What’s the only place more liminal than an airport?
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An airport hotel.
Airport hotels aren’t bad—I’ve stayed in more than a few swanky, comfortable airport hotels in my day. I even have a few on my radar, like JFK’s TWA Hotel.
Still, most of my airport hotel experiences were thanks to delayed flights and cancellations.
Work trips and conventions aside, most travelers find themselves checking into airport hotels thanks to unexpected delays. These are, invariably, stressful experiences. Will your next flight actually take off the next day? Will the airline actually comp your meals and transportation fees?
If you’re stuck at an airport hotel at the start of your trip, you’re missing precious time at your destination. If it’s the other way around, you might be utterly exhausted from your trip, missing home and desperate to feel the warm embrace of your bed. At worst, you might even miss work or another important engagement.
In other words, there’s a lot of stress that makes finding the right airport hotel difficult for unexpected overnight stays. Here’s my guide on how to find the right airport hotel, based on my most maddening overnight stays.
How to find a good airport hotel at the last minute: what to look for
Before I dive into how to find the right airport hotel for your overnight stay, let me touch on the most important elements to consider.
Here’s what I pay attention to when I’m on the hunt for an airport hotel:
- Proximity to the airport. Look for hotels that have free shuttles to the airport or are located close to your terminal. Don’t make the mistake of opting for a cheaper hotel room that’s further from your hotel—you might be paying the difference in room rates in a taxi to and from the airport.
- The airport(s) in question. In large cities, you might be rerouted through another airport. (Think: New York City, London, Chicago, etc.) Don’t book an airport hotel until you’re certain where you’re flying out of. You want to stay the night close to your departing airport.
- Price and amenities. If your hotel is being comped by the airline, congratulations. That’s not always the case, which is when you need to zero in on nightly rates. Once again, don’t forget to factor in distance and transportation costs. On the other hand, maybe you want to book a nicer hotel with a spa to alleviate that airport delay stress. Also good to consider.
- A worst-case scenario. Let’s assume the worst happens, and your rebooked flight is canceled like the original flight. (This has happened to me due to inclement weather.) If that’s the case, would you be willing to stay a second night at your chosen airport hotel? Can you afford it for two nights? Will its amenities work for a longer 48-hour stay? You might need access to laundry facilities or services, if that’s the case. And you’ll want a solid restaurant at your fingertips.
- Reviews. Always check the reviews and stick to the most recent ones. You should be skimming for any red flags, such as security.
Five-step guide to finding the right airport for your short stay
The topics mentioned above should give you an overview of what to consider when you unexpectedly need to stay overnight at an airport hotel. But again, don’t underestimate how stressful it is to hear about the cancellation and then be left wondering… what now?
Once again, your airline will likely make arrangements when flights to a specific destination are canceled due to mechanical issues, inclement weather, or another issue. But that’s not always the case, especially when budget airlines are involved. You might be scrambling to find a place to stay and figure out how to get there.
Use these five steps to find the right airport hotel:
Step #1: Plan your next flight at the airport before you find an airport hotel
You need to know when and where you’ll fly out of. In my experience, even if an airline doesn’t buck up for the hotel, transportation, or meals, they’ll usually automatically rebook me on a new flight.
However, that could be days away—meaning you need to rebook yourself, then ask for a refund for the canceled flight. Just take a deep breath, hang tight, and be ready to explore your options.
Step #2: Figure out what is and isn’t comped by the airline
As mentioned above, most airlines cover hotels in the case of an unexpected overnight stay. Some offer more than one option—use the list in the section above to narrow down your options. If that isn’t the case, and you need to find your own hotel, proximity to the airport should be the most important factor. Transportation is the costliest element of airport hotel stays, in my experience. Food is a close second.
Step #3: Grab the basics at the airport
Speaking of food, I’ve found that most airport hotels don’t have supermarkets nearby. The airport terminal that you’re leaving might be a better choice for finding some snacks and basic toiletries, in case you’re out. Of course, airport stores aren’t cheap by any stretch—but, once again, you might be paying a comparable price if you need to pay for transportation to/from a supermarket and your chosen airport hotel.
Step #4: Get there and check in, and ask about availability in case you need to spend the night
When you check in to the airport hotel, be upfront with staff about your situation. The more they know, the more they can help you out. I’ve received plenty of tips in the past, from when to book my taxi in the morning to nabbing free breakfast goodies because staff saw the pain in my eyes. (Shout out to the Radisson Blu Hotel at Heathrow!)
I recommend inquiring about your room in case you need to stay a second night. You’ll feel a little better knowing whether you can rely on the same room being free for you the next night, just in case. If you think there’s a strong possibility that you’ll be stranded for a few days, look for conference centers—they usually have large room counts, meaning they’re not often booked out.
Step #5: Start rounding up your expenses—you’ll need receipts soon
Once you’ve settled into your airport hotel, start rounding up your receipts. You’ll be doing more homework once you’re home if you leave this chore for later. And, after all, you probably don’t have much to do at your hotel. That’s doubly true if you’re stranded alone.