Have some time to kill at JFK Airport and planning to visit the TWA Hotel? Or possibly even considering spending the night there on a layover? Here’s my honest TWA Hotel review!
Ever since I heard about TWA Hotel’s opening a few years ago, I instantly wanted to visit. 1960’s nostalgia! Vintage design! Drinking cocktails from a refurbished plane! A rooftop pool with views of the runway!
Any aviation geeks dream – including mine! Gone are the glory days of airline travel, but that doesn’t mean you can’t feel like you’re living amongst jet-age glamour for a bit!
So when I found myself with a few hours to spare at JFK before my flight home to California, I knew it was the perfect time to take advantage! Sure beats hanging at the gate for 5+ hours contemplating whether I should buy those overpriced cheez-its or not. And since I had just read Ann Hood’s Fly Girl, a fascinating memoir about a former TWA flight attendant, I was even more intrigued to see the actual space.
My verdict? If you’re a travel addict (guilty!) and mid-century modern design junkie (guilty again!), you’ll absolutely love exploring the TWA Hotel. I know I did!
- Full transparency: I didn’t stay overnight at the TWA Hotel. I spent a few hours here before my flight home to San Francisco attempting to explore every nook and cranny.
Let’s get to it – my (extremely-detailed) TWA Hotel review coming right up! And as their commercial in the 60’s exclaimed, – Up, Up and Away with TWA!
Interesting Info about TWA and the TWA Hotel
What is the TWA Hotel?
The TWA Hotel is just that – a hotel! But it’s not just any old, boring hotel; it’s aviation and 60’s glamour themed. I mean, it is located at JFK International Airport after all, so it makes a lot of sense! I mean, the lobby is even the former TWA Flight Center terminal, designed way back when in 1962!
The perfect place to explore for anyone who’s obsessed with air travel, style, and the innovation of the Jet Age! And of course to celebrate the sixties – all within a bustling major international airport!
The hotel is a true masterpiece of mid-century modern architecture, of course paying homage to the golden age of aviation! There’s museum-quality exhibits, all celebrating the history of aviation and the TWA brand. Think tons of vintage TWA ads, flight attendant uniforms, and lots of info about the 60s.
Where is the TWA Hotel?
The TWA Hotel is located right at JFK International Airport in New York City (the fifth-busiest airport in the United States!), connected to Terminal 5 (the current JetBlue terminal). And get this – the hotel is housed in the former TWA Flight Center, a historic airport terminal built way back in the Jet Age era in 1962 by architect Eero Saarinen.
Visiting on a layover? Since the hotel’s not within the terminal itself (it’s technically outside the terminals), you’ll need to essentially “exit” the airport and re-enter again. This means going through airport security again, no matter if you’re traveling internationally or domestically. Keep this in mind and always give yourself enough time to make it back before your next flight.
How to Get to the TWA Hotel
Thankfully, getting to the TWA Hotel is pretty easy, if you’re already in New York (or JFK) that is!
This is New York City after all – there’s tons of public transportation! Regardless of what you take, you’ll eventually need to jump on the AirTrain to Terminal 5. A bit more info about the different options:
- AirTrain: As stated before, the AirTrain is a super convenient way to reach The TWA Hotel (and JFK in general). The JFK AirTrain connects all terminals at JFK Airport, as well as the Jamaica Station (in Queens) of the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and the Howard Beach Station of the A subway line. You’ll need to take the AirTrain to Terminal 5 (T5), where the TWA Hotel is located.
- Subway and Bus: You can take the subway (A Train) or bus to the Howard Beach Station and then transfer to the JFK AirTrain to Terminal 5.
- Long Island Rail Road (LIRR): If you’re coming from Manhattan or Long Island, you can take the LIRR to the Jamaica Station and transfer to the JFK AirTrain to Terminal 5.
For reference, I took the LIRR from my sister’s house on Long Island and transferred to the AirTrain at Jamaica Station. Easy peasy!
