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 all 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

KCHS/CHS - Charleston International Airport - SpringHill Suites - May 2024

Stayed at the SpringHill Suites nearby. Rooms facing south will allow for landings on runway 33 to be had. Room 309 worked (310 was next door and would work, too). There is a small convenience store of sorts offered by the hotel, but for food options its best to explore the local area.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/SDUU2okM3nRzrk6k6