TAKING OFF
What ’ s Hot : DESIGN
The planned 500-room Westin Hotel and Conference Center at Denver International Airport will be located atop a public transit center and promises to feature a swooping form with curved lines .
TAKING OFF
Airport hotels are beginning to offer style and sophistication in addition to convenience . The new Aloft San Francisco Airport , adjacent to San Francisco International Airport , transforms a former Clarion property dating back to the 1960s into a chic space complete with a lobby designed for socializing , the brand ’ s signature bar and pantry as well as the sleek Splash pool .
The planned 500-room Westin Hotel and Conference Center at Denver International Airport will be located atop a public transit center and promises to feature a swooping form with curved lines , a lobby with views of the Rocky Mountains and a wellappointed pool and fitness center . “ Airport hotels are starting to better meet the demands of today ’ s traveler ,” says Kap Malik , principal and design director in the Los Angeles office of Gensler , which designed the Denver project . “ At the new Westin airport hotel in Denver , proximity to the airport is being leveraged in new ways . We ’ re designing spaces that allow guests to check into their flight and check their baggage right at the hotel seamlessly , and also creating separate access corridors so travelers can easily access airport security .
“ The DIA Westin is also a great example of the trend toward creating a greater connection to the local community ,” Malik adds . “ Fantastic views of the Rockies , a grand civic plaza that will host community events and easy access to a new , fast rail line to downtown Denver will allow hotel guests to experience a sense of place that is truly unique in the world .”
The sleek Splash pool is just one amenity at the new Aloft San Francisco Airport .
38 HOTELS October 2012 www . hotelsmag . com