ZWWW/URC - Urumqi - Tianyuan Hotel - December 2024

A bit off the beaten track, but I visited Urumqi during December.  For one of the nights I stated at the Tianyuan Hotel which is walkable from the current main terminals.  It hard to book on line, but like lots of China hotels the best place to book is on trip.com.  I stayed in room A609 - which is in block A and is on the top (6th floor).  The view was more than adequate.  The 5th floor would have been okay too.  About a third of the Runway is visible and all movements can either be caught in that gap or as they descend below or climb out over the terminals.  Electronics needed to identify stuff, but apart from a brief period of freezing fog nothing was missed in around 18 hours there.  Next year a new gigantic new China style terminal and two extra runways are due to open to the north of the existing complex.  I think if it's clear views will still be okay, but it will definitely become a little harder.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/FhpATwgZxba6Ls5w8

 

GCLP/LPA - Las Palmas - Elba Vecindario Aeropuerto Business & Convention Hotel - December 2024

About 6 miles out on the approach everything can be seen arriving/departing depending which way the winds blowing from your room balcony or the rooftop pool.

Lovely hotel that is like going back intime to 1985.  Food is great in the hotel but if you fancy something else there is a shopping centre over the road with plenty of options.

Taxi from the airport was 20 euro and took the free shuttle bus back.  A great hotel with that 80s feel.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/oY5kGwptkfpcBLm2A

VTSP/HKT - Phuket - Sixteenth Nallyang Beach Hotel - December 2024

I used the Sixteenth Nallyang Beach Hotel.  This is on a bed and breakfast basis as they don’t have a restaurant.  The breakfast is a small buffet.  A few rooms higher up have a view of the approach.  On inspection, rooms 606-611 and 707-711 have an approach/airport view of sorts. This includes one suit on the 6^th floor and a suit on the 7^th floor.  The hotel does have a roof top pool and sitting area (open 8am till 9pm) that has a partial view of the apron and depending which end of the runway they are using you can see the approach or departures.  I would say it is not likely that anything would be missed from the roof top.  Electronic means are necessary to get the registrations.  Approaches from the 09 end can also be seen from the stairwell windows on the 4^th floor upwards.  I didn’t have a room with a view, but this didn’t cause me any problems.

 Some kind of photo are possible with a long lens from the roof top, but my personal opinion is not to bother and go to the Beach or especially the 8/5 Runway Café for photos. There are also a number of 7 Eleven shops nearby for daily supplies.  A small one only 3 shops to the left of the hotel.  A couple of bigger ones are along the main drag about a 10 minute, walk away.  Within a short walking distance of the hotel are plenty of eating places (turn right out of the hotel).  Obviously mainly Thai food, but a few ‘Western’ style dishes can usually be found in many of them.  On one occasion we used a small Italian place on the main drag about a 15 minute walk.  Mainly pizza and pasta dishes, but from memory at least three ‘western’ dishes on the menu.  There is also a restaurant right next to the hotel.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/GMuKaMf7m2Eg8NQP6 

Credit John Hulme

ZGGG/CAN - Guangzhou - Novotel - February 2025

Once cleared into the country we took the shuttle bus to the Novotel where we We booked an Executive Runway View Room, which guaranteed us a room on the 8^th floor (which is the highest). in our case room  5807 which seems counterintuitive for the 8th floor. Odd rooms numbered 5801 through 5821 will give you the view you need. 

They were landing towards us which meant that all arrivals could be seen but none of the departures, between 18:45 and 01:05 I made 78 of 211 individual frames albeit some of these were marginal in the dark and not for the purest. Just a note that FR24 coverage is patchy, and they drop off at about 1000ft so a system is required to ensure you are logging what you actually see and ensuring you see what you actually need.   

We were up dawn which was 06:45 to find that they had switched runway direction and were departing away from us, effectively meaning that I saw all the aircraft I had stayed up to see last night again except in Daylight, this runway configuration remained in place for the remainder of our visit and it meant that the aircraft were coming from behind you but with the patchy ground coverage and the fact that they didn’t appear of FR24 until they were established in the climb  thankfully we had a ADSB receiver which showed aircraft as they accelerated for take off and rotated otherwise it would have been much more complex.  With the exception of time away from the room window for a leisurely breakfast returning just in time to see B-20DM rotate completing my China Southern triples, and a break for afternoon coffee and cake we were spotting until about 23:00. part way through the afternoon whist stood up looking out of the window we noticed that there was a view of Landers on the left rolling out.  During which time I logged 195 unique aircraft that had not been seen the previous evening and made 70 of them. Despite having made 78 the previous evening I was making about 6-10 an hour until around 3PM when it suddenly dropped to about 2-3 an hour at which level it remained for the rest of the day.  

