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).