Gives excellent views of aircraft on
finals to BCN. Need to select a seaview room. If not possible then they have a
rooftop pool which offers an excellent viewpoints.
Video here...
HAAB/ADD - Addis Ababa - Double Tree By Hilton - November 2025
Had a 2 night stay here in this relatively new build hotel. A free shuttle bus will take you to this hotel which is approx. 5 minutes’ drive. The minibus driver will meet you in arrivals and will be holding a guest’s name card. If he is not there, there are plenty of other hotel drivers hanging around that will want to know your hotel name and will guide you to the correct area for pick-up, however my advice is to stay at arrivals until the driver appears.
The hotel comprises of 11 floors, with floor 11 being a restaurant. I initially booked a ‘KING DELUXE ROOM WITH VIEW,’ but due to Hilton status was upgraded to a ‘JUNIOR CORNER SUITE’ room 813 was given. Note that not all of the corner suites have airport views (811 for example). Even number rooms and 813 provided views, however, there are flats being built in front of the hotel and views from rooms 802/4/6 and possibly 808 will be restricted. Room 813 had a nice balcony, so you could sample the delights of watching the utter chaos in the streets below.
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No parking stands at the main terminal can be seen, however there is an opening to the right of the terminal, where arriving and departing aircraft can be seen if using 07R. If using 25L for arriving, then this is not a problem as the runway seems to be slightly levitated and traffic can be seen on roll-out. It seems the runways 07L/25R is primarily used as a taxiway as it was not used as an official runway during the time I was there. Further to the right of this ‘clearing,’ was the main maintenance area. Nothing can be seen or read off here unless you’re on taxy out to runway 07R and a window seat is essential. There is another hotel closer to the airport and is more towards the maintenance are called the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel. A high floored room MAY give views of the maintenance area but this was not explored. Picture below:
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Views from room Double Tree room 813:
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During my stay I didn’t use the restaurant and ordered room service instead. Selection is limited, but as an example the grilled vegetable toastie with French Fries and a slice of Tiramisu cake came to just over £5.00.
Optics and/or a very good camera are essential here. Quite a large number of Ethiopian Dash8-400s do not show on FR24 and some Ethiopian B737-800s show as US registered. This leads to a problem. On arrival into Addis Ababa and after baggage screening, Customs held me for a period of time and started questioning me about the camera equipment and telescope I was carrying. They advised me that bringing optics into Ethiopia is strictly prohibited and wanted to know the purpose behind my visit. They also wanted to know in detail about my camera and were asking if this was being fitted to a drone or will be used for aerial works. After a period of about 20-30mins and internal conversations I was allowed to go on my way.
Optics and/or a very good camera are essential here. Quite a large number of Ethiopian Dash8-400s do not show on FR24 and some Ethiopian B737-800s show as US registered. This leads to a problem. On arrival into Addis Ababa and after baggage screening, Customs held me for a period of time and started questioning me about the camera equipment and telescope I was carrying. They advised me that bringing optics into Ethiopia is strictly prohibited and wanted to know the purpose behind my visit. They also wanted to know in detail about my camera and were asking if this was being fitted to a drone or will be used for aerial works. After a period of about 20-30mins and internal conversations I was allowed to go on my way.
EGLL/LHR - London Heathrow - Premier Inn Terminal 4 - November 2025
Located right next to Terminal 4, this budget hotel now offers rooms with a view on floors 5-6 and 7(plus room only). All ideal for spottong or photography if you are happy to shot through the glass. It's connected by covered walk way to Terminal 4 and the Underground or Elizabeth line. There is a bus stops to Terminal 5 or Hatton cross outside the hotel. Car Parking is £26 per night and there is a decent on site restaurant and bar.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/
Credit: Phil Globe
GCRR/ACE - Lanzarote - Sol All Inclusive - November 2025
We have recently returned from our third visit to Lanzarote. We stay at the Sol Lanzarote all-inclusive, Matagorda, Puerto del Carmen.
Aircraft on final approach to Arrecife (ACE) pass the hotel, on the beach side. No aircraft will be missed if you have a sea-view room, sitting in the pool area, or at the pool side bar.