With the alarm set for 06:20  we made our required first wave departures before I left and headed for the airport to catch the China Southern flight back to London. Check in opens three hours before departure, the international terminal is huge, and relatively empty. Airside the  best place to spot from in my opinion is around gate 168 where departures from both runways can be seen climbing out as well as left hand side arrivals as they taxi back towards the terminal, it’s only a few moments’ walk to an area where right had landers can be seen from, in any case most Terminal 1 bound landers on the right taxi past you to get to the terminal. 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/ci1WUQ3QYEmh1mYL6

  

Above: A view from room 5803.

Above: Views from 5803.

ZGSZ/SZX - Shenzhen - Hyatt Regency - November 2024

In SZX there are two Hyatt hotels outside the main terminal building.  Both have views, but after a recommendation by a fellow ALST’er we decided to book the Hyatt Regency.  We booked a Runway View room.  The hotel has a curve, so to ensure you have a view of all movements you need to be in rooms ending in odd numbers 01 through to about 15.  We had 909 which was perfect.  The 10^th and 11^th floors are Exec rooms.  From the hotel you have clear views onto runway 16/34 and everything else on the other runway (15/33) can be either seen descending behind the terminal or climbing out.  There is also a small gap that you can see onto the other runway if you time it right.  Plus, near the lifts you can walk out and see the movements in the other direction as well (not that we needed to) as well as some views of Cargo.  We didn't miss any movements during our stay.

To get to the hotel when you go through immigration and customs go straight ahead to the transport hub.  Once in there keep walking and look for door 18.  It’s in the far right corner and you have to take the lift up to level 3. for further clarity Gate 18 is located between gates 16 and 17 but one floor up and not as you would expect after gate 17 Follow signs for Hyatt Regency.  When you get closer, you'll see a picture of a flight deck.  Turn left and keep walking.  Take a lift on the left down to level 1 and you’re there.  We left SZX after a full and productive morning to CAN.  We took a Didi (China’s version of Uber) which I booked via the Alipay App.  The journey took a couple of hours (which was mostly spent catching up on sleep) and cost around £45.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/VpJiXCFqzvKTRnFv8 Note Locations are often incorrect in China

Above: View onto runways 16/34 from room 909.  Below: View onto the gap of runways 15/33.

LIRF/FCO - Rome Fiumicino - Mercure (also Best Western) - November 2024

Mercure Hotel Fiumicino Airport.  Looking at its location I expected it would have a good view of departures off 16R, the usual departures runway, and it did.  There’s a Best Western in the similar area but my points prejudices don’t allow me to stay there!  Rooms ending xx01 to xx19 have the required easterly view. There’s nothing in the way at ground level and departures are sufficiently high that any floor is OK; there are five floors in total.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/GgJTxkgNQJotDMnb8

Getting there is the challenging part….

1. There is a hotel shuttle bus that charges €6 each way and operates between 05:50 (first departure from hotel) to 22:30 (last departure from airport).  These operating hours are quite rubbish for an airport hotel.

2. Taxi mafia – as I arrived late, around 23:15, I tried Uber: €35 it said, which seemed ridiculous for c. 2 miles.  So I got a regular taxi from the terminal front.  €35 the driver said, giving some sob story about late night charges in the area.  So, it would seem there is a definite taxi mafia here that will sting you whatever (and reading more about it, it seems Uber only got a licence here under conditions set by the taxi drivers mafia).

3. Walk, it is doable and takes you round the runway threshold/16R climb out, so wouldn’t miss anything that you’d see from the hotel.

4. Local bus.  Refusing to pay €6 let alone 35 (and not being particularly enamoured with walking) to get back I went exploring.  To the immediate north of the hotel is a small bus terminus, marked on Google Maps as ‘Capolinea Bus’ but known locally as ‘Foce Micina’. Google does not have any bus information.  Route number 8 leaves this terminus on the hour and half hour between 05:30 and 23:00 except 21:30.  It serves Terminal 3 on the arrivals level on the outer road, at a stop marked ‘Shuttle to Fiumicino City Centre’, and is just before the hotel shuttles. It is only a few minutes to get there from the terminus, and it’s a circular route. Bus fare is €1.50 if bought on the bus and €1.00 if bought from a machine. There are no machines at the airport, and those in Fiumicino town are actually repurposed car park ticket machines and still have the blue ‘P’ on them!

