Could airport hotels inprove their image?

Airport hotels have long since been a place for the traveler to avoid, however, according to a New York Times article published this past Sunday, that is something that the hotel industry is hoping to change.

The article, Airport Hotels That Invite Lingering features a picture from Chicago's InterContinental O’Hare that looks like it features a deep luxury bathtub behind double sliding doors of frosted glass.

It makes sense to me that airport hotels should be among the most lavish, since most of the travelers that desire to stay close to the airport are businessmen looking to catch an early morning flight. Today's building materials allow for soundproofing rooms against the sound of airplanes taking off and landing, and many airports are located in an area that allows for nice views rather than busy downtown buildings. So why has it taken so long for the hotel industry to begin upgrading the atmosphere of the airport hotel?

I suppose that it is because of the proximity to city attractions, however, many hotels have begun to turn toward all-inclusive facilities that feature not only a room to stay the night in, but restaurants, gift shops, health spas and more.