I Stayed At JFK’s Famous TWA Hotel. It’s An Amazing Experience, But There Is A Catch

After a few nights in Cleveland Ohio after my Queen Mary 2 Crossing, we headed back to New York and this gave me a chance to try out something I was desperate to do! Staying at the TWA Hotel at JFK Airport New York.

Most airport hotels simply somewhere to sleep before a flight. And then there is the TWA Hotel at JFK Airport.

Staying here is not really about having a hotel room. It is about stepping into one of the most celebrated buildings of the Jet Age and immersing yourself in an era when air travel was glamorous, exciting and aspirational.

This is my TWA Hotel review.

TWA Hotel Review: A Brief History Of The Terminal

The hotel is built around the iconic TWA Flight Center, the extraordinary terminal designed by renowned architect Eero Saarinen for Trans World Airlines, or TWA.

The building opened in 1962 and instantly became one of the most famous airport terminals in the world. Its soaring concrete roof was designed to evoke a bird in flight, capturing the optimism and excitement of the early jet age.

TWA itself was one of America’s great airlines. Backed for many years by the eccentric billionaire and aviator Howard Hughes, it was renowned for style, glamour and innovation.

However, the terminal’s design soon became impractical as aircraft became larger and passenger numbers exploded. After TWA collapsed and was acquired by American Airlines in 2001, the terminal closed and sat empty for almost two decades.

Thankfully, rather than demolish this architectural masterpiece, developers undertook an enormous restoration project, carefully preserving and recreating many of the original features while adding two modern hotel wings behind the historic building.

The TWA Hotel finally opened in 2019, bringing this iconic structure back to life.

TWA Hotel Review: Walking Into The Jet Age

Walking into the terminal for the first time is genuinely breathtaking.

The sweeping curves, giant windows, split-flap departure boards, sunken seating areas and vivid red carpeting make it feel as though you’ve stepped onto the set of a 1960s movie.

The restoration is remarkable.

Almost every detail has been lovingly recreated, from the furniture to the lighting and even the rotary telephones in the guest rooms.

For anyone who loves travel history, aviation or mid-century design, it’s a dream.

Like many people, I found myself wandering around, simply admiring the building.

TWA Hotel Review: It’s Part Hotel, Part Museum

One of the things I enjoyed most was that the hotel feels like a living museum.

There are displays of original TWA flight attendant uniforms over the years most by famous designers and showing how glamorous flying once was.

You can visit Howard Hughes’ office, recreated to reflect the era when he controlled TWA and helped shape its image.

There’s also a designer’s studio display showing how the airline developed its distinctive look, along with a recreated 1962 living room that feels as though someone has just stepped out to make a martini.

Everywhere you look there are details celebrating the golden age of aviation.

It is wonderfully nostalgic.

TWA Hotel Review: The Connie Is A Star Attraction

Outside sits perhaps the hotel’s most famous feature.

A beautifully restored 1958 Lockheed Constellation — affectionately known as “Connie”.

This gorgeous aircraft has been transformed into a cocktail lounge, allowing visitors to sit inside one of the most elegant airliners ever built while enjoying a drink.

Even if you know nothing about aviation, it’s impossible not to be impressed.

The Connie alone is worth the visit.

It perfectly captures the glamour and romance of an era when flying was still a special occasion.

TWA Hotel Review: The Roof Top Pool Is Amazing, But…

On the top of the Hughes Wing of rooms is an infinity pool and bar which overlooks the runways and airplane taxiing areas. It is a gorgeous space with views and sounds that delight anyone into aviation.

Though there are issues. You must book a session and even as a hotel guest you have to pay to go.

The sessions last one hour and forty -five minutes and it cost us $20 each plus taxes.

Non-guests can also go, thought it costs more. I noticed a few people who had booked the same 3pm session as us had booked via the site ResortPass.com

TWA Hotel Review: The Rooms Are “Interesting”

The guest rooms themselves are though rather small. And incredibly quiet.

This is no small achievement considering you’re staying beside one of the world’s busiest airports.

The hotel boasts specially designed soundproof windows made from multiple layers of glass.

The decor continues the mid-century theme with walnut furniture, Saarinen-inspired chairs and retro touches throughout.

The rooms are not designed for longer stays and as mentioned small, with a desk area behind the bed.

One strange feature is no bin in the main part of the room, with a mat where you place waste for recycling or disposal. Though as there is a bin in the bathroom we just used that.

It seems also that almost all rooms are interconnecting, which is something I am not a fan of at all.

TWA Hotel Review: The Catch? And Then There’s The Price

This is an expensive hotel.

When it opened in 2019, rooms started from around $250 per night.

Today, rates commonly range from around $350 to $600 a night, and can be much higher during busy periods or for runway-view rooms. We paid a staggering $700 once taxes included as we visited during the Soccer World Cup. And that wasn’t even for a runway view which were even more expensive.

While the building is extraordinary, at the end of the day it is still an airport hotel. But for the experience it was something I did not regret, but probably would not stay again.

Dining Is Limited — And Expensive

I was surprised at how limited and costly the dining choices felt. Mostly small fast food style concessions.

Though there is the Paris Café by celebrity chef Jean-Georges, the Sunken Lounge where you can order some food which comes in take ways boxes.

TWA Hotel Review: Worth Doing Once?

I don’t regret staying there for a second.

For aviation enthusiasts, architecture lovers or anyone fascinated by the glamour of the Jet Age, the TWA Hotel is one of the most unique hotels in the world.

But would I stay a second time? Probably not, but mostly due to the cost. Though it is very convenient as it is the only hotel at the airport!

Have you stayed here? If so, do you agree or disagree with my assessment and thoughts?

P.S. There is a great merchandise store in the hotel with large range. Many probably a bit pricey. But gorgeous.