TWA Hotel JFK with Kids |

Are you thinking about staying at the TWA Hotel at JFK Airport with kids?

The TWA Hotel is located at Terminal 5 at JFK Airport in New York City, and you do not even need to walk outside to get there after your flight.

Whether you are leaving NYC or arriving, or maybe even having a staycation, the TWA Hotel is a fun place to stay, but is it worth staying there with kids?

My kids and I spent the night at the TWA Hotel on our way back to Australia from the US. We had an overnight layover in New York City, and while we would normally stay with friends, we opted to spend a night in the airport hotel for convenience and fun.

Keep reading to find out what it is like to stay at the TWA Hotel at JFK with kids.

Things to Do with Kids at TWA Hotel

Rooftop Pool

Most kids love pools, and the rooftop pool at the TWA Hotel will be no exception.

I will say that, like most things at this hotel, it is not necessarily for kids. What do I mean by that? Well, the pool is a long rectangular shape, and it seems like it is better for Instagram shots than for splashing around.

We swam during the last reservation of the night at the end of October, and it turned out it was just us and a couple who hung out at the other end of the pool.

I am sure that the pool is much busier during the summer months, but it was perfect for us.

The pool is heated during the cooler months, but I was still really cold getting out of the water.

I loved watching the planes take off and land from our spot in the pool, and though I went back and forth, I am 100% happy with my decision to book the pool.

Twister

In the lobby, there is a whole room dedicated to the game Twister.

Red, blue, yellow, and green dots are printed on the walls, floor, and ceiling. Large game spinners are located on the walls.

It was a bit disappointing as the spinners were broken during our visit, but we did the best we could. Had they been working, we may still be playing Twister.

Sweet n Glo Salon

Next to the Twister room is Sweet n Glo Salon.

No, it is not a real salon; it is just a place to explore and take photos. For kids who like to play pretend, Sweet n Glo Salon will be lots of fun.

Kids (and adults) can pretend they are getting their hair done, pretend to be a hairdresser, or answer the phone at the front desk.

Scavenger Hunt

Don’t forget to pick up a scavenger hunt form at the front desk at the beginning of your stay.

I did not see them at the self-check-in, so head to the regular check-in desk if you want to pick one up.

Photo Opps and Amenities

A pay phone against the wall advertising calls for 10 cents, when they are really free. At the TWA Hotel at JFK.

My kids could have spent hours in the lobby, talking on the payphones, taking photos in the photo booths, and pretending to shine each other’s shoes.

Pay phones are along the walls in multiple spaces in the lobby. Calls are free.

Another free option is to take photos in the photo booth. You can take as many as you want, complimentary.

The shoe shine is just for looks, though you can sit down and pretend.

TWA Museum

A display of historical flight attendant uniforms at the TWA Hotel.

On the second floor of the lobby is a TWA Museum displaying historic flight crew uniforms.

Unless you have a child who is into fashion or history, this museum won’t take more than a few minutes.

My kids were much more interested in the “secret” rooms we found nearby. There are a lot of seating options up on the second floor by the museum, making it a perfect place to hang out with kids.

TWA Shop

The lobby shop is on theme, of course, selling a large variety of TWA items, including kids’ clothes, puzzles, postcards, and stickers.

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Types of Rooms

A double queen hotel room at the TWA Hotel at JFK. Two white beds with red accents, including a chair in the corner. It is dark outside, the blinds are up. There is a TV on the wall and a phone on the table.

Some of the rooms have runway views.

The types of rooms and the attached price tags vary greatly. While my kids and I booked the cheapest option, we would have loved a runway view had we been able to stay longer.

Room options that sleep 4 guests:

deluxe double queen
deluxe double queen with historic TWA view
deluxe double queen with runway view

For those traveling as one adult and one child, there are options for 2 guests on a king-sized bed. Suite options are available, including the Presidential Suite, which is ADA accessible. There is also an accessible room for 2.

Of course, not all families fit in a room for 4. The TWA Hotel has an option for larger families of up to 8. The 3-bedroom suite combines a deluxe king, a deluxe double queen, and an executive king suite to make the largest and most expensive hotel room at the TWA Hotel.

