The ultimate airplane sleepover consists of camping under a dark starry sky among the retired airplanes at an
aircraft boneyard like the one in Tucson. That's most likely impossible (and probably illegal) for most of us ordinary folk, so a close second, and more attainable goal, is staying a night in an airport hotel with airplane views from your very own room.
With an airplane crazed 3 year old and husband who works in aviation, an airport hotel is like a boys playground. Who am I kidding? It's fun for girls too! At least once, everyone in the family was caught gazing out of the windows daydreaming about airplanes. I've always wanted to sleep at the airport and watch the coming and going of airplanes from my room. In the last year, we've had the opportunity to stay at two airport hotels. Neither disappointed!
Our first airport stay was last year in June. During our Colorado road trip, we set up camp for a few days at the
Westin Denver International Airport. As an architecture graduate, and lover of everything hotels, this hotel had been at the top of my must-stay bucket list since it was being designed. I had been so excited to see what the architect(s) would come up with, and I have to say there's a lot to love about the Westin. The architecture, views, pool, and room service made for a wonderful stay.
The architectural background of the hotel is surrounded in some controversy, when the world renowned architect
Santiago Calatrava backed out of being part of the design.
Gensler ended up with the project, and they created a modern flight-inspired design filled with some interesting engineering and incredible views from the rooms, lobbies, and the swimming pool. The architecture student in me geeked out while staying there, but I think anyone can appreciate the wall to wall soundproof windows in the rooms and the spectacular view from the pool. There were beautiful and expansive views from just about every window.
From the swimming pool, complete with views of airplanes landing, to the airport and prairie views, the Westin was a hit with the whole family. We enjoyed our swim, room service, and exploring the property. My husband was able to point out the ramp area where the airplanes he used to fly were parked. The Westin Denver Airport was a big hit, and we hope to stay again on another visit to Denver and Colorado.
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The second airport hotel we stayed at last year happened en route to our Disney cruise departing from Vancouver. Our flight landed in the evening, so we opted to crash
(probably not the best word to describe something at an airport, but we did crash hard) at the
Fairmont Vancouver Airport for a night. It was really convenient walking to the hotel after a late flight with two little kids.
The Fairmont Vancouver Airport was amazing for family travel! Not only is the airport convenient for walking from your flight directly to your hotel, but they had some great extras for traveling with kids. We had a nice crib and children's toiletries plus a rubber ducky for bath time waiting for us in our room. Sometimes it's the little touches that push a hotel visit into favorite territory. Being a parent to little ones, it's nice to have someone else taking care of details for a minute. The Fairmont is always a place where you can take a deep breath upon arrival.
We woke up to mountain views from our room. Plus we had a great view of all the airport happenings and planes landing/taxiing. Our short overnight was perfect, and we felt well-rested (as parents can feel) for the beginning of our trip. Before checking out, we did enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet at
Globe@YVR near the lobby of the hotel. Don't miss it if you stay here!
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I hope someday you get a chance to sleep with the airplanes too.
Have you ever stayed at an airport hotel?
Which one is your favorite,
or where do you want to stay?
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