If you’re looking to get your holiday off to a flying start, then these aviation-themed hotels might propel things in the right direction.
MailOnline Travel has scoured the world to find guesthouses that have seemingly fallen from the sky, with a 1965 Boeing 727 aircraft peeping out of the Costa Rican jungle and a helicopter parked up in the English countryside landing on the list.
In Sweden, 450 seats were ripped out of a 1976 jumbo jet to create a quirky hostel with a suite in the cockpit. Scroll down to see examples of aviation-inspired inns that might just inspire you to jet off for a break…
Costa Verde, Costa Rica
Costa Verde hotel in Costa Rica features a refurbished vintage 1965 Boeing 727 aircraft, which, in its prior life, shuttled globetrotters on South Africa Air and Avianca Airlines
This fully-outfitted fuselage suite jets out from the jungle canopy, affording ‘views that will make you feel like you’re flying’
The owners also converted the cockpit section of a McDonnell Douglas, MD-80 fuselage, into a cottage
Costa Verde hotel in Costa Rica features a refurbished vintage 1965 Boeing 727 aircraft, which, in its prior life, shuttled globetrotters on South Africa Air and Avianca Airlines. This fully outfitted fuselage suite jets out from the jungle canopy, affording ‘views that will make you feel like you’re flying’.
The owners salvaged the air frame from its San Jose airport-resting place before decking it out with two air conditioned bedrooms, private bathrooms, a kitchen and dining area. Outside, a terrace allows guests to enjoy views of the ocean and the surrounding lush gardens.
The owners also converted the cockpit section of a McDonnell Douglas, MD-80 fuselage, into a cosy cottage with a king-size bed, sitting area, bathroom and kitchen.
Ream Hills Caravan Park, Lancashire
At Ream Hills Caravan Park in Lancashire a 1982 Westland Lynx XZ676 helicopter has been transformed into overnight accommodation
Its snazzy interior includes can accommodate four people and has a kitchen sink, mini fridge and microwave. There is also a heater to keep guests warm in chillier months and on the entertainment front, there is a flatscreen TV
At Ream Hills Caravan Park in Lancashire a 1982 Westland Lynx XZ676 helicopter has been transformed into overnight accommodation.
Its snazzy interior includes can accommodate four people and has a kitchen sink, mini fridge and microwave. There is also a heater to keep guests warm in chillier months and on the entertainment front, there is a flatscreen TV.
Use of the nearby on-site toilet and shower block is included. The chopper is set on a round piece of tarmac, with grassy land surrounding the plot. Prices start at £115 per night.
Jumbo Stay, Sweden
The Jumbo Stay hostel, set at the entrance to Stockholm Arlanda Airport, is housed inside a decommissioned jumbo jet model 747-212B from 1976
The aircraft was purchased in 2006 and all 450 seats were taken out to install dormitory-style quarters. There are also a number of private rooms. In total there are 76 rooms, with one of the ensuite bedrooms in the cockpit
The bathrooms are a far cry from the tight squeeze usually seen on aircraft, with space for showering
The Jumbo Stay hostel, set at the entrance to Stockholm Arlanda Airport in Sweden, is housed inside a decommissioned jumbo jet model 747-212B from 1976.
The aircraft was purchased in 2006 and all 450 seats were taken out to install dormitory-style quarters. There are also a number of private rooms.
In total there are 76 rooms, with one of the ensuite bedrooms in the cockpit. Rates start from around £38 per night. There is also a café onboard where guests and visitors can purchase breakfast and warm meals.
Woodlyn Park, North Island, New Zealand
Woodlyn Park estate in Waitomo, New Zealand, is home to a variety of unusual lodging experiences for visitors, including a Bristol Freighter plane
The aircraft, which was one of the last allied planes out of Vietnam, has been converted into a two-room unit and one of the bedrooms allows guests to sleep in a cockpit
Woodlyn Park estate in Waitomo, New Zealand, is home to a variety of unusual lodging experiences for visitors, including a Bristol Freighter plane.
The aircraft, which was one of the last allied planes out of Vietnam, has been converted into a two-room unit and one of the bedrooms allows guests to sleep in a cockpit.
Other features include an ensuite shower room and a living area with a kitchenette. Guests can whip up their own meals using the onboard gas hob or microwave.
Mains Farm Wigwams, Stirling, Scotland
At Mains Farm Wigwams in Stirling, Scotland, there is a Sea King helicopter that visitors can sleep in
The converted chopper can sleep up to five people with a double bed in the body of the aircraft, a seat that converts into a double bed and a single bed in the tail
At Mains Farm Wigwams in Stirling, Scotland, there is a refurbished Sea King helicopter visitors can sleep in.
The converted chopper can sleep up to five people with a double bed in the body of the aircraft, a seat that converts into a double bed and a single bed in the tail.
Other features include a mini kitchen, bathroom and a cockpit seating area where you can enjoy spectacular views over the Forth Valley. A night’s stay starts from £150 for two people.
Hangar Hotel, Texas
The Hangar Hotel in Texas has a historically accurate WWII hangar appearance
Careful research went into the design of the unique Hangar Hotel in Texas, which has a historically accurate exterior resembling a WWII hangar.
Along with 50 guest rooms, the quirky homestay at the Gillespie County Airport in Fredericksburg features a wealth of airplane memorabilia and historical artefacts. Continuing on the aviation theme, there are pieces of furniture upholstered with leather from vintage bomber jackets.
The hotel is adjacent to a runway ramp area, providing excellent views of airplanes buzzing overhead and there is an observation deck for avid aviation fans.
Aviator, Hampshire
The most striking feature of the Aviator hotel is the central rotunda, with each floor of the hotel overlooking the next, to create the illusion of an aircraft propeller when viewed from above
Aviator, at Farnborough Airport, was created as a hotel for ‘elite travellers moving between London and the world’s leading destinations’, with the premises located next to a private airport.
The most striking feature is the central rotunda, with each floor of the hotel overlooking the next, to create the illusion of an aircraft propeller when viewed from above.
Meanwhile, the Sky Lounge overlooks the airport so guests can sit back and watch the action on the runway. In the bar, the aviation-inspired Silver Jet cocktail is listed as the venue’s signature drink.
Winvian Farm, Connecticut
Winvian Farm in Connecticut features a range of quirky properties, including a helicopter-themed suite. A king-sized bed, hot tub and shower are housed outside the aircraft to give guests more room
Guests are invited to ‘take cocktails in the cockpit’ or ‘watch a film in the fuselage’. Rates start from $699 (£519) per night
Winvian Farm in Connecticut features a range of quirky properties, including a helicopter-themed suite.
The fully-restored 1968 Sikorsky Sea King Pelican HH3F helicopter stands at the center of a unique cottage, with its rotor blades embedded in the ceiling.
Guests are invited to ‘take cocktails in the cockpit’ or ‘watch a film in the fuselage’.
A king-sized bed, hot tub and shower are housed outside the helicopter, to offer guests more room. Rates start from $699 (£519) per night.