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We all know how tough it can be to get a solid night of shut eye on airplanes. If you’re dreaming of getting real sleep on an aircraft, why not stay at one of these hotels, where you can spend the night in actual plane full of real guest rooms? From a jumbo jet hostel in Sweden to a super-luxe plane in the Netherlands, here are seven of the coolest flying machines around the world to spend the night in.
1. A Jumbo Jet in Sweden
I bet you didn’t know a plane hostel existed in this wonderful world. Well, it does, and you can sleep in your choice of 76 beds in shared dorm rooms, standard rooms and suites all aboard a jumbo jet at JumboStay Hotel Arlanda just outside Stockholm, Sweden. Some of the 33 rooms have private bathrooms, while others are shared, and each room comes with a flatscreen TV and Wi-Fi access. Those on a budget can stay underneath the jet in dorm-style wheelhouse rooms as well. For a real treat, splurge for the cockpit suite, which offers amazing views of the Arlanda Airport runways.
The Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) is a fully-functioning airport, making the JumboStay an airport hotel — if you have a long layover, you can spend the night here, too. Room rates range from $45 to $200 depending on the time of year and the room you choose. It’s also possible to add flight lessons if you’re interested in flying a plane instead of just sleeping in one.
Notable feature: Enjoy breakfast, coffee, cookies, coffee ice cream, sandwiches and warm meals at the Jumbo Cafe, which is located on the jet. Non-guests are welcome to hang out here as well.
Fun fact: Aviation-obsessed couples can even have their wedding on the observation deck, then stay overnight in the cockpit suite.
2. A Luxury Airplane in the Netherlands
If you prefer something a little more elite, this refurbished Ilyushin Il-18 at the Vliegtuigsuite Teuge Hotel is a single suite designed for just two guests. The entire aircraft is yours, and includes a bathroom with shower, mini-bar, three flatscreen televisions, a Blu-ray player with a comprehensive collection of DVDs, a pantry with an oven/microwave combination, coffee machine, complimentary Wi-Fi, air conditioning, bathrobes and slippers, among other perks. Weekday rates start around $390, while weekend rates start at $420 per night.
Notable feature: This may be one of the only planes in the world that has both a Jacuzzi and an infrared sauna.
Fun fact: The airplane dates back to 1960 and first was used as a government plane for the DDR (we’re talking East Germany). The aircraft, which could accommodate 120 passengers and four crew, was used from 1964 to 1986 by Interflug, the East German national airline, and definitely got around, flying to Cuba, China and Russia.
3. A Coast Guard Helicopter on a Connecticut Farm
Helicopter fans can enjoy a stay inside a refurbished 1968 Sikorsky Sea King HH3F “Pelican,” located inside a cottage in rural Connecticut at the Winvian Farm. The rotor blades are embedded in the ceiling, making this a truly one-of-a-kind experience as you can admire the chopper from your bed. It’s got all the original features, too, like pilot seats, switches and gauges, while the cottage you’re sleeping in has all the comforts you’d expect, like a king-sized bed, Jacuzzi, rainfall steam shower, a Bose stereo system, flatscreen TV, Wi-Fi, Nespresso coffee and a wood-burning stove. Rates range from $549 to $899 per night.
Notable feature: The Jacuzzi is located just outside the helicopter but inside the cottage, allowing you to take a relaxing soak while checking out the chopper.
Fun fact: You can sit in the helicopter pilot seat while enjoying a glass of chilled Champagne, as the wet bar is actually located inside the aircraft.
4. A Vintage Boeing Aircraft in the Costa Rican Jungle
The Costa Verde Hotel,located a few hours south of San Jose, offers plane junkies the perfect fix: a two-bedroom suite created from a 1964 Boeing 727 plane, which juts out over the Costa Rican jungle and has stunning ocean views. It also comes with two air-conditioned bedrooms, each with a private bathroom and flatscreen TV. The entire suite is decked out in warm teak paneling and comes with a kitchenette with microwave, dining foyer, private entrance up a river rock, spiral staircase and 360 degrees of surrounding gardens. Room rates range from $260 to $500 per night.
Notable feature: The teak terrace that extends from this aircraft is perfection, as you can sit out here day and night to enjoy ocean and jungle views.
Fun fact: Prior to becoming part of this one-of-a-kind hotel suite, this vintage aircraft transported passengers on South African Airways and Colombian carrier Avianca. Abandoned at the San Jose Airport for many years, it was later carried to the Manuel Antonio jungle in pieces on giant truck rigs and reassembled there.
5. A “Holicopter” at a Campsite in the UK
Just a few hours south of London, you can visit the Blackberry Wood campground, which just so happens to offer a converted 1965 Westland Wessex Royal Navy search-and-rescue helicopter, nicknamed the “Holicopter.
The chopper can accommodate up to four people and comes with an outside kitchen with a fridge, cooker, toaster, cookware and dishes — since this is a campsite, however, you’ll have to bring your own bedding, pillows and towels. A bathroom and shower are both a short walk from the helicopter. Rates here range from $70 to $115 per night.
Notable feature: There’s a traditional red British phone booth outside the helicopter, making it a fun place to stage all sorts of photos.
Fun fact: The Blackberry Wood grounds also offer other unique places to sleep, including a gypsy camper, a retro camper, a treehouse, an eco-friendly cabin and, best of all, a red double-decker bus straight out of London.
6. A Bristol Freighter Jet in New Zealand
One of the last South Vietnam-allied planes that was flown in the Vietnam War, this Bristol Type 170 Freighter is split into two suites — the cockpit and the rear — at Woodlyn Park in New Zealand, located about 2.5 hours south of Auckland. Both suites can sleep up to four people and come with kitchenettes and en suite bathrooms. The property is large and rural, making this a great place to rest and recharge. Room rates start at $130 per night.
Notable feature: The cockpit is the most exciting spot to stay, but you must be prepared to climb a steep ladder to access the controls and sleeping area.
Fun fact: Woodlyn Park is also home to the Waitanic Ship, a World War II fuel boat recovered from Australia. There’s also the Waitomo Express Rail cabin and several Hobbit-themed rooms inspired by The Lord of the Rings.
7. A Lynx Military Helicopter in the UK
The Ream Hills Caravan Park, located northwest of Manchester, UK, offers a cool alternative to parking your RV for the night. There’s a 1982 Westland Lynx XZ676 helicopter that’s been refurbished into a hotel room, allowing up to two adults and two children to spend the night. While the bathroom and shower aren’t actually inside the aircraft, you will have access to a kitchen sink, mini-fridge, microwave, heater, LED TV, Wi-Fi and a small patio area with a table and chairs — you’ll have bring your own sleeping bags or quilts, pillows and bed linens, though. Rates here start at about $115 per night.
Notable feature: The tail of the plane has a custom-made bunk for two.
Fun fact: Lynx helicopters are multipurpose military aircraft used on the battlefield and for search-and-rescue operations around the world. The Lynx was also the world’s first fully-aerobatic helicopter, meaning it can perform exciting loops, turns and rolls.
Source: thepointsguy.com