Overall Experience at the Grand Opening Party at The TWA Hotel at JFK Airport
The TWA Hotel at JFK Airport located in Terminal 5 has recently made an outstanding comeback in May 2019. What does this mean? Dating back to 1962, what was once considered a demolished, city declared landmark, is now one of the most trending and unique visited hotels in New York.
With hundreds of people flying in and out of the JFK Airport, TWA Hotel in NYC provides the comfort for frequent flyers at the hotel, whether waiting for a flight in four hours, or avoiding camping out at the airport from a cancelled flight. The amenities and convenience offered at the hotel gives people the peace of mind, because come on, we’ve all dealt with cancelled or delayed flights before! Well, no need to feel the frustration anymore. You can now book rooms at the TWA Hotel for 4 hours starting at $150.
My Experience Attending The Grand Opening Party of the TWA Hotel
TWA had it’s grand opening party on September 28th, 2019 although it was reopen on May 15, 2019. I found out about TWA’s Grand Opening party the day before the actual event through a referral at MCR Development, the fifth biggest hotel owner-operator in the United States, and the mother of the TWA Hotel.
Prior to the event, I did not know what to expect of the hotel. So tell me that the moment we got in, we were the only ones dressed up like hippies in the 70’s. All the ladies were wearing beautiful, red carpet length dresses and sparkly heels, and all the men were wearing button downs or eye-candy like suits. I even asked a lady escorting us to the hotel if my outfit was reasonable and all she said was, “You’re in NYC, you can wear anything!” Little did we know. But regardless, that didn’t stop us. We still rocked the night.
At the TWA Hotel Opening, there were waiters and waitresses with trays of food and beverages walking around the lobby area making sure that all the invited guests were enjoying the night. And around all the unlimited food and drinks, we spent hours in every section of the hotel taking pictures of the unique rooms and old-fashioned cars decorated all around the hotel. These staples are still at the hotel if you ever decide on visiting.
It felt a bit odd visiting a hotel without any checked luggage or getting ready for an upcoming flight. But if you’re ever flying in or out of JFK Airport and have an hour to spare, you definitely want to pay a visit at the TWA Hotel. It’s persona has a life of its own as it’s unique style is something that you cannot find in any other hotel in the country. I enjoyed briefly chatting and getting to know all the stakeholders that worked so hard to bring the hotel to life and I cannot wait for the next plans that Tyler Morse has next on his list. Tyler Morse, hotel industry genius and owner of The TWA Hotel, invested countless hours into reviving what were once abandoned terminal gates into what is now deemed as a beautiful Terminal that it stands as today.
How do you Get to The TWA Hotel From New York City?
So if you are traveling to the JFK Airport within New York City on subway, you are going to have to pay $7.75 regardless which part of the city you’re coming from. The cost includes the $5 AirTrain entrance/exit fee, and $2.75 for the subway ride. I took the LIRR from Penn Station, Midtown, and the ride took me around 50 minutes (subway + AirTrain).
If you try to find directions to the TWA Hotel on Google Maps, you are going to get an error message. The hotel is not registered on Google Maps yet, so don’t freak out when nothing populates when you only have 30 minutes to check into for your flight.
On Google Maps, type in JFK Terminal 5. Or, just go on the AirTrain and get off at Terminal 5.
Once you get off the AirTrain, take the escalator downstairs and exit the terminal on the ground floor. Make a left out of the door and TWA Hotel will be within your vision.
If you’re not a huge fan of public transportation or are in a bigger rush to check in, expect to pay around $80 if taking a taxi, Uber or Lyft to the TWA Hotel.
My First Impression of the TWA Hotel
Glancing at the TWA Hotel from afar, the building looked nothing less than a massive empire. It’s special in it’s own way and if you’re crazy into architecture, this hotel hands down will be like a playground for you. The moment you step into the hotel, it’s almost impossible getting bored of the architecture, dated cars, the airplane bar (Connie), and everything else in between. The ceilings are super high and the red interior screams out how particular the hotels vintage style and personality is.
