Whether it's for a glamorous arrival or simply the only way to reach a remote destination, these hotels are making air travel exciting again thanks to their own aircraft.
From personalized small planes to plush helicopters, here's our pick of hotels from around the world that will send your wanderlust soaring thanks to their top-tier service.
Velaa Private Island (Velaa Island, Maldives)
Just 45 minutes from the Maldivian capital of Malé, Velaa Private Island delivers luxury before you've even arrived.
Partner links: booking through them supports the blog at no extra cost to you.
That means a flight aboard the resort's new seaplane, fitted with soft leather seats in Velaa's signature deep ocean blue, noise-cancelling headphones, and complimentary iPads to use during the journey.
Velaa Private Island, Noonu Atoll, Republic of Maldives, Maldives; +960 6565 000
Tikchik Narrows Lodge (Alaska)
Reachable only by seaplane, Tikchik Narrows Lodge is tucked deep in the Alaskan wilderness, set on premier sport-fishing grounds in Bristol Bay.
Happily, Tikchik Narrows Lodge owns and operates four aircraft, including three DeHavilland Beavers and one Cessna 206, to ferry guests to the remote lodge from Dillingham Airport and back.
First built in the 1950s as military bush planes, the original aircraft have been fully modernized and rebuilt for present-day use.
Tikchik Narrows Lodge, Dillingham, Alaska, USA; +1 907-243-8450
Campi Ya Kanzi (Mtito Andei, Kenya)
The adventure begins the moment you set off for Campi Ya Kanzi: guests are collected from Nairobi on a six-seat private charter, and an hour later they touch down on Campi Ya Kanzi's private airstrip in the wild Chyulu Hills of southern Kenya, home to this Hemingway-style eco-lodge.
Campi Ya Kanzi, Mtito Andei, Kenya; +254 45 5622516
The Peninsula Hong Kong (Hong Kong)
With the only rooftop helipad in the city, The Peninsula Hong Kong's signature helicopter, operated by Heliservices, lets you live the high life.
Offering a range of "fly and dine" packages that always include a helicopter tour over Victoria Harbour to show off the famous city skyline views, there's something distinctly James Bond about this chic, sky-high experience.
The Peninsula Hong Kong, Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong; +852 2920 2888
From $578 per night
The Brando (Tetiaroa, French Polynesia)
With powder-sugar beaches and crystal-clear waters in 50 shades of blue, it's no wonder Marlon Brando chose to buy this little slice of paradise back in 1967.
Staying true to the star's original vision of a high-end yet self-sufficient environment, The Brando is the pinnacle of eco-friendly luxury. It also radiates an exclusivity and privacy that come, in part, from its remoteness.
The only way to get there is by flying on a six-seat Britten Norman or The Brando's 14-seat twin-engine aircraft, both operated by Air Tetiaroa.
The Brando, Tetiaroa, Arue 98702, French Polynesia; +689 40 86 63 00
Crown Promenade Melbourne (Melbourne, Australia)
Whether it's visiting the Yarra Valley, Phillip Island, the Twelve Apostles, or simply getting a bird's-eye view of Melbourne's best-known landmarks, Crown's helicopter partnership makes exploring Australia easy, and makes it even easier to skip the traffic thanks to helicopter airport transfers. Melbourne is home to several other Crown hotels.
Crown Promenade Melbourne, 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank VIC 3006, Australia; +61 3 9292 8888
From $158 per night
Time + Tide Miavana (Nosy Ankao, Madagascar)
Dressed in sea-foam stripes, an aesthetic touch that repeats throughout this pristine tropical eco-resort, Time + Tide Miavana's private helicopter is not only stylish but also practical for exploring the surrounding 15,000 hectares of protected marine landscape.
On a half-day helicopter safari with stops on deserted beaches and hidden jungle, guests can get up close with Madagascar's famous wildlife, such as lemurs, tortoises, and even whales.
Time + Tide Miavana, Nosy Ankao, Madagascar; +260 21 6246025
Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection (Perez Zeledon, Costa Rica)
A collection of 50 casitas woven into a lush hillside in southern Costa Rica, Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection, sits a short flight from San José aboard a private Cessna 206.
And the in-flight fun doesn't stop there. The property also has a fleet of ultralight aircraft. These open-sided planes, seating one pilot and one passenger, are used for adrenaline-fueled aerial tours over the surrounding landscape of waterfalls, pineapple plantations, and the wind-swept Pacific coast.
Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection, Contiguo al Escuela de Santa Teresa de Cajon Santa Teresa, Perez Zeledon, 11908, Costa Rica; +506 2105 3000
From $7000 per night
Cheval Blanc Randheli (Randheli Island, Maldives)
Air travel becomes glamorous once again aboard the specially designed, ultra-chic Cheval Blanc Randheli Twin Otter seaplane.
During the 40-minute flight from Malé to the private island, passengers are treated to total relaxation, including a cool-down kit with refreshing scented water and chilled towels.
Cheval Blanc Randheli, Noonu Atoll, Republic of Maldives, Maldives; +960 656-1515
The Chedi Club Tanah Gajah (Ubud, Bali)
If you like to keep your head in the clouds, get ready for take-off aboard The Chedi Club's own 23-meter hot-air balloon.
Against the exotic backdrop of rice fields and Mount Agung, The Chedi Club's balloon rises 50 meters into the air several times a day, giving guests majestic views over the mist-covered, five-hectare Chedi Club estate.
The Chedi Club Tanah Gajah, Tengkulak Kaja, Jl. Raya Goa Gajah, Kemenuh, Ubud, Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia; +62 361 975685
From $428 per night
