Plane Spotting Las Vegas

La Quinta Inn And Suites Las Vegas South

Last Update Dec 2018

Advantages : Great views over the 25 thresholds mostly used by airliners. Good photo opportunities.

Disadvantages. If you are into bizz you could miss many movements on the bizz runways.

Overlooks the thresholds of Runways 25L and 25R which are generally the main runways used for the arrival and departure of airliner traffic. The hotel has a regular shuttle bus, not only from the airport but also to the main tourist attractions on the strip. The hotel also has a pool area making it ideal for families.

The hotel management do appear to be spotter friendly are usually able to accommodate requests for high level airport facing rooms which can be a problem securing at other Vegas hotels.

Each room has free wireless internet, refrigerator and satellite TV. The hotel as reported as average standard. Breakfast is basic buffet style consisting of cereal, yogurts, breads, porridge, sausage and eggs.

No evening meal is offered and there do not appear to be many other restaurants in the area. A McDonalds is probably the nearest place to eat, turn right out of the hotel, then first left and its around a 10 minute walk away. There is however a free shuttle service from and to the strip, a nearby shopping mall and the car rental facility.

Location: ** 10 minute shuttle bus ride from the terminal and only a short ride from the strip makes this hotel nicely placed.
Spotting: *** This hotel gives a different view than those from the strip but not a lot will be missed. Ask for a high level, even numbered room. The majority of rooms with runway views are standard king rooms with just the one king sized bed, although rooms 346 and 348 are confirmed as ”Two Queen bed ” rooms.

Rooms 338-358 even numbers have confirmed views, the higher the room number the better the view as you get a better angle which enables you to see more of the airport. 356 and 358 have the best overall view (both king rooms)

The runways outside are used for most airliner departures and arrivals. The approach for the far runways 19L and 19R (most bizz use this) can be seen in the distance although flight tracking software would be required to aid identification. Departures off Runway 19 cannot be seen (mostly bizz)

The north eastern side of the terminal can also be seen from here.

The breakfast dining room also has a number of tables where arrivals can be fleetingly seen as they flare out.

Viewing is also available from the swimming pool area where there are plenty of seats and shade for most of the day. Anything landing on the runways in front of you is fine from here however monitoring the other ”bizz jet” runway from the pool is difficult.

Just outside of the northern end of the north south wing of the hotel is an area of shade where great landing shots can be had. Usually, so long as you ask, the reception will allow you to take a chair from the pool area to allow you to sit in the shade and take great photos. The hotel wifi signal is strong and you can easily pick up the signal from this area to allowing monitoring of flight tracking apps. From this outdoor area you can also see 19 bizz departures and many of the high level overflights which would not be visible from your room.

Report 1 credit Andy Kelly:

staying in the la quinta inn and suites at the moment in room 256, you can get arrivals and departures but depends which runway there using, you will need SBS or FR24 to tie everything up.they been swopping around a few times today on different runways. I would say you would get a view even on the ground floor, rooms are really nice and staff very friendly and helpful, wifi is fast and free. breakfast is ok but not a lot to choose from, there is a pub about 5-10 mins walk away which does good food in the evening and well priced, I would stay here again.

Photos: *** Can be taken from the room, the outside of the hotel or the famous spotting area on Sunset Bvld is only a 10 min walk from here.
Value: *** Prices start at about £45 or the room giving excellent value.
Book: The hotel can be booked through any of the following links AGODA or booking.com

Please help support our site. We are constantly checking the links for hotels to find the best price offered for our readers. If the price on this site is the best quote you receive, please help us by booking your hotel from the link provided as we receive a small commission payment from the hotel. This helps contribute to the running costs of this site enabling us to continue to offer a great service.

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Above view from an airport facing room at the La Quinta. Credit elpicudoair . Check out his youtube channel for more aviation videos


Tropicana  report updated  Feb 2020
Overlooks the EG&G ramp, Storage area & a business jet ramp with some helicopters. With 16 X 50 binoculars you can read all these aircraft off, if parked correctly of course. Note, it appears that the rooms with airport views only have the one double bed per room, all twin rooms face the strip with no airport views.

