There’s nothing new about being able to find a good hotel at an airport. But now that there’s competition, these places are making extra efforts to stand out. So here’s our list of “Airport Hotels That Are Fun, Easy and Different.” Most are in this country, but there’s one international hotel for flavor. Hyatt comes in with three locations, partly because it is the upscale hotel that has focused the most on airport hotels.

 

Westin Detroit Metropolitan Airport (800-WESTIN-1; http://www.starwoodhotels.com/)

 

Why It’s Fun: This hotel has in-room spa services, including massage, manicure or pedicure. The Westin has a partnership with OraOxygen Spa, located in the airline terminal. A spa specialist will bring a portable massage table to the guestroom as well as a fully equipped manicure/pedicure cart.

 

Why It’s Easy: The hotel enables easy access to McNamara Terminal. Registered guests can pick up a special access pass at the front desk, then show ID to get into the terminal to shop or use other services.

 

Why It’s Different: The chef puts his grandmother’s cranberry chutney into the Food on the Fly menu that you can take on the plane.

           

Fairmont Vancouver Airport (800-441-1414; www.fairmonthotels.com)

 

Why It’s Fun: You can watch planes land and take off from the Jetside bar, which has great martinis.

 

Why It’s Easy: The airport provides complimentary coat and boot check to all guests. Leave the winter weather gear with the front desk and pick it up on your return. You can drop into the Health Club change rooms, complimentary, and slip back into the woollies to face winter.

 

What Makes It Different: This was the only airport hotel on the 2005 Conde Nast Gold List.

 

Grand Hyatt DFW (800-233-1234; http://www.hyatt.com/)

 

Why It’s Fun: Every room has a freestanding shower and a separate soaking tub.

 

Why It’s Easy: The hotel adjoins the new International Terminal D.

 

Why It’s Different: This new hotel is the first Grand Hyatt to be located at an airport and the first in Texas.

 

Hyatt Regency DFW (800-233-1234; http://www.hyatt.com/):

 

Why It’s Fun: Two nearby championship golf courses are available at Bear Creek Golf Club; transportation is available from the hotel.

 

Why It’s Easy: Every meeting manager gets a small meeting planner kit that includes: banquet event form, program of events, hotel floor plans, calculator, postcards, and necessities like tissues and antacid tablets.

 

Why It’s Different: There is a Texas business artwork theme throughout the hotel, with exhibits on Ross Perot, Mary Kay ash and more; and stories of the first microchip and the first ATM.

 

Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport (800-233-1234; http://www.hyatt.com/)

 

Why It’s Fun: The hotel has an outdoor pool.

 

Why It’s Easy: Staff can print out boarding cards and can meet guests at their room and take luggage to the ticket counter.

 

Why It’s Different: The hotel is inside the main terminal of the airport.

 

Sofitel Chicago O’Hare (800-SOFITEL; www.sofitel.com)

 

Why It’s Fun: A mural at the front desk depicts Chicago and Paris landmarks.

 

Why It’s Easy: The hotel is five minutes from the airport.

 

Why It’s Different: The feeling is French, as a result of the art, furniture and food.

           

Four Points by Sheraton LAX (800-325-3535; http://www.starwoodhotels.com/)

 

Why It’s Fun: T.J. Brewsters is a gourmet beer bar with 75 brews and a beer sommelier.

 

Why It’s Easy: The hotel has 24-hour Check-in/Check-out; you get to stay a full 24 hours.

 

Why It’s Different: This is a mid-rate brand with luxury services like a concierge and same-day laundry.

 

Boston Harbor Hotel (800-323-7500; http://www.preferredhotels.com/)

           

Why It’s Fun: The hotel is just three blocks from Faneuil Marketplace and two from the New England Aquarium.

 

Why it’s Easy: The hotel is not actually at the airport. It’s actually right downtown but just a 7-minute, $10 water taxi ride away. The taxi drops you at the airport’s shuttle stop and you can get to your terminal from there.

 

Why It’s Different: The hotel hosts the Annual Boston Wine Festival, one of the most anticipated wine and food festivals in the world; it runs January through April.

 

Hilton Copenhagen Airport

           

Why It’s Fun: The hotel has bikes for guests so they can go to the beach just a couple of miles away.

 

Why It’s Easy: The hotel is connected by a covered walkway to the airport; it’s just 12 minutes by train from the city center.

 

Why It’s Different: The rooms are the largest in town and all of them have floor-to-ceiling windows.