Once you get off the AirTrain at Terminal 5 (the JetBlue stop), there’s signs directing you straight to the TWA Hotel. Look out for them, as they can feel a bit hidden if you’ve never been there before.
Take the elevator down to Level 1, get off the elevator and turn left, go through the doors, and turn left again and cross the street towards the yellow parking garage. Make another quick left and follow the walkway – you’ll see the iconic saucer-shaped design of the TWA Hotel right away!
Driving to JFK and Parking at the TWA Hotel
You can of course also drive to the TWA Hotel, which only really makes sense if you’re planning to keep your car at the airport for the duration of your trip.
Parking at TWA Hotel: Yes, there’s onsite valet parking in front of the hotel 24 hours a day! Note that parking is not included, even for hotel guests, and costs about $80 a night. You can also park your car at the hotel before/after you travel if needed, for extra fees of course.
FYI – there’s no self parking at the TWA Hotel, only valet.
JFK Long Term Parking Lot: To be completely honest, if you’re planning to drive to JFK and keep your car there for a few days, I’d opt to park in the Long Term Parking or Federal Circle Station lots (prepaid only). The hourly rates at the TWA Hotel are kinda ridiculous.
Always check for Long Term Parking coupons – that could be a few cocktails at the Connie Cocktail Lounge!
And once you park at one of JFK’s Long Term Parking lots, you can take the free AirTrain to all the terminals, including Terminal 5 where the TWA Hotel is located.
Brief History of Trans World Airlines (TWA) and TWA Hotel
I can’t write a crazy detailed review of the TWA Hotel and not talk about the iconic airline and how the actual hotel came to be!
What’s TWA? Trans World Airlines (TWA) was a major American airline founded by Howard Hughes (yes, the aviation pioneer) in 1930. The airline brought about some super important aviation innovations, like being one of the first airlines to hire female flight attendants (!!!), introducing in-flight movies (yes, please!), and using jet engines in commercial aviation with the Boeing 707.
TWA was a leading airline during the golden age of air travel, a period known for glamorous and luxurious air journeys. Yes, this is before airlines started cramming us all into itty-bitty seats and saying goodbye to meal service.
People would dress up, treat air travel as a luxury trip, and even eat steaks on board! It was way more glamorous and exciting than it is now…
Closure of the TWA Flight Center: After decades in business, TWA (and its iconic terminal, also known as the TWA Flight Center), officially closed in 2001. The end of an era!!!
Why? The company could no longer support the size of modern airplanes. It was essentially too old school, and the company also had a bunch of financial struggles. TWA was eventually acquired by American Airlines in April 2001.
Preservation/Restoration/Reuse as a Hotel: After the terminal closed, there were concerns about the fate of the iconic building (obviously – have you seen the architecture?!). It was never demolished because of this, and after extensive restoration, was eventually repurposed into the TWA Hotel!
The building’s even been designated as a New York City Landmark (in 1994) and it’s also on the National Register of Historic Places.
The restoration project did all that it could to preserve the terminal’s historic elements (like the iconic red carpeted tubes and the expansive sunken lounge) while adding in modern amenities.
Nowadays, the TWA Flight Center is used as an aviation-themed hotel and museum. There’s artifacts, displays, and photographs all about the airline’s legacy and its role in shaping the aviation industry.
Other Interesting Info about the TWA Hotel
Architecture at the TWA Hotel: Ohhh, there’s so much architectural significance at the TWA Hotel. First off, the entire TWA Flight Center is a total masterpiece of mid-century modern architecture.
Have you seen the saucer-shaped design?! There’s sweeping curves, large windows, and even a distinctive wing-like roof, all designed by Eero Saarinen. One look at it and you’re intrigued – I know I was!
Vintage Design and 1960s Nostalgia: Besides the unique architecture, the interior of the TWA Hotel is super eclectic with a retro aesthetic – something I absolutely loved!