Local bus map: https://www.trotta.it/pdf/mappa_fco_inverno_2023.pdf route 8 is the red one, the numbers are the stops, of which there are only six on the entire route!

Departure times: 05:30 - 06:00 - 06:30 - 07:00 - 07:30 - 08:00 - 08:30 - 09:00 - 09:30 - 10:00 - 10:30 - 11:00 - 11:30 - 12:00 - 12:30 - 13:00 - 13:30 - 14:00 - 14:30 - 15:00 - 15:30 - 16:00 - 16:30 - 17:00 - 17:30 - 18:00 - 6.30pm - 7.00pm - 7.30pm - 8.00pm - 8.30pm - 9.00pm - 10.00pm - 10.30pm - 11.00pm 

https://www.trotta.it/active/linee_invernali_fiumicino.aspx?m=1#undefined19

Terminal 3 map, local bus 8 goes from immediately east of the hotel shuttles 

https://www.adr.it/documents/10157/31899622/Terminal-3-q.ta-2.jpg/27b4daa9-f45e-239d-2fe2-adabb679c075?t=1718360223018

RJAA / NRT - Tokyo Narita - Marroad International Hotel Narita - November 2024

I booked the Marroad International Hotel Narita directly. Initially although they showed Runway view rooms, they could not be booked, but 3 months to the day before the trip they became bookable. I had room 1296 and the view was excellent from the 12th floor. A selection of photos can be found here on Flickr.

In the morning, I actually decided to stay in the room for an extra hour taking pics, rather than going to the T1 deck at opening time. Overnight they had changed to arrive from the North. The room only allowed arrivals and departures on 16R to be seen so eventually I needed to leave. But it should be pointed out the breakfast was on the 13th floor and from there it was possible to see both runways. So, you could also probably enjoy a few beers in the evening up there in the bar/restaurant.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/rfGAtf6pTKjvqVeQA

Breakfast room view of 18R threshold.

View of cargo ramp from room.

WMKK/KUL - Kuala Lumpur International - Sama-Sama - October 2024

Room 841 was allocated & had a view looking towards the Air Asia Terminal. Electronics required at what is a vast airport. I predictably stayed at the Sama Sama Terminal 1, not the airside transit hotels.  This is connected by under cover walkway or hotel golf carts to Terminal 1.  I requested and received rooms on high floors overlooking runway 14L/32R.  14L is primarily used for non-Air Asia arrivals and they were easy to see day and night, as ever electronic aids required in darkness. 

The rooms with this view end in x01 to x09 and x60 to x67.  Most Air Asia arrivals use runway 15, the ‘far runway’, and windows in the hotel corridor enables these to be seen.  Rooms ending in x60/61 and x08/09 have windows directly opposite whilst those ending in x01/x67 are either side of the lifts, where there is a set of windows opposite.  These rooms minimize the amount of walking required, although preferences may be based on just how many Air Asia aircraft you need!  A handful of arrivals used 14R, but this was primarily departures, and these could not be see from the hotel.

Room 841 was used by Andy Vass on a previous visit & had a view looking towards the Air Asia Terminal. Electronics required at what is a vast airport. There is a spotting area on the 9th Floor of the hotel. Which looks to left hand of the 3 runways. It is easy to access if you’re on the 9th floor, which is premium. However the hotels website is somewhat confusing as to whether this is a perk of a premium room or accessible to all. If you’re in a room on the 8th, predictably, your room key won’t allow the lift to take you to 9.

 

The Terminal 1 viewing area remains open and also offers views across the airfield, although again electronic aids or a lot of patience with heat haze would be required to read off 15/33 traffic.  There is a small outdoor area at the front of Terminal 2 as well although this would only allow 15 arrivals and small amount of Air Asia parking to be seen. 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/AytgvoLaW6pF4Hv27

KLAX/LAX - Los Angeles - H Hilton Hotel by Curio - October 2024

We stayed at the H Hilton Hotel by Curio, the selling point is the roof terrace which overlooks the whole of LAX and you won't miss anything. While all movements can be seen from here as well as the executive and cargo areas, it is best for photos for arrivals onto runway 24R. The hotel offers rooms with airport facing windows so movements can be seen from them as well. The place isn't cheap but the views are priceless. Food as you would expect isn't cheap but there's a Subway under the hotel, coffee shop as well. We took a walk to the Proud Bird one day, this took circa 35 minutes. Also we went the other way towards the In and Out burger, we didn't use the burger place, we dropped into the "Melody Bar and Grill", [18 minute walk] great food, great beers and a great vibe. If you want a good night then give it a go.  

