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

GCXO/TFN - Tenerife North - TRH Taoro Garden - August 2026

This is not an Airport hotel but does provide view of the aproach to the airport from a holiday resort from a significant (30km) distance . 

We where allocated a room on the fourth floor, any even room number works, booking a sea view will get this. The third floor if all else failed would work as still above the tree line around the hotel,  but requesting a high room with sea view should get the 4th floor.

I have attached a photo of the view North from the hotel room (432), departs from TFN (When on West Depts) would appear climbing from behind the ridge in the distance.  I've never had them land that way, but I would expect they are even easier to see.  Clearly low cloud would be the only problem on a lousy weather day!

https://maps.app.goo.gl/rkV6eMGW2DjjCCwK6

Credit Keith Hatfield

LEMD/MAD - Madrid - Crowne Plaza - May 2026

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.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/3aZQex3faw3E7AGi8

GCLP/LPA - Las Palmas - Rickety Lodge - Feb 2026

Accommodation was at Rickaty Lodge. Available direct or on Booking.com.  Second time here!

Only three rooms and seemingly very popular as there isn’t much other accommodation around the airport. Pick up and drop off is included in the room rate or for €1.40 (cash or card) any bus from bus stop #1 at the airport literally one stop.  Whilst it is along a motorway I reckon it would be walkable on the verge. There are no views from the rooms but there is a constant drone of ATR72s! Views are from the roof bar area or a further elevated platform but not really any good for photos.  However its only a couple of minutes walk to the end of the runway for landing shots. or the other way for a view over the ramp.

A basic serve yourself breakfast is included, and evening meals are available for purchase, along with drinks from the bar. Otherwise there are restaurants in the nearby town of Las Puntillas.  Don't forget there Casa 212 preserved in the town too!

This hotel is Cash only.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/VHNEuDZCNWnPSNFm7

The CASA 212 in Las Puntillas

A selection of views from the roof area:

LEBL/BCN - Barcelona - Acta Voraport in Barcelona - November 2025

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...

https://1drv.ms/v/c/63a983665151a024/IQDBb6YE8pkKQqG7rKfzuSHwAZsoq_swTnbl-lhNbzYAIq8

https://maps.app.goo.gl/C1mc4j5VpXwSnfeR9

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

GCFV/FUE - Fuerteventura Airport - Globales Costa Tropical - October 2025

Just spent a weekend at Costa de Antigua, Globales Costa Tropical, its a bit closer to the Airport than the Caleta de Fuste area, everything inbound passed at approx 200-300 ft. A 5 min walk from the hotel entrance allowed views towards the airport, with ramp and runway in view so anything missed landing easy viewed.

Normal landings viewable from the swimming pool area. We had a 2nd floor room with sea view, so standing outside the apartment door could watch inbounds easy when at the room.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/rsZGBXokAHBCZoxX8

Credit Keith Hatfield

LEBL/BCN - Barcelona - Four Points by Sheraton - July 2025

Spent a night at BCN.  Stayed in the Four Points by Sheraton. Corner rooms x01 have great views of the movements: x03s would also work. The higher floors also have views of the runways and middle taxiways. You do need electronics to get numbers.  Very reasonable costs with a restaurant on site. We used the metro and train to get there (8 euros) but it was hot and humid so I would consider a taxi next time.  

https://maps.app.goo.gl/EoFm1GsS6qZRLSRaA

Credit: Rob Jemmett

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

GCLP/LPA - Las Palmas - Elba Vecindario Aeropuerto Business & Convention Hotel - December 2024

About 6 miles out on the approach everything can be seen arriving/departing depending which way the winds blowing from your room balcony or the rooftop pool.

Lovely hotel that is like going back intime to 1985.  Food is great in the hotel but if you fancy something else there is a shopping centre over the road with plenty of options.

Taxi from the airport was 20 euro and took the free shuttle bus back.  A great hotel with that 80s feel.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/oY5kGwptkfpcBLm2A

GCFV/FUE - Fuerteventura Airport - Ereza Mar hotel - August 2024

 

Another year, so again a weeks break in FUE, again stopping at the Ereza Mar hotel in Caleta Del Fuste, as I have said before anything landing from the South can be seen as they pass over the town about 1000ft or so, you cannot see the airport or really any departures from Caleta, so don't miss anything you need inbound!

Should take off's be to the South then your see everything outbound as they climb out, but this direction is not very common unless the wind has totally gone weird. 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/MKG57myhGzNFM1at7

Credit Keith Hatfield

LEMD/MAD - Madrid Barajas - Marriott Auditorium - April 2022

Madrid is a difficult place to find a hotel with a good view.
The Auditorium is on the airport perimeter to the South of the airport, just by the A2. It is a short taxi ride from the airport - there is also a reasonably frequent shuttle bus which I used to return to the terminal.
There are reasonable views of Terminals 1-3, but no view of Terminal 4, which is quite a distance away. All runways are visible albeit at a distance, especially the two north runways, but I had no issue seeing inbounds on 18L / 18R with my trusted bins.
Some of the hotel rooms have an exterior mesh cladding over them which would spoil the view significantly, but it was quite easy to ask for a room with a clear view, the reception staff completely understood what I wanted.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/uGUEdBtE6bxGHBxr8

I ended up with room 2106 which is circled blue in the picture above. To my left, rooms 2107, 08 and 09 are also without the mesh. I would have liked a higher floor, but the first floor was adequate.

The view of T1-T3 from the room is below:

The hotel (including its conference centre) is massive, and there are several food choices, but I struggled a bit after 2200, so if arriving late, please come prepared with food.

LEMD/MAD - Madrid - Ibis Barajas - July 2021

Location: Ibis Hotel, Barajas Village
Access: Metro from either MAD T123 or MAD T4 station; walk from Terminal 1/2/3; there is a local bus as well.
Rooms: 2nd or 3rd floor, even numbers x12 to x44 View is of the arrival runways 32L/32R.
Too distant for photography.  Electronic spotting aids (e.g. FR24, SBS box) required.
Food and bar in hotel or in Barajas village.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/jwb6cuPNC3WB91vUA