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

KBOS/BOS - Boston - Hilton hotel Boston airport - August 2026

Stayed at the Hilton hotel Boston airport and reserved a king room with an airport view and was allocated Room 1006 on the 10 floor which was ideal. I personally think the higher the floor the better as you can see over some of the terminal to the left otherwise departing traffic was easily seen

https://maps.app.goo.gl/j4G1r7XBXvJfScvEA

KSDL/SCF - Phoenix Scotsdale - Best Western Plus Thunderbird Suites - August 2026

Almost directly opposite the main FBO area on North Airport Drive and a couple of minutes walk to the official viewing area with tables and seating and very nice Volanti restaurant/bar next to it, which also has views and seating outside.  I had a large room (425) with windows front and back orientated parallel (almost) with the runway so you can see the approach and climb out, but you cannot see the runway from this room just the approach and departures from the respective windows. Poking your head out the front door you could see aircraft landing or taxiing for departure on runway 21 in a small gap between airport buildings if they didn't vacate early. The end room of the wing would have been slightly better but was unavailable during my visit,  the windows in this room will still be orientated parallel with the runway approach / climb out not directly facing it. For those using electronics, arrivals into PHX from the north go over the motel at a couple of thousand feet. Paid about $80 per night for this stay, not much event wise going on in PHX but still made a decent haul of biz during my visit. It's a short drive to PHX airport and the other main airfields of Phoenix. Goodyear for stored stuff was about a 30 - 40 min drive. 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/qJWPCcxMReaYRnE89

Credit Adrian Broadbent

KLAS/LAS - Las Vegas - La Quinta Inn and Suites Las Vegas Airport South - August 2026

This La Quinta is located at the junction of East Sunset Road and South Surrey St. I stayed in room 306. Which faces the touchdown zone for runways 26L and 26R.  You can take photos from the room if needed but it’s a place that has framing on the windows panes themselves, so you have to practice your aim points. That said a walk outside and you’ll get better shots. Small Issue with this Hotel is whilst you get arrivals and departures when on Westerlies on 26L and 26R, any biz taking off from runways closer to the strip 19L and 19R,  can’t be seen departing. You can see them at a distance turning downwind left hand for these runways when arriving with the aid of electronics. I got my room for a midweek stay for less than $70 per night. The official south side viewing area (no facilities) is a short drive away or a 15 min walk, but walking isn’t recommended as it crosses a busy road and temperatures were in the high 30’s to 40+ C during my stay. Whilst I did have a car, I took an uber into the bright lights of the Vegas strip a couple of times which was less than $20 each way from the Hotel. 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/zWkd5d4xB8xw8ScK8

Credit Adrian Broardbent

View from room 306 at La Quinta Airport South (from my iPhone).

View from room 306 at La Quinta Airport South (from my iPhone).

KLAX/LAX - Los Angeles - H Hilton Hotel by Curio - August 2026

We stayed at the H Hilton Hotel by Curio, the selling point is the roof terrace which overlooks the whole of LAX and you won't miss anything. While all movements can be seen from here as well as the executive and cargo areas, it is best for photos for arrivals onto runway 24R. The hotel offers rooms with airport facing windows so movements can be seen from them as well. The place isn't cheap but the views are priceless. Food as you would expect isn't cheap but there's a Subway under the hotel, coffee shop as well. We took a walk to the Proud Bird one day, this took circa 35 minutes. Also we went the other way towards the In and Out burger, we didn't use the burger place, we dropped into the "Melody Bar and Grill", [18 minute walk] great food, great beers and a great vibe. If you want a good night then give it a go.

See photos from Room 1226 and 825 below.  

https://maps.app.goo.gl/GcHPkn1LRLSCxRvV9

Credit Jeff Hulme

Credit Adam Feasey

View from 1226.

View from H Curio rooftop area looking Southwest  across runways 25L and 25R (from iPhone) 

View from room 825 looking west towards runways 24L and 24R (from IPhone).

View from room 825 looking south across runway 25L and 25R (from iPhone).

KIAH/IAH - Houston International - Best Western Houston Bush IAH - June 2026

There are a cluster of hotels located east of IAH, at the junction of Will Clayton Parkway and the I-69, in Humble.  Of these, the Wyndham and the Best Western are aligned so that a west facing room can see the arrivals in to 27. 26L and 26R, which are the usual landing runways.  The altitude and light means it is a good spot in darkness and poor weather. 

