10 best airport hotels in the world
From globetrotting chic at CitizenM Charles de Gaulle to doughnut walls at Naumi Auckland
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Your support makes all the difference.In days gone by, spending the night at an airport hotel was considered a humdrum affair, characterised by formulaic chains, carbon-copy hotel rooms and uninspiring cuisine.
But no more; today, there are a number of great airport hotels worth keeping an eye out for on your travels. Here are 10 of the best.
No desks, an “Instagram wall” and artwork comprising semi-naked men doing domestic chores – Moxy was the first millennial-focused hotel when it sprang onto the scene at Milan’s Malpensa in 2014.
Affordable yet stylish, it was the first in Marriott’s affordable chain, which has subsequently been rolled out across the world.
Rooms at the tech-savvy hotel come with 56-inch displays instead of any real cupboard space. There are no phones – the idea is to get you out in the public areas, making you feel like you’ve already arrived in the fashion capital while still at the airport. Doubles from €64 (£57), room only.
The main draw at Radisson Blu Stansted is the Wine Tower Bar, the hotel’s centrepiece: a refrigerated tower housing thousands of bottles of wine which bar staff (wearing harnesses) climb, Mission Impossible-style, to reach customers’ orders.
The hotel also has a British Brasserie and Station 169 for steaks and grilled fish, a PACE fitness club, but of course the real draw is the two-minute walk to the terminal – perfect for your average 6am Ryanair flight. Doubles from £89, B&B.
“Doughnut walls”, mini golf and inflatable unicorns in the swimming pool – yes, the newly opened Naumi Auckland really does have it all.
Pronounced “Know-me”, the Auckland hotel opened on 1 February 2018 and is as quirky as they come.
Paying tribute to the native tui bird, the design has countless intriguing features, including art installations dotted throughout the hotel. The star of the show is the “Habitat Nest” room, sleeping four guests on two queen beds. Doubles from NZ$225 (£118), room only.
With a 41m ceiling made of glass, the Mecanoo Architects-designed hotel at Schiphol Amsterdam is aesthetically spectacular both inside and out.
The Bowery restaurant is designed to represent the hotel’s blend of traditional and cosmopolitan, with Asian and Dutch cuisine on offer.
Moreover, visitors can enjoy an interactive dining experience at three live cooking stations. Doubles from €170, room only.
Africa’s greenest hotel offers a carbon neutral stay – ideal for those looking to offset the impact of air travel.
Its grey water recycling system saves an average of 6,000 litres per day, while rainwater is collected in the basement to feed the hotel’s irrigation system.
Hotel Verde Cape Town also has a “zero waste to landfill” goal, while its gym equipment also generates energy. What’s more, it’s all rather lovely to look at too.
Doubles from ZAR2435 (£148), room only, including return airport transfers.
Located in the small village of Sorvagur and a 10-minute walk from Vagar Airport, Hotel Vagar’s best selling point is the panoramic views of the Faroe Islands from the hotel’s many windows.
With the wild Atlantic on its doorstep and small rocky islands jutting out of the sea, this is one of the most beautiful places to wake up – and the Gasaladur waterfall is only a 15-minute car ride away.
Doubles from DKK790 (£94), B&B.
The hotel’s namesake might not have been famed for his internationalist sensibilities, but CitizenM Charles de Gaulle is global in flavour, with books, magazines and other items from all over the world dotted throughout.
Vitra-designed furniture and wall-to-wall windows make CitizenM Charles de Gaulle one of Europe’s chicest airport hotels, while the 24/7 canteenM also makes it wonderfully convenient. Doubles from €85, room only.
For those after a VIP experience (or just those with early flights to catch), staying at the Westin means skipping interminable security lines, with its own private security checkpoint. It's located right inside the airport terminal, meaning you can roll from bed to gate in a matter of minutes.
What makes Courtyard by Marriott Bogota Airport so special is its sleek, minimalist design.
The elegant entrance is complemented by marble floors, while bedrooms feature large-scale maps and the hotel’s kitchen specialises in a mix of American and Colombian cuisine.
Doubles from $103 (£75), room only.
Designed for busy international travellers, YOTELAIR creates a welcoming experience in the heart of Gatwick’s South Terminal.
Its small, futuristic cabins are ideal for rest and relaxation, with atmospheric mood lighting redolent of Blade Runner. And if you think it doesn’t get much cooler than that, that the earplugs they dole out at reception are the best in the noise-cancelling business. Doubles from £85, room only.
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