Choosing to Stay at an Airport Hotel

When traveling for pleasure, most people choose hotels in the heart of the action or trendy busy neighborhoods to immerse themselves in the destination’s feel.

Airport hotels are often written off as convenient only for business travelers, delayed flights, and early morning/late night arrivals and departures, but why limit using these great amenity lodgings for these specific circumstances?

Choosing to spend your trip or a portion of your trip staying at an airport hotel has some profound benefits, some of which are unique to this type of property.

The option of working remotely since the pandemic is a benefit many of us have been able to take advantage of, and I have felt the need to ensure that good work is set up everywhere I travel.

I’m aware of Marriotts’ extended stay portfolio of brands; one of them has All-suite hotels such as Springhill Suites by Marriott.

They also have a vacation home rentals platform called Homes & Villas by Marriott International. Curated vacation home properties across the globe, and you can also earn and redeem Marriott Bonvoy points, among other perks.

If you are craving bigger space or are not eligible for Suite Night Award (SNA), then having a rental house or apartment for yourself or your family is the best bet.

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Many of Marriott’s extended-stay properties offer promotions or more lucrative rates through the Bonvoy app – a recent example with the All-suite hotel, Springhill Suites by Marriott, with 1000 bonus points and elite credit for each night stayed.

Knowing that suites offer a dedicated work area and a small kitchenette with a mini refrigerator, microwave, cabinets, coffee machine, and sink. I jumped at the deal and booked a stay at Springhill Suites Laguardia Airport and another at Springhill Newark Airport. I was pleasantly surprised by the size of the room, views, and perfect ergonomic workstation.

Since I only need a suite to myself, I certainly don’t demand or request any upgrade to a presidential or more extensive suite. Both suites have ample sizes and enough amenities to meet my daily needs.  

Without the promotion goes a long way to gaining elite status with Marriott Bonvoy unless you sign up for any Marriott Bonvoy Visa or Amex credit cards with many perks, including receiving upgrades for preferred rooms and choosing a cash + points option for booking rooms.

As an elite member, I can choose the cash + points option and receive upgrades for the room I prefer that would suit my working life on the property.  

Here are some perks to enjoy during your stay at an Airport Hotel:

1.    Modern & Not Dated

With air travel passenger numbers reaching into the billions annually (4.3 billion in 2018), pre-pandemic, many chains have invested in creating hotels near airports. This means that many properties are modern and designed to include sophisticated amenities that we don’t usually associate with these types of properties.

Even older airport properties tend to be well maintained and include added values such as noise-reducing windows, more spacious rooms, and other small details to ensure a comfortable and restful stay. Generally, these both properties that I stayed at are not dated or worn out and still look brand new.

2.    Complimentary Breakfast

Who doesn’t love free breakfast? With most hotels in proximity to airports offering complimentary continental breakfast, many have upped their game to include a daily breakfast buffet. Starting your day off right with your first square meal is essential when you’re going out to explore the city.

Whether you’re enjoying a free fresh bean-to-cup coffee in the lobby while waiting for the last stragglers of your party to get ready or delighting in a multi-course complimentary breakfast buffet, this is one of my favorite perks of airport hotels. Don’t forget that if you have an early morning tour to catch, you can ask for a bagged breakfast to-go to snack on later.

3.  Most Convenient Transportation

Arriving at your destination and not worrying about transportation from the airport to your hotel adds a sense of relief. With many cities having different rules about taxis, uber, and ride shares, or not having to worry about finding a fare for a train downtown, the ease of catching a free shuttle makes sense.

Airport hotels are also finding new ways to connect guests to downtown attractions, with shuttles to a specific destination, train stations, or discounts with certain transportation services.

4.   Dedicated Work Station

In welcoming increasingly diverse demographics of travelers, airport hotels are looking to diversify rooms. In most, you will find a dedicated ergonomic workspace, high-speed internet access, and complete business centers for guests to use.

Whether you’re taking a little downtime in your room to catch up on reading, homework, or call your client, you will find everything you need at your fingertips.

5.   Budget Friendly

Airport hotels are often considerably less expensive than ones located near tourist sights and more frequently offer promotions. With many additional traveling expenses, such as parking, transport, and breakfast being offered by the hotel, it makes traveling more budget-friendly, especially with larger families and groups. Look for a room with a pull-out sofa to comfortably accommodate groups of three or kids!

6.   Choosing New York Airport Hotels

New York is a hub of hotels. There are more than 500 hotels in New York, from hostels to luxury rooms. Every neighborhood has plenty of hotels, from 3-star to 5-star, and uber-luxury hotels. So airport hotels are easily overlooked by travelers who prefer to stay in the Greater New York area or Manhattan only.

Everyone has a goal to visit EVERY Manhattan hotel well located in – Chelsea, East Village, Gramercy, Harlem, Hudson Yards, Midtown, NoMad, Times Square, Union Square, Upper West Side, Washington Heights, Chinatown, Flatiron District, Greenwich Village, Hell’s Kitchen, Little Italy, Murry Hill, SoHo, Tribeca, Upper East Side, and Wall Street.

Staying at New York airport hotels seems like a rare decision or unpopular opinion, or someone has a specific event for it. I stayed at three airport hotels in New York City. TWA JFK airport, Springhill Suites by Marriott LaGuardia Airport, and Springhill Suites by Marriott Newark Airport.

New York City’s notoriously expansive public transportation system extends to all five boroughs and three airports. For as little as $2.75, you can be downtown in half an hour or ride all the way to Coney Island at the end of the line. Think of all the traffic jams you are avoiding!

Airport hotels have shed the stigma of being remote buildings stuck between the airport and a highway and have evolved to include amenities that we might think of being in the city, including modern architecture, fine dining, and sophisticated leisure facilities. Don’t overlook these hidden gems on your next excursion!

What are your experiences staying at airport hotels? Comment here or on an Instagram post.

When would you choose an Airport hotel over a City hotel? Share your thoughts or insights in the comment below!

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