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Welcome to www.spottinghotels.org the bible for information on hotels where you can spot from.  We launched the site in late 2025 and hope to make this the go to site for hotels with a view!  We have 250 reports and that keeps climbing thanks to those who contribute.  

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ZUTF/TFU - Chengdu Tianfu International Airport - Joyhub Air Hotel - October 2026

We used the Joyhub Cheer Hotel It's located a short walk from the transportation hub in the terminal.  The hotel can bee seen on the map as the circular building split in half in between the terminals. The Cheer is the east block, The Air is the west block. The Air will have some rooms that work however they will not have any views over runway 11 (the cross runway). 

You need even numbered Rooms 6902 – 6910 (no 4 its unlucky) and these are all 9^th floor Deluxe King Rooms with a single king sized bed, the Hotel does not do rollaways so if you are traveling with someone you need to be prepared to snuggle up or book two rooms.  The rooms have a balcony and give a great view down the central cul-de-sac which is suitable for photographs. The 8^th and maybe the 7^th floors would also work but below this the flyover will interfere with the view. 

On our visit Runway 1 was being used for Arrivals and departures, Runways 1 and 2 were being used for arrivals and departures and Runway 11 was being used for departures only. All aircraft could be seen from the hotel in this configuration with Runway 11 being viewable on the climb out. If runway 19 and 20 were in use you would probably be able to see all landers as they turned off the runway and all departures as they climbed out. 

Although we didn’t see the view room room 6950-6960 may have a view over the runway 11 and the maintenance area but runway 02/20 will be totally out of view albeit things on approach or climb out may well come into view.  I don’t believe any other rooms will work in the hotel.  If its clear you can get some Chengdu (CTU) inbounds over the hotel.

The Hotel has good room service options as well as a two restaurants and Western, Chinese and Japanese breakfast options. 

As of May 2026 the Hotel Wi-Fi allowed FR24, which also had good on the ground coverage.

Credit Volker Wackernagel / Bulldog and Cat / Nick

https://maps.app.goo.gl/iLrCHPb7SmXDj2yJ6 

Note: Locations in China are often inaccurate.

 

View from room 6928.

ZBAD/PKX - Beijing Daxing - Daxing Radisson - October 2026

 

 

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. 

Other rooms that work are 917, 915, 818, 810 and 718 on floors 9, 8 & 7.

Room 818 and 810 have two beds

https://maps.app.goo.gl/ERYddAgnSsFwkRCS8 

Note: locations in China are often inaccurate.

KEWR/EWR - Newark Liberty International - Hampton Inn and Suites, Elizabeth - October 2026

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 a spotting group by Mark Paulin who stayed in room 701 the previous week, great recommendation.

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

KMIA/MIA - Miami - EB Hotel - October 2026

At EB Hotel at MIA airport facing rooms have the view below, the higher the floor the better.

October 2026 note: Stayed in room 321, a little too low, but that was all they had on this date.  Could still see all departures heading east, so not the end of the world.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/dzGwACWKnT4ybp3V7

KMCO/MCO - Orlando - Avid hotel - October 2026

The hotel is situated just outside the airport on the north side, just west of the runways. The hotel has an airport shuttle which runs every 30mins.  Its a nice but basic hotel, and I managed to get a room at a reasonable price.

The best rooms are 501-504 as they are on front facing towards the airport.  Arrivals were from the south, departures to the north and with electronics and little effort nothing will be missed.  I had room 502 which is a 2 queen bedded room and was perfect for the visit.

The rooms on eastern side of the hotel give good views on both runways too, although due to the angle seeing the approach would be harder to see than in rooms 501-504.  With that in mind rooms with odd numbers 505 till 519 are also fine, just not quite as good as 501-504. 

There is a 7Eleven next to the hotel for food and drinks. 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/hE8daGURhndnLJxb6

Credit Karin Middendorp

ZSHC/HGH - Hangzhou - Manju Hotel - October 2026

This is the perfect hotel but there is no perfect room.  We were given rooms 8817 and 8830.  8830 which looks towards the terminal and 8817 which looks the opposite direction.  Both rooms complemented each other well.  However here are some more notes.

Rooms 8802 through 8817

The best room is probably 8817 however.  It's on the eighth floor.  The windows in this room has a view of the approach to runways 06 and 07 as well as the holding point for Runway 07.  Next to the room is a public area with a view to a gap in the buildings (next to the Loong Air HQ) that allows you to see aircraft taxing to the holding point of Runway 06.  So if 06 and 07 are in use nothing will be missed if you are closely monitoring the tracking sites.

 
If however they are using runways 25 and 24 arrivals turn off before coming into view so will not be seen from this room until they depart.  Alternative rooms with this same view are 8816-8802 but each room gets progressively further away from the public window, so it's further to walk.