For the best views, you need to have a sea-view room in block 3 (see pictures below). I would suggest that the following would be the best rooms - 3206, 3207, 3208, 3209, 3210, 3211, 3306, 3307, 3308, 3309, 3310, 3311, 3405, 3406, 3407, 3408, 3410,3411 (note: no room 3409). We have previously stayed in rooms 3306 & 3309 which are 'Superior Room Sea View' on the 3rd floor, configured as twin bed, plus a living room with a sofa bed. On our last visit, we were given a room upgrade, which had limited views of the activity. We believe most of the rooms on the 3rd floor in block 3 are 'Superior Rooms'.
There is good free WI-FI throughout the hotel complex.
The end of runway 03 is only a 15-20 minutes' walk by turning left out the exit to the beach, adjacent to the pool bar. If you turn right out of this exit, after a short walk you will find bars & restaurants, while the approach can still be monitored!
https://maps.app.goo.gl/zW89xFuvTKP6a3cw8
EDDK/CGN - Cologne Bonn - Moxy - November 2025
The Moxy hotel is a 5min walk from Terminal 1 at CGN and it offers limited views of movements at CGN.
The hotel has 5 floors - with the reception area, bar and restaurant on the top, 5th floor. The restaurant/bar has an outdoor area that will allow views of all movements on approach or departure (you can't see the actual runways or taxyways as they are blocked by the terminal, car parks, etc). From indoors and outdoors on the 5th floor you can get some views of part of the remote stands off terminal 1 (also used for freighters) and the military area.
The hotel has 5 sides as well as an internal void - any of the internal rooms will have no views at all. Rooms on the outside have differing views...
Preferred rooms would be those ending *34/35/37/39/41/43 as they look towards the airport and therefore give views of aircraft arriving on 32R or departing off 18L. While not verified as movements are rare on the two other runways, I would expect you'd be able to get similar views of landers on 32L or departures off 18R and the Cross Runway movements should also be visible. However most movements are on 32R/18L, so these should be the best rooms available. The higher the floor the better.
On my last visit I had room 253 which, while not an ideal angle did give views of the 32R approach. Compare the map below to google maps for an idea of other angles.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/NfvuJKSzDEs6y39B7
Outside of the Moxy.
Outside Terrace, which appears to be open 24/7, even when the restaurant is closed.
View of T1 remote stands from bar area.
View from preferred rooms ending *34/35/37/39/41/43.
KTEB/TEB - Teterboro - Element Wood Ridge - November 2025
For my last night here before heading to my sisters I moved hotels to the Element Wood Ridge thats just on the west side of TEB. Again landers and departures can be seen from here and OTT's to EWR if the cloud base works.
Part of the reason for staying here was it over looks the NetJets ramp. I was given room 515 which was just a bit low so see onto the ramp and there was no rooms available on the 6th floor. There is a 7th floor which has a bar and a restaurant but it is closed Monday and Tuesday and only from 1700-2300 which I reckon should give views onto the NetJets ramp but given I was here Tuesday night the 7th floor was closed.
Any ways rooms X01-X15 give easterly views over TEB towards Manhattan. EWR OTT's can be seen going over the hotel if landing from the north and depending on which runway they land on. Ideally you want to be on the 5th floor or above. Was it worth the extra $80USD over the Fairfield Inn. Probably not.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/L6jQSwoywB1iaL7m9
Credit David Perston.
KTEB/TEB - Teterboro - Fairfield Inn East Rutherford Meadowlands - November 2025
Staying at the Fairfield Inn East Rutherford Meadowlands at the southern end of the airport. Much cheaper and offers views of landers and departures but no views of the runway.
