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BUDGET HOTEL: The Citizen M (from $93/night) made its debut in 2008 at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport. In addition to providing easy airport access, its Jetsons-like vibe includes LED-lit rooms (adjusted using touch-screen mood pads), futuristic rain showers, and extra-large beds.

LUXURY HOTEL: The Gaudí-like Avia-tor Farnborough (designed to look like an airplane propeller) is sustained by the Hampshire (England) airport’s private jet-setting clientele. Rooms and suites (from $395) are reminiscent of a luxury ocean liner, with free Wi-Fi, movies, and REN bath products. The hotel also o� ers � ying lessons.

From spas to 24-hour screening rooms, airports arenow wooing travelers with some seriously luxuriousamenities. By Geraldine Campbell

GAMBLING: Las Vegas’ McCarran International Aiport has slots all over. However,… the “hold” here is higher than anywhere else in town (in other words, you’re even less likely to win). If gaming is what you’re after, the Golden Gate Casino is just three minutes from Seoul’s Incheon Airport.

APPROACH: Flights coming into Rio de Janeiro’s Santos Dumont land

on a narrow waterside strip (requir-ing special training), with Sugarloaf Mountain

looming in the distance. Once you deplane, you’re

basically in the heart of the city.

Best Architecture: Madrid’s Barajas Terminal cost $7.2 billion

Best Pool: Watch the runway at Atlanta’sHarts� eld-Jackson

U.S. SPA: The sleek Elemis Travel Spa at JFK’s Terminal 7 is geared toward the quick � x: The majority of treat-ments take just 15 minutes, from the post-trip Flight Rehydrator facial to the Flying Feet, a scrub and hot stone massage. First Class and Club World

travelers spa for free.

INTERNATIONAL SPA: Hong Kong International’s OM Spa ($20/

weekdays; $25/weekends) includes a gym, steam room, and 70-foot

outdoor pool surrounded by cabanas, where—if you have time—you can get an al fresco rubdown.

U.S. LOUNGE (FOR COST): Virgin Atlan-tic’s sleek Clubhouse at San Francis-co International ($35/day) has � oor-to-ceiling windows with endless views of the bay. There are also moving glass panels, mood lighting, and digital art—not to mention top-shelf cocktails, a juice bar, and an Xbox station.

The Airport Perks Arms RaceAfter a

dip at the ATL Marriott, grab

some barbecued scallops at One

Flew South

over. However,… the “hold” here is higher than anywhere else in town (in other words, you’re

massage. First Class and Club World

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Hampshire (England) airport’s private jet-setting clientele. Rooms and suites (from $395) are reminiscent

and REN bath products. The hotel also o� ers � ying lessons.

de Janeiro’s Santos Dumonton a narrow waterside strip (requir-

ing special training), with

looming in the distance. Once you deplane, you’re

basically in the heart of the city.

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Best Nap: Rent a room for a snooze at London Heathrow’s Yotel

Best Domestic Lounge: Relax in the mood lighting and play Xbox at SFO

Best Budget Hotel: Take a rain shower at the Citizen M in Schiphol Airport

SHOWER AND NAP COMBO: At London Heathrow, London Gatwick, and Am-sterdam Schiphol, Yotel cabins can be rented in four-hour blocks. (No, it’s not that kind of hotel.) The podlike rooms (from $40/4 hr.) are tiny but comfy, with private baths and storage units.

PET FRIENDLY: Miami Interna-tional Airport has two (soon to be three) fenced-in grassy dog runs.There are also disposal bags and benches (for humans).

GIFT SHOP: The SF MOMA Museum Store at SFO has something for every last-minute shopper, from

environmentally friendly wooden block sets to high-

end o� ce tchotchkes and Wayne Thiebaud notecards.

INTERNATIONAL LOUNGE: The Qantas First Class Lounge in Sydney o� ers iMac stations

and private o� ces (each with its own printer, television, and lounge). There’s a Neil Perry restaurant serving � ights of Australian wine to go with your chili caramel pork belly. The � ve-room Payot spa books out well in advance.

GYM: The expansive 8,000-square-foot gym at Chicago O’Hare’s

Hilton ($11/admission) has everything you’ll need for a pre-� ight workout, including treadmills, stationary bikes,

free weights—even gym shorts.

POOL: At Marriott’s Renaissance Concourse Atlanta Airport Hotel (from $199/night), the glass-enclosed indoor pool gives guests a prime view of takeo� s and landings.

AIRPORT FOOD: One Flew South, in At-lanta’s Harts� eld-Jackson, is a � ne-dining restaurant with a southern accent, serv-ing barbecued scallops and pan-roasted

snapper with grits and collard greens. It also o� ers a separate sushi menu.

ARCHITECTURE: Madrid’s $7.2 billion Barajas Terminal, designed by Rich-ard Rogers, features an undulating ceil-ing and an airy, luminous arrivals hall. In 2006 it won the prestigious Stirling Prize.

ENTERTAINMENT: Singapore’s Changi has three theaters featuring stadium-style seats that screen movies and TV shows 24 hours per day free of charge. Changi also o� ers free Internet and Xbox lounges.

DOMESTIC LOUNGE (MEMBERS-ONLY): The top of the three-tiered, $10 million Lufthansa Lounge at JFK’s Terminal 1 has white-linen dining and private showers, and is reserved for First Class passengers. The bottom tier (open to Star Alliance frequent � iers) is catered by Vienna’s DO & Co and o� ers a full bar. �

(from $40/4 hr.) are tiny but comfy, with

There are also disposal bags and benches

Hiltoneverything you’ll need for a pre-� ight workout, including

passengers. The bottom tier (open to

end o� ce tchotchkes and Wayne Thiebaud notecards.

This man’s back could use some love from Hong Kong

International’s OM Spa

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October 4 — October 10, 2010Bloomberg Businessweek