They really did it up at the hotel, with vintage TVs, rotary phones, a red and white color scheme, brass lighting, mid-century modern design elements – anything that pays homage to the 1960s-era vibe.
Visiting the TWA Hotel
FAQs about Visiting the TWA Hotel
- Who can visit the TWA Hotel? Anyone and everyone! The TWA Hotel is open to the public! Now of course you’ll need to pay to book a room if you want to stay overnight, but anyone can walk in and enjoy/explore the public spaces.
- Do I need to purchase a day pass? Before visiting the TWA Hotel, I was super confused if I needed a day pass (listed on their website) to just enter the hotel and explore for a few hours. I’m here to report you absolutely don’t! What’s a day pass for then? When you purchase a day tripper pass, you’re actually given a hotel room for the number of hours you book. Great if you have a super long layover and wanna get some actual sleep in an actual bed for a few hours. But honestly, they’re pretty pricey in my opinion.
- Do you need to stay overnight? Nope, and I honestly don’t think there’s a real need to. Unless you actually need a place to stay and don’t mind overpaying for a night. I heard the rooms are already starting to feel dated (despite only being open for a few years), and that most of the excitement lies in the common spaces anyways. Save your money!
- Any special events? Yes, TWA Hotel hosts quite a few special events throughout the year! There’s vintage fashion shows (that of course showcase styles from the 1960s), live music and performances (with a retro nod to the 60s), and even cocktail and mixology classes (in case you wanna learn about the era’s cocktail culture and try retro-inspired drinks). There’s also private events, and I was lucky enough to watch a sweet couple get married in the iconic Sunken Lounge!
- When did the TWA Hotel open? The TWA Hotel officially opened its doors to guests on May 15, 2019. I visited in June 2023, meaning I wrote this TWA Hotel review just a few short years after opening.
- Are there any food/restaurants here? Yes! There’s a few dining options at The TWA Hotel, including the Paris Café, the Sunken Lounge, and the Connie Cocktail Lounge (my favorite!). Plus a food hall for grab and go dining. Food isn’t reported to be the most outstanding, but then again, when is airport food all that fabulous?
- Where do you keep your luggage when exploring? If you’re not staying overnight or bought a daytripper pass (with access to a room for a few hours), you’ll undoubtedly have some luggage with you. I wish there was a solution for this, but I kinda just lugged it around for the few hours I was exploring the hotel. Yes, even up the steps to the Connie Cocktail Lounge. I could have asked reception if they could’ve held it for a bit, but I didn’t even think about that until just now!
How Long to spend at the TWA Hotel
How long you spend at TWA Hotel is completely your choice. You can stay for a quick drink at the cocktail bar, explore for a few hours, grab a day pass with access to a hotel room for a few hours, or obviously stay overnight if you’ve got a flight the next morning/day (this is a hotel and all).
For reference, my TWA Hotel review is based on visiting for a few hours. I decided an overnight stay was unnecessary, nor did I purchase a day pass.
If you do decide to stay overnight, just know the hotel has apparently gone downhill already. I’ve heard reports of the rooms being small, poorly designed, and honestly kinda basic. In my opinion, I don’t think a room is worth the high price tag, and feel you can get a similar experience by just visiting the public areas for a few hours.
Main Highlights at the TWA Hotel
During my few hours exploring (as much as humanly possible), I was shocked at how much I saw. I’m putting my highlights in order of most impressive to least impressive, so if you’ve only got a few hours, you know what to prioritize. Of course this is all based on individual interests, so I highly encourage you to check everything out if you’ve got the time.
TWA Flight Center Lobby: As soon as you step into The TWA Hotel, you’re standing in the historic TWA Flight Center lobby. It’s truly the heart of the whole building, and I promise it’ll feel like you’re stepping back in time.
I mean, the hotel check-in desk is exactly where passengers checked their luggage back in the day! Absolutely wild when you really think about it! The way they repurposed the ticketing booth is so epic!