https://maps.app.goo.gl/GcHPkn1LRLSCxRvV9

Credit Jeff Hulme

Credit Adam Feasey

LTFJ/SAW - Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen - Marriott Hotel Pendik - September 2024

At SAW we stayed at Marriott Pendik (the old Asia Divan).  Another spotter had suggested a Junior Club Suite, but I would say a Junior King Suite with Sea view room was a better selection.  We were allocated 105 which was excellent.  The approach to 06R (predominant runway for arrival) is close to the hotel, and from the panoramic bay window you can see departures off 06L, which is about 2.5 miles away).  So you shouldn’t miss any SAW traffic. You can also go up to the rooftop bar where you can see all SAW arrivals (but not departures).

From the room and the roof you can also get a reasonable chance with IST arrivals from east and north east, and outbounds to the South East (assuming predominant landing direction to the North).  But you are at the mercy of both the weather and ATC. 

Despite good weather forecasts before departure, each day there was a build up of cloud and thunderstorm over Black Sea in the vicinity of IST which then gradually drifted SE to SAW.   Although cloud base was often 6,000ft plus, which meant traffic was often still visible, you then have the ATC effect!  ATC seem to use the whole area from the Bosphorus Channel to well east of SAW in a random manner.  That includes routing and heights. So, just when you think you know where to look they change things about.  At one point they had an inbound from the N and one from SE opposite direction over the same point east of SAW 3,000 feet apart.

Credit: Paul Rainford 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/UuG1SwSUn2b1TPzX8

LTFM/IST - Istanbul - Continental Airport Hotel - September 2024

We stayed at the Continental Airport Hotel in Arnavutkoy. A room at the front (506/507/606/607) gives you a view towards IST, which is about 3 miles away.  Arrivals for the middle runways (35l/35R) come right overhead, and you can easily see arrivals on the left side (34L/34R).  Runway 36 is used for most departures and aircraft can be seen over trees after lift off. There was one flight that landed that side, and you only get a brief view of it on short final.

The Continental is very basic and quite small hotel.  Although you would get the impression there are dining facilities, all food seems to be ordered by the hotel via Deliveroo type operations, and you pay the driver when he brings it to the room. Having said that, the meal we ate there was really nice. There is also a garage about 10 min walk away with usual supplies. However the hotel isn’t luxurious but was clean, but we had a 5 hour period without water in the hotel, and as a result we checked out a night early to avoid risking a repeat.

There is now a Hampton Inn on the road from the motorway to Arnavutkoy. Guess that should offer similar views - Editor Note: see later reports.  

Credit: Paul Rainford.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/6sshU8GETZ76PTqn9

WADD/DPS - Bali - Sovereign H hotel DPS - September 2024

Sovereign H hotel DPS -  I stayed in 5021.  It’s set up as a double room but am sure this could be split. other rooms that would work are 5016 to 5025 (all rooms face the same way) and the pool area is also open 24/7.   A new super elevated section is being prepared ready for the up coming air show  

 For a change of scenery Kalkan beach is worth a visit.  Plenty of beach bars with a threshold view of the runway.  I downloaded GOJECK and GRAB app ,both similar to Uber. 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/rHJCUj23vvBSyK367

KMIA/MIA - Miami - Pullman - September 2024

The hotel is on the South side of the airport about half way down.  It offers City and Lagoon view rooms. It is the City view rooms that you need as they overlook the airport. To get a view of the airport you need to be on the 9^th floor or higher as there are smaller building in front to contend with. The higher the better.  Corner rooms, for example 1201, also offer an Easterly view. They normally charge extra for these rooms, however I was given a corner room , 1201, without having to pay extra.

One down side is that I was advised that City View rooms, with a view of the airport, only have King size beds.  The rooms offer a panoramic view of the airport.  All movements can be seen. Car parking is expensive at over $20 a day.

Close to the hotel, and within easy walking distance, is a Publix supermarket and a whole host of Fast Food options.  The hotel offers free transportation to and from the airport. 