Back
to the hotel. Was in room 406 which looks North to TEB plus EWR arrivals if
landing from the North. Odd numbered rooms would give views south to TEB and
TEB departures/arrivals to/from the south. The hotel has 5 floors and I would
reckon you would want to be on the third floor or above.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/33tVys1EcnxNyesb8
Credit David Perston
EHAM/AMS - Amsterdam - Ibis Budget - November 2025
The hotel has a free shuttle from the airport about every
30 minutes
Asked for a room facing the airport. Got Room 221. Anywhere from 201-225, odd numbers, gets the same view. This also applies to the first floor as there are no trees. This room gives a view of landings on Runways 22 &27, which were not frequent during my stay, and mainly smaller types. There is a very limited view of the take-offs from 18, from my room. The windows only open a small amount so any photos would be through glass. Also outside the second floor windows is a metal beam, this is slightly higher than the windows but may show in photos, so, first floor would be better. The hotel is at 90 degrees to the airport itself, so no views across the main airport. The back of the hotel has many trees so no view from back.
Opposite the hotel is the Schiphol Spottersplaats,
adjacent to a McDonalds, an 8 minute walk. Good views across the airport and
aircraft landing on the distant runways can be seen taxiing in. The McDonalds
has seats with similar views. There is a bus station here also, Schiphol, Knooppunt
Noord. The 397 goes to the airport in one direction and the city in the other
about every 5 minutes. As I mentioned about the Budget Hotel is
adjacent to the Schiphol Ibis Hotel with which it shares the shuttle bus. This
hotel is facing towards the airport more so will have better views across the
airfield. However the number of rooms with this view is limited and many will
have no view at all. Can’t help with which rooms.
EDDF/FRA - Frankfurt - Moxy - November 2025
I had to spend a couple of days in Frankfurt for an event
last week and stayed at the Moxy in Gateway Gardens area.
Gateway Gardens is one stop on the metro from Frankfurt airport and is located on the extended threshold between 25C and 25R. it’s the main hotel area for the airport with the b’mine, Holiday Inn, Hampden by Hilton, Meininger, Moxy, Park Inn and others are located here. There are plenty of food options and a supermarket so everyone is catered for. There are various points in the area where all the inbounds on the 25’s can be seen.
I stayed at the Moxy which has six floors and was allocated room 527, from this room you can see the climb outs from 25R. 25C as well as R18 but its all electronics and there aren’t any photo opportunities from the room, no inbounds for any runway can be seen. There isn’t a lot else to be said about the location.
KLAS/LAS - Las Vegas - OYO Hotel - November 2025
'Ocean Tower' rooms, with a Pool view have a good view towards Las Vegas Airport: directly visible is the Allegiant parking are and part of Spirit and Southwest (all Terminal 1) as well as a small part of the Atlantic FBO. However the view allows any movement on any of the four runways to be seen.
Rooms are even numbers, floors 14 to 19 are suites.
The photos are from room 1132 on the 11th floor. Reception here have always been very good at giving me a room with a view - yes I've stayed many times through its history as the San Remo Resort and then Hooters Hotel.
Note that....1) this is an increasingly run down hotel that has seen better days (that is Oyo brand standards I believe); 2) like many Vegas hotels you'll be stung for a resort fee per night that gives you basically nothing, and 3) this hotel now charges $21 a night for parking.
Whilst set a little further back on 'The Strip' (Las Vegas Blvd South) lots of rooms in The Luxor and the Mandalay Bay will offer similar views with a 'Strip view' room.
RKPC/CJU - Jeju - Nangman Jeju Pension - November 2025
Had a couple of days on the Island of Jeju, Nightstopping at CJU.
I took a chance at staying at the Nangman Jeju Pension. Basically a separate Bed/bathroom and kitchenette room within a spare living area of a private house.
I took a chance at staying at the Nangman Jeju Pension. Basically a separate Bed/bathroom and kitchenette room within a spare living area of a private house.
Air B&B type situation. They spoke no English but was expecting me and once at my room left me alone. It was a double bed no single beds but with rooms as cheap as they were if there’s a couple of you I’m sure they aren’t busy enough not to be able to book 2 rooms.
https://uk.trip.com/hotels/
Credit: Neil Martin
https://uk.trip.com/hotels/
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RKSI/ICN - Seoul Incheon - Hotel Ora - November 2025
The Hotel Ora is a fantastic spotting Hotel with a view similar to that of the Renaissance concourse in Atlanta. It has 8 floors and rooms x07-x12 offer a view with 807 being the best view. odd numbered floors have a bit of the external hotel structure that blocks the view of terminal 1 so it’s best to ask for an even floor. In the event you don’t get allocated one of these all is not lost as there is a small internal spotters deck on the 8th floor near the lift where everything can be seen.
