Subscribe & Save link below
Polls