Credit: Rob Aldridge

https://maps.app.goo.gl/4ezw81EgECtH7BZKA

Above: Similar view to room 1201

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PHNL/HNL - Honolulu - Hilton Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa - September 2024

 As there are limited hotel options close to the airport, we stayed at the Hilton Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa in Waikiki. While it is some distance away from the airport, all aircraft departing on runway 8 make an immediate right turn after take off and fly along the coast. From the hotel, rooms on higher floors can provide a partial view of the airfield through the other buildings so ground movements can be seen from here but do require a telescope or binoculars to see clearly. The hotel provides easy access to the beach and is close to other attractions. We had a tour of Pearl Harbor which picked up from the hotel. The helicopter tours from HNL also fly along the coast, close to the hotel as well as frequent movements from Wheeler Army Airfield (HHI).

https://maps.app.goo.gl/NVM18mWDyY8tJSMg8

Credit Adam Feasey

KSFO/SFO - San Francisco - Bay Landing Hotel - September 2024

During our stay we stayed in the Bay Landing Hotel with a bay view room. (Even numbered room on the second floor.). The room provided views and photo opportunities of all 28L and 28R movements as well as 1L and 1R departures. 

Movements at Oakland were visible in good weather but are extremely far so I didn't bother. 

Any hotel along the Bayshore Highway should provide a good view of movements at SFO if the room has a view of the bay.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/C1dEuzVnZgnes5TE9

Credit Adam Feasey

ZBAD/PKX - Beijing Daxing - Daxing Radisson - September 2024

 

Just started some travels in Asia. First two nights enjoying the view from room 915 at the Daxing Radisson. New hotel has 10 floors and the front aspect faces back towards the terminal. Decent views of movements on runways either side .. some readable but mostly with the help of FR24 which takes a bit of time to get used to glitchy coverage. SBS would likely assist but left my 1090 stick at home .. not helpful as multiple movements from the mil base missed … 738/319/734/CR7 and An12 types incl AWACS variant seen 1x CRJ pinged on FR B-4069. 738 B-290A seen doing circuits, also pinged on FR but not read. Plenty to see and when arriving from South .. a steady stream OTT into PEK also.  About £80 per night in a premium room after registering for loyalty scheme. 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/ERYddAgnSsFwkRCS8 NOTE locations in China are often inaccurate.|  

RPVM/CEB - Cebu - Water front airport hotel - September 2024.

I flew to Cebu with the idea of knocking off the missing gaps of the local fleet, especially the DHC8  and ATR s. I will be returning home with one PAL DHC8 un logged as it was based out of one of the other islands . Cebu pacific also have some of my fleet needs stored at Clark and Alice springs. 

Stayed at the water front airport hotel. Check in is at 3 , so as the were landing from the left as you view towards  the airport , I looked for a suitable land side place to view.  It’s possible to see arrivals from the shelter of a palm tree outside the hotel .  I opted though to go back to the terminal area.  I sat on the balcony near the security check point for check in counters 1-29. ( what3words location sharpen.silk.alert ) Free airport wifi here too  

The best way to the hotel I found was to head to the upper level … cross the road , and look for the red CASINO sign . Go up the steps , and to the right in the main entrance to the hotel . 

 

I got some quick  lunch, many different types of cuisine to choose from .  I went to the pizza/pasta place. Very good value ….. There is also a 7-11 that has beers / wine / snacks etc in the airport mall, lower level . 

 

I was allocated room 511 . This has a panoramic view across the airfield , perfect for spotting. 501-521 odd numbers only , look towards the airport. The rooms are a little dated , but that was of no concern . The aircon works well , and there is a fridge for beers . 

 

Made 20 frames on day 1 at Cebu , many of which didn’t visit Manila whilst I was there 

 
https://maps.app.goo.gl/2RtPw2oyj7kwpi629

WSSS/SIN - Singapore Changi - Changi Beach Hotel - September 2024

We're staying at The Village Hotel, Changi (free shuttle bus) which is almost level with the threshold of 20R. You need floors 5 to 7, although some 5th floor rooms have trees in the way. I'm in 513 which has a queen-sized bed and can see arrivals on both runways, useful in the early hours because currently (5 a.m.) everything is landing on 20L. There is also a rooftop pool and bar. Although the food menu didn't particularly appeal to us, happy hour lasts all day for beers etc, and there are also loads of places to eat just along the road, including one called 'the food court' which was excellent, and from where you can still see arrivals on 20L. Departures can't be seen although some double back and fly over the hotel at around 10000 feet. Wifi is fairly strong and certainly more stable than our Bangkok hotel, and rooms have kettles and fridges.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/tq11iStELRoAGz3s6