The hotel has room service however there is no breakfast in the morning but they do offer everyone a free egg sandwich and can of hot coffee. Aside from that there is nothing else is around the hotel so equip yourself with rations before checking in if you don’t want to use the hotel facilities.
Gimpo movements (whichever
runway configuration is in use) can be seen from the hotel if the weather
and haze conditions are right however the time taken to find them will likely
impact spotting at Incheon if you are trying to log everything.
Photos from room 807...
Photos from room 611... (Credit Neil Martin)
KRNO/RNO - Reno - Circus Circus - November 2025
Pure fluke I ended up with one of two rooms in the down town Circus Circus that looked towards the approach to Reno from the north, or the climb out to the north. Of these two rooms, the ones ending in 01 appear to be a double sized suit, and mine ended in 02. See photo.
Looking out, it appears that many rooms in the Reno Regency Hotel would have a similar view.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/mGRS3kCWMnpq1PsYA
Bottom left is rooms ending in 02. bottom right is the larger room ending in 01.
There's one of the RNO based C-130s in there somewhere on approach.
Reno Regency would offer great views if you needed to stay in down town Reno and try and get a view of aircraft.
KDEN/DEN - Denver - Double Tree By Hilton - November 2025
Had a 1 night stay at the Double Tree By Hilton at KDEN. This airport is a 10-15 minutes’ drive on the free shuttle bus, which runs every 30 mins hotel to airport and airport to hotel.
This hotel is relatively new and comprises of 6 floors. I didn’t sample any on-site amenities. Rooms can be chosen 24 hours in advance on the Hilton app along with check-in so no need to visit reception, unless you want the famous Double Tree cookie!
I chose room number 624 as per the floor plan below, but I suspect any even number room on the 6th floor would suffice. The views are quite distant so FR24 and a very good set of optics is a must.
The HiEx may provide slightly closer views, but note the large warehouse type structure that may hinder these.
Please note there are other hotels in this area around ‘Tower Road,’ but most are orientated as such that views of all arriving/departing traffic might not be possible.
This hotel is relatively new and comprises of 6 floors. I didn’t sample any on-site amenities. Rooms can be chosen 24 hours in advance on the Hilton app along with check-in so no need to visit reception, unless you want the famous Double Tree cookie!
I chose room number 624 as per the floor plan below, but I suspect any even number room on the 6th floor would suffice. The views are quite distant so FR24 and a very good set of optics is a must.
The HiEx may provide slightly closer views, but note the large warehouse type structure that may hinder these.
Please note there are other hotels in this area around ‘Tower Road,’ but most are orientated as such that views of all arriving/departing traffic might not be possible.
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LPPT/LIS - Lisbon - Pestana Palace - November 2025
It's important to point out - Do not book this if you want an airport hotel, but if you do end up in Lisbon City on a non spotting trip, this will provide at least some view.
Located about a 15min walk from the River Tagus and Lisbon Conference Centre this rather extravagant downtown hotel is located at around 4 miles from the end of Runway 02 at LIS. When Runway 02 is in use aircraft come over your head at around 1200ft.
Located about a 15min walk from the River Tagus and Lisbon Conference Centre this rather extravagant downtown hotel is located at around 4 miles from the end of Runway 02 at LIS. When Runway 02 is in use aircraft come over your head at around 1200ft.
While the room I stayed in did not have views of the approach there are various areas in the grounds where you can easily see any arriving aircraft. I also believe odd numbered rooms on the eastern wing ending *21-45 should give views (the higher floor the better).