In the Best Western, rooms are even numbered facing towards the airport.  Both hotels only have three floors.  In this cluster there is also a Red Lion and an America's Best Value Inn: these are aligned the wrong way so any room will only see one or two runways, and they do seem to change their preference for which runways are in use. 

On the north side of Will Clayton Parkway there is a La Quinta, Staybridge Suites and a Sleep Inn.  The alignment of these means the right room will get a view of all three runways. However the Ramada and Holiday Inn would not give the view.   

There is also a handy petrol station, Tim Horton's and Waffe House next door to the Wyndham and Best Western!
 
https://maps.app.goo.gl/3AbsD3suv1hY4f6C8

Credit Mark Curran

Best Western floor plan, even numbers towards airfield

Pic of aircraft landing on the 'far' runway, 26R.

KTEB/TEB - Teterboro - Holiday Inn - June 2026

We stayed at the Teterboro Holiday Inn where we got a room with two queens and free parking.  You can't see the field like you can from the Hilton but you can see landers and departures from here. The room was a 4th Floor room facing Newark and we were able to see the landers there as well.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/7rLmo6hFaGSURptP9

KCLT/CLT - Charlotte - Courtyard by Marriott Steele Creek - May 2026

The Courtyard by Marriott, Steele Creek is a couple of miles to the south of Charlotte Airport, opposite an outlet mall.

As hotels go in general, this is a lovely modern hotel with excellent amenities including an outdoor pool, gym, and most importantly a 24 hour tuck shop in the reception selling snacks and soft drinks. Car parking on site is free.

From a spotting point of view, it is more than adequate.

I stayed one night and rang ahead earlier in the day to request a high floor room facing east, the request was noted and I got exactly what I asked for.

I was allocated room 402, which is the room right at the end of the corridor on the top floor, you couldn’t get any better. Any even numbered room from 402 through to 422 will give a similar view.

Room 402 is a room with one King Bed with Sofa Bed.

Even rooms with higher numbers than 422 will also get a view, but maybe not quite as good.

Basically, from here, you will easily get half of the action at CLT. If aircraft are departing to the south, you’ll get them all. If they are landing from the south, you will also get them.

Arrivals (or departures) from the north are trickier as these are 6 or 7 miles away. While I was there, I was picking out arrivals on the eastern most runway without too much difficulty, but arrivals from the north on the western runway were at too tight an angle.

If you were on a lower floor room you wouldn’t see anything to the north but you’d be fine with stuff arriving / departing to the south.

Charlotte has no hotels right next to the airport, so I did a lot of research trying to work out where would be best, and I was pleased with the outcome – it was ideal for a one-night stop.

Once the CLT Overlook had opened at 0800, however, I drove over there for the superior view which you wouldn’t’ manage to get from any hotel. The two locations complemented each other quite nicely.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/xAHtoVZRd55BLYTW8

The second image shows the view from the room giving an unobstructed view to the east for any arrivals or departures from or to the south.

The final image above is the view of the arrivals from the north, the lights are just above the apartment block but can be made out clearly with good optics.

KSEA/SEA - Seattle Seatac - Double Tree - May 2026

I stayed in the Double Tree hotel at the south end of the airport.  With a high even numbered room there are views of the approach and departures, but again FR24 or similar is usually required.  I had 1278 which is a corner suite, so great for the approaches from the south while I was there.  being a Hilton Honors member is beneficial.  There is a sports bar for evening food, but other fast food and Dennys within walking distance. 

Rooms booked direct with Hilton allow you to pick your room prior to check in.

Additional May 2026 Information.

The biggest challenge here is getting the correct room for spotting. It is a huge hotel. You need to request a high room in the Tower to ensure you get the correct room with a view. However, when I looked to check in online I found they had allocated a room on 3^rd floor to me – no good at all. Through their Live Chat I ascertained that the high rooms in the Tower are only available at the published rate to holders of HHonors Gold or above.

 

It is possible to upgrade at a cost to gain access which I chose to do. For an extra USD 40 I was allocated room 1178, a corner room allowing views of all arrivals & departures (regardless of runway usage) and also of some aircraft parked on the A & S Terminals. I feel this to be good value in order to give you the access you require.