Credit Keith Harris 

EGSS/STN - London Stansted - Hampton by Hilton - August 2024

This hotel is a very short walk from the airport terminal & runway view rooms which are bookable on the hotels website give great views across the cargo & passenger ramp areas, all landing traffic can also be seen, aircraft parked at the exec terminal can only be seen from the top floor. I have stayed here twice – each time for 3 nights & on all occasions the windows have been spotless allowing for good photography. Food in the restaurant is reasonable & of good quality.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/TmorEpZW78DkjByMA

GCFV/FUE - Fuerteventura Airport - Ereza Mar hotel - August 2024

 

Another year, so again a weeks break in FUE, again stopping at the Ereza Mar hotel in Caleta Del Fuste, as I have said before anything landing from the South can be seen as they pass over the town about 1000ft or so, you cannot see the airport or really any departures from Caleta, so don't miss anything you need inbound!

Should take off's be to the South then your see everything outbound as they climb out, but this direction is not very common unless the wind has totally gone weird. 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/MKG57myhGzNFM1at7

Credit Keith Hatfield

VVTS/SGN - Ibis at Saigon Airport - July 2024.

In Ho-Chi-Minh I booked the Ibis at Saigon Airport, and the free shuttle was waiting for me when I came through to Arrivals. It’s so close you could walk there in about 10 minutes if you only had hand luggage like me, but they insisted on providing it so I felt obliged to take it. I paid for a Deluxe Suite, all of which are on the top (15th) floor. I emailed the hotel to ask for an airport facing room and even getting to the hotel at 9.45am, it was ready and waiting. £46 a night for two nights. Studio King 1211 

Floors 3 to 9 are regular rooms with the familiar basic Ibis product and have 31 rooms per floor.  Of these seven rooms (ending in 18 to 26) have views towards the airport/runway.

Spotting from the room is easy as you have a panoramic view of about half the airfield, but nowhere near as interesting as BKK. The two main players in Vietnam now are Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet - who have a way bigger presence on the aviation scene there than I knew about. By the end of the first day in SGN it was obvious that (a) a lot of aircraft are based in Hanoi and weren’t going to visit SGN anytime soon & (b) a lot of both airlines' Airbus narrow bodies are stored (in SGN & HAN) 

Spotting is best from the Ibis Hotel just across the road from the terminals, but new ramps mean stored stuff is out of sight. This is a photo taken with a 400mm lens… Sadly windows in the room were locked with a key, which meant the SBS aerial had to stay inside and this meant aircraft would only appear on the box around 2500ft inbound. FR24 works though, but doesn’t include reg’s until the flight is underway, so no way of now future flights if you’re chasing a particular frame.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/h91HwQVADSyG6xRe8

Credit Dave Broome

SBGR/GRU São Paulo Guarulhos - Hampton by Hilton - June 2024

On arrival we grabbed our bags from the left luggage office and caught an Uber to the Hampton by Hilton hotel where we had attempted to reserve runway facing rooms over the chat app. At reception we were allocated room 1428 and told the roof is open until 6PM and from 8AM the next day. If you are staying at the hotel you need a high floor even numbered room, the higher the number the better rooms run up to XX32 room 1428 gave a distant view of the terminal and both runways but not in a way that anything can be read off. We ventured up to the roof where we found they had installed a small table, a bunch of power sockets and a few chairs at the top of the staircase by the door, outside you share the roof with the air-conditioning units and other mechanical equipment, there are also a few trip hazards and no lighting making it potentially lethal after dark hence it being closed. One of the staff came up to the roof about 5:45 and hung around for about 15 minutes before leaving without approaching us. we remained on the roof until about 7PM by which time it was pitch black and we made our way off the roof using our phone torches for guidance, they must have come back at some point after we left because the doors were locked the next morning and not opened until around 8AM. 

At the planning stage we identified that, much like the US, a number of the Brazilian airliners are not based at a specific airport and make their way randomly around Brazilian airports so we opted to remain in Guarulhos on Sunday for what we knew was always going to be a very slow day and it proved to be so with me making 9 frames between 06:45 and 17:15 when we left. The fog rolled in after dawn and hung around for about 90 minutes allowing us some time for the free breakfast buffet and after that we spent some time on the roof and discovered that it is possible to see the approach and climb out from Congonhas although that is very much subject to haze,  The Hilton was good enough to extend our room until 18:00 at no additional cost and we took the shuttle bus the airport at 14:00 for our 17:15 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/WrpHEVfALgJtE3EC6

View from the roof.

View from the roof.

View from the roof.

View from roof.

Entrance to roof.

View from the roof.

