Sometimes a trip to the airport doesn’t go as planned. It could be crazy weather, it could be engine trouble or some other unexpected hiccup that means you won’t be flying out that night but instead making your way to an airport hotel.
The first time it happened to me in Sydney almost every flight was cancelled and by the time I was allocated a room the only thing left was a hotel room more than half an hour’s drive away from the airport.
The last time it happened was a much happier tale. One that involved a hotel that wasn’t just super close to the airport but a fun one to boot.
When I walked into the downstairs lobby of the Citadines Connect Sydney Airport hotel and found a sign that said “Take the lift to the Penthouse level where all the Planespotters go” I had to smile.
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The signs outside the lift had little green airplanes pointing up, so I hopped on in, surrounded by more cute green planes going around inside the lift, and went up to a fun and funky check in, lobby, loft and self service dining area on the penthouse level.
As I had been craving a good curl up in bed with room service moment I was a little disappointed to find they don’t have room service in the hotel, but I was soon embracing their help yourself food and drink system. Here you grab whatever you like and swipe it along with your room key and it’s charged to your room, and I was soon toasting a sandwich and opening a bottle of red knowing I still had money to spare on my $50 food and drink voucher from Qantas.
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I fell in love with some of the artwork around the hotel including photos of women with planes, golden sunset clouds as seen through plane windows, and a huge trivision billboard by the artist Peter Bainbridge. Bonus points go to the Neon ‘You treat this place like a hotel’ sign by graphic designer Claire Sarfati.
Rooms in this 150 room hotel come in Economy, Premium Economy, Business Class and First Class, and my economy room on the 7th floor was compact but had everything I needed. That being a huge comfy bed, a place for my luggage, a small desk and chair to do a little work at, a small kettle with a selection of T2 teas (always a welcome sight), a shower with great water pressure and a 55-inch TV that allows guests to log into their own Netflix accounts.
As it was so cute and fun I assumed it was probably at the pricier end of the scale, but when I checked out the Citadines Connect Sydney Airport hotel on Booking.com I was pleasantly surprised to see it’s very reasonable.
And at about a seven minute walk or two minute drive from the Sydney domestic terminal, it’s also very convenient.
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So how about you guys? Have you ever been happily surprised by where a changed travel plan has taken you?
And what’s the best airport hotel you’ve stayed in before? The Crowne Plaza Changi and Fairmont Gold at Fairmont Vancouver Airport are my personal favourites and ones I can’t wait to stay in again.
Amanda Woods stayed at the Citadines Connect Sydney Airport Hotel as a guest of Qantas following her cancelled flight.
Want to check out some more Sydney airport hotels? I’ve also tried out the Adina Apartment Sydney airport hotel.
Booking.com
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