Aeroplane hotels
Have you ever wished you could bring your bed on board the aeroplane? Stretch out and get a sound night’s sleep on a long flight? The dream of a floating hotel is not as far-fetched as you might think. There’s a new generation of aircraft in development that could change the way we travel forever. But, for the moment, the closest thing you’ll get to that experience is an aeroplane hotel; the only problem is, you won’t have moved anywhere when you wake up!
Jumbo Hostel, Arlanda Airport, Sweden
This plane had a long life in service, ferrying tourists around the world and flying Muslim pilgrims to Mecca. But by 2006 it had been reduced to a mouldy wreck, abandoned at Arlanda Airport in Sweden. An entrepreneur saw an opportunity and snapped it up, transforming the Boeing 747 into a 25 room hostel. The interior was completely cleaned out and refurbished, with new wiring and plumbing, and the space divided into bedrooms and bathrooms. It has kept some original features, like overhead cabins for storage and repositioned airline chairs in the lounge. The hostel has a view of the landing strip at the airport and those not staying overnight are welcome to come in for a coffee or a walk out on the wing.
This is budget accommodation – you can expect to sleep on a bunk bed in a room about 6 metres square. You can opt to share with others, dormitory style, but private rooms for up to 3 guests are available. The most luxurious space is the cockpit suite, which sleeps 2 and is the only bedroom with a private bathroom. It’s being billed as the honeymoon suite, with marriage ceremonies to take place on the wing outside. You might not quite qualify for the mile high club, but it’s the next best thing.
Have a look around and see what you think!
727 Fuselage, Costa Rica
This plane looks like it has crash landed in a tropical paradise, but it was really brought here bit by bit from its prior resting place at San Jose Airport. It’s another plane that came to the end of its working life and was given a makeover by a hotelier with an eye for unusual accommodation.
This one is at the more luxurious end of the market. The whole Boeing 727 has been turned into one exclusive suite. Set on a 50-foot high pedestal, it has views over the ocean and the jungle. A hardwood deck has been added to the outside and there is a dining area, kitchenette and 2 bedrooms, each with its own bathroom. The interior has been covered in teak panelling, giving it the feel of a top-class treehouse.
Airplane Suite, Teuge Airport, Holland
This plane was being used as a village restaurant when it was bought and brought to the edge of the runway at Teuge Airport in Holland. It has been transformed into a 5 star hotel suite and meeting room, complete with Jacuzzi, sauna, bar and kitchen, as well as all mod cons like flat screen televisions and wireless internet.
The four engine plane was built in 1960 and was used by the East German government, to carry officials like Erich Honecker around the world. It’s an Ilyushin 18, which was a popular Soviet Union aircraft. Its Cold War-era owners could hardly have imagined that the plane would one day be kitted out as a playroom for wealthy capitalist businessmen.
Manned Cloud
If you really want your hotel to get off the ground, you’re going to have to wait a little longer. The Manned Cloud won’t be launched until 2020. It’s still in development, but a flying hotel is an exciting prospect and could be part of a revolution in the way we travel. The technology hasn’t been fully worked out yet, but it’s an airship that will be fuelled by some kind of gas. It will be huge – the length of 2 football pitches – with 20 bedrooms for up to 40 guests. It will have all the features you would expect in a quality hotel such as a restaurant, bar, spa and gym. But it will be able to take you places you have never been before.
The idea is that it could land in beauty spots such as Thailand and the Caribbean, stay there for a week or so and then take off again. This would allow tourists to visit these destinations, whilst leaving the natural landscape unspoilt by permanent building.
Aeroscraft
And there’s another airborne hotel on the horizon, with a prototype expected as early as 2010. It will be the cruise ship of the sky. Travellers who choose to sail around the sea are more interested in the journey than the destination, and it will be the same for those aboard the Aeroscraft. They will travel at a leisurely speed, with time to relax and enjoy the unrivalled and ever-changing views of the earth below. If they tire of that, they can entertain themselves in the casino or restaurant.
The Aeroscraft is a cross between an airship and an aeroplane. It has electric engines, which are both quiet and environmentally friendly. It takes off vertically, so it doesn’t need a runway, and it will be able to land on earth, snow or water, making it a very flexible means of transport.
Credits
Picture 1 – Travel Anecdotes
Picture 2 and 3 – Mr Vincent Costello
Picture 4 and 5 – Hotel Suites
Picture 6 – Groovy Green
Picture 7 – Air Voila
Picture 8 – How Stuff Works
Picture 9 - Elite Choice
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