The Big Six: Plane hotels

Costa Verde Resort , Costa Rica

At first glance it seems as though this 1965 Boeing 727 has been taken over by the jungle. But step inside the fuselage and you'll find a sophisticated teak-panelled hideaway with two bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchenette and a balcony overlooking the stunning coastline of Manuel Antonio National Park. The resort also boasts the El Avion restaurant bar, housed in a Fairchild C-123 cargo plane.

Costa Verde Resort, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica (00 506 2777 0584; costaverde.com). The suite starts at US$452 (301), room only.

Aviator Hotel, Hampshire

Designed by Ken McCulloch (the man behind the Malmaison chain) and owned by TAG Aviation, the propeller-shaped Aviator Hotel overlooks Farnborough airfield in Hampshire. The rooms and suites hint at air travel without being plane-spotterish, so there are framed black-and-white photos of vintage aircraft and cushions embroidered with propeller motifs. The design is sleek and chic, aimed at the private jet-set that take off and land outside. There's a modern-European restaurant, Sky Bar and deli, too.

Aviator Hotel, Farnborough Road, Farnborough, Hampshire (01252 555890; aviatorfarnborough.co.uk). Doubles start at 190, room only.

Winvian, US

Fifteen architects have created a collection of unique lodgings at this 113-acre Connecticut resort. Set against the rural Litchfield Hills, Winvian's cottages range from Library to Music, Industry and Maritime, with an inside-out campsite and a curious-looking barn, which houses a restored US Coast Guard Sikorsky helicopter. The chopper now serves as the suite's living room, with a sofa, flat-screen television and flight deck; the bedroom and bathroom are outside in the "hangar". There's also a spa with a log-burning fire and an acclaimed restaurant.

Winvian, 155 Alain White Road, Morris, Connecticut, US (00 1 860 567 9600; winvian. com). Double rooms start at $923 (615), including breakfast.

Airplane Suite, Netherlands

This Ilyushin-18, a Soviet propellor plane well past its fly-by date, has been turned into one luxurious suite. Previous to that, it saw active service in the old East Germany, and was also used as a restaurant. It's now kitted out with a sauna and whirlpool bath.

Aircraft Suite, Teuge, Gelderland, Netherlands (00 31 6 19 388 603; hotelsuites.nl). The suite starts at 350, including breakfast.

The Plane Motel, New Zealand

Woodlyn Park on the North Island is home to a collection of quirky accommodation, from a Hobbit Motel to this Bristol freighter, which last flew in the Vietnam War. It has an intact cockpit and four modest suites.

The Plane Motel, Otorohanga, New Zealand (00 64 7 878 6666; woodlynpark.co.nz). Doubles from NZ$160 (70), room only.

Jumbo Hostel, Sweden

This 747 was turned into a design hostel earlier this year. It has been converted to accommodate 72 beds arranged in dorm and private rooms, plus a penthouse suite in the cockpit complete with dials and runway views.

Jumbo Hostel, Stockholm Arlanda Airport, Sweden (00 46 8 593 60 400; jumbohostel.com). Dorm beds start at SK350 (30) room only. A deluxe double costs SK1,650 (144).