by Veronica Shine

Created on: January 09, 2009

Need to get to the airport at the crack of dawn? Flying in late at night and need some sleep? In answer to these questions, it's often easier to stay at an airport hotel. For a business traveler, the airport hotel is a godsend and nothing beats their ease. The airport hotel can work well for the leisure traveler, both individuals and families, if carefully checked out in advanced.

Years ago, airport hotels were very basic and nothing more than small motels, but today that has all changed. The newest and largest hotel chains are providing spacious deluxe rooms, with many amenities such as spas, swimming pools, Internet access, and free airport shuttle. The business traveler will appreciate never being out of touch with high-tech business facilities.

With an extensive range of hotels having all the modern comforts required, may have you wonder about pricing and proximity to sights in the nearby locations. If you are in a major airport, the airport hotel is usually part of a national chain, and because there may be several hotels in the area, fierce competition ensures decent prices.

A hotel on the airport property may even be in the terminal area such as Hyatt Regency Orlando Intl Airport. If you need to fly out of Orlando on an early morning flight, it works out perfectly. However, it is not near any of the theme parks and is not suggested to use as a base for a holiday

The same holds true for Marriott Angeles Airport Hotel, which has been recently renovated to assure wonderful and convenient stay. There's no problem in getting to LAX, as free transportation is provided, but there is no alternative transportation into Los Angeles other than a taxi.

Many times hotels that are in the terminal are usually high in quality but you pay a high price too. The traveler often pays for the proximity advantage but one new in terminal chain affords a bargain in London and Amsterdam known as a Yotel.

The Yotel is modern, low-cost and right in the terminal so there's no need to wait for a shuttle as you can walk directly to your gate. It is a great place to hang your hat and rest your feet if you have a long layover or if your flight has been delayed.

Winner of Worldwide Hospitality Awards in 2005 for innovative Concept in Hotel Lodging, the Yotel can be secured for either hourly or overnight stays and you can check you're the status of your flight right on your TV screen.

Several airports can work wonderful for your entire stay as the infrastructure from the airport to the city is well planned. Of course you need to do your homework to check all options.

Other cities such as Amsterdam, Brussels, Geneva and London have mass transportation systems that can whisk you right into the center in a half an hour or less. You may be able to budget a more luxurious four or five star hotel at the airport for the price of a one star in a city.

Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, you will wake up feeling relaxed, refreshed and ready to start begin your day, when you stay at a hotel that meets your needs.

The best way to choose an airport hotel is speak with a travel agent, sign up on-line with a major hotel chain, read reviews from others on the web or suggestions from destination tourist offices prior to your trip.

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