Best Airport Hot Spots

By Travel + Leisure and Travel + Leisure Staff
April 19, 2010
Credit: Courtesy of Virgin Atlantic
We’ve all been there: delayed, bumped, stranded, and left with hours to wander around the airport—carry-on in hand. But if you happen to be stranded in Rome’s Fiumicino Airport, you don’t have to settle for fast food or bad coffee. Pop over to the Frescobaldi Wine Bar, which serves up salumi, formaggi, and dolci while pouring top-tier wines—all in a Modernist setting that suggests a just-landed flying saucer.

Rome is just one of many airports that’s adapting to the new reality of air travel. Even if flights are running on time, passengers are showing up hours early—just in case security is a nightmare. Many international hubs recognize the value of a great airport experience. Fortunately, many domestic airports are starting to catch on by focusing less on technical issues (passenger flows, tarmac times) and more on shops and restaurants.

Most of us don’t expect much from airport vendors, but we knew that there were some truly outstanding options cropping up around the globe. So we sent our reporters in search of the best new airport offerings.

What did we find? A lot more than you might expect. In London’s Gatwick, for example, there’s no need to stress out: the latest outpost of Cowshed Spa (South Terminal) has a full spa treatment menu. For ladies, there’s also a nail bar with champagne service, Bare Escentuals makeup application, and eyebrow shaping; for proper gents, Truefitt & Hill hot towel shaves.

Across the globe in Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific’s immense lounge, The Arrival (Terminals 1 and 2), has a noodle bar, a library, and elegant private baths. A close runner-up, the Air France La Première lounge at Paris-Charles de Gaulle offers door-to-door service: an attendant will escort you from your arrival at the airport, through check-in and a private security screening, to the lounge and, eventually, onto the plane. Plus, there are free spa treatments and meals by Alain Ducasse.

And if great wine is your vice, you don’t have to be in Rome. At Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental, the vibe at Le Grand Comptoir, which serves plenty of international wines by the glass, is modern but edgy, with red-hued chairs, neon green bar stools, and dark wood.

So bring this list when you travel—these new hot spots are so appealing you just may be tempted to switch your flight. —Bree Sposato
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Best New Terminal Montevideo, Uruguay: Carrasco International Airport (MVD)

Credit: Daniela MacAdden

Inspired by the region’s characteristic cuchillas, or low hills, this terminal from New York–based, Uruguay-born architect Rafael Viñoly has a gently curving 1,000-foot-long roof—reminiscent of the futuristic hubs built when air travel was young—and a sunlit terrace in the departures hall.

Runner-Up: Arlanda Airport, Stockholm

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Best New BarRome: Frescobaldi Wine Bar, Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO)

Credit: Courtesy of Frescobaldi

Avoid caffè chaos in favor of a seat at Frescobaldi’s gleaming wine bar, whose Modernist design suggests a just-landed flying saucer. Brioni-sporting sommeliers dispense generous five-ounce pours of everything from Attems Ribolla Gialla ($8) to top-tier Ornellaia 2006 ($48), while waiters proffer salumi, formaggi, and dolci from Rome’s famed Casa Bleve with aplomb. Terminal 1-B and Terminal 3-C.

Runner-Up: Vino Volo, Oakland International Airport, California

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Best New HotelAmsterdam: CitizenM, Schiphol Amsterdam (AMS)

Credit: Courtesy of CitizenM

You’ll find check-in kiosks in place of a front desk, a 24-hour canteen instead of a restaurant, and Eames furniture in lieu of overstuffed sofas. The 193-square-foot guest rooms are affordable and have outsize windows and free movies and Wi-Fi. Doubles from $94.

Runner-Up: Minute Suites, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta

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Best New LoungeHong Kong: The Arrival, Hong Kong International (HKG)

Credit: Courtesy of Pacific Airways

Cathay Pacific’s 1,980-square-foot lounge has minimalist interiors by renowned British designer John Pawson; passengers can reserve one of eight private bathroom suites, which have black-and-white veined marble walls. Passage between Terminals 1 and 2.

Runner-Up: Air France La Première Lounge, Paris-Charles de Gaulle

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Best New RestaurantGeneva: Altitude, Geneva International (GVA)

Credit: Courtesy of Altitude

Chefs Gilles Dupont and Thomas Byrne prepare savory dishes such as sautéed veal with risotto and zucchini flowers in a white-tablecloth dining room overlooking the Jura Mountains. Main Terminal, Level 3; dinner for two $158.

Runner-Up: Dining Street Restaurant, Heathrow, London

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Best New Snack JointHouston: Le Grand Comptoir, George Bush Intercontinental (IAH)

Credit: Lawrence Anderson Photography, Inc.

This sleek brasserie satisfies all kinds of cravings, with dozens of international wines served by the glass, menu options both hearty (French onion soup) and light (bruschetta), and house-baked pastries. Terminal C South (near Gates C29–C45); lunch for two $20.

Runner-Up: Café Chocolat, Schiphol Amsterdam

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Best New ShopMiami: Britto, Miami International (MIA)

Credit: Osvaldo Onoz

Silver-and-enamel sculptures and coffee-table books line the shelves at the first airport shop dedicated to Brazilian artist Romero Britto, whose works have been featured at the Louvre. North Terminal, Concourse D, Gate 32.

Runner-Up: Uniqlo, Narita International, Tokyo

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Best New SpaLondon: Cowshed Spa, Gatwick (LGW)

Credit: Courtesy of Virgin Atlantic

A cult U.K. brand, Cowshed is known for organic products and an English-manor vibe; its new outpost (open to Virgin Atlantic Upper Class and Flying Club Gold members only) provides hydrating facials and hot-stone massage tailored to reduce preflight stress. Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, South Terminal.

Runner-Up: Six Senses, Abu Dhabi International

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By Travel + Leisure and Travel + Leisure Staff