CYYZ/YYZ - Toronto - Four Points by Sheraton, Mississauga - June 2025

The Four Points is located, off airport, on Dixie Road to the south-west.

Despite being off-site, the hotel commands a good overall view of the majority of the airfield at a distance, with an excellent view of all runways which allowed all arriving and departing traffic to be seen. There are limited views of the terminal area, particularly Terminal 3, although some of it is obscured by the hangars in the mid-field area.

I arrived into terminal 3 on Air Transat from LGW and was able to get a good view of most of what was parked on the terminal from the walkway, which is on the top level, down to arrivals. I took an Uber to the hotel although there is a half hourly shuttle bus.

A fellow spotter had stayed there the previous week and had recommended top floor room 723, which I requested on booking, however on arrival they were quite happy to give me room 717 just slightly down the corridor. Any 7th floor odd numbered room would be fine.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/7WgiDtDdCTywLDr17

The view from the room is below:

I didn't use any of the hotel facilities in my brief overnight stay, but the hotel was quiet and comfortable with a Tim Horton's next door.

The photo below is a closer view giving an idea of what can be seen on the ground in the T3 area, and in the mid-field area. T2, on the right of the photo is hidden by the hangars. All aircraft that are taxi-ing will show up on Flightradar 24 so it was easy to identify aircraft before departure.

EDDM/MUC - Munich Airport - Premier Inn Munich Airport Ost- June 2025

The first thing to say is that the hotel is near the airport it is NOT at the airport. However having said that, it is a short bus ride (No.512) from/to the airport - fare (cash only) is €2 each way. The bus takes a route which allows some of the biz jets to be seen so stay on the lookout.  The bus stop for the hotel when coming from the airport is 'Sportplatz'.

The hotel is a good standard Premier Inn with an excellent car park (charges apply). I had Room 237 for both of my stays. If runways 26R & 26L are in use then the room is excellent for views, with those for 26L coming directly over the hotel. The outlook from the hotel room is across open rural fields so nice and quiet. My understanding is that Rooms 201-237 (odd numbered) which offer these views are all 'Double Rooms' - I think twin rooms are on the first floor but clarification on this point should be sought from the hotel. Knowing that I was returning after a previous visit I asked to be allocated 237 for my second stay. This was done for me by the excellent Reception staff. 

The hotel has an adequate bar, and the breakfast is good including Continental & cooked options. A limited evening bar meal service is available, but if something better is required then there is an excellent Italian Restaurant (Il Casale) about an 8 minute walk from the hotel. Those interested in beer will, perhaps, note that the village of Oberding is near the town of Erding (the home of Erdinger Bier - there's the brewery and also a company shop). Erding is about a 10 minute drive from the hotel.

If you have a car, then as I said, there is an excellent (and safe) car park. In addition it is only a very short drive from the hotel to one of the excellent 'mounds' which overlook the airport and allow for great photography. From the hotel, exit the car park and turn right. Then take the first turning on your left - Hallbergmooser Strasse, follow the road for about 2 miles until you see a sign on your left for the 'Tierhotel' (Dog Hotel), turn off here and there are plenty of parking spots (free). Then its up the steps and 'pick your spot'. Here, you are alongside r'way 26L/08R and with views across the airport to 26R/08L, means (if you are alert) nothing can be missed.  There is a further viewing area along the road but a ladder is required for shots 'over the fence'.

If you prefer to view from the airport itself, then there is a good viewing area in Terminal Two (https://www.munich-airport.com/observation-deck-262087). To get there take the bus from the hotel and get off where the bus terminates. Alighting from the bus head towards the Audi building and take the escalator down to to the open area between the terminals. Terminal Two is directly in front of you. Follow the signs for the Observation Deck. There is a good REWE supermarket at the airport and also an excellent Micro Brewery & Restaurant to the right if you are heading for the S Bahn (Underground) train station. 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/o9JHWxQ5ZJE4uHZs5

