EIDW/DUB - Dublin - Premier Inn - September 2025

The DUB airport Premier Inn is less than a mile from DUB. Whilst it’s cheaper than many Dublin hotels its dynamic pricing means it can still be over €200 per night. There are 5 floors with the odd numbers looking north and evens south. There are views from respective rooms of arrivals or departures, depending on the cloud base. At the western end of the hotel is a large glass stairwell which offers great views of all airport movements if they can’t be seen from the room, however no ground views. Level 4 or 5 (premier plus rooms) is a must with a high number room closest to the stairwell. There is a shuttle bus from the airport (€3 e/w) and a bar and restaurant onsite. Movements are steady.

Credit: Rob Jemmett

https://maps.app.goo.gl/sTfayCkqjNM4MaZ89

KLGA/LGA - New York La Guardia - Hyatt Union Square, Manhattan (off airport) - September 2025

Strictly speaking this is not an airport hotel, being located in central Manhattan, being located on 4th Avenue / E 13th Street.

As the crow flies its about 7 miles from the centre of the two LGA runways, but I was pleasantly surprised to be able to get a good view of some traffic in and out of LGA.

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

Room plan

To see anything, you'll need to be in a high room, 10th or 11th floor, City view. I was allocated room 1013, facing north which is shown in the plan below with the dot.

From this room, to the left, looking west I could see traffic on its back leg for runway 04 as it travelled south down the Hudson River. I couldn't see anything on finals due to buildings being in the way. I could also see some outbound traffic, east to west.

The east facing rooms, on the left of the plan should give a view of finals to 04. These rooms would be 1001,3,5,7,9,10 and 11. Room 1011 is the corner room on the bottom right of the image.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/zXgQod7HL2pe5QjS9

KEWR/EWR - Newark Liberty International - Hampton Inn and Suites, Elizabeth - September 2025

The Hampton Inn and Suites Elizabeth is located to the South East of Newark, not too far from the southern end of the parallel runways.

The hotel has a half hourly free shuttle bus, but in the interests of time I opted to get an Uber from the terminal which was around £15.

I checked in online in advance and chose top floor room 733, which was the only one available on top floor. The room was a double queen with fridge and microwave, facing north.

The room plan is above, with the arrow pointing towards the airport. Most of the north facing rooms on the 6th or 7th floor would be fine, any lower could be an issue (odd numbers 701 - 735)

The hotel was fit for purpose with snacks and drinks available from the downstairs lobby and a small bar. There is an Ihop next to the hotel which was open 24 hours and does a great breakfast.

View from the room

The view from the room is below, there is a reasonable view of most of the apron. During my visit they were landing from the north and departing over the hotel, everything could be seen easily.  The same would be true if they were landing in the other direction.

As well as Newark, I could easily see inbound traffic into La Guardia over to the right as they descended over the Statue of Liberty / Hudson River. Cloud permitting, I was also able to pick out a few outbounds from La Guardia as they turned left over the north of Manhattan.

Conclusion

This is probably the best spotting hotel in Newark. The obvious other contender is the Marriot right next to the terminal which is much more expensive, but that doesn't afford as good a view of the terminal as this hotel. 

I stayed at the hotel following a post on ALST by Mark Paulin who stayed in room 701 the previous week, great recommendation.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/YZaT67ZTK4gM37yX7

EDDP/LEJ - Leipzig - Campanile - September 2025

Leipzig is not a busy airport during the day, however at night it jumps into life as a major freight hub.  Walking distance form the airport terminal and airport train station, the Campanile is sandwiched between the two runways at Leipzig.  Running parallel to the runways, you will end up overlooking one or other runway.  The best option is to request a room facing south, that way you are overlooking the busier runway and the DHL hub operation.  Rooms ending *12-*27 face south and all other rooms face north.  Should you need to look at the other runway, the emergency exits at either end of the blocks afford a view in the opposite direction as well as over the preserved IL18 and the approach at each end.  The hotel has 5 floors, however floors 3 and above afford a view.  On my last visit I was given room 318.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/nE3dQDXgTfctAhd28

View from room 318.

Daytime from room 318.

Floor plan (floor 3).

Outside view.

Preserved IL18 from front of hotel.

KMCI/MCI - Kansas City International - Orangewood Inn and Suites - September 2025

We stayed at the Orangewood Inn and Suites in room 603, any odd number on this floor will do but not all rooms have a balcony. Electronic aids are needed although all in's and out's could be seen easily.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/NaKAr8zrB4bNba8X6

Credit John Francis