The area maintains the mid-century modern design and iconic features of the terminal, like the striking red-carpeted tubes that connect to the aircraft gates. It’s also where you’ll find the departures board, classic uniforms (upstairs), and classic TWA cars.
I loved hearing some old-school tunes playing in the background, like “Locomotion” by Little Eva (one of my all-time favorites), “Sugar, Sugar” by The Archies (another great one!), and “Fly Me to the Moon” by the one and only Frank Sinatra. Definitely helps set the mood!
Connie Cocktail Lounge: If there’s one thing you do at The TWA Hotel, make it a visit to the Connie Cocktail Lounge. The cocktail bar is actually housed in a meticulously restored Lockheed Constellation airplane, known as the “Connie”. Which is now transformed into a retro cocktail lounge!
You need to walk up the steps to the cocktail bar, just like you would on a runway! So fun!
I had such a great time hanging out in the cocktail lounge, despite traveling solo! I loved chatting with the other visitors about where they were jetting off to, while sipping a yummy drink in an actual PLANE from the 60’s. Make sure to check out the open cockpit all the way in front — so cool seeing all the controls!
Psst: Reservations aren’t accepted, and walk-ins are welcomed on a first come, first served basis. It does get busy, so you may need to wait. The Connie Cocktail Lounge serves cocktails, mocktails, and light snacks. Try the Vodka is My Co-Pilot, Connie’s take on a martini.
PS: If you want your drink in a branded TWA cup, you’ll need to shell out a few extra bucks. The bartender was nice enough to give it to me for free though, yay!
Sunken Lounge: Another signature feature of the TWA Flight Center! The Sunken Lounge is a huge seating area with floor-to-ceiling windows — with panoramic views of the tarmac, looking out to the Connie airplane. It’s super architectural, with its circular shape and sunken design. Perfect for relaxing and people watching!
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to hang out here since they were prepping for a wedding (which I actually watched a few hours later)! How cute would that be for a pilot and flight attendant to get married there?!
But thankfully, it’s a cool spot to admire from afar as well!
Rooftop Pool: Yes, there’s an infinity pool right on the roof, overlooking the actual runways at JFK Airport. Meaning you can watch flights take off straight from the water!
The area was actually inspired by the infinity pool at the luxurious Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cap d’Antibes, France!
Reservations are required to use the pool (it gets busy for a reason), and you actually need to pay, even if you’re a hotel guest. Expect to pay about $25 if you’re staying at the hotel, and a whopping $50 for non-hotel guests.
Reservations are only valid for an hour and 45 minutes, so nope, you can’t stay all day. Pretty expensive if you ask me, but then again, where else can you watch planes take off while sipping cocktails in the pool at an airport?!
I was surprised to learn that the rooftop pool is actually open year round – a typical, refreshing pool in summer, and a heated jacuzzi in winter (95 degrees!). Sign me up!
Psst – no reservations are needed from 7am to 10:30am, so if you’re there super early, you can pop right in. Also, if you’re visiting November 1 through May 25, there’s no need for reservations either, but you still gotta pay if you’re not a guest of the hotel.
Unfortunately it was super windy as soon as I got up there (with a chaise lounge flying into the pool – yes, it was THAT windy), so staff forced everyone out of the area for safety reasons. Completely understandable, but kinda sorta sad I missed out on the experience… although I really didn’t wanna pay, so oh well, haha.
Welcome to 1962 Wall: Ohh… I loved this display! And I learned so many interesting facts about the year 1962! Like how the Beatles released their first single “Love Me Do” and that the Mets played their first game then – kinda wild when you think about it! Even the color scheme and typography of the display are on point!
But why 1962? It’s when the original TWA Flight Center opened its doors!
There’s also a small section comparing 1962 to the present – which is always fun. Although seeing how much houses have increased in price is honestly kinda sad and depressing… (and where can you still buy a new house for under $300k?!).