Credit: Steve Mitchell and additional information by Nick Godfrey

https://maps.app.goo.gl/L5Y2BhT5HeVyvbfAA

KLAX/LAX - Los Angeles - Ramada by Wyndham - May 2026

With the  usual hotels  showing as , very expensive. Thinking outside the box I was looking for places in Hawthorne. I came across place. I'm staying tonight which is a Ramada by Wyndham. The address is 5250 W. El Segundo Blvd., Los Angeles 90250. It has free parking, high-speed Wi-Fi, and rooms come with a microwave, coffee machine, and fridge.  The view as you can see from the attached photo is of the arrival path on the way they normally land into LAX. It's not for purists, but the distance to the aircraft from the hotel isn't too far, although not possible to read the aircraft serial. This is really the last chance place to stay with a view that I would used, but it works perfectly well. Hotel has four floors and any room that ends in 01 - 17 would work.. The hotel has a 1980s vibe as you can see. The view works well though. 

The Hilton it isn’t , but at £65 for the night was a bargain ……. Booked direct … they arrange a room facing the right way at check in.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/tEUemVQ6wQX2afdN7

KATL/ATL - Atlanta - La Quinta North - April 2026

Stayed at the La Quinta North, where you can either see arrival/departures from if you get an even number room on the 5th or 6th floor, or you can take a 15 minute walk down to the North Remote Parking Ramp. Landers/departures on the north runways can be read off from here but you will have to use FR24 or similar for the south ones.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/1aWsPLztrpSZ8S7b6

KATL/ATL - Atlanta - Renaissance Concourse - March 2026

Day spent at the Renaissance Concourse hotel in Atlanta minus one hour to visit the Delta Flight Museum. Rooms with the balconies overlook the airfield. Before we went I was told that rooms with a single king bed are on the highest floors but booked a room with 2 queens and was still able to get a room on floor 9 of 11. Presumably the king rooms are on floors 10 and 11 with the suites? Anyway, the room was high enough to see movements on all runways as well as clear the flood lights for pictures of aircraft landing on runway 8L. 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/eiA8bGPJuUyNAdoFA

View from the front of the room,  views to left and right look over FedEx and delta maintenance ramps.

KMIA/MIA - Miami - Wingate by Wyndham Miami Airport - March 2026

We decided on the Wingate by Wyndham Miami Airport Hotel. This is at 3755 NW 76th Ave, Doral, FL 33166.  The hotel itself has 6 floors and what you need is a 5/6th floor for a view. We had rooms 613/619 both facing the airport, any room from 601-619 will do, I'd say the lower the number the better. Views. From the room you can see all arrivals onto all 3 runways! 

12/30 go straight over the hotel. 08L/26L and 08R/26R are just to the south of the hotel so to the right when looking out of the window.  09/27 are further to the right and do need a bit of work if on 09 but with a crick of the neck you will see them. All arrivals over the sea [26L/26R/27/30] can be seen coming towards you without any problems, you just have to get your bearings first.

Breakfast is included which consists of bread/toast/scrambled eggs/eggs/sausage/make your own waffles/yoghurts and coffee and tea. This offers a great start to the day. Parking is free.

In the area there are a few places to go and eat but we chose "Miller's Ale House" which was excellent and a great recommendation from Malcolm. Great food, great beers and great staff. The manager decided to join us and give us some samples of his favourite beers which we reluctantly [not] accepted. It's circa 25 minute walk which was a pleasant change from driving everywhere. We Uber'd back after a few drinks which were circa $20-$25 plus tip which between 5 of us was decent.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/uV4K2TfnqkudewUk6

Credit Jeff Hulme.

KPHX/PHX - Phoenix - Aloft Phoenix Airport - March 2026

The Aloft is a relatively new Marriott hotel located just north of Phoenix Skyharbor Airport. It is aligned close to the touchdown point of runway 26. We were allocated twin room 609 which faces south, looking towards the airport.  As is often the case, landing traffic in the evening (we arrived after dark) was using runways 25L/26. All landing traffic could easily be seen, although departures off 25R/26 could not.

The following morning - again as is often the case - 7R & 8 were in use for landing traffic and 7L & 8 for departing traffic. All activity - including landings - could be seen, you just need to work out where to see the landers before they disappear behind clutter. Photography may be possible for aircraft landing on 26 but 25L landers may be too far away. Traffic in and out of Scottsdale can be seen also, as can many overflights transiting the Phoenix area.

This isn't a particularly cheap hotel (although staying during sports training and spring break bumped up prices at all hotels).