Breakfast in this hotel is pretty expensive, there is a cheaper option just over the road at Coco’s diner which is conveniently located next to the bizz terminal. The bonus of this hotel is the free car parking (rare nowadays in Vegas).

IMPORTANT UPDATE May 2011 Reports are indicating that some room windows are been covered with privacy mesh which is seriously affecting the views towards the airport. Windows open slightly to allow a telescope to be used, however photography can be difficult from certain rooms. With flight tracking software you will identify most of the movements however photographers may consider another hotel in the area.

Update 2: Numerous reports from 2018 have reported no issues with the above mesh. It is unclear if the mesh has been removed from all rooms, or only a small number. Updates would be appreciated.

Location: ** Good location just about on the perimeter of the airport. A 20 minute walk will take you to many of the bizz jet aprons on this part of the airfield
Spotting: ** The Club Tower (formally Tropical Island Tower) has by far the best views from this hotel.Anything moving on 19L and 19R can be seen and may be read off with a struggle subject to heat haze. Distant views of around half of the terminal complex are possible.  The following rooms have reported views of the airport (even numbered rooms in the The Club Tower 15th floor up for the best views). Corridor to the left of the lifts are 1692/1690/1688/1686/1684/1682/1680/1678  /1676/1674 & 1672.Along the corridor to the right of the lift, rooms 1670 to 1650 (Even Numbers). Obviously the higher the floor level, the better the view.

Rooms also ending in 50 are also reported to have good views where all movements can be seen. Room 1650 is the end room furthest from the airport and has windows on 2 sides of the room. The left facing window facing the EG+G and Sands ramps opens fully, therefore overcoming any problems from the mesh on windows situation described above.

Anything landing on the near 01/19 runways can be easily read off, as can be many of the bizz aircraft parked on the ramps. A 10-15 walk from the hotel will take you to the above bizz ramps where the missing aircraft can be identified.

Traffic on the other 07/25 runways is more difficult to read off due the the distance involved and heat haze, although with powerfull binoculars most can be read off in day light.

Report from Andy Kelly :

stayed at the la quinta inn and suites last time I was here but decided to stay this time in the Tropicana hotel after hearing good reports, so I’m in the Tropicana hotel on the 16th floor room 1656, fantastic views of the airport and all departures and arrivals and into part of the biz ramp, you must book a room in the club tower block to get the airport view, lady on reception on really helpful and no problem getting the airport view room. this hotel is huge, many restaurants and snack bars and of course a big casino if you fancy a flutter, rooms are spacious and clean and wifi is free, there is no mesh on the window or at least not in my room, would stay here again because the views are so good.

Photos: * None reported from the hotel
Value: *** Prices start at about £40 for a room midweek and are considerably more expensive during the weekend
Book: The hotel can be booked through any of the following links AGODA  or Booking.com .

Please help support our site. We are constantly checking the links for hotels to find the best price offered for our readers. If the price on this site is the best quote you receive, please help us by booking your hotel from the link provided as we receive a small commission payment from the hotel. This helps contribute to the running costs of this site enabling us to continue to offer a great service.

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Plane Spotting Las Vegas

Above. View from room 992 at the Tropicana. Credit Paul Moiser

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OYO Hotel (previously Hooters Hotel report updated nov 2019)
 is situated adjacent to The Tropicana above, but slightly closer to the airport. The rooms are not to the same high standard of the Tropicana, thus the more economical costs involved per room.
Location: ** Good location just about on the perimeter of the airport. A 20 minute walk will take you to many of the bizz jet aprons on this part of the airfield. A local store and restaurant which serves great breakfasts is only a short walk away.
Spotting: ** Anything moving on 19L and 19R can be seen and read off subject to heat haze. Distant views of around half of the terminal complex and bizz jet aprons are possible. Ask for a high level room overlooking the airport or with a pool view.

In the Ocean View Tower even numbered rooms ending in 30-54 should have good views. Room 1736 has confirmed views.

