TWA Hotel at JFK: Take a Trip Back in Time
TWA Hotel is a fun trip back to the Golden Days of Air Travel
By Tab Hauser
Trans World Airlines was one of the most recognized names in the golden age of air travel. From 1930 to 2001 the red TWA logo atop hundreds of airplanes touched down in countries all over the world and most cities in the United States.
To reflect its status, TWA in 1962 hired world-famous architect Eero Saarinen to design a futuristic winged terminal as an international hub at JFK Airport in New York.
Tubes to the Gates
It had a large open lobby with views of the runway and airplanes. Its long tubes from the lobby allowed passengers, friends and family to walk directly to the gates.
In 1994 the building was made a city landmark and in 2005 was named to the National Register of Historic Places. In May 2019 the terminal became the centerpiece of a 515-room hotel that opened up opposite Jet Blue’s Terminal Five.
Retro Fun
The fun part of the new TWA hotel is its 1960’s retro vibe. You are met at the door with a parked 1963 Continental Convertible with suicide doors.
Inside the grand lobby is the old “flapping sign” posting the ghost flight numbers, times and destinations of Pan-Am, Eastern, TWA and others that no longer in the air.
There you are met by a sharp-looking man and woman dressed as a captain and a 1960’s flight attendant. Background music for the hotel ranged from Sinatra to Beatles.
Plane views by the Pool
After settling we grabbed our TWA bathrobes (although for some reason they only have one per room until you ask) and went up to the heated outdoor rooftop pool on this winter day.
Here we waded in the warm waters while watching the planes land, take off and taxi in front of us. Some guests were enjoying cocktails in the pool that came from the “Apres Ski” themed bar there.
Wondering Around
Walking around the hotel there are a few interesting things to see. The hotel museum had flight attendant uniforms on display from over the decades. For those into 1962 Pilates, there is a room decked out as an oversized game of Twister you can play in.
Check-in is modern and quick using an IPad station. You are then directed to walk through one of the two long red-carpeted tubes to the elevators taking you to your room.
We upgraded to a runway view room that was whisper quiet due to the thickest glass I have ever seen.
The room came with TWA pencils, a rotary phone and a minibar complete with cans of Tab soda, a name I am partial too.
1962 Living Room
Off one of the tubes is a fully furnished 1962 living room. Sitting on the couch reminded me of my parent’s place when I was a kid.
Near the living room is a re-creation of the architect’s office for the building. Surrounding the big open lobby are areas to lounge including a few places that are hidden into little alcoves decorated with old TWA travel posters.
For those who want to work out, the TWA Hotel claims to have the world’s largest hotel gym at 10,000 square feet. There is also a very small outdoor skating ring that is opened in the winter.
Cocktails on the Connie
A highlight of the hotel in the courtyard is Connie. The Connie is a 1957 four-engine Constellation airplane that TWA owned for a few years. From the outside, it looks ready for takeoff. On the inside, it has been converted to a bar where you can sit on lounge couches or rows of old airplane seats complete with ashtrays in the arm
(there is no smoking onboard). Keeping with nostalgia, I ordered my first Old Fashioned that was featured on the drink menu.
The plane’s cockpit and navigators station (with periscope window) are still original for the airplane buffs visiting.
Dinner
For dinner, we dined at the Paris Café by Jean Georges. Although the place is called the Paris Café, there is little French influence here.
The menu choices are all over the place ranging from salads, burgers, pizza to eight main dinner courses. We found the food and service very good. After dinner, head to the rooftop for cocktails and coffee and watch the airport night action.
Wanna Go?
We found our stay at the TWA Hotel fun and convenient for our 5 am flight to the British Virgin Islands the following day. To check out you simply drop the card keys in a box and walk five minutes down the tube to the terminal.
Visitors at the hotel are welcomed to get a day pass or just stop by and enjoy a drink from the rooftop.
For information go to www.twahotel.com
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November 7, 2021 @ 1:43 pm
What a terrific article this is, Tab! Although I have visited the hotel’s great exhibits, your description of the amenities and accommodations make me want to spend a few nights there. Thanks again for this informative and exciting travel review!
April 25, 2020 @ 8:55 am
Thanks Tab for the trip down memory lane. My first international flight was aboard TWA and we flew out of the terminal at JFK. The airport in the 1960s holds a lot of nostalgia for me. A fun day with my grandfather was a trip to JFK to watch the planes land and take off and dream of faraway places. Travel in those days was such a privilege and one actually dressed up for the occasion. I would consider spending a night at the TWA hotel the next time I fly out of JFK not necessarily for the convenience but for the sheer joy of it.
April 24, 2020 @ 6:24 pm
Fabulous pictures! I’ve been here for girls’ getaways twice now. It’s just a real blast from the past. Thank you for this!
April 24, 2020 @ 2:51 pm
Love the retro look. Probably worth a visit even if you aren’t flying. I suppose there were instructions on how to use the rotary phone.
April 24, 2020 @ 2:44 pm
Excellent article and amazing photos ! Will definitely stay her just because Tab did a review on this hotel! Perfect stop over on my way to Scotland next year !
April 24, 2020 @ 2:44 pm
Thanks for sharing! I’ve heard good things, but this just solidified it for me. Leaving out of JFK always seems to be a hassle for me (souring the beginning of any trip), but I’m eager to try this and take a trip back in time.
April 24, 2020 @ 11:30 am
What a great hotel. They should emulate the TWA Hotel in other places (if they have not done so already.
April 24, 2020 @ 11:26 am
Looks like a fun step back into the past! Next time I have a NYC layover it would be a great option! Thanks for sharing.
April 23, 2020 @ 4:30 am
It looks like a fun place to be. Thanks for sharing, Tab. I am glad to see a big part of history is being preserved and made available for the public to enjoy.
April 22, 2020 @ 1:49 pm
This aritlce is incredible, what an experience!! The way you describe everyting is just terrific!! Thanks and can’t wait for your next article.
April 22, 2020 @ 12:00 pm
A true blast from the past! Great story and pics, looks like a fun hotel!
April 22, 2020 @ 11:35 am
I think I will stay there next time we have an early flight!! It sounds fun!!