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Nzm6nbzA9k9b2MB7A

KSEA/SEA - Seattle Seatac - Four Points by Sheraton Seattle Airport South - March 2026

We stayed overnight at this hotel located approximately 3.5 miles due south of Seattle IAP. Whilst the hotel is a little way away from the airport itself, there are certain rooms that offer or should offer excellent views in part at least. We requested a westerly facing room (more on this below). On the night I stayed, traffic was using the southerly runway 16s, departing towards the hotel. Despite typical Seattle weather for the time of year, departures were easily visible until they entered clouds as they passed over the hotel.

The room allocated was room 733, actually a north facing twin room.. This is on the top floor and is one of two rooms (the other being 731) which are out of sequence with other rooms on the floor. The hotel clearly knew what we wanted, as these north facing rooms would be the only ones that would give you the ability to view traffic from the room itself.  After dark departures only could be seen. During daylight hours landing traffic is visible on short finals although you have to be quick due to trees blocking part of the view. If using the 34 runways, landing traffic would pass close by the hotel. In this instance, any of the many west facing rooms would afford good views with potential for photography also.

the hotel has an on site Indian restaurant that I can thoroughly recommend. However beware, meal sizes are US rather than UK or European!

https://maps.app.goo.gl/cm12v9YzAnfAJ7k6A

KLGA/LGA - New York La Guardia - Hampton by Hilton - March 2026

There are a number of hotels located opposite the terminals at La Guardia.  Whilst the Hampton by Hilton view would appear to be blocked by the Marriott in front, it isn't because the Hampton sits a little higher a little further back, and the hotel itself is higher.  As ever Hilton hotels also offer the advantage of being able to choose your own room when you check in on their app: for a view of anything flying at LGA 11th floor odd numbered room is required.

If the skies are clear the approach to Newark (from the north, the usual direction) is visible in the distance, and traffic to/from Boston and White Plains can be seen overhead.

This hotel has no restaurant but there is a restaurant in the Doubletree on the other side of the car park.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/2Q9LyHmsgBHA31io8

Floor plan. 11th floor odd numbered rooms required.

Runway 31 departure. Marriott hotel in front.

Runway 22 arrival

KLAS/LAS - Las Vegas - New York, New York - February 2026

I spent the week in the New York New York hotel in Las Vegas on a family holiday, The Hotel is well suited for combining a holiday  with some spotting time.

When booking you need to make sure you book a strip view room, any of the rooms in any of the towers will work, The higher the better.  We were allocated 1872 which was ideal, In my very limited experience there is little point in trying to negotiate with the front desk for a room change or a specific room as all allocations seem to be controlled remotely by a central reservations team and whilst they can and will ask for a change the front desk staff have no authority to make their own decisions.

Spotting will require electronics and nothing can be read off, The hotel is also too far away for any photography but views are good. Following the demolition of the Tropicana hotel there is currently a relatively unrestricted view over the airport, with only Terminal 3. the D gates and Cargo being out of view however, crucially all four runways can be seen so nothing will be missed. I believe it should remain this way for much of 2026 however construction of the Major League Baseball stadium and NBA stadium on the site has started and depending on the hight of these facilities views may be interrupted. Even of this were the case there should still be gaps between buildings for nothing to be missed.

Whilst Las Vegas is well known from a purely spotting perspective there are a few tips that can assist with combing it with a holiday. Firstly I don’t do biz so that made life a lot easier for me.

On a more general point Las Vegas is all about “the strip” which runs adjacent to the airport, In General the further South your hotel is the better the view but most hotels will work. If your hotel is on the west side of the strip then you need a strip facing room which are generally more expensive, if your hotel is to the east of the strip then a strip facing room wont work and you need a cheaper non strip view. In general this holds good however there are a few exceptions such as Caesars palace and some rooms of the MGM Grand where rooms are adjacent to the strip.  

Aircraft departing from Runway 26L will fly over the strip on departure and can bee seen if you are outdoors. Aircraft departing from 1R headed North or East will turn right after departure and not overfly the strip. Departures to the West or south will bank sharply and overfly the strip. That said we were there in the winter when temperatures were in the 20’s I cant imagine you will want to spend much time outside in summer when its in the 40’s.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/72cFJNDmzys358yF8

KMIA/MIA - Miami - Clarion Hotel - February 2026

In Miami we stayed in the Clarion Inns & Suites. Its a long time favourite hotel for spotters. The hotel is old but the view from the 11th floor (odd numbered rooms) have a very good view. Room 1107 has 2 queen beds, 1109 1 king bed and 1103 is a studio suite. All 3 runways are in sight from 1109 even now a new hanger is built in front meaning that Lower floors will be problematic.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/a5XVBMcqBvf94Mm97

Credit Karin Middendorp