All runway 25 arrivals can be seen and tied up with SBS. Views are very good, the majority of rooms have patio styled windows which slide back around 3 inches. The hotel windows are reported to be quite dirty here which does cause problems reading the aircraft off in the morning when looking directly into sun.

Photos: ** Reported as possible from this hotel due to the close proximity of the airport
Value: *** Prices start at about £25 for a room midweek and are considerably more expensive during the weekend
Book: For great deals check out  Booking.com

Please help support our site. We are constantly checking the links for hotels to find the best price offered for our readers. If the price on this site is the best quote you receive, please help us by booking your hotel from the link provided as we receive a small commission payment from the hotel. This helps contribute to the running costs of this site enabling us to continue to offer a great service.

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Luxor Hotel
is in the vicinty of the above hotels but is located further west of the perimeter. The rooms windows are very tinted and due to the angle of the building the views are distorted making aircraft almost impossible to read off. This hotel is probably the least suitable for spotting out of the top 3 on this page. If you stay at this hotel booked into the tower room rather than the pyramid and the views are less distorted.
Location: ** Good location just about on the perimeter of the airport. A 20 minute walk will take you to many of the bizz jet aprons on this part of the airfield
Spotting: * Anything moving on 19L and 19R can be seen although SBS would be required to identify the traffic due to the above problems. Distant views of around half of the terminal complex are possible.
Photos: * Not  possible due to the distance involved and tinted windows
Value: ** Prices start at about £62 for a room midweek and are considerably more expensive during the weekend
Book: The hotel can be booked through any of the following links Booking.com 

Please help support our site. We are constantly checking the links for hotels to find the best price offered for our readers. If the price on this site is the best quote you receive, please help us by booking your hotel from the link provided as we receive a small commission payment from the hotel. This helps contribute to the running costs of this site enabling us to continue to offer a great service.

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Plane Spotting At LAS

Above. View from Room 13146 at the Luxor. Similar views can be had from airport facing rooms at the Mandlay Bar, situated next door to this hotel. Credit Paul Moiser


Mandalay Bay Resort
is located on the next block south of the Luxor. Ask for high level room overlooking the airport, room 23112 has been reported as ideal. This hotel is ideal for families as it has an attached water park which the children will love. Whilst sat at the pool the majority of airliners can be seen climbing out off the westerly runways, passing just south of the hotel. There are a number of FBO’s in front of the hotel as well as the Janet 737’s.
Location: ** Good location just about on the perimeter of the airport. A 20 minute walk will take you to many of the bizz jet aprons on this part of the airfield.
Spotting: ** Anything moving on 19L and 19R can be seen and some can be read off subject to heat haze etc. Distant views of around half of the terminal complex are possible therefore with SBS the majority of movements can be identified. Ask for a strip view room high level between the range x102-x134. Ask for the higher numbered rooms to get views of the runway intersections. The windows are reported to be floor to ceiling height giving great views.

If you get a very high level room you can see Nellis AFB in the distance with fleeting, distant. views of aircraft as the depart or arrive from there. The pool and “beach” area is great for viewing departures off Runway 25, these are best tied up from flight trackers rather than take binoculars down there.

If with family or a large group we can recommend the pool side cabanas which come with fan, plasma tv and electricity point for laptops, SBS etc.

Photos: * The window glass is covered in tinted film which would affect colours in photos. Souvenir shots at best can be obtained from here.
Value: * Prices start at about £108 for a weekend stay and are considerably more expensive during the week.
Book: The hotel can be booked through any of the following links AGODA,

Please help support our site. We are constantly checking the links for hotels to find the best price offered for our readers. If the price on this site is the best quote you receive, please help us by booking your hotel from the link provided as we receive a small commission payment from the hotel. This helps contribute to the running costs of this site enabling us to continue to offer a great service.

Plane Spotting Hotels are also pleased to have entered a partnership with an ATOL approved travel agency which specialises in packages for plane spotters (your travel consultant is a fellow aviation enthusiast who understands your needs). An independent travel agency can often find you better deals for your hotels as they can access travel agents exclusive deals, especially when packaged in with flights or car hire as many suppliers offer further discounts.
Quote The Plane Spotting Hotels website when contacting the NOT JUST TRAVEL WEBSITE and you will be dealt with by the Plane Spotting Travel Expert who can assist you with all aspects of planning your trip.

