During a recent Vancouver trip, my plane was
delayed due to weather, and the idea that I’d miss my flight home
only accounted for part of my despair.
“Airport hotel” whirled through my head,
accompanied by dismal mental pictures of iffy shuttle service, a
threadbare room, an indifferent restaurant serving indifferent food
hardly a grand finale to an otherwise grand trip.
But this was Vancouver International Airport. At
the same counter that gave me the no-flight-until-tomorrow bad
news, I learned that if I stepped on an escalator located a few
steps away it would whisk me directly into the lobby of the
Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel.
There, airport hotel took on new meaning. A
gracious lobby, warm welcome and quick check-in greeted me; my room
gave every indication that travel magic had transported me to an
elegant, downtown, boutique hotel.
From a choice of restaurant possibilities, I opted
for an informal bite in the Jetside Bar. Seated in a comfy leather
chair in front of a crackling fireplace with wide windows, I had
runway view of planes coming and going against a backdrop of
snow-capped peaks. For dinner, a fabulous martini was followed by
an equally fabulous meal, graciously served.
If there was one such airport hotel, surely there
must be others. As a travel writer with much of my life spent in
the air, I found myself with plenty of opportunities to embark on a
personal quest of the best of the best.
My criteria: Embedded in or located extremely close
to the terminal with excellent shuttle service provided; ambiance,
comfort and service equal to that of a downtown luxury hotel;
attention paid to cleanliness and upkeep; all rooms, not just those
on executive floors must be spacious, relaxing and well equipped; a
swimming pool and fitness center; state-of-the-art business
support; no airport noise; and efficient check-in and check-out
services.
In short, the kind of hotel in which your clients
would want to stay even if it were not dubbed an airport hotel.
A number of airport-positioned hotels came close to
meeting my criteria. Those missing my list did so, for the most
part, because of interiors and furnishings gone dated or rude staff
unschooled in and efficiency. Here, including the 392-guestroom
Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel, are eight that made my
best-of-the-best-list with flying colors.
Sheraton Gateway LAX: A recently
completed $13.5 million renovation by the Kor Hotel Group (see
TravelAge West, May 2, 2005) reinvented a standard-issue, big-box
airport hotel into a sophisticated, urban, 802-room, boutique-like
retreat. Located five minutes from the terminal, constantly running
shuttles make coming and going convenient and easy.
Westin Detroit Metropolitan
Airport: Just opened, this stylish, and reasonably priced,
404-guestroom and 10-suite hotel is located in the new world-class
McNamara Terminal. Clients intending to spend time in Detroit might
consider it as a place to headquarter a stay. The Henry Ford Museum
and Greenfield Village are 20 minutes away as are downtown Detroit,
General Motors World Headquarters, Comerica Park, Joe Louis Arena
and numerous other city attractions.
Hyatt Regency Orlando International
Airport: Connected by escalator from the main terminal,
your clients will step into a 10-story atrium lobby that doubles as
a showcase of fine Chinese art and orchids. A sleek, rooftop pool
is a popular hangout. And SeaWorld, the Kennedy Space Center,
Universal Studios, Walt Disney World Resort and several beaches
wait 15 minutes away making the Hyatt worth considering for a
family vacation.
Pan Pacific Kuala Lumpur: A sky
bridge connects the hotel from the Kuala Lumpur International
Airport’s main terminal. For those with a bit of baggage, a
complimentary “buggy” service is provided. Your clients can expect
a gracious Malaysian atmosphere, with a recent refurbishment that
has lent new shine to the hotel’s five-star status. A newly
introduced counter in the baggage claim area allows guests to check
into the hotel while waiting for their belongings to arrive on the
carousel.
Hyatt Regency Incheon Korea:
Opened in 2003 with 523 guestrooms and suites, the hotel offers a
gracious and relaxing introduction to the Korean gateway city of
Incheon, and Seoul is 25 miles away. Ambiance is high-tech and
contemporary with American-style service your clients should not
expect immersion in an Asian experience. A snappy airport shuttle
service takes guests to and from the terminal.
Kempinski Hotel Airport Munich:
High-tech meets nature in this 400-guestroom hotel located within
easy walking distance of Josepf Strauss International Airport’s
terminal. Built around a glass-enclosed plaza an oasis of
tranquility filled with giant palm trees imported from Florida the
rooms that overlook the garden feature windows that actually open.
The S-bahn into Munich is three minutes away, making this another
airport hotel although decidedly non-German in atmosphere worth
considering as a place to plan a stay.
Sheaton Amsterdam Airport Hotel:
With direct access to and from Schiphol International Airport’s
arrival and departure halls, your clients could only be closer to
the airport if they slept on the runway. Blocky on the outside, the
inside is another stylish story. Newly renovated, all 408 rooms are
large, elegant and functional with large, comfortable beds and
marble bathrooms.
CONTACTS
Fairmont Vancouver Airport
Hotel
www.fairmont.com/vancouverairport
Sheraton Gateway LAX
www.sheratonlosangeles.com
Westin Detroit Metropolitan
Airport
www.westin.com/detroitairport
Hyatt Regency Orlando International
Airport
www.orlandoairporthyatt.com
Pan Pacific Kuala Lampur, Jalan
Putra
www.kualalampur.panpacific.com
Hyatt Regency Incheon
www.incheon.regency.hyatt.com
Kempinski Hotel Airport Munich
www.kempinski-airport.de
Sheraton Amsterdam Airport
Hotel
www.starwoodhotels.com
All of the aforementioned hotels offer 10 percent
commission.
For clients with meetings and conferences in mind,
each provides state-of-the-art facilities, with the Kempinski Hotel
Airport Munich going so far as to have a number of “Convertible
Rooms” in which the bed disappears into the wall to transform the
space into a comfortable gathering venue for up to six people.
