Plane Spotting Toronto

Sheraton Gateway Hotel
is a fantastic hotel located conveniently at the heart of the busy Toronto Airport on top of Terminal 3. Many reports from spotters suggest that this is far and away the best hotel for spotting. From July 2006 the hotel will be linked with Terminal 1 by an automated train service taking just 3 minutes
Location: *** Absolutely fantastic location situated right on top of Terminal 3 and linked by a walkway.
Spotting: ***

Ask for a room overlooking the airport as you will then have spectacular views of Runway 15L / 33R and many associated taxiways.

The report below from Dave Parker gives further details : I requested a high room with a view and was contacted by the hotel offering a club upgrade for C$30.  This guaranteed top floor and free Internet, breakfast and evening snacks. I was duly given room 846 and was not disappointed. The views were fantastic across the ramps, and with traffic landing on left and right runways towards he hotel nothing could be missed with either optics or SBS. Although Terminal 1 is not viewable, most aircraft taxi in front of Terminal 3 in transit to and from the runways.  For the photographer, the views through glass are not perfect. There is a tint and you have to search out a sweet spot for best clarity. I have updated my phanfare site so you can view a collection of photos there to get a feel for what is possible. http://aircraft-worldwide.phanfare.com/

On the whole though this I would say is one of the best hotels for views.  I did check the layout and it looks like rooms in the 827-837 and 843-853 would give similar views and presumably floor 6 and 7, although I suspect level 6 might have some terminal structure blocking some of the views. I do recommend the club floor as there is 24hr access to the lounge with Starbucks Coffee and soft drinks  on tap. Evening nibbles were good with Seafood salads , crab cakes and spring rolls for example and more than enough to save a trip to the restaurant.

Photos: ** Photos of aircraft at Terminal 3 are available through the windows.
Value: ** Prices for a twin room start at about £55 at weekends and rise to about £125 during the week. Obviously quite pricey at weekends, but considering the advantages of this hotel it is well worth the extra money.
Book:  

FURTHER INFORMATION AND ONLINE BOOKINGS CAN BE FOUND HERE

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Plane Spotting Toronto

Typical view from the Sheraton. Credit Mark Curran

 

plane spotting toronto

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Above : View from Room 846 at The Sheraton. Credit Dave Parker

 

Hilton Hotel Toronto Airport
is located just a few minutes away from the airport. The hotel offers a free shuttle bus to all terminals, although it is probably just as quick to walk if you do not have heavy bags! Try and get a room on the 5th floor or higher facing the airport. From here you will have views of the aprons between terminals 1 and 2. With a good pair of binoculars or a good telescope you will not miss much. However, do not expect to get any decent photographs due to the clutter in the foreground.
Location: *** Only a short walk or free shuttle bus ride from the terminal.
Spotting: *** Remember to ask for a room on a high floor facing the airport for the best views.
Photos: * Not possible from the hotel.
Value: * Not particularly cheap. Expect to pay in the region of £100 for a twin room during the week.
Book:   Further information and bookings can be found at the Hilton site or click HERE to enter the Agoda site
Comment!   If you want to add or update anything, please use the comment form at the bottom of the page!
Image 1 (300px) Image 2 (300px) Image 3 (300px)
     

 For a list of other hotels close to Toronto Airport please click here

 


 

ALT Airport Hotel
The ALT Hotel can often offer more affordable rooms than the hotels shown above although is more distant for photography.
Location: *** The Alt airport hotel is connected (5 mins) on the free monorail ie Terminal 1,then Term 2 Sheraton) next stop is the Alt hotel and car parks, from here it is a 1 Minute walk .The hotel is 2 years old, self service food (24 hours) and has a bar that stays open until 2 am.(Tea & coffee facilities In room)
Spotting: ***

Asked for a room with views of the aircraft and the lady at front desk who was extremely helpful and pleasant said room 1010 (corner room with two large windows giving clear view over the whole airport, comfy queen bed and aircon) will give great views, boy was she right, I had views of holding points for runway 24L/R also final approach to runway 23, I could also clearly see all departing aircraft in the climb from these runways.

From the room I could see all the Biz parked outside the Skyservice hangar/ramp and with persistence (heat haze) most could be read off using Bins 20×50 & pole. SBS wise signal was blocked out from approach (from behind hotel) until @500 Ft from touchdown though nothing missed. You also get free wifi with a great connection in room. Can highly recommend this hotel, I think any rooms on the corner, 9th floor and higher(14 floors) will give excellent views, just ask the staff as they are very helpful.

Photos: * Rooms are reported to be too distant for photography
Value: ** Prices for a twin room start at about £80.
Book:  

FURTHER INFORMATION AND ONLINE BOOKINGS CAN BE FOUND HERE

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.

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

 

 

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Posted in North America, World