20 Terrific Airport Hotels

Airport hotels are almost as old as airports themselves. Whether travelers journeying a long way to their gateway airport need to rest before or after their journeys, or extended air itineraries necessitate an overnight stop, airport hotels are the niche product admired by many. Hilton was the first hospitality company to open a branded airport hotel, at San Francisco in 1959. Here's a look at 20 of the top airport hotels that offer quality stays in great destinations.

Guests arriving at Los Angeles International Airport won't have far to go to reach the Hyatt Regency LAX-it's the closest airport hotel to the terminal complex. Once onsite the hotel has 24-hour locally-inspired dining and housekeeping (with noiseless vacuums) a resort-style outdoor pool, and a workout room with a view of the runways.

This airport Hilton welcomes a large number of travelers from China and offers both Chinese and American breakfast buffets in The Cafe. Guests can also dine at the 24-hour bistro, Landings Sports Bar, or Italian Andiamo when they're not enjoying the outdoor pool and whirlpool.

Travelers in search of fresh air and views of the airport and the Pacific Ocean can head to the hotel's H Overlook, while those seeking water therapy can take a swim in the heated outdoor pool. The hotel is just minutes from the terminal area; arriving guests can take advantage of free shuttle service, and a transfer lounge if their flight departs later than checkout.

With a lobby located just above the Transborder ticket counters, and soundproofed public spaces and guest rooms with views of the airport and the surrounding mountains and ocean, one would be hard-pressed to find an airport hotel with more spectacular scenery. Travelers in the know eschew terminal dining for a Northwest cuisine and a quiet table at Globe@YVR.

This hotel has all the amenities one might expect from an airport hotel: a full-service restaurant, a pool, meeting spaces, a workout room, and direct terminal access. But for over a half-century travelers and Chicago residents alike have been coming here for steaks and cocktails served by Gaslight Girls in the Roaring '20s atmosphere of the Gaslight Club.

If a spa is what a weary traveler seeks, visitors to this brand new airport hotel in Minnesota will find it, complete with thermal bath and array of treatment options. There are also a gastropub and a French brasserie serving meals throughout the day. Shopping-minded visitors can head to the nearby Mall of America, just five minutes from the hotel.

Opening in the fall of 2019 with its own dedicated Air Train stop, this new hotel is the first within the terminal area at San Francisco International Airport. The lobby features views of the terminal through soundproof windows and guests arriving at all hours can nosh or sip cocktails or California wines at the 24/7 Twin Crafts Market & Bar.

Transit passengers at New York JFK can while their time inside the historic TWA terminal, which has been converted into the TWA Hotel. Guests can drink and dine in the Eero Saarinen terminal or outside in a restored Lockheed Constellation propliner. There's also a rooftop infinity pool where swimmers and diners alike have views of aircraft movements on the apron.

For travelers needing a bed during their long transit, the YOTELAIR is located airside, through security, so travelers needn't undergo immigration formalities during their layover. "Cabins" are modeled after luxury first-class air travel accommodations. Cabins include showers, but travelers just wanting to shower between flights can pay a fee for one on a first-come, first-served basis.

Located right inside Terminal D at Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport, guests at Grand Hyatt DFW can sleep in until it's time to go through the security checkpoint or rise early to take a dip in the rooftop pool. Those not arriving or departing from Terminal D can take the hotel's luxury house car between terminals.

In addition to the warm cookies all DoubleTree guests receive, travelers at this hotel across the street from the terminal have plenty of spaces to unwind. Guests can swim in the outdoor pool, perfect their golf swing at the hotel's golf simulator, or dance to R&B hits at Maxi's at the Top of the Tower, the hotel's weekend nightclub.

This sprawling facility is onsite at Frankfurt Airport's Terminal 1. Both international restaurant Flavors and traditional German restaurant Taverne entice hungry guests on longer layovers, while recently refreshed guestrooms have contemporary styling and comfy beds. The hotel also sits atop the airport rail station for easy access to points in Frankfurt and southwest Germany.

Frankfurt is a large airport and transport hub, and the Hilton Frankfurt Airport is another unbeatable hotel for travelers in transit. The hotel has day use rates for guests needing rooms but not staying overnight. Hungry guests can check out RISE, the dawn-to-late restaurant that pays homage to Germany's love of bread by baking several varieties in-house each day.

If there's any airport worth spending more time in, it's Changi Airport in Singapore. While some YOTELAIR properties around the world air airside, post-security, some are landside. The YOTELAIR here is on the airport's landside area, with lounge views of the indoor garden. Both overnight and day rates are available, and cabins feature rainfall showers and plenty of storage space.

This spectacular hotel at world-class Changi Airport is notable for its landscaped outdoor pool and selection of restaurants serving international and Chinese favorites. There's also a throwback '70s-style bar and a lobby lounge for cocktails and light bites. Guests can also book Club accommodations for access to the hotel's private lounge.

Located directly opposite the terminal, this plush hotel is well-located for transit travelers. Rooms are outfitted with rainfall showerheads and are designed to take advantage of natural light while maintaining adequate soundproofing for nearby air operations. Quills, the hotel's 24-hour restaurant, specializes in South produce and a selection of local game.

Guests overnighting near Tokyo's Narita Airport can take their ease in the bucolic countryside of Chiba prefecture at the nearby ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel. Teppanyaki, the hibachi dining style with roots in Japanese inns is available here, and guests can dine on seared Wagyu beef and a selection of sake when not enjoying the outdoor pool and sauna.

This luxury hotel is attached directly to Heathrow's Terminal 5, where shuttles to other terminals and an express train to Central London are available. Inside the hotel is a gastronomic delight: foodies can sip fine wines and champagnes rarely available by the glass at Le Bar Parisien or delight in French gastronomy at La Belle Epoque Restaurant.

Located directly inside Terminal 1 (with a free shuttle from Terminal 2) this Hilton offers services designed for travelers with 24-hour room service, an early start breakfast at 5:30 AM, and a relaxing bar and lounge with views of the runways. Belvedere Restaurant offers international cuisine alongside Mexican specialties like stuffed squash blossom, dried beef, and ceviche.

Located atop the airport's transit station just steps from the terminal guests here can avail themselves of the terminal's many retail and dining options or hop on the transit system to Downtown Denver. Onsite, there's a pool with a view for floating away the jetlag, a farm-to-table grill that's open late, and a collection of public art.