Welcome - Spottinghotels.org is now launched

A small group of us have got together to launch a replacement for the now departed plane spotting hotels website and  We are pleased to launch www.spottinghotels.org the new bible for information on hotels where you can spot from.  It's a new site that we have built up over the past few months.  We launch with over 125 reports and with gratitude to those who have allowed us to use their reports and photos. Please take a look at the site and share details within your spotting community.  

To be a success we will need your support.  We want to add more reports, add extra detailed information and to keep it up to date.  If you have reports and/or photos to share please send then admin@spottinghotels.org and we will upload them on the site. we envisage that there will be a single report for each hotel and that we will update each report based on the latest data so even if you don' have anything to add to a report let us know everything is still valid and we can update the last noted data so other people can book with confidence that there isn't a new building blocking the view for example.    

 

For those with social media we have in parallel launched an Instagram account at spottinghotels and an x account at @Spotting_Hotels.  Please follow us and watch our progress.

KLAX/LAX - Los Angeles - Embassy Suites South - December 2025

Stayed two nights at the Embassy Suites South at LAX.  The hotel is located off the imperial highway on the southside of LAX, 10mins from the main terminal complex.  We reached the hotel by using the free shuttle.  On arriving into the terminal complex you need to call the hotel to arrange a pick up. The shuttle going back to the airport runs on a set timetable.

The Embassy Suites are a Hilton brand, but they give you a little more space than a regular Hilton. You have a separate lounge area, which can accommodate a roll away / sofa bed. You also get a free breakfast and free drinks and snacks in happy hour. For a view book an "aviation view" room.

The hotel is 5 floors high. I reckon floors 4 and 5 will give views, however it should be noted that the palm trees in front of the hotel obstruct the view a little, so floor 5 would be preferred. Rooms 501-506 and 570-589 are situated along the front and all should give views on to airport. I would suggest the further east you are the better as the palm trees thin out a little, We were allocated 584 which was fine (twin room).

All rooms have small balcony (you can stand but not sit). Regardless of landing direction you can see all movements on the southern runways from the room (between the palms) and all arrivals and departures on the northern runways as they descend in or climb out.

As an added advantage you can walk to Clutters Park on East Imperial Avenue which gives excellent views over the airfield and allows excellent photos. The walk here is around 15mins. If you want to go to the legendary In-N-Out Burger on Sepulveda Boulevard then an Uber will cost around $10-15.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/WZ1wRshWT3EpPuf76

Panorama view from room 584.

Front of hotel.

Climb out from southern runway from room 584.

Arrival on southern runways from 584.

Heavy climbing out from room.

Over the palms.

View from room balcony.

Room map.

View from Clutters Park, 15mins walk away.

KORD/ORD - Chicago O'Hare - Hilton - December 2025

The Hilton O'Hare has always been and remains one of the Classic spotting hotels globally.  We around had 16 hours here overnight - a smash and grab on new United metal.

The hotel has 10 floors and is linked to the main terminal complex - with walkways direct into Terminal 1.  However if coming from the international terminal we recommend you get off the monorail at Terminal 2 and exit outside via the elevator to take a short cut into the back of the hotel.

If you are a Hilton Honours member you can select a room allocation through the app around 24 hours before you arrive.    You are also able to pre-check in on the app and get an electronic key this negating the need to go to reception.  You'll need the electronic key to operate the elevators.

While the hotel is in the middle of the airport complex you need to select an even numbered room looking south.  Ideally select a room as close as possible to one of the ice machines marked on the maps.  Using electronics (i.e. FR24) you will be able to tactically walk to the ice machines to see anything land or depart on the northern runways.   

On a clear day and when in a high numbered room you can pick out some MDW movements.  Additionally it is worth noting there are end corridor windows that gives views in each direction.  The higher the floor the better.  On this occasion we were in 9080 which did the job very well.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/oTSNEyeAKR2R89Bw6

Outside view.

Ice machine area.

View onto northern runways from ice machine.

Room view - 9080.

Room view - 9080.

Room view - 9080.

Room view - 9080.

End of corridor view towards international terminal. 

End of corridor view over American gates.

Room view - 9080.

Map - part 1

Map - part 2

Map - part 3

Map - part 4

KIAD/IAD - Washington Dulles - Hyatt Regency - December 2025

The hotel has 14 floors, rooms ending in xx02 to xx28 (even) are facing towards IAD. Most of the airport is visible from floor 10 and above (lower is hindered by trees), but electronic help (SBS) is required as only the closest business ramp can be read off with binoculars.

From the elevator hall windows (or odd numbered rooms) inbounds or outbounds (runway configuration depending) for DCA can be seen, but SBS would be required to tie up. In general, inbounds to DCA come over at 8000ft. 

https://maps.app.goo.gl/saU2vGYkLJKgM5Nz6