Rooms 8823 through 8837

An alternative view can be had from any room between 8823 to 8837 with the lower numbers being the best due to their proximity to the aforementioned window.  The views from these rooms are over the terminal and the approach to runway 25 and runway 24 are visible.  Departures from runway 25 can also be seen.  Departures from runway 24 are visible as long as they lift off quickly and are not too heavy!  However the full climb out is visible from the public window.

General Notes

The rooms a very cheap and bookable via Trip.com, therefore I would suggest if there is more than one of you travelling together you should get separate rooms.  Then ask for one on the front and one on the back to ensure you have both views available.  That's what we ended up doing.  If there is just one person - then ask for the room depending on the runway direction and choose the direction looking towards whichever approach is in use.

The hotel is on the 7th and 8th floor of a service building, so I think all rooms will have some sort of view regardless of what you book.

There is no restaurant but there is a 7-11 convenience store next door where snacks can be bought.  To get to/from the terminal I would recommend getting a Didi (China's answer to Uber).  There is a public transport options, however a Didi cost less than £2 and was very convenient.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/bQ17CcDSyN6NPbPL7

The following photos are from Room 8830.

The following photo is from Room 8817.

View from the window next to 8817, showing the gap.

ZSSS/SHA - Shanghai Hongqiao - Air China BoYue Hotel - October 2026

The hotel is located at Terminal Two. We paid on arrival to upgrade to executive rooms to ensure the highest possible position. Rooms allocated were 1002 & 1005, both of which gave a panoramic view across Hongqiao Airport and both were twin bedded rooms. These rooms also came with executive lounge access on the 11^th floor (again with similar views).

Rooms 1002-1003 & 1005-1012 should all be okay to watch the proceedings.  Note that there is no room 1004. Deluxe Twin Rooms and 738, 907, 911 & 915 were also good enough, despite being on lower levels.

 

Photos are possible from the rooms or from the executive lounge. Note that the windows did distort in places so you need to be careful to ensure good quality photos are taken.

 

Price was CNY 1,150 per twin room (approximately £120.00), which included the executive room upgrade negotiated on arrival.

 

We used the very modern Shanghai Airport Link Line rail transfer from Pudong to Hongqiao. This took about 40 minutes, was very cheap but unfortunately was primarily underground so offered limited city views. Price per person 26 Yuan one way (approx. £2.80).

https://maps.app.goo.gl/2mppA1CdcyXdB9A3A

Credit Nick Godfrey

LEPA/PMI - Palma Mallorca - AluaSoul Hotel - October 2026

I've stayed here a coupe of times.  Of note only runway 06L/24R can be monitored and no views of the airport itself but nothing using this runway can be missed.  4th or 5th floor room on the ocean/city side of the hotel (518-525) is excellent.  Breakfasts one of the best I have ever come across.  5-10 min walk and you are in the main town area of Can Pastilla with more restaurants and shops than you need.  Hotel is a 10 min taxi ride from the airport,  the bus stop is about a 5-10 min walk from the main road.  25 min walk to the bridge to overlook the Biz ramp.  Alua Soul is part of the Hyatt Group.

Credit: Phil Globe

https://maps.app.goo.gl/iQEkA5KrJqe4raXX8

LGRP/RHO - Rhodes - Palmeral Luxury Suites - September 2026

Rooms are double beds only, so it would only suit solo travellers or couples.  There are only 4 suites in the complex so most of the time it feels like you have the place to yourself.  The Robelini (1st floor) and Plumeria (ground floor) suites are the ones facing the action, the other 2 would face the wrong way,

It's only a 12 minute walk to the fence near the threshold where the regulars take photos, but from the room/pool you have the advantage of shade, a toilet, and a fridge of cold drinks etc. You could even spot from the Jacuzzi if that were your thing.

Pics can be taken from one corner of the pool area (trees and power lines get in the way apart from this one spot).  Some example photos below so you can judge the angle.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZodiwRgZFPRtS9Ve9

 

CYQB/YQB - Quebec City - Homewood Suites - September 2026

I have room 616 on the top floor. Any even room 602 to 620 would have the same view. As the airport is on an escarpment only approaches can be seen as the airport is above you.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/fvZRer5yijoGxxTV9

Credit Mark Paulin

EGKK/LGW - London Gatwick - Hilton (South Terminal) - September 2026

This hotel is connected by a signed  walkway from the south terminal.  Hotel staff were very amenable with assigning a suitable room with a view -  4269.  If you book using the Hilton own website, you can then use the app to choose your room. This day was booked with a combination of cash and points.  rooms ending in 63 65 67 71 73 75 77 79 81 83 85 87 89 91 Also 4173 71 69 65 63 61 59 57 55

The hotel has four floors, but  floors one and two may have some obstructed views by the trees. 

There is a fire escape adjacent 7448 offers views towards the airport. I think any sort of long stay other than a quick look to see something departing would probably attract attention from the hotel staff.  

