The notion of run-down airport hotels offering nothing more than a place to stay may be several years old. Airport hotels have evolved into full-fledged meeting destinations.
“I think the stereotype of an airport hotel being just a convenient place to stay with little to offer went out of date five or six years ago,” said Chuck Goldberg, general manager of the Hilton Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport Mall of America.
Airport hotels are increasingly offering upscale bistros, performing arts centers, golf courses and other perks designed to attract meeting-goers.
Airport hotels are more likely these days to compete with downtown properties and other venues.
Some hotels are revamping to compete.
One of the biggest developments in airport news was the US$180 million renovation of the 566-room InterContinental Hotel in Chicago when the facility doubled its meeting space from 30,000 square feet to 60,000.
The airport’s location is often a major selling point for users but so are the various entertainment packages offered by airport hotels.
By David Wilkening