Comment! If you want to add or update anything, please use the comment form at the bottom of the page!


Hampton Inn And Suites Las Vegas Airport
Is a new hotel and probably offers some of the best views to be had of Las Vegas Airport. The hotel is situated on the same street as the La Quinta Inn above.

Advantages : Great views over the 25 thresholds mostly used by airliners. Good photo opportunities at the viewing area a 5 minute walk from the hotel

Disadvantages. If you are into bizz you could miss many movements on the bizz runways.

Location: ** Across the road from the runway 25L and 26R thresholds giving great views of these runways.
Spotting: *** Rooms *38 to *44 on the top 2 floors (suites)give fantastic views over the threshold of 25L and 25R. There is a window at the end of the corridor which also gives distant views of the bizz runway 01L/01R therefore with a scanner and SBS box little should be missed from this hotel. The hotel is also just a short drive away from the famous viewing spot on Sunset Boulevard.
Photos: ** None reported however low quality shots may be possible from the room. The famous photo spot at Sunset is only a short walk from here.
Value: ** Prices start at about £60 for a room midweek and are considerably more expensive during the weekend
Book: For great deals check out  Booking.com

Please help support our site. We are constantly checking the links for hotels to find the best price offered for our readers. If the price on this site is the best quote you receive, please help us by booking your hotel from the link provided as we receive a small commission payment from the hotel. This helps contribute to the running costs of this site enabling us to continue to offer a great service.

Plane Spotting Hotels are also pleased to have entered a partnership with an ATOL approved travel agency which specialises in packages for plane spotters (your travel consultant is a fellow aviation enthusiast who understands your needs). An independent travel agency can often find you better deals for your hotels as they can access travel agents exclusive deals, especially when packaged in with flights or car hire as many suppliers offer further discounts.
Quote The Plane Spotting Hotels website when contacting the NOT JUST TRAVEL WEBSITE and you will be dealt with by the Plane Spotting Travel Expert who can assist you with all aspects of planning your trip.

Comment! If you want to add or update anything, please use the comment form at the bottom of the page!

MGM Grand  report updated nov 2014
Is offset and behind the Tropicana and doesn’t give as good views, however with the correct room you can see the majority of the action.
Location: ** On the strip but slightly more set back making views a little more distant the the hotels above.
Spotting: ** Ask for a high level room ending in the series 216-240 and you shouldn’t go far wrong. A good telescope or flight tracking software will be required from these rooms to tie everything up. Around 80% of the movements will be seen from here. The bizz ramps and nearest runway (used predominantly by bizz) is in front of the hotel, most bizz movements can be read off with binoculars.
Photos: * Distant and may well suffer from heat haze, the odd sovenier shot may be possible.
Value: **  Prices start at about £60 for a room midweek and are considerably more expensive during the weekend
Book: This hotel can be booked through the AGODA website

Please help support our site. We are constantly checking the links for hotels to find the best price offered for our readers. If the price on this site is the best quote you receive, please help us by booking your hotel from the link provided as we receive a small commission payment from the hotel. This helps contribute to the running costs of this site enabling us to continue to offer a great service.

Plane Spotting Hotels are also pleased to have entered a partnership with an ATOL approved travel agency which specialises in packages for plane spotters (your travel consultant is a fellow aviation enthusiast who understands your needs). An independent travel agency can often find you better deals for your hotels as they can access travel agents exclusive deals, especially when packaged in with flights or car hire as many suppliers offer further discounts.
Quote The Plane Spotting Hotels website when contacting the NOT JUST TRAVEL WEBSITE and you will be dealt with by the Plane Spotting Travel Expert who can assist you with all aspects of planning your trip.

Comment! If you want to add or update anything, please use the comment form at the bottom of the page!

Hotel with airport view las vegas

Above : Airport view from the MGM Grand courtesy of TripAdvisor

A LIST OF ALL OTHER MAJOR LAS VEGAS HOTELS CAN BE HERE


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