New York City
CNN
—
After years of back-and-forth about construction, permissions and rights, the long-awaited TWA Hotel opens its doors Wednesday at New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.
Trans World Airlines (better known as TWA) commissioned groundbreaking Finnish American architect Eero Saarinen to design its JFK terminal in 1962. Following the airline’s closure in 2001, many questions remained about what would happen to the swooping white building.
Now, it has a new and exciting second life as JFK’s only on-site airport hotel, with 512 rooms and some 50,000 feet of meeting and event space.
The hotel is opening to its first-ever guests today.
Visitors can choose a room that overlooks an active JFK runway – perfect for aviation fans who want to watch planes take off – or one that looks into the hotel itself, a good choice for design fans who just can’t get enough.
The hotel has been on the radar for a while, with the TWA team dropping several exciting hints and previews, from a model hotel room to the TWA Lounge on the 86th floor of One World Trade Center in downtown Manhattan.
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TWA Hotel: The long-awaited TWA Hotel built inside the old Trans World Airlines terminal has opened at New York's JFK Airport, offering passengers a retro aviation-themed stopover.
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Classic building: The TWA Hotel is housed in a classic piece of 1960s architecture and includes high end retail shops and restaurants.
TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Golden age of flying: The old TWA Flight Center was designed by architect Eero Saarinen. It opened in 1962 and closed as an air terminal in 2001.
Courtesy David Mitchell/TWA Hotel
Interior design: The 1960s-influenced guest rooms feature Knoll furnishings and vintage-inspired décor.
Courtesy David Mitchell/TWA Hotel
Midcentury marvel: When guests walk into their room at the TWA hotel, they are momentarily transported back to the '60s.
Courtesy David Mitchell/TWA Hotel
An easy commute: "Glamorous hotel" and "near the airport" are no longer mutually exclusive.
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Air style: Models in aviation-inspired uniforms attended the hotel's ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 15.
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Cool corridor: The hotel's stylish Saarinen Wing is named after architect Eero Saarinen who designed the TWA Flight Center.
Courtesy MCR
Pool with a view: The hotel has an infinity pool with views over JFK's runways.
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Cocktails with Connie: A restored 1958 Lockheed Constellation airplane known as "Connie" has been converted into a cocktail lounge at the TWA Hotel.
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Long journey: "Connie" was towed to the airport last year. This particular aircraft has a storied past as an Alaskan bush plane and a drop plane used by marijuana dealers in South America.
TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Stylish bar: The Constellation's refitted interior is considerably more comfortable than a standard airplane.
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Old news: A display of retro magazine titles mimics an old fashioned airport newsstand at the new TWA Hotel.
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Cheap calls: The new TWA Hotel's throwback stylings include 10 cent payphones.
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Check in: Guest Billie O'Hagan, a flight attendant at Alaska Airlines, checks in at the front desk in the new TWA Hotel.
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Fashion flashback: The newly opened hotel has a display of vintage flight attendant uniforms.
Courtesy David Mitchell/TWA Hotel
TWA Hotel: It's almost time for check in! The retro-inspired TWA hotel is open as of May 15, 2019.
Courtesy David Mitchell/TWA Hotel
Collectibles: The hotel's in-room Dopp kits can be purchased online even if you're not a guest.
Courtesy David Mitchell/TWA Hotel
Work it: This desk is more stylish than your office.
Courtesy Max Touhey/TWA Hotel
Red-y and waiting: TWA's red-and-white color scheme is used throughout.
Courtesy David Mitchell/TWA Hotel
A soft landing: Even the room keys reflect the midcentury vibe.
Courtesy Max Touhey/TWA Hotel
A look inside: The only airline terminal you'd actually want to spend time in.
Courtesy David Mitchell/TWA Hotel
Powder your nose: The TWA Hotel's bathrooms are also right on brand.
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Don't look back: The iconic TWA (Trans World Airlines) Flight Center designed by Eero Saarinen was transformed into the heart of the TWA hotel.
Courtesy Max Touhey/TWA Hotel
Up close and personal: This view shows off Saarinen's iconic design.
Sheldon Klareich/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Ready to go: Here, you can see the former entrance to the airport.
In October 2018, a Lockheed Constellation L-1649A Starliner traveled 300 miles to become the hotel’s bar. Nicknamed “The Connie,” it has become one of the hotel’s bars, where retro drinks like Rum Swizzles are on offer.
Even more plush? There’s a rooftop infinity pool with views of the runways.
Inside the terminal-turned-hotel, things have changed while also staying the same.
The classic red-and-white TWA branding is everywhere, from spiffy amenity kits to bathrobes, sneakers and enamel pins. (Don’t worry if you can’t make it – there’s an online shop, too.)
Courtesy David Mitchell/TWA Hotel
Modern key cards get a retro twist.
“Trendy” and “near the airport” are no longer mutually exclusive, as this is the first hotel on JFK’s grounds – no taxi required.
This is good news for architecture buffs and for preservationists alike, since there had been rumors that the long-empty terminal was going to be razed.
Until now, few visitors had been able to access the TWA Terminal following its closure – just the occasional lucky traveler who was able to snag a ticket to an event through New York City’s annual Open House Weekend.
The hotel is set in two low-rise buildings and its guest rooms feature Knoll furnishings and old Hollywood-inspired interiors. The hotel also offers 50,000 square feet of conference, event and meeting space.
David Mitchell
Guests will sleep in rooms decked out in midcentury modern design.
“From the moment guests and visitors arrive at the TWA hotel, they will find themselves immersed in the ethos of 1962’s rich culture, architecture, sights, sounds and ambiance,” Tyler Morse, CEO of MCR and MORSE Development, the developer and lead investor of the project, told CNN Travel in 2018.
“The attention to the smallest of details permeates the entire guest room experience, paying homage to the magnificent landmark and special time in American history.”
It also doesn’t hurt that mid-century design is having (another) moment thanks to shows like “Mad Men.”
Still, don’t expect the hotel to feel too much like a period piece: There are plenty of spots to charge your phone, which is practically required at a place so ready for Instagram.