There are also a ton of cool stores on the first floor of the hotel (the book store being my favorite), so you will never get bored of exploring, taking really cool pictures and will probably not run out of things to see. Oh, and the gym is another monster of it’s own. If you are a gym rat and cannot miss leg day because of a trip, worry no more! The 10,000 square foot gym is in store! The TWA Fitness Center is the biggest hotel gym in this world and supplies countless number of machine options. Might as well get a membership if you’re a Queens local! Purchasing a day pass is $25 (5 and 80 day passes also available), and Monthly Membership is $40/month.
Booking a Room at The TWA Hotel
I’ve personally never booked a stay at the TWA Hotel because I’ve only visited for the grand opening party. But because the hotel is it’s own, independent entity and is not a part of a huge hotel chain, be aware that you’re going to pay a bit more than you normally would at like the Hyatt or Marriott.
But in order to book a reservation at the TWA Hotel, you have to book directly on their site. If you try to book a stay on sites like Hotels.com, Booking.com or Expedia.com, TWA Hotel is not even listed.
Booking a room at the TWA Hotel is not the cheapest option, but is worth the experience. To book a nights stay at the TWA, the total cost comes out to $290 ($249 + taxes and fees). If I were you, I’d book the hotel with a Chase Sapphire Reserve Card in order to get the 3x points on travel purchases.
The rooms are separated between two towers between the TWA Flight Center & JFK’s Terminal 5. The top floor of the tower is named after Howard Hughes, the CEO of TWA and an aviation pioneer. In between these rooms, the hotel hosts 512 guest rooms, and you want to make sure that you can snag a room with a window view so that you can watch the planes take off!
Checking Into Your Room at TWA
I did not check into a room at the TWA Hotel since I attended the Grand Opening party, but if you want to learn more about the check in process, don’t forget to check out The Points Guy or Sam Chui‘s experience on checking in.
TWA’s Sunken Lounge Lobby
The TWA Hotel has the largest lobby in the world, covering 200,000 square feet. Crazy to think that this hotel owns this much property knowing how expensive real estate is in New York City!
Look up at high ceilings and you will find a spiral of stairs that will lead you upstairs. Look to your right and you will see an outdated car from the 1900’s. Look to your left and there are people waiting for you to check into what looks like the check-in counters at an airport. Look down and you are stepping on floors that can only be washed by a specific machine because of its age. Look straight and there it is, the infamous lobby covered in blood red couches simply waiting for you to sit on and relax before your next flight.
TWA Hotel Hughes Wing
This was probably my favorite part of the hotel. The Hughes Wing is the infamous, red hallway; a long, red corridor that will make you feel as if are at the VMAs. No joke!
And if you like taking photos (like me), you will have a grand time taking hundreds of photos in this hallway. The workers were even amused at how long I was able to take photos for.
In between the Hughes Wing is an entrance that will take you up to the infamous infinity pool. You have to check in with the workers to ensure that you have a room booked or a reservation, and they will escort you to the elevators that will take you to The Pool Bar.
Watch Planes Take Off At The Pool Bar, The Infamous TWA Hotel Pool
Now, you’ve probably discovered this hotel from the hundreds of Instagram posts at the infinity pool, also known as The Pool Bar on the highest deck of the hotel. And this isn’t just any infinity-edge pool, but the infinity pool overlooks planes taking off! WHAT A SIGHT! Isn’t that the coolest experience ever?! I mean, how many airports can you go to and watch planes take off while sipping on a cocktail waiting for your flight?!
On the deck of the pool, you will find The Pool Bar Lounge where there is outdoor seating, cocktails, food and great company. Try going to the deck during sunrise – you can’t go wrong with the sun setting while planes are taking off.
The Pool Bar serves food and cocktails, with their infamous drinks, known as The Runway and Summertime Lemonade
- The Runway – a martini served with flight winged pins
- Summertime Lemonade – vodka, lemonade & mint
RULES ABOUT THE TWA HOTEL POOL
If you’re staying at the hotel…
And you booked your reservation, you are allowed to visit to pool from 7 AM to 11 PM.
If you are a hotel guest, you do not need a reservation to swim in the pool. HOWEVER, if you want to guarantee a table at the bar, you can reserve a table for two hours. More booking info here!
If you’re not staying at the hotel…
You can make a reservation at The Pool Bar between 11 AM – 11 PM if you are not a guest. You are allowed to book a reservation for two hours, in addition to ordering drinks at the tables outside of the bar.
