For most travellers an aircraft is just a way to get to a destination. When a aircraft gets retired it’s sent to a desert graveyard to be stripped down or await a call back to service. Some aircraft however get a new lease on life and end up as a destination in their own right, a unique accommodation option for curious travellers and aviation geeks.

Jumbo Stay Hotel

Located adjacent to Stockholm’s main airport the Jumbo Stay Hotel has converted a Boeing 747-200 into a budget hotel. The decommisioned plane was built in 1976 for Singapore Airlines, and saw service with Pan-Am and Transjet before being gutted and refurbished to house 27 rooms. Dorm rooms with 2 or 4 beds, family and single rooms are available with shared bathroom facilities, as well as Double and Single ensuite rooms.

The Cockpit Suite however is where you will get the best views from the original windows overlooking Arlanda airport. The onboard cafe also serves walk in customers if you want to have a look around between flights. The hotel also features conference room that will seat up to eight using the aircrafts original first class seats.

During the summer an observation deck opens upon the left wing allowing guests to walk out and enjoy views of the nearby runway. Prices range from SEK$400.00 (AUD$57.00) per night in a shared dorm up to SEK$3300.00 per night (AUD$470.00) for the cockpit suite.

Check out the Jumbo Stay Hotel here.

Airplane Suite

A little further south in Teuge, Netherlands an Ilyushin 18 which was built in 1960 for the East German Government and then operated by now defunct Interflug, the aircraft served as a restaruant for 15 years until it was converted in 2007 into a luxury suite for two.

The suite features a clean modern design and first class facilities including a jacuzzi, infra red sauna, three flat screen televisions, free wireless internet and a kitchen equipped with oven and microwave. Bathrobes and slippers are made available upon arrival, and the robes can be purchased for €99.00

The cockpit of this almost 40 metre long plane comes fully equipped for those dreaming of being a pilot. The suite is available for €350.00 per night and is located just near the general aviation runway at Tuege airport.

Check out the Airplane Suite here.

Costa Verde

For a completely different experience head roughly 120kms south of the Costa Rican capital of San Jose to the town of Quepos and the Manuel Antonio National Park. Nestled amongst the rainforest, and over looking the Pacific ocean the Costa Verde hotel has amongst its collection of rooms a two bedroom suite in a converted Boeing 727.

The plane built in 1965 served with South African Airways and Avianca Airlines (Columbia) before being converted and placed atop a 15 metre high perch. The two bedroom suite will accommodate upto 6 people and has a handcrafted deck built on the wings. Being located next to one of Costa Rica’s most pristine national parks also allows guests to share the experience with neighbouring sloths, toucans, monkeys and other native wildlife.

The Costa Verde also has normal hotel style accommodation from USD$87.00-USD$350.00 plus taxes a night during the low season while staying in the 727 will set you back USD$350.00 in the low season upto $700.00 plus taxes over the Christmas.

Mulitple flights to Quepos are available daily from San JOse for around USD$75 each way, or is easily accesible via car or bus. If staying in the 727 is not enough to satisfy you, you can dine at the nearby El Avion, a restaurant and bar set up in a converted Fairchild C-123 cargo plane.

Check out the Costa Verde here.