PDX/KPDX - Portland, OR - Holiday Inn - November 2025

Airport Layout

Portland has parallel runways 10L/R and 28L/R.  Prevailing wind means the 10s are commonly in use; both runways are used for arrivals and departures though at quieter times 10L seems preferred for departures, I assume just because it's a shorter taxi from the terminal.

Hotels

The Hampton Inn and the Sheraton have a lot of rooms that will overlook 10L; these are just beyond the GA area.  Further out along along NE Airport Way, or adjacent to Mt Hood and Cascades light rail stations, are a number of other hotels that will overlook the climb out of either 10L OR 10R.  If choosing any of these check for foliage - those along NE Airport Way (such as the Best Western) don't seem very tall and have a lot of trees around them.  The Aloft and Hyatt Place near Cascades station don't suffer from this and have the added bonus of many eateries around.

Holiday Inn

However I stumbled upon the PDX Holiday Inn.  I wasn't expecting much of a view but rooms ending in xx01 to xx04 are on the end of the hotel and face directly towards the climbout from the 10s.  No good for photos, and electronic spotting aids such as FR24 or an ADSB box are required. Just watch out for the Ameriflights and FedEx Caravans making very early turns!  I'm in 502 and it's good for the view in the dark; it is a one double bed room.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/JdeYrJYVc2Hd7oEa6

10R departure

10R departure

10L departure

Floor layout. Only xx01 to xx04 will have the view towards the climbout from the 10s or approach to 28s.

EDHI/XFW - Hamburg Finkenwerder - Moxy - November 2025

The Moxy at Finkenwerder opened in September 2025. I booked there for location as I was doing an Airbus tour and did not even think about the "airport view".

On checking in I was allocated a room by chance on the 3rd floor with what turned out to be an airport view from room 317. 

Based on the map rooms 307, 309, 311 , 313 315, 319 , 321 or 323 would look to have similar views.

Note 317 was a "Queen Sleeper" room. But the windows by the lift give a view of Hangar 7 and Leak test.

Some photos with a camera rather than mobile phone can be found here https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCzjSL 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/jfU9aomEXiohTFxFA

EDDP/LEJ - Leipzig - Westin - October 2025

It's important to point out - Do not book this if you want an airport hotel, but if you do end up in Leipzig City on a non spotting trip, this will provide at least some view.

A 10min walk from the main train station in the city Centre the Westin Hotel allows some views to the airport which is around 5kms to the northwest of the city.

The hotel has around 25 floors, anything from 10 and higher will give good views.  Rooms ending **01-06 and **23-27 will give good views.  However fear not if you end up on the southside overlooking the old town, you can easily walk to the lift area to get the same view.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/WsghuLFK3ewtK3NY7

An aircraft on the approach to Runway about 2500ft.

A view of the airport in the distance.

Floor Plan (15th Floor)...