The
Langham Place
Location *** This
new hotel is bound to become a firm favourite for Beijing
Airport. The hotel has good views out onto the main
departure runway of 36R and also landers on 36L enabling
over 90% of movements to be logged. The hotel is situated on
the edge of the famous park, meaning that the viewing mounds
are only a 5-10 minute walk away. There is a good sports bar
and Chinese resteraunt at the hotel meaning good food and
beer is on hand. The hotel itself is only a short walk from
Terminal 3.
Spotting *** Ask for
a high lake view room and you should get a great view of
proceedings, although SBS may be required to tie up all
movers. An airport view room would only give views of Runway
01 and terminal 3, meaning that quite a few movements would
be missed. Lake view rooms are odd numbered, the lower the
better. The photos below were taken from room 6007.
Photos ***
See shots below. Obviously you are shooting through glass in
the room, however the locals can often be found in the park
mound areas which offer good photographic locations.
Value **
Rooms start at around £80, but well worth it for the view!
Click on the
AGODA site for more details
Above views from Room 6007 at the
Langham Place.
The Sino Swiss Hotel Beijing Airport (formerly known as the Movenpick Hotel) is located approximately 2.5 miles from the airport, and is linked by a free shuttle bus. Despite being 2.5 miles
from the terminals the hotel is in a great location for spotters, as it is situated right between both runways. Runway 36R is the normal
departing runway and 36L is the normal arrival runway for
the older 2 terminals. Room number 710 is said to have views of 36L,
from this room aircraft landing on 36L can be easily read
off and even photographed. Rooms 707-711 should offer
similar views as would corresponding room numbers from the
levels above. The photo below is taken from room 942 which
also offers great options.
Location *** Very good location with easy access to the terminal buildings and other well known spotting areas.
If you exit the hotel and turn left , after about 15 mins
walk there is a large square which has a huge wall decorated
with plaques of aircraft used by CAAC, including a Trident,
and is a little undiscovered gem
Spotting *** Try get
an East facing room for distant views of the vast majority of the landing traffic on 36R.
West facing rooms should give photo opportunities of
arrivals on 36L. If you catch the lift up to the 11th floor
you will see a function room directly ahead of you. This
room has English style plugs which you can use for the SBS.
The view from here is good with the central runway (usually
used for departures) and 36R in view. This floor is a better
option when aircraft are taking off towards the hotel.
Photos **
Average arrival shots are possible from the room through the
windows. The example below was taken from room 942. This
room is ideal as just across the corridor is a fire escape
through which are views of the central and runway 36R so
with SBS you can walk out of the room whenever there is an
interesting arrival on the other runway.
Value *** Great value at just £47 for a twin room at weekends. Prices for a midweek stay are very similar.
Prices can be found through the
following websites
AGODA
The above shot was
taken from room942 in the Sino Swiss which is ideal for
landing shots on 36L
Credit Paul Moiser
For a comprehensive list of Beijing
Airport Hotels please
click here