7446 44 42 40 38 36 34 32 30 28 all would look towards the airport.   These would  be classed as  “executive rooms “ which would normally cost more. I did have a look in the executive lounge but that has no views and requires a suitability registered key.  The convenience of staying here is reflected in the cost, but this is a very high-quality hotel with perfect soundproofing and usual Hilton standards. Tea / coffee facilities and a beer fridge located in the wardrobe made for a perfect stay.  

https://maps.app.goo.gl/AW7s1niCyxZh1YyT8

CYYZ/YYZ - Toronto Pearson - Sheraton Gateway - September 2026

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

CYUL/YUL - Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau - Hilton Garden Inn - September 2026

I have room 333 which gives good views to all runways. Any odd numbered rooms 27 to 45 would offer similar views on 3rd and 4th floor. Any lower and the roof to the Hotel would block the view.

Credit Mark Paulin 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/BbeCMfsSoxcMFW2o8

CYOW/YOW - Ottawa - Hilton Garden Inn - September 2026

Having decided to nightstop at Ottawa I looked at hotel options & plumped for the HGI. I requested an airport facing room being unsure of exactly what view there would be.

 

I was allocated room 830 being a room with one King Bed & wasn’t disappointed. any even number between 826 to 840 will work, the higher the better as you can see the aproach to runway 14. Whilst the weather wasn’t great during my stay, the large window gave views of the primary active runway (07/25) with any movements on 14/32 also being visible. The Innotech FBO ramp & anything outside their hangar can also be seen from the hotel room. The room cost me £145, booking directly with the hotel 5 weeks before my stay. Photos are possible from the room. However the window does distort some shots unfortunately. 

 

Ottawa isn’t a particularly big or overly busy airport. Porter is the primary operator here with Air Canada, Air Transat, Westjet, Canadian North & PAL Airlines also having a number of movements. United Express are also well represented with a variety of cross border flights, primarily using Republic ERJ175s.

If coming to Ottawa you are likely to have a car as you will surely visit the excellent Canadian Air & Space Museum at Rockcliffe. At Ottawa IAP, the car enables you to see the cargo terminal & Canadian North maintenance facility at the eastern end of the airfield (behind the hotel) and allows you opportunities for photos either from the viewing area at that end of the airfield or south of the airfield on Alert Road near the entrance to Hylands Golf Club.

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

Credit Nick Godfrey

ZGSZ/SZX - Shenzhen - Hyatt Regency - September 2026

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.

A further update on room numbers had asked in advance that 901, 903 etc were allocated but I think as we had Executive Twin Rooms, they gave us rooms on floor 10 & 11. There is also a floor 12, but that wasn’t offered up to us and we were unable to access it to give it a recce. Any odd numbered room between 1101 to 1115, 1001 to 1051, 0901 to 0965 and 0801 to 0871 to would give a view to the North and any even numbered room between 1102 to 1128, 1002 to 1048, 0902 to 0966 and 0802 to 0870 would give a view to the South. As there is a massive window looking to the South by the lifts up to these rooms, you should take a North facing room near the lifts as this will allow you to cover all the runways for arrivals and departures. I had room 1005 and I found that the door at the end of the corridor by rooms by 1001 & 1002, allowed a view across to runway 33/15 – very limited view but enough to get what you are after. This door also works on floor 11 but the view is even more limited – floors 9 & 8 offer no view at this end of the corridor.

Booking an Executive type room will get you access to the Lounge on floor 11 and this opens from 1pm to 9pm. Free drinks and nibbles and there is a happy hour between 6pm and 8pm. Crucially though, the views in the Lounge are very good and even if the arrivals/departures change runways, you can still cover it all. Inside the Lounge, you can see the runways heading North. There is also a small covered area outside from where you can view the Southern thresholds of both the runways.

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.

HECA/CAI - Cairo - Cario Marriott - September 2026

This is a downtown hotel that you might stay in with a partner for a visit to the touristy things in Cairo or before a Nile Cruise. It’s not the place or area to stay for spotting. 

The hotel is a typically high end Cairo Hotel, It Has two towers, The Zamalek is the northern one and  the Gezira is the southern one, both are 19 floors with executive floors at the top and floors booked by tour operators towards the bottom. The Marriott club is in the Gezira tower and has views over the Nile.

Any Nile facing room in either tower will give distant views of the approach by looking north, when I was there is was hazy every morning and this blocked any view of the approach, but this cleared by Lunchtime. High floors work best not sure what the view is like from the lower floors. Views after dark are also difficult but possible.

The Gezira tower garden view room have no view of the approach but approaching aircraft from the north can be seen turning base leg. The non Garden view (don’t know what that’s called) should have the best view of the approach as you are facing it.

The Zamalek tower garden view rooms should have a view of the approach but I don’t know how much of that will be blocked by the Gezira tower. The other side the rooms face the highway and you should get a better view of the arrivals from the north.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/PPHTqAyu64JUE9jR9

CYOO/YOO - Oshawa - Tru by Hilton - September 2026

Any room 414 to 429 offers a good view of the approach and some of the runway.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/r2edRbFSe6R222Xf9

Credit Mark Paulin