Spotting in America. Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Orlando International & Philadelphia.
Las Vegas
Hotel
Luxor. http://www.luxor.com/ - Prices range between £75-£95 weekdays and between £110-£130+ weekends.
The Luxor hotel is ideally loacted on the '' Strip '' and has rooms overlooking the GA Apron, one of the runways and the International Terminal. You ideally need to be booked in to the Strip side of the Pyramid section to have the best views. Here is the view from room 13146. Those landing on the runway in front were easy to read off, as were some of the movements taxiing on to the International Terminal.
Spotting from the Terminals
One of the best places to get a good view of the airport is from the Multi storey Tropicana car park 6 above T2. From the car park you can monitor both sides of the airport. Here is the view looking out across the strip and GA Apron. Note;- The Luxor Hotel in the picture.
And here is the view from the other side of the car park looking out across to the Southwest gates and the other runways.
Los Angeles
Hotel
Super 8 Motel - http://www.super8.com/Super8/control/Booking/property_info?propertyId=07709&brandInfo=SE - Prices range between £55-£75 per night, per room.
The Super 8 Motel is located only a 5 minute drive from the terminals and is located right at the end of the runway on Airport Blvd. The hotel also has a small pool area where some decent photos can be taken on short finals. Note:- Only the approach to one of the runways is visible from this Motel. Reading off the arrivals at night was also possible. Here is the view from the pool.
Places to eat around the hotel
Located across the road is Burger King, and Denny's Diner is only a five minute taxi ride.
Orlando International MCO
Hotel
Hyatt Regency :- http://orlandoairport.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp Prices range between £90-£120+ per night, per room.
There isn't many airports in America offering views of the runway from the comfort of the balcony, However the Hyatt Regency is one of them. From room 8141 you have excellent views looking over the Delta and AirTran gates. One of the runways is also directly in front of you. Here is the view taken from the balcony.
Directly below the room is the pool area. From the pool you have the same views as from your room balcony, however you can also see the other side of the airport and runways. There are shaded areas with sunloungers and a plug socket which is handy for your Laptop/SBS. Here is the view taken from the pool area.
Places to eat around the hotel
Apart from the hotels own restaurants, you can walk in to the terminal via the hotels walk way to find the usual fast food outlets and shops.
Spotting from the Terminal
Once airside you can walk the gate areas. As with all airports these days in America, caution and discretion is needed when using your scope/bins in the terminal areas. It's always a good idea to mention to the airport police what you intend on doing. They are usualy ok with you collecting '' Tail Numbers '' . Photography though is a different matter, if seen you will be stopped.
Philadelphia
Hotel - http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/phlar-philadelphia-airport-marriott/ - Prices range between £75-£100 per night, per room.
During my visit to Philadelphia I stayed at the Marriott Hotel which is connected to Terminal B via a Skybridge. On arrival I asked for a high floor overlooking the airport. From the room all arrivals and departures could be read off. The Cargo and GA ramp were also visible. At night time you can expect to read aircraft taxiing on to the Terminals. Here is the view from room 1113.
Spotting from the Terminals
Only once airside can aircraft be seen and read off.