The world’s most glamorous airports

Monday, 18 June 2012 11:05 AM

Let’s face it, waiting around in airports is not a very glamorous thing, unless you have access to a first class lounge that is. In these airports though, you won’t have to - these are the sleekest, chicest airports in the world that feature everything from indoor gardens and golf courses, to spas and even cinemas.

Seoul Incheon International Airport
South Korea’s capital, Seoul, is home to the Incheon International Airport, which has been winning The World’s Best Airport Awards for years now. Incheon provides the ultimate airport experience and you’ll want to come here hours before your flight just to make use of all the facilities. Dad’s can spend their time hitting a round golf course, while little ones play in the nursery. The older ones can go to the ice skating rink or theatre and Mums relaxes in the spa and sauna. Or if you’re here on business then you can make use of the Internet Lounges or IT Experience Centre, featuring all the latest technologies.

Singapore Changi Airport
Singapore Changi has always been a longstanding favourite with travellers and we can definitely see why. Having also won many awards, the airport features many conveniences for passengers including a baby care room, telecommunications centre and even a medical clinic. But it’s not just all about what you need here; it’s about what you want too. While your time away in the music bar lounge listening to cool jazz, work out in the fitness centre, or simply relax by the outdoor pool, or in the spa. Or maybe you’d just like to get away from it all and get back to nature, well you can, at Changi you can choose from six different themed gardens, from a butterfly one, to an orchid garden with a koi pond and a sunflower one. Kids will also love the many playgrounds, rides and cinemas on offer too.

Image credit: Changi Airport Group

Hong Kong International Airport
We’d expect nothing less from Hong Kong and Cathay Pacific, than the stylish Hong Kong International Airport, which has been named third in the The World’s Best Airport Awards. Here you can learn about the technology of aviation and have a go for yourselves at the Aviation Discovery Centre, practice on a range of various computer sport simulators, or have a round of golf on the course on top of the airport’s roof. There’s also more variety of eateries, restaurants, bakeries and bars than you could possibly imagine.

Image credit: Thinkstock

Dubai International Airport
If anywhere is going to have a glamorous airport then it will be sleek and sophisticated Dubai, home to some of the world’s most luxurious hotels and the exclusive Palm Island. It’s not surprising that Dubai International Airport is on our list, with its palm-lined walkways, golden palm statues and innovative modern design. The airport has more than 17 private VIP lounges with state-of-the-art plasma screens and Wi-Fi zones, as well as a Snooze Club for those who get tired of waiting around and spa and beauty treatment rooms for those who want pure relaxation. Or you could always go and relax in the Zen Garden. There is of course every type of retail outlet you could possibly want as well as restaurants catering to many world cuisines.

Feature: Six of the world’s most amazing hotel swimming pools

Everyone loves a hotel swimming pool, this is the one element that can make or break your holiday, so we’ve searched the globe to find you some of the most amazing. These six luxury hotel pools really have outdone themselves, with stunning scenic views, unique surroundings, precarious settings and sheer size.

Feature: World’s most luxurious hotel bathrooms

Bathrooms can sometimes be overlooked by perfect views, large four poster beds or elegant fireplaces; however more often than not, we find that sometimes bathrooms are the most important part of a hotel. Bathrooms can make or break your stay and if the bathroom is not just right, your holiday won’t be either. Lucky for those of us that love bathrooms, we’ve come up with a list of the world’s most luxurious ones.