NO WALK INS ALLOWED – so book your reservation prior to your visit in order to view the planes taking off over a nice cocktail… or two.
The Connie Cocktail Lounge
Ever host a private event at a sit down bar inside a plane before?
1958 Lockheed Constellation, also known as “Connie” has turned into a plane with a bar. The Connie Cocktail Lounge sits right outside of the lobby of the hotel that holds up to 30 seats. Connie is a restored 60 year old airplane and is known to have broke the era’s transcontinental speed record from Burbank, California all the way to New York in 1946. Connie is also special because she served as Air Force One for President Dwight D. Eisenhower in the 1950’s. You’re truly a special one, Connie!
And instead of getting rid of iconic Connie, she has now turned into one of the coolest airplane bars around. You can find Connie’s exclusive drink menu here. This newly, renovated cabin holds the most vintage seats that are original parts of the plane when way back when you used to find Connie in the air.
Image below shows Connie getting settled in her place! Now, you have the luxury of enjoying drinks and experiencing a one of a kind-bar of bar behind the TWA Hotel building while waiting for your flight!
If you’re catching a morning flight, unfortunately you’re not going to be able to take a look in Connie. But if you’re ever back in town, you can actually book private events inside the plane.
Connie’s daily hours of operation: 11 AM to 12 AM.
Please take note of the days that Connie will be closed to private events:
- November 7th, 2019 from 4:30 PM to 10:30 PM EST
- December 5th, 2019 from 6 PM to 7 PM EST
- June 20th, 2020 from 6:30PM to 7:30 PM EST
Paris Cafe & The Lisbon Lounge
World-renowned chef, Jean-Georges Vongerichten over looks the Paris Cafe and Lisbon Lounge at the TWA Hotel at JFK Airport.
The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The restaurant highly recommends reservations, but walk ins are welcomed based upon availability.
The Lisbon Lounge is a bar and lounge area within the Paris Cafe that offers a full bar. I personally have not ate at the Paris Cafe, but heard that the prices of the food can get a bit pricey! But if you want to get ready to leave a dent in your wallet without getting full, don’t forget to check out One Mile At A Time’s review at the Paris Cafe.
What’s at The Food Hall?
Within the terminal is the Departures Hall, which is a five-vendor food hall at the TWA Hotel, including:
- The Halal Guys
- Empanada Republic (not it’s direct site)
- Earl of Sandwich
- Fresh&Co
- Playa Bowls
My Overall Experience and Review at the TWA Hotel
To be quite frank, it’s a bit tough to give you my full review on the hotel since I did not actually check into a room but instead attended the Grand Opening party. I’m sure that my review would be a bit different across but not my overall experience. What would be different, however, would be my check in experience, overall room experience, my interaction with the staff, and a review at one of the restaurants.
If you’re someone who is just visiting the TWA Hotel at JFK for a couple of hours or need to kill time due to a layover, this visit will probably be one of the most exciting wait times you’re ever going to experience. Everything from exploring the outdated and vintage cars and planes all the way up to watching planes fly out by the infinity pool, the TWA hotel has a very special sweet spot that you probably cannot experience at any other airport terminal.
I didn’t grow up exactly in Queens, New York, but I used to visit quite often since I have a lot of family there. But the grand opening of the TWA Hotel is a big deal to locals in town. Back in the day, you were able to go to airport for dinner and watch the planes land and depart from the terminal right in your back yard. There are a lot of older fans raving about how they are so amazed and touched that a hotel like the TWA Hotel has made a comeback, as they still have hundreds of souvenirs sitting in the basement of their homes.
What’s amazing about the team that made TWA come back to life is that they even had a grand opening for those who used to work at TWA back in the 1900s. What a time to have been alive!
Plus, if you’ve ever watched Catch Me If You Can, you’ll recognize scenes at the TWA Hotel with Leonardo DiCaprio.
This iconic work of art has made a phenomenal comeback in 2019 and yes, I’m sure you’ve read a ton of angry reviews from others on how much they didn’t like the customer service during check-in but let’s be real, no one is perfect and there is always room to grow. And hey, you never know, it might have been their first day on the job!
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Outdated BMW -
TWA Hotel Lobby -
The Hughes Wing -
Connie (Airplane Bar)
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