8 Airport Hotels Worth an Overnight

Years ago, a stay at an airport hotel was merely one of necessity—a flight at an inconvenient hour or a layover that wasn’t quite long enough to enjoy a better hotel in the city center. But in recent years, after a major style evolution, various airport hotels have debuted with innovative design, expansive rooms with plush beds, restaurants with appealing menus, and colorful art installations. The next time you’re planning a trip, consider staying at one of these standout airport hotels.

TWA Hotel

Photo by David Mitchell

• Location: John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York City
• Book now

Transport yourself back in time to 1960s air travel at the TWA Hotel, restored from the Eero Saarinen 1962 TWA Flight Center at John F. Kennedy International Airport. Accessible by AirTrain, the 512 guest rooms feature walnut martini bars and tambour walls straight from Amish country. The panoramic rooftop pool sits on the horizon of JFK’s bustling Runway 4 Left/22 Right and is open year-round. Grab a bite at the Paris Café by Jean-Georges Vongerichten or a cocktail at the Sunken Lounge. From $250

Grand Hyatt at SFO

• Location: San Francisco International Airport
• Loyalty program: World of Hyatt
• Book now

A brief AirTrain ride from any of San Francisco International Airport’s three domestic terminals brings you to the lobby of Grand Hyatt at SFO, which has its own station. The 351 guest rooms have floor-to-ceiling soundproofed windows that overlook San Francisco Bay and the airport; they include plane-spotting guides and binoculars for aviation enthusiasts. Sit down to a meal at Quail + Crane for a seafood-forward menu featuring sushi rolls, ahi poke, and Dungeness crab and lobster tagliatelle. Don’t miss the art program curated by the San Francisco Arts Commission. From $309

Fairmont Vancouver Airport

Courtesy of Fairmont Vancouver Airport

• Location: Vancouver International Airport
• Loyalty program: Accor Live Limitless
• Book now

Inside Vancouver International Airport’s Main Terminal, Fairmont Vancouver Airport is a reprieve for travelers who want to stay steps from the departure gates but don’t want to sacrifice on comfort or style. Each of the property’s 386 guest rooms features pillow-top beds, soaking tubs, and soundproofed picture windows with unobstructed views of the runways. Globe@YVR celebrates Pacific Northwest flavors with dishes that highlight sustainable and locally sourced ingredients. Gone fishing while in Canada? Summer fish valet service ensures that your catch is properly stored until it’s ready to fly. From $240

Wyndham Quito Airport

Courtesy of Wyndham Quito Airport

• Location: Mariscal Sucre Quito International Airport, Ecuador
• Loyalty program: Wyndham Rewards
• Book now

Just outside the Mariscal Sucre Quito International Airport, the smooth dark exteriors of the Wyndham Quito Airport took their design inspiration from the Andean condor, the iconic bird of Ecuador. The hotel’s 163 rooms are spread across four floors and feature warm colors and decorative elements that highlight the country’s rich flora and fauna. Committed to environmental sustainability, the property is free of single-use plastic bottles, and photovoltaic panels provide 40 percent of the hotel’s electricity, among other green initiatives. From $139

citizenM Paris Charles de Gaulle

Courtesy of citizenM Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport

• Location: Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
• Loyalty program: mycitizenM+
• Book now

A short stroll down a covered walkway at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport lies the stylish, modern-feeling citizenM Paris Charles de Gaulle. The brand’s philosophy of affordable luxury is evident in the 230 guest rooms, which showcase high-tech amenities (the room ambience is fully controlled by iPad or citizenM app), comfortable mattresses and high-end bedding, eye-catching art, and more. The hotel’s staff, called ambassadors, are knowledgeable concierges who are experts in helping guests tap into their city’s culture. From $122

Crowne Plaza Changi

Courtesy of the Crowne Plaza Changi Airport

• Location: Singapore Changi Airport
• Loyalty program: IHG One Rewards
• Book now

Located at Singapore Changi Airport’s Terminal 3, the 563-room Crowne Plaza Changi Airport is less an airport hotel and more of a stylish home base in a convenient location. The link bridge from the airport is a timber screen with a pattern inspired by Indonesian ikat fabrics. Resort-style facilities include a palm tree–lined outdoor pool, green rain-forest gardens, a club lounge, and a 24-hour fitness center. Allora, the hotel’s restaurant, features well-executed contemporary Italian cuisine, including wood-fired pizzas and artisanal pastas. From $250

Pullman Brisbane Airport Hotel

• Location: Brisbane Airport
• Loyalty program: Accor Live Limitless
• Book now

A quick walk from Brisbane Airport’s domestic terminal, the Pullman Brisbane Airport Hotel has 132 guest rooms designed in relaxing earth tones, some with views of Moreton Bay and Brisbane’s CBD. Pass an hour plane spotting in the executive lounge while enjoying beverages and snacks, or unwind by the outdoor pool while waiting for your next flight. For a culinary treat, the on-site Apron Restaurant offers a nightly degustation menu with fresh local produce and an optional wine pairing. From $150

InterContinental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport

• Location: O.R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg
• Loyalty program: IHG One Rewards
• Book now

The InterContinental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport is near the terminal at O.R. Tambo International Airport, making it optimal for recovering from a long flight. The 138 rooms have comfortable king beds, blackout curtains, and soundproofing, as well as decor and fabrics with subtle African influences. Unwind in the heated indoor pool or with a treatment at Camelot Spa, and grab a bite from Quills Restaurant—open 24 hours with African- and Asian-inspired menus. From $227