Museum Exhibits and TWA Crew Uniforms: All throughout the hotel you’ll find exhibits showcasing aviation history and the development of TWA itself. There’s more than 2,000 artifacts that trace the TWA story — most of them donated by former TWA employees and their families!! Pretty impressive!
There’s authentic uniforms from 1945 to 2001 (over 65!), pilot hats, serving smocks, dining service Items like chopsticks and gravy boats, in-flight menus, and large-scale TWA artifacts (like a luggage tug!).
You can even see Howard Hughes’ office! Plus vintage furniture from the TWA headquarters, a flight attendant’s 5-year flying log, and some classic TWA-branded cars!
And get this – designer Stan Herman, who created the colorful ensembles for the TWA flight attendants in the 1970s, designed new uniforms for TWA Hotel staff! How cool is that?! Think inspo from Jackie Kennedy classic Camelot-era jackets and the dapper suits of Mad Men!
Departures Board: The Departures Board was one of my favorite installations in the TWA Hotel. Although it’s not actually a piece from the 1960’s (it’s recreated to emulate the look and feel of a flight information board from the era), it’s still a beauty and a true focal point in the Flight Center Lobby.
And it uses old school Solari split flap signs (plastic flaps that make a distinct clacking sound) – def adds some authenticity and welcomed nostalgia!!
What does it display?! Flight info for destinations that were historically served by TWA, and a few other older airlines (like Jet Age and Pan Am).
This seemed like the perfect spot to take a photo – which deemed a bit difficult because of all the people! But I tried my best!
TWA Shop: Big TWA fan? I mean, you’re thinking of spending some time at the TWA Hotel, so you must be! Lord knows I am! The TWA Shop is full of merchandise inspired by the airline’s history and the iconic Jet Age era.
I totally regret not picking something up – there were branded tote bags, sweaters, buttons, ornaments, and so much more. Even sneakers with an obnoxiously large TWA logo – I’m mad at myself for not buying them; how epic are they?!
Twister and Sweet n Low Rooms: These are two super playful spaces that anyone can hang out in, are great for photos, and pays homage to the aesthetics of the 1960s. A fun addition to the hotel for sure.
TWA Ads: Along the walls you’ll find vintage destination ads showcasing the airline’s marketing campaigns from the 60’s – and they’re so epic and fun. Places like Rome, Hawaii, Disneyland, Egypt, and Morocco were featured – plus way more.
I loved these SO much, and totally wish I took more photos of them. How fun would they be in a gallery wall in a mid-century modern home?!
Vintage Photo Booth: A vintage-styled photo booth for completely free?! Sign me up! Honestly, it’s no different than a photo booth from this day and age, but I had fun taking a few photos. And it’s free – so why not?!
Camp TWA: This is a small-ish area outside near the Connie Cocktail Lounge, with all kinds of fun and old-fashioned games. Including fire pits, vintage-inspired Airstream trailers, games on the tarmac (like life-size chess and checkers, jenga, cornhole, and a ring toss), and comfy seating.
Honestly, it looks pretty fun! Had I not been solo and had more time to kill, I’d probably have played a game of jenga or two.
So there ya have it — my complete TWA Hotel review! Don’t think I’d stay overnight, but definitely fun for a few hours or so! Are you planning to visit soon?!
Loved and appreciated this.
How many hours did you spend there?
The reason I’m asking is that I have a choice of flying into JFK at 1pm or 5pm before checking back in for my late international flight around 7:30pm and wondered how long do I want to make my connecting layover.
In my opinion, I’d opt for the earlier flight to give you enough time to explore, especially if you’re into the history and such. I’d worry with a flight arriving at 5pm it wouldn’t give you much time since you’d need to get to check-in around 2 hours or so for your international flight. It’s a fun place to hang for a bit!
Thanks for your review! My family is flying out early Monday morning to Mexico so we decided to get the early check-in on Sunday (12 pm) and stay the night. This looks like it will be a fun added day to our vacation with kids 8 and 10.