Every business traveller has, at one time or another, spent some time in transit at the airport. There are several lounges to ease the inconvenience, but they offer limited amounts of privacy and are usually only for higher-tier frequent fliers. Airside hotels, on the other hand, provide a space to get refreshed as well as welcome facilities such as swimming pools and gyms. The five listed below are prime examples:
Ambassador Transit Hotel, Singapore Changi Airport
Where: There is an Ambassador Transit Hotel in all three terminals. In Terminal 1, the hotel is located on level three of Transit Mall East and in Terminal 2, it is also found on level three of Transit Mall South. In Terminal 3, the hotel is on the mezzanine level in Transit Mall North.
Amenities: The Ambassador Transit Hotel in Terminal 1 features a swimming pool and gym, while the hotel in Terminal 2 has only a spa, and the hotel in Terminal 3 has both. The hotels also offer common showers for those who do not want to check into a room. Rooms at the hotels in Terminal 1 and 2 do not include internet connections and guests will need to leave the hotel to use the airport’s free wifi connection. Guests in the Terminal 3 hotel will have access to wifi internet access for US$9 an hour.
Rates: Room rates start from US$47 for a standard room, which include ensuite bathrooms, and US$28 for a budget room, which do not have attached bathrooms. A minimum stay of six hours is required. Guests can pay US$10 for each additional hour after those first six hours, and for walk-in guests who just want to freshen up, use of the common showers costs US$7.
Website: www.harilelahospitality.com
Dubai International Hotel, Dubai International Airport
Where: The two Dubai International Hotels are located on the Arrivals level in the Sheikh Rashid Terminal 1 and on Concourse 2 of Terminal 3.
Amenities: Both offer free wifi internet access, a business centre with secretarial services and health clubs which include a gym, swimming pool and Jacuzzi.
Rates: Room rates start from US$217 for a minimum of seven hours. For stays lasting six hours or below, an hourly rate applies which varies depending on the check-in time. Alternatively, guests can use just the showers at the hotel’s health club without checking into a room, and this costs US$14.
Website: www.dih.dca.com
Eaton Smart New Delhi Airport Transit Hotel
Where: The newly opened hotel is located on the fifth floor of the airport's new Terminal 3 and is comprised of two wings: the International wing and the Domestic wing. Currently, only the International wing is open and the Domestic wing will open later this year though the exact date has yet to be confirmed.
Amenities: Eaton Smart provides free wifi internet access, an all-day dining T Lounge, a gym and a business centre that comes with workstations that have computers and printers. It also offers private shower rooms, dubbed "Aqua Pods", for guests who do not want to check in.
Rates: Room rates start from US$83 for a minimum of five hours, while overnight stays are priced at US$154. Each hour beyond the five hour block costs US$16 and use of just the Aqua Pods costs US$12.
Website: http://newdelhiairport.eatonhotels.com
Incheon Airport Transit Hotel by Walkerhill
Where: Two transit hotels are located in the East and West sides of the duty-free area on the fourth floor of the airport.
Amenities: These hotels only feature a business centre as well as special discounts at Matina restaurant, which is located on the same floor opposite Gate 11 in the East side and Gate 43 in the West side. Additionally, there are two lounges in the West wing offering extra workstations with computers. Free wifi internet access is available in the lobby and the business centre but not in the rooms. Unlike other transit hotels, however, these do not have private shower rooms for guests who only want to avail of this service.
Rates: Guests can check in for a minimum of six hours at rates starting from US$58. However, guests who check-in before 0730, must do so for a minimum of 12 hours, which costs US$116. Beyond the first six hours, every additional hour costs US$7.
Website: www.airgardenhotel.com
Kuala Lumpur Airside Transit Hotel
Where: This hotel is located next to Gate C5 in the Satellite Building. However, it only caters to international travellers.
Amenities: The hotel offers a gym, business centre, a free buggy service from the hotel to the passenger’s boarding gate and private shower rooms for walk ins. Guests can also enjoy wifi internet access for US$5 per hour.
Rates: Room rates start at US$46 for a minimum of six hours. Each additional hour after the first six hours costs US$6 and usage of just the private shower rooms also costs US$6.
Website: www.klia.com
What other airport transit hotels do you know of? Share with us your experiences in the comments box below.
Alisha Haridasani