SKBO/BOG - Bogota - Marriott Courtyard Bogota Airport - June 2024

It’s worth noting that despite the hotel being on the airport property the driver still physically locked our bags into the boot of the car. I suspect this is a city to be careful in.  After a 5 minute drive we were dropped at the Marriott Courtyard Bogota Airport. The hotel is nine floors high with 8 floors of rooms and the 9^th floor contains two meeting rooms. The room keys only allow access to the floor you are staying on and the Ground and 9^th floor. We were allocated room 705 which is advertised as an Airport view room, it actually looks over the hangar area and Runway 13L / 31R. there are no views of the airport or runway 13R / 31L from the room however there is a table and a couple of chairs in the lift lobby where arrivals onto 13R can be seen although I am not certain that departures from 13R will be seen as the emergency staircase for the hotel may block the view on rotation. We were fortunate that arrangements had been made to access a meeting room on the 9^th floor where all movements can be seen. Between 22:00 and approximately midnight we logged 82 unique aircraft and made 23 of them.
Knowing that time was limited sectors are sometimes long in this part of the world we set a very early  alarm call and were back in the meeting room by 5AM once it had become light part of the cargo and military areas came into view however its advisable to have a ADSB stick running to keep an eye on things as not all the military aircraft display on the trackers. Between 5AM and 1PM excluding a break for breakfast 102 unique aircraft were logged and 49 were made, including some elderly military frames. I then caught the 1PM shuttle bus the airport and was quickly airside. 

A few notes on Bogota.
Looking at the airport on a map, the terminal is a U shape and the lefthand most side and inside of the “U” is domestic and the righthand side of the “U” is the international pier, some of the gates at the top of the right hand side of the “U” can be switched to international or domestic gates. I was flying international and was able to get to the end of the pier and take some photographs of the military ramp opposite however shortly after I had finished security arrived and asked me to leave as they were converting the gates to domestic gates and needed me to vacate the area. Once these gates are in domestic configuration you cannot get a view over the military ramp. All the movements on 13L / 31R can be seen through the large windows in the international terminal however movements on 13R / 31L are much harder to see from the international gates. Satena don’t operate from the main terminal area and have their own separate terminal between the international gates and Marriott courtyard. I didn’t investigate if there were any views of this area as we were able to see the aircraft taxing into and out of this area. The hanger area was much tidier that I would have expected of a South American airport and whilst there are a few wrecks and relics the area mostly contains in service frames, There are a lot of stored and in service aircraft in the military area assuming the usual landing direction and daylight a LHS window seat is required on arrival and also for departure.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/U6sTYQrwA22YHcnz5

CYUL/YUL - Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau - Aloft -June 2024

Having no prior knowledge of hotels with a view, I booked the first night at the Aloft.  When I arrived, I realised it was close to the airport and asked for a high room facing the airport.  I was allocated room 503 (the top floor) which gave views across both runways, although electronic aids are needed for the far runway. All odd-numbered room on the fifth floor should give views, although the lower the number the better.  Just a single bed and the food options are poor – limited bar snacks in the evening and a grab-n-go breakfast which has to be paid for.  No obvious food stores nearby.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/zvrewqcTkrKgTy6f8

Credit Steve Mitchell

CYOW/YOW - Ottawa - Hilton Garden Inn - June 2024

Not having any prior knowledge of hotels with views at Ottawa Airport I chose the Hilton Garden Inn and struck lucky.  I was allocated room 622 which has views over the freight ramps and onto the runway in use during my visit.  This room has just one bed, but any even numbered room should have similar views and some may have twin beds.  A car is needed to do a circuit and find various inmates.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/2obNMfueFjqo6Gya9

Credit Steve Mitchell

CYYZ/YYZ - Toronto Pearson - ALT Hotel - June 2024

I decided on the ALT Hotel at Toronto Pearson airport, based on reports on Plane Spotting Hotels.  They recommended rooms 1010, 1110, 1210 or 1310.  A quick e-mail to the hotel secured room 1201, which has great views across the airport.  Note it only has one bed (not a problem for me as I was travelling solo).  It is reached by the airport shuttle train and well sign-posted.  From the room you get views of the terminal ramps, although some things are hidden, as well as across to the Westjet / Porter hangars and Skyservice FBO.  The 737 and E170 on the fire dump can also be seen.  Good optics will allow a lot to be read off, although most on the FBO are nose/tail on. There are distant views of the Bombardier production facility, although the flight test ramp is hidden.  There do not appear to be any shops / eateries in easy walking distance, but you can always hop on the airport transit train and get something in the terminal.  There is a restaurant / bar at the hotel, but not the cheapest.

Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/HFtnHCuZNwibinZY7

Credit Steve Mitchell

SBSP/CGH - São Paulo Congonhas - Ibis Hotel - June 2024

We arrived at the Ibis Hotel at Sao Paulo Congonhas at 11:50AM and they said they couldn’t check us in until Midday and whilst understanding the rooms we were looking for they could not guarantee they would be available. 10 minutes later at exactly midday they checked us in and allocated us an airport facing room.  Congonhas is an awesome downtown airport probably best described as a cross between London City and Chicago Midway. It operates from about 06:00 – 23:00 each day and with a limited amount of stands aircraft don’t hang around too long GOL, LATAM and Azul all operate here, there are also some FBO facilities and hangars across on the far side and a number of biz can be read off but we don’t do biz so that made life more relaxing. Between 12:00 and about 21:00 with a brief break to sample the soup buffet, who knew there was such a thing, we logged 107 unique frames and I made 69 of them. It was also possible to see some Guarulhos outbounds as they passed over the hotel which added a few to the total from there. It was during our time at Congonhas that we discovered that the older aircraft in Brazil are not fitted with the latest ADSB equipment and coverage close to the ground is erratic meaning that it’s not always clear which airport they are headed to, aircraft affected by this are the freighters, various operators ATR’s and the AZUL E190’s  

https://maps.app.goo.gl/A8oXfgM8cLJfccqL8

LTAI/AYT - Antalya - Baia Lara Hotel - May 2024

I have recently returned from a family holiday to Antalya. We stayed at the Baia Lara hotel which is a 5 Star All Inclusive hotel on Lara Beach. The hotel is a fair way from the airport.  I requested a room on a high floor looking towards the mountains and was given 6303 which was ideal. From there I could see all arrivals and departures but not the airport itself.  If the aircraft were landing from the North I had to look through a gap between two blocks of flats to see the aircraft land.

From the pool area and other parts of the hotel aircraft, can be seen either landing or taking off. Typically they land over the sea until about 9:30 AM and then from then until about 9 PM they depart over the sea.  With binoculars the type and operator of the aircraft can be clearly seen.

There is a phone app called AYT which is very useful as it lists arrivals and departures including registrations.  This includes airlines such as Uzbekistan which for some strange reason where not showing on FR24.

Credit: Robert Aldridge

https://maps.app.goo.gl/2Kg7HQ5539kWoHvj6

WIII/CGK - Jakarta - FM7 - May 2024

The FM7 hotel again had my arrival details, and along with another customer were met and walked to their shuttle bus which was at the far end of the domestic terminal. However they disappointed with the room.  Rooms 201-207 / 267-281 (all odd numbers only) would give views towards the 6/7L climb out or the 24/25R approach. I was allocated a room facing away from the airport, which not a disaster meant it was harder work.  They were using 7L/7R for departures and 7L departures were visible: some turned left early so as my needs dwindled I was tending to walk round to the conference reception area to guarantee seeing those departures. When they swapped to arrivals on the 25s/26 they were too low to be seen from the room through all the foliage that surrounds this hotel so had to walk to a window or outside to guarantee seeing those arrivals.  It al got a lot easier, albeit in the dark so needing techno spotting aids, when the rooftop bar opened at 17:00.  Despite requests for a room swap for the second night or for the roof to be opened earlier, both were refused.  Social media comments from spotter friends suggests varied experiences with this hotel – some people have it great, others not. 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/yDz7rMp354TwYaGU7

RPLL/MNL - Manilla - Holiday Inn Express May 2024

The Holiday Inn express (the old Remington) with cracking views over much of the field - looking across the intersection of all runways with T3 to your right and the Air Force museum below and to the left. To find the hotel from T3 arrivals keep going up levels until you find the food court and sign for Manila runway walkway which leads you to The Belmont and other hotels (HiEx @10 min walk to the right). Worth noting that your arrival and departure info into/out of the country is required to be logged on an easy to use downloaded government app.

Room 10032, anything from 10027-10036 (no #34) would give similar view or on 9th floor below.

Everything can be read off and enough light at night to clearly identify aircraft. If it moves you wont miss it - if it doesn't then you are a bit stuffed!!  No views over cargo, biz ramps or the storage ramps north end of the field. I couldn't arrange any access at short notice so took a (wasted)walk along some of the walled/fenced off perimeter. Grab taxi app a good way to get home safely.  

https://maps.app.goo.gl/RPMa4zfC5asa6eWFA

(Photos added to add to the original report)

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