It's easy to spot ALT Hotel from the street, which is great when navigating — Photo courtesy of ALT Hotels

The word alt in German means "old." Turns out the Groupe Germaine did not get the memo, because ALT Hotel in Toronto is sleek, modern and fresh; this hotel makes a stay prior to a vacation feel like a vacation in itself.

Chances are that the last time you stayed in an airport hotel, it didn't exactly rock your world. Many airport hotels seem to depend on the mantra, "You have no choice," and swaddle themselves in beige and paisley. They merely exist as places to rest our heads before getting up at an ungodly hour. They may be convenient, but they aren't exactly inspiring places to settle down.

This is precisely why ALT Hotel stands out. In a sea of beige, it's a pop of color. The color begins with the giant mural in the lobby that's composed of Instagram photos. The decor extends throughout the hotel – as modern as if Steve Jobs had designed it himself.

Sleek and modern – just like you — Photo courtesy of ALT Hotels

Check-in is a breeze, and the small rooms have much more than you would expect from an airport hotel.

Goose down duvets float on top of queen-sized beds. The alarm clock is set up to attach to your iPod. There's a connectivity panel, if you don't feel like ruffling through your suitcase to find the appropriate power cord. There's even free WiFi and a flat-screen television that is more than ready to distract you from the work that you should be doing. 

Plush, comfortable and perfect for that 7 p.m. bedtime — Photo courtesy of ALT Hotels

Don't be afraid to dive right into the spa-style rain shower. Be fairly fast to conserve water, as ALT is dedicated to many environmental initiatives, from domestic water heating by geothermal energy to huge thermal windows with low-emission rates that maximize natural light.

Their products can be reduced, reused and recycled (something to keep in mind if you take your shampoo to go). 

The perfect bathroom for bleary-eyed mornings — Photo courtesy of ALT Hotels

Should you find yourself peckish, you can go to the lobby for Gourmet Grab and Go in ALTcetera. Grab-and-go meals range from salads to chicken parmesan to thick sandwiches. Heat up your dish and eat it with a companionable newspaper before you mingle with fellow travelers over a game of pool.

Visit the friendly bartender who is more than ready to make you a cocktail. Grab-and-go cocktail? Now they're speaking our language.

ALTcetera allows you to keep your rumbling tummy at bay — Photo courtesy of ALT Hotels

If you decide that you don't want to eat in grab-and-go style, the front desk will be happy to supply you with a smattering of takeout menus from the area. Ask for delivery directly to your room, and it's just like having room service for a fraction of the price. 

Fitness buffs need not miss a workout, with a 14th-floor gym with all of the necessities, including weights, a treadmill and yoga mats.

This reasonably priced hotel prides itself on offering the same rate year-round and gets even better on Sundays, when you can check out whenever you want . . . right up until 11:59 p.m. It's an ideal deal if you can manage to line up your red-eye perfectly.

We hope the other airport hotels get the message. We now have a choice to enjoy our travel, even the night before we go airborne. We don't need any more "alt"-fashioned ideals, now that we have ALT

This tall drink of water is also known as the lobby — Photo courtesy of ALT Hotels