By Kevin C. Horton

We traveled back in time this past weekend… Well, sort of… We traveled to Queens, to the JFK Airport to stay at the extremely unique and ultra-retro TWA Hotel.  This unique hotel adjacent to the JFK Airport runway is a perfect get-a-way even if you aren’t hopping on a plane, indeed- it’s a travel destination in itself.

Re-opened just over three years ago, the Hotel is the restored landmark of the TWA Flight Center at JFK Airport. The entire hotel, lobby, restaurants, bars, and almost every aspect have been restored to the original 1962 heyday of the TWA Airline.

Trans World Airlines (TWA) was a major American airline back in its day. According to the museum at the hotel (a must-see) TWA was formed as “Transcontinental and Western Air” to operate a route from New York City to Los Angeles via St. Louis, Kanas City, and other stops. Howard Hughes acquired control of TWA in 1939, and after WWII led the expansion of the airline to serve Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, making TWA a second unofficial flag carrier of the United States after Pan Am. 

The entire hotel and lobby is a fun historical aviation flashback honoring TWA. Walk around, find the corners all around with vintage 1960s living rooms, vintage TWA offices, bars, and restaurants. Find your way just outside the lobby and catch the highlight of the vintage tour, “Connie.” Named “Connie” this fully restored 1958 airplane has been turned into a cocktail and light snacks bar. 

Be sure to check out the historic clothing and of course the historic 1960’s cars parked outside the entrance and inside portions of the main lobby. 

 

Getting the right room

When booking online be sure to request the right room, if you want to see the airplanes land and take off: Best views of the runway are from the top floors, 7th , and 8th, and rooms around numbers 764 or 864… from your room you’ll see the planes taking off and landing with ease… and don’t worry about the noise, the floor to ceiling windows is soundproof- although the police cars right outside the windows did wake us up as they cleared traffic on the street… but the jets you didn’t hear taking off… and seeing them while lying in bed was very cool. The rooms are a bit tight, but nicely vintage decorated. The bathroom is nice and large with a large shower fully equipped with shampoos, soaps, and an ample supply of towels. Note the room doesn’t have a coffee maker so you’ll have to run down to the lobby in the AM if you require that morning java jolt. 

Last but not least, be sure to check out the rooftop pool with yet another amazing view of the runway. Yes, the rooftop pool is open year-round with the, as they call it, “pool-curzi” heated to 95 degrees every day. There too you’ll find a bar to grab a drink and enjoy the views of the passing and goings of people traveling. 

 

Contact Info:

Web site: https://www.twahotel.com/

 

Located in: John F. Kennedy International Airport

Address: John F. Kennedy International Airport, JFK Access Road, One Idlewild Drive

Phone: (212) 806-9000