Other hotels in a similar area (such as they Hyatt Regency) will also offer similar views.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/v7FBToM7Zs1qbKn5A
Other hotels in a similar area (such as they Hyatt Regency) will also offer similar views.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/v7FBToM7Zs1qbKn5A
KPDX/PDX - 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
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| 10R departure |
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| 10R departure |
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| 10L departure |
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| Floor layout. Only xx01 to xx04 will have the view towards the climbout from the 10s or approach to 28s. |
RKSS/GMP - Seoul Gimpo - Lotte City Gimpo - November 2025
Room:
Deluxe Airport View 832. Arrived in darkness to int terminal. Enormous new GA hangars open and lit with
just an unidentified Kingair inside. Quick through immigration and a short walk
over to hotel which is on top of a shopping mall. Views are of the northern
half of the field including international stands and remote parking for biz and
stored ATR’s. A window in the corridor looks back to domestic term and Korean maintenance. Up early and a walk over to the decks … the old KAA
deck remains closed (I asked at the building front desk and no one knew what I
was talking about) but the new one in the top left corner of the domestic is a
welcome option to hang out and graph a few. Coffee shop right by the entrance
and usual stuff in the terminal downstairs. Once most gaps filled, down to the
railway station for the short trip to ICN. Cash required for ticket.
Update from November 2025 (Credit Neil Martin): I stayed in room 506 and 716 during my time there. They were both fine and allowed me to overlook the Intl Terminal and see the aircraft to climb away from runway 34, or approach and land on runway 16. For the price the view isn’t really worth it after a morning spotting at the observation deck the number to cost ratio is high, however its a convenience for the airport and the metro / train system. On hindsight I would of just booked the extra nights at the Incheon Ora and get the train for the visit to Gimpo.
LIRF/FCO - Rome Fiumicino - Hilton Garden Inn - November 2025.
I'm staying at the Hilton Garden Inn room 605. There's two
Hilton's here at Fiumicino, this hotel is on the outer perimeter, the other one is
attached to the terminal, this Hilton is the cheaper out of the two and the one
that offers the best views. All runways can be monitored from the room, and
many parking stands can also be seen. Rooms 601/603/605/607/610 all the way
along to 627 lookout across the airport, the views are excellent. The room has
one king size bed and also a sofa bed. Being a Hilton Honours member I was
able to check-in the day before and choose my room, knowing which rooms offered
views, I was very pleased to see that at least 12 rooms on the 6th floor were
available to choose from.The 5th floor would work just about, but nothing
lower. The hotel has a free shuttle every 30 minutes from/to.This hotel is by
far the best choice if you're planning a visit, not cheap at £130 a night, this
does though include breakfast.
LEMD/MAD - Madrid - Crowne Plaza - November 2025
This hotel is on the same road as the other "airport" hotels that have sprung up alongside the A-2 Autoroute such as the B&B Zleep hotel. Rooms 227 to 239 look out over the approach to both 32L and 32R with the window to room 233 opening fully to allow photo's of 32L arrivals from around 11:00. These rooms have 2 double beds. The hotel also offer at a premium Runway view rooms, room numbers 241 to 247, but these only have 1 king size bed and arrivals on 32R would be below the tree line in the distance.
On the opposite side of the A-2 there are 2 viewing area's (Mirador de pista 32L and Mirador pista Aeropuerto) which are approximately 1.5 miles from the hotel.If you don't have a car, the hotel runs a shuttle bus which you have to pre-book for $5 each or a Uber or Bolt will get you to the hotel from Terminal 2 for around 10 to 15 Euro's depending on how busy they are.
Attached are a couple photo's from Room 223.
LATI/TIA - Tirana Airport - Hotel Verzaci - November 2025
I stayed in the Hotel Verzaci. A fairly inexpensive and quirky hotel only 10
minutes walk from the terminal. Although only the hotel is only 4 stories high, any airport facing room
works well, giving views onto the remote parking stands, the dump, and the
threshold of runway 17. All rooms have balconies, and a reasonable lens will
give you decent photographs. Even from the 1st floor, there were few
obstructions to the view. If the aircraft are landing from the opposite
direction then the majority of landing aircraft roll out at the end of the
runway. and pass in front of you.
Credit Sean Meagher
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
Some photos with a camera rather than mobile phone can be found here https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCzjSL
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