TWA Hotel

Description

Checklist

Transportation to venue offered:  You can take the air-train to Jet Blue Terminal
Paths and walkways:  concrete or carpet throughout
Doors:  automatic
Number of floors:  10
Elevators:  two separate banks of elevators to all floors
Ramps:  to most areas of the lobby - also to the Pool Bar
Steps and staircases:  from one of the "tubes" to the hotel; to the Paris Cafe and Lisbon Bar, to Connie Bar
Width of aisles:  spacious throughout
Places to sit:  large lounge in center of lobby
Location of restrooms:  in hallways off of lobby
Type of restroom:  multi-stall, handicapped-accessible, with baby-changing station
Ease of entry and exit:  OK
Baby changing station:  yes
Available food services:  Food Aisle, Paris Cafe, Lisbon Bar, Connie Bar
Friendliness of staff:  extremely friendly and helpful
Notes:  *Valet parking at main entrance, some validation available. Call for info at (212) 806-9000 Self-parking is available in the yellow lot between Terminals 5 & 7. We do not know how many handicapped spaces are available. - Also can be accessed by air-train to the Jet Blue Terminal

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We fly in and out of Jet Blue at JFK Airport quite often and watched with great interest as the TWA Hotel came into existence. The  historic TWA terminal holds wonderful memories for me as I flew out of it as a child. I remember the decor and general excitement attached to flying! As the terminal was getting a new life as the center of a  512 room, two building hotel, I couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like. 

As we walked into the building for a birthday celebration stay, I was not disappointed. The designers did a wonderful job of transporting me back to the 1960s. Whether you remember that time, or just want a taste of what that era of flight was like, come for a visit. If you are flying out of Jet Blue you might want to splurge on an overnight stay, which was what we did, arriving mid-afternoon the day before our flight – taking a leisurely tour of the venue, visiting the pool deck bar, Connie Lounge and Paris Cafe, for a brief vacation, before our vacation! 

We cannot speak definitely about parking, since we left our car in long-term parking, took the air train to the Jet Blue Termminal and  walked from the train to the terminal itself and then went through the “tubes” to the hotel. These tubes were what took people to and from their planes in the original terminal. We understand that there is valet parking with some of it validated if you are going to the Pool Bar, Paris Cafe or Connie Bar.  Best to call and check (212) 806-9000. The only problem with walking through the tubes might be the thick carpet on the floor, and/or the distance. You can always go in the main entrance from the front of the hotel. Also, if you are coming from the Jet Blue Terminal know that one of the tubes requires some steps at the end to access the hotel – so look carefullly at the signs directing you.  At the hotel end  we found a recreation of a TWA office from the past, the first indication of the retro feel that was to come. We continued on (quite a walk) to check in – set up like an airline check-in counter. The people here were delightful as well as helpful and got us checked in  quickly and with no problems! Everyone is clothed in actual TWA attire! Continuing from the check-in area we found the “food aisle”  a food court, but not in the round (not all of them are open yet). 

The huge lobby is a wonderful recreation of the original terminal, complete with the spacious sunken lounge looking  out at the tarmac, and signboards that have been painstakingly restored to look like the original – I loved it all!

Multi-stall restrooms are located on this level, tucked away in hallways with pay-phone booths and recreations of magazine stands stocked with actual magazines of the time. The attention to detail is wonderful! 

The Lisbon Bar and Paris Cafe are located on the mezzazine level (steps or an elevator will get you there) (See separate listings for the Connie Bar and Paris Cafe). The TWA Uniform Museum is located on the mezzazine level as well.

Ramps will get one to all places, although it may be a bit circuitous, due to the historic building’s status.

Luckily for us it was a beautiful day and so we were able to take advantage of the Pool Deck Area. The sixty foot infinity pool allows one to be in the water while watching planes take off and land. When I was a kid my dad used to take us to the International Arrivals Building where we could watch. Since that isn’t possible now-a-days, this was a definite treat! From this deck we had views of several runways – a perfect place on a perfect day!

After we had had enough sun, we made our way to the Connie Bar, an actual revitalized Constellation aircraft that sets on the tarmac ready for visitors to have drinks and snacks within. Unfortunately, if you cannot do steps, this will not work for you. The only way in and out is up and down one of two staircases ( 14 or 11 steps). An interesting venue where you can snack, drink and even visit the cockpit. 

After some more relaxation we couldn’t resist a birthday dinner at the Paris Cafe. As I indiciared, it is on the mezzazine and shares space with the Lisbon Bar. They are set on the footprint of the original restaurants. They are low-key, with lovely service and good food. A low-level counter and adequate room between tables make this venue easily accessible.

Finally a word about our retro-room. Although quite small (not even a closet), I have to say I liked it. Full-length windows (you can get a runway view), rotary phones, retro notes left on the tables, all contributed to the retro vibe. Note that these rooms are truly only large enough for two – with not too much luggage! Accessible rooms are available (I was told), although I could not see one because they were occupied.

I can only say that this was a great way to spend a birthday, and even if you are not going to spend the night, go visit!

As always, we at Destination Accessible, advise you to check a venue’s website, www.twahotel.com, when planning a visit, to “know before you go.”

Location

Nearby