Home, Sweet Airplane?

Written by Jennifer Heyns

Airplane hotel remodel
I’ve got to admit, I’ve never seen anything like this. If you don’t normally click on links, you have to make an exception just this once, ‘cause I promise, you’ve never seen anything like this either. For those of you who want to read now, click later, I’ll go ahead and let the cat out of the bag - it’s a hotel, in a tree, in an airplane. It’s wild! It reminds me of old episodes of Gilligan’s Island or new episodes of Lost where marooned island-dwellers go on the search for materials to make shelter or an escape pod and low-and-behold! There’s an old abandoned airplane nested up in the treetops. Only this airplane didn’t land in the trees haphazardly, and it certainly does not give the appearance of abandonment.

This unique tree house hotel is actually a two-bedroom suite nestled in and around an old Boeing 727 that used to serve as plain old air-transportation for South Africa Air. The 1965 plane frame was transported from San Jose to the jungles of Manuel Antonio in Costa Rico where it was reconstructed atop a 50-foot pedestal and became a specialty suite for the Hotel Costa Verde, known as the 727 Fuselage Home.

The interior of the plane has been outfitted with teak paneling, teak furnishings and all the conveniences of modern times like flat screen televisions, air conditioning, a kitchenette, dining area, and a private luxurious bathroom for each of its two bedrooms.

Most awesome, for me, is the gorgeous terrace built on top of one of the plane’s wings. It’s covered so you’re protected from any bad weather, but has a stunning view of the gardens surrounding the plane and of the natural landscape which includes lush plants, sloths, monkeys, and toucans, and the ocean.

It’s all just completely breathtaking and unbelievably creative. While the Hotel Costa Verde also offers lodging in their bungalows, studio and efficiency apartments, I can’t imagine why anyone would stay in any of those when there’s a Boeing bungalow to be had. Of course, it may have something to do with the fact that you can get just any-old suite for anywhere from $80 to $200 per night, while the 727 runs from $300-350 a night. But in all honesty, I’ve stayed in much less desirable rooms in New York City for the same rate.

It’s definitely a once-in-a-lifetime type experience, but if you’ve ever been a nervous flyer, this is one plane that can completely change your tune about safety and comfort on a flight deck.