Take off, touch down, check in: why it’s time to embrace the airport hotel

It’s incredible to think that, in 1959, when Hilton opened the world’s first airport hotel, Hilton San Francisco Airport Bayfront, it was a real revelation. The man behind the launch was Barron Hilton, and the hotel’s opening combined his then-position as vice-president of Hilton Hotels with a lifelong fascination with aviation. As a child living in Dallas, Texas, he’d ride his bicycle to a nearby airfield and watch the planes take off and land. “I’d go and stare at those planes, trying to figure out when I’d be able to fly one,” he said later.

And, as soon as he could, he did. While stationed with the US navy at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, during the second world war, the 17-year-old Hilton took flying lessons at a civilian air base on the north shore of Oahu. Having earned his twin-engine pilot’s licence in 1946, at the age of just 19, he attended the University of Southern California aeronautical school. Perhaps only a pilot, regularly travelling back and forth to an airfield, could come up with the concept of a hotel situated close to the airport, for the convenience of travellers.

While air travel has changed beyond all recognition since the 1950s, Hilton still offers airport hotel guests the great service they’ve come to expect at other Hilton hotels. But that’s not the only reason you should stay at a Hilton airport hotel.

Start your holiday early
Booking into a Hilton airport hotel means you start your holiday before you even get to your destination. Not only will you relax and unwind, knowing how easy the journey to the airport is going to be, but you could enjoy a spa treatment, delicious dining or just chill out in front of the TV in the comfort of your hotel room. The top-class facilities and services on offer are the same as those at Hilton hotels across the world, and include connecting rooms and 24-hour room service, especially helpful if you’re travelling with children and want to build up to the excitement of a family getaway.

Getting a full night’s sleep
There’s nothing worse than boarding a long-haul flight already sleep-deprived. Staying at a Hilton airport hotel means you’re within walking distance or a short shuttle ride from the departure lounge, so you’ll be able to have an extra hour (or more) of shuteye. Whether you’re travelling with young children, who are unlikely to sleep on the flight, or on a business trip and expected to be ready to work as soon as the plane touches down, this is something everyone can appreciate. What’s more, knowing how easy your journey will be the next day means you’re more likely to have a better night’s sleep too.

No long drives and traffic jams
Getting stuck in traffic or having to drive hours to the airport is incredibly stress-inducing, and not what you want at the beginning of a holiday or a work trip. Booking a Hilton airport hotel means you can get to the airport well in advance of your flight, having enjoyed an overnight stay before walking or making the quick shuttle ride to the departure lounge.

A simple airport commute
Instead of having to get a train, taxi or bus, all of which can be unreliable or late, what could be better than walking to the airport on foot? Many Hilton airport hotels have a short connecting footbridge that takes you right where you need to be; alternatively, they operate a free shuttle or tram service that will have you at the airport in minutes.

Flexibility
Staying at a Hilton airport hotel gives you extra flexibility and more options when it comes to flight times. Making a 6am flight when you’re staying five minutes from the airport is much easier than if you live two hours away. What’s more, it means you can opt to fly from airports that you wouldn’t usually consider, because you can travel to them the day before.

Park & Fly
As part of your stay at a Hilton airport hotel, you can also park your car for the duration of your holiday, through the Park & Fly package. This means, if you were planning to leave your car at the airport, you could incorporate those costs into your hotel stay. With many airports now charging substantial amounts for parking, this could make for a significant saving.

Day use
Unfortunately, life often continues despite the fact that you have a flight to catch. Hilton airport hotels are perfectly set up with high-speed wifi so, before you take off, you can do that last-minute video meeting or, if you need to meet in person, there’s even the option of bookable meeting and conference rooms.

Discover Hilton’s airport hotels in Europe and the UK