Until the last few years, airport hotels were as appealing as a transcontinental flight in a cramped coach seat toward the back of the plane, but hotel companies, especially brands, are realizing that airport hotels can be profitable. Not only are these convenient hotels worth the value, but airport hotels are upping the experience for the traveler.

For many business travelers, an airport hotel was simply an option to take the worry out of fighting rush hour for an early morning flight. The additional sleep was always an added bonus, and some even allowed guests to park their car in the hotel lot, thus saving on-site parking fees. But other than a bed to sleep in, the amenities were sparse and not figured into the decision.

A New Trend

A whole new world for airport hotels is opening up. According to a recent Businessweek.com article, airport hotels are taking off, and business travelers are landing at airport properties more often than ever before.

As the economy continues to fall, airport hotels are no longer at the bottom of the list. Business travelers and independent travelers can no longer afford to waste time or money without checking out the advantages of airport hotels.

Advantages of Airport Hotels

For so many reasons, business travelers are looking at airport hotels as a viable alternative to traditional resorts or downtown hotels. Here are just a few advantages:

• Lower rates

Airport hotels typically have lower rates - sometimes as much as 50 percent less. That's attractive to any traveler conscious of the bottom-line. For example, the Radisson SAS Hotel London Stansted Airport rates start at £95 ($146).

• Convenience

Whether it is a 12-hour international flight or a 2-hour commuter, flying is exhausting. Many airport hotels are actually located in the terminal. Those that carry their luggage on simply take the tram to the right level, and the doors slide open to the relaxing setting of a luxury airport hotel. The Grand Hyatt Dallas is located just inside Terminal D at Dallas-Fort Worth

• Just say no to transportation

No need to hail a taxi, rent a car, or find a ride - because you are already there. An airport hotel eliminates the transportation hassle and cost.

• Luxury amenities

Selecting an airport hotel no longer means you have to sacrifice amenities. Luxurious and spacious guest rooms, spas, high tech options like WiFi Internet access, flat-screen TVs, iPod docking stations, on-site spas, fitness facilities, restaurants and bars. The Radisson SAS Airport Hotel next to Oslo's Gardermoen International Airport even boasts a golf simulator with 32 virtual golf courses.

• Convenient place to meet

What better place to hold a meeting than an airport hotel? It's convenient, quick and easy. Executives converge on a central location. Stay for a night or two, and take advantage of meeting space ranging from intimate boardrooms to larger events. Located minutes from the BWI airport, the Westin Baltimore Washington Airport is accessible by free airport shuttle service and offers 7,300 square feet of flexible function space.

Disadvantages

The biggest disadvantage is also its top-selling advantage: location. If you want to explore the city, then you're probably not going to want to stay at an airport hotel. Airports are seldom located in the heart of a city, and if you really want get a realistic sample of what the destination is like, an airport hotel is not your best choice.

Where are the best airport hotels?

From the Grand Hyatt Dallas inside Terminal D at Dallas-Fort Worth to the Regal Airport Hotel in Hong Kong to the pod-like Yotel at London Gatwick and London Heathrow, check out this Business Week round-up for the top Airport Hotels in 2008.

Like any other option in the world of travel, an airport hotel is a personal choice. Review the advantages and the disadvantages and compare those with what you want to accomplish when traveling.

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