Recently while travelling through New York City I stayed at the brand new TWA Hotel, read our full review of the hotel here. While you have to be a guest to see the hotel rooms, anyone in transit can visit the hotel, which is like being transported back to the 1960s, and enjoy the restaurant and bars in the hotel. In total there are three bars and one restaurant, The Sunken Lounge, The Pool Bar, The Connie (inside a refurbished 1960s plane) and The Paris Cafe, also on offer is the dining hall which boasts a selection of options.
The Sunken Lounge
Upon entering the TWA hotel you have an amazing view out onto the Connie plane and JFK. As you move closer you notice the brilliant red sunken lounge, which is the perfect spot for a relaxing drink postflight. Here you’ll find signature cocktails including “The Sunken Lounge Martini” and “The Howard Hughes”. From the Sunken Lounge, you have an amazing view of the old TWA terminal and is a great spot to relax and watch the world go by.
The Sunken Lounge
The Pool Bar
Located on top of one of the hotel towers is The Pool Bar, a rooftop bar with a view right out onto the JFK runway! This spot is a must visit for anyone interested in aviation, sit a watch the comings and goings of some of the biggest planes on JFK’s busiest runway all while enjoying a delicious cocktail. You can also enjoy the view (and your refreshment) from a sun lounge by the pool. The Pool Bar is open from 11am to 8pm, if you are not staying at the hotel you will need to make a reservation for the Pool bar, this will give you a table and access to the pool.
Rooftop views from The Pool Bar
The Connie Cocktail Lounge
Perhaps the busiest spot at the TWA The Connie Cocktail Lounge is in a refurbished Connie plane from 1958. Walking up the steps to the lounge it really feels like you are going back in time, the glamours cabin has been renovated to add in more lounge seating to accompany some of the original seats, making the whole thing feel very old Hollywood glamour. Here you can sit and enjoy signature cocktails and a few bar snacks, but be sure to make a reservation to ensure you get a seat, it is a small space and fills up quickly as everyone wants to have a look inside the Connie.
The Connie Cocktail Lounge
Inside the refurbished Connie Plane
The Connie Cocktail Lounge Menu
The Paris Cafe
The main restaurant at the TWA hotel is the Paris Cafe, set on a mezzanine level it has great views out over the hotel and the floor to ceiling windows give a great view of the plans coming and going. World-renowned chef Jen-Georges Vongerichten overseas the Paris Cafe that is open for breakfast, lunch and Dinner. Unfortunately, I arrived at the hotel after lunch but was able to enjoy a delicious Dinner and Breakfast at the cafe. For both meal services, the menus featured a range of options with something for everyone. For dinner, I had been thinking about a burger all day, and the Cheeseburger did not disappoint! The perfect size and served with fries and a selection of bread.
The Paris Cafe Menu
The Paris Cafe Cheeseburger
For breakfast, I opted for a fresh croissant and a coffee, but the menu offered a great selection of breakfast delights including Avocado Toast, Eggs, and Pancakes.
The Paris Cafe Breakfast Menu
Breakfast at the Paris Cafe
During both the dinner and breakfast sittings the service from the staff in the hotel was amazing, regularly checking in to see if I needed anything or how I was going. The restaurant is set up with travellers in mind, at breakfast I was able to leave my suitcase with the front desk, and there were charging stations, both USB and power points along the bar.
Charging station at the Paris Cafe, with views into the Kitchen
The Dining Hall
The Dining Hall is the TWA Hotels pick up and go options and is located near the front of the hotel. Unfortunately, while I was in the hotel I was disappointed that although they have 5 options advertised on the website only one was open for service, which made the whole area look very empty. Luckily there are other food options including the TWA shops which sell chocolate bars and other food items.
The Dining Hall, unfortunately not all of the options where open
Although I didn’t find the need to make a reservation for any of the lounges, bars, or restaurants because I was a solo traveller but if you are stopping in at the TWA hotel I would make a reservation to make sure you don’t miss out. Overall the bar and restaurants at the hotel are great and not too expensive, the service all over the hotel was amazing and everyone was more than willing to help wherever they could.
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