Sunday December 1, 2019
It was 21 degrees. The weather forecast was for snow, sleet, and freezing rain causing hazardous roads. I was leaving for Paris tomorrow and didn’t want to miss my flight so I went to the airport one day early and stayed at the new TWA Hotel at JFK airport.
The building was the original terminal for Trans World Airlines designed in 1962 by the architect Eero Saarinen. It was designated a New York City Landmark in 1994 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service.
As my photos show, it’s a fabulous place to visit and take pictures, and it’s a fun place to stay! Two new buildings were built behind the original terminal for guest rooms. The hotel recently opened on May 15, 2019.
1960’s music mixed with Christmas songs played continuously in the background to set the mood. There were many nooks and crannies to explore and comfortable seating areas:
A “typical” colorful 1962 living room:
A full size Twister Game:
Displays of designer flight attendant’s uniforms:
The Herman Miller Reading Room filled with iconic mid-century modern furniture and books for sale:
The jewel in the crown was the Lockheed Constellation L-1649 Starliner parked behind the TWA terminal which was converted into a cocktail lounge:
There are 512 hotel rooms in the two new buildings, several restaurants, business meeting rooms, a rooftop swimming pool, and an observation deck overlooking JFK airport.
The TWA Hotel was a wonderful entertaining and cozy place to wait during bad weather for my flight to Paris tomorrow. It was a nice way to begin an adventure!
