Travel Back in Time at the TWA Hotel
There is something idyllic about the golden age of flight. A time, 60 years ago, when air travel was glamorous, spacious and offered gourmet meals. Travelers were courteous to each other and each flight was more like a party than the cattle calls of today.
What if I told you that you could experience much of what those golden travel days had to offer and could stay on the ground doing it? Well you can at the TWA Hotel!
I have anxiously awaited an opportunity to stay at this iconic hotel since it opened in 2019 and when we booked an early morning flight to Los Angeles, I knew this was my chance.
You are transported back to 1962 from the moment you arrive at TWA Flight Center at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City. You will be greeted by a vintage Volkswagen Bus and Lincoln Continental parked outside, which are just a few of the period pieces you will find scattered throughout the hotel. Once inside, the mid-century modern architecture houses restaurants, cocktail lounges, museum exhibits and even a Twister room. You’ll also find TWA uniforms from the 1960s, a baggage cart full of period luggage and the original departure board with its nostalgic clacking sound. Overhead, you will hear The Beatles, Frank Sinatra and Connie Francis playing, which keeps the mood in the hotel light and cheerful. (Check out the soundtrack on Spotify!)
The fun continues outside the building at Camp TWA, which has a roller rink and a variety of games. On the rooftop, there is a pool and observation deck overlooking the runway at JFK. The pool is heated to 95 degrees for year-round enjoyment. However the most unique thing you will find outside the hotel is Connie, a 1958 Lockheed Constellation airplane turned cocktail lounge!
There are a variety of room options at the TWA Hotel with many overlooking the runway to watch those jumbo jets take off while lying in bed. Rooms all have seven-pane, floor-to-ceiling windows to keep out the jet noise so you can sleep soundly. In each room, you will find retro touches like a rotary phone, martini bar and vintage posters mixed with all the modern convenience you’re used to.
While you could easily spend hours exploring the hotel, the best part about the TWA Hotel is the convenience. The hotel is literally steps away from Terminal 5 at JFK airport and has a dedicated elevator to take you there. On our recent stay, we left our room and were at our gate in 25 minutes. That’s after checking a bag and going through security. (Disclaimer: we do have TSA Precheck, which I HIGHLY recommend, that expedited our security experience.)
If staying at the hotel prior to travel, you can valet your car at the TWA Hotel for $40/day to make your trip even easier. Once you collect your bags, you request your car through a dedicated link and it will be waiting for you right outside the hotel. We were in our car in less than 5 minutes from collecting our bags. We even grabbed a panini from the 24-hour food hall for the ride home.
Even if you aren’t planning on staying at the TWA Hotel, it is a must see if you are traveling through JFK Airport. Allow for some extra time before your flight to have a cocktail there and explore the hotel. There are so many fun things to see and do for the entire family. Day passes are even available for the pool and fitness center if you want to stretch your legs or freshen up during a long layover.
We arrived late when we checked in, so I didn’t get to hop aboard Connie or check out the pool. You can bet I will be returning to experience everything this unique hotel has to offer!