EBBR/BRU - Holiday Inn EXPRESS - June 2025

Rooms Required 501-505 or 532-536 (4th floor similar would also suffice) Views over Cargo and arriving/departing traffic runway 07L/ 25R.  Car Park access via J.F. Kennedylaan 6, 1831 Machelen, Belgium which is round the corner from the hotel. 5 min walk to metro station , no idea on food outlets sorry

https://maps.app.goo.gl/8qU8mZ3YyEwP6p6Q6

CYVR/YVR - Vancouver - Fairmont Hotel - June 2025

This hotel is linked by a walk way to the eastern end of the International / US terminal.  Booked a standard room here and was allocated room 1325.  The rooms are mega luxurious and comfortable as this is a high standard hotel.  Rooms ending in odd numbers are best as they overlook 26R/08L.  You can then walk to the lift as needed where you can see onto the other runway.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/tzv3zo8758JN2sc98

Above: view from the room.

Above: view from the lift area.

Above: the hotel as taken from gate 85.

Above: Room map.

CYYZ/YYZ - Toronto - Super 8 by Wyndham Mississauga - June 2025

This is a more affordable hotel in the YYZ area - I had room 504 which is a high floor facing the airport.  The views of Runways 23/05 action are good (albeit distant) and nothing will be missed using this runway.  Movements can also be seen using the other runways (ADSB required) and its a fairly quick walk to the large Max Ward Memorial Park which is the official viewing area.

Credit: Bill Robertson

https://maps.app.goo.gl/u1UGVav1pJCGkovs6

View from 504.

CYYZ/YYZ - Toronto Pearson - Sheraton Gateway - June 2025

A very well tried and tested hotel, the Sheraton Gateway Toronto Pearson Airport.   Linked to Terminal 3 and in turn the intra terminal monorail.  Booked a 2 Queen Beds, Runway View, Club Lounge Access, Premium Guest Room and was allocated toom 759.  Great views across all 3 runways.  You need to use electronics (FR24 in this case) for arrivals and departures but much can also be read off taxying past.  This type of room gives access to the lounge on the ground floor that allows a nice breakfast as well as snacks and drinks through the day.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/YhffXYd4gXKqVzxo6

Above: View from room.

Above: Panoramic view from room

Above: Seen from airside.

more photos from 2010 can be found at https://jazzclubspotting.blogspot.com/2025/12/yyz-10-jul-2010.html courtsey of Mark Curran

LEMD/MAD TACH Madrid Airport - June 2025

The TACH Madrid airport is a great choice. It is a ten minute walk from the spotting area and the old mound.and a few minutes walk from barajes station.views are from the 3rd floor rooms there is also a large window on the 3rd floor opposite the lift that gives the same views.The on site 

restaurant is highly recommended and really good value for money or you can walk into barajes where there are plenty of good options for food and drink.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/sVxXd2wJ7t97DZkT8

OERK/RUH - Riyadh - Marriott Riyadh Airport - Marriott Riyadh Airport - June 2025

The only real hope for a hotel with a close view is the Marriott Riyadh Airport; not cheap, £200ish a night.  Immigration had no queue and once e-sim had installed, it seemed that Uber worked so we went to the hotel, dropped bags and Ubered to the rather excellent Saudi Air Force Museum.  We were back at the hotel around 1200 and were granted early check in for an additional £25; a request for a high floor airport view room seemed to cause some amusement but resulted in room 431 which has a reasonable view of the easterly runway, the VIP/biz parking, 6 ex-Saudi 777s and 3? 747s being dismantled all visible in the distance.

We were lucky that they were landing past the hotel; the majority of arrivals were on the westerly runway out of sight from the room, all departures and any biz arrivals were on the easterly runway.  There was plenty of seating out the front of the hotel for smokers which would be a great place to spot movements and overflights if (a) it wasn't 45C and (b) our hobby were understood.  This is not the Proud Bird Restaurant at LAX; using optics, cameras and note taking outside the room would be most unwise!   

The hotel wifi seemed to strangle adsbexchange but 5G didn't and FR24 worked well.  In 24 hours we logged around half of the flynas and flyadeal fleets and there was a reasonable flow of traffic to/from the VIP/biz ramp.

The locals were delightful, very keen to look after us, give us bottles of water etc. 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/q3MTAksYKvRqpBRe6

Credit Ian Metson