Even if you don’t have a runway view, the hotel rooms are on theme.

Each room has:

soundproofing
blackout curtains
wifi
unlimited calls, including international calls
TV with premium cable
bath amenities and extra-large towels
a safe

My kids would have been perfectly happy in the hotel room, talking on the vintage rotary phone and writing stories on the pad of paper using the cup of pencils in the room. Note that the paper and pencils are for sale in the hotel shop, though you can just take the ones from your room.

A container of red pencils, an old fashioned black rotary phone, and Life magazine on the table at the TWA Hotel.

Is it worth staying at the TWA Hotel?

Dining Options

The Food Hall

The most kid-friendly dining option at the TWA Hotel is The Food Hall, which is like a food court. There are a few different dining options at The Food Hall, and seating is available.

While not everything in this area is open 24 hours, there is always something open in The Food Hall, which is perfect for travelers who may not be on a schedule.

Options include:

Fly By Bagels
Vinnie’s Panini
Feltman’s of Coney Island
Mister Softee
Crepes Your Way
Vinny’s Juice Bar
TWA Corner Store

TWA Corner Store and Vinnie’s Panini are open 24/7. The other options open between 5 am and 8 am and close between 8 pm and midnight.

While I would have preferred a better option, my kids and I ate a late dinner at The Food Hall after our flight was delayed. The food was just okay, but it was a quick option that allowed us to see more of the TWA Hotel during our short stay.

Joe Coffee

Located across from the check-in counter is Joe Coffee, a coffee stand serving drinks, grab-and-go meals, and snacks daily from 5 am to 7 pm.

The Pool Bar

The Pool Bar is open daily from 11 am until 11 pm, but you may need a reservation to visit, depending on the time of year.

While we swam during our visit to the TWA Hotel, we got the latest reservation and wanted to eat earlier.

The menu at The Pool Bar is almost the same menu served at The Sunken Lounge. The only difference is that it is outside and has a view of the pool and the runway.

The Sunken Lounge

Set in the center of the hotel, The Sunken Lounge is open from 11 am until 11 pm (12 pm on the weekends).

The Sunken Lounge is a fun place to enjoy a drink (they have non-alcoholic options), and they have kid-friendly meals, including chicken tenders, hot dogs, and nachos.

The only thing about The Sunken Lounge is that it is a lounge and doesn’t have regular tables like a restaurant. It is set up to look like you are sitting in the airport terminal.

Connie Cocktail Lounge

While it would be fun for kids to eat in an airplane, the Connie Cocktail Lounge is best suited for adults.

That doesn’t mean that kids aren’t welcome.

I almost bought drinks and snacks so we could enjoy some time on the airplane. I opted to spend our time elsewhere in the hotel (and to be fair, we had just gotten off a plane from Florida and would be waking up before the sun to board a flight to Hong Kong before boarding yet another plane, this time to Brisbane).

If you have more time at the TWA Hotel and less time on airplanes, Connie Cocktail Lounge is a cute place to enjoy a drink.

They are open from 4 pm until 10:30 daily. Reservations can be made.

Prepackaged snacks are available, as are drinks. You can not order a meal.

While we did not have a drink on the plane, we did visit it and wander through. It was almost empty while we were there, and I would not have taken my kids in if it were busy.

They loved walking on the “runway” leading up to the plane.

Paris Cafe by Jean Georges

The Paris Cafe at the TWA Hotel is on the 2nd floor of the lobby, with an open air seating plan.

Open from 7 am to 10 pm (11 pm on weekends), Paris Cafe serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Everyone I know who has been to the TWA Hotel recommended that we eat at Paris Cafe. They take reservations, which are recommended.

If we had more time, I would have loved to eat a meal at Paris Cafe, though it is definitely less kid-friendly than The Food Hall.

Daytripper Option

If you are visiting for 4+ hours between 6 am and 8 pm, you can book the Daytripper pass. This gives you access to the hotel amenities, though you may still need to book a reservation at the pool, depending on the season.

Booking a daytripper pass gives you access to a hotel room at a discounted price. You can use a hotel room, which is perfect for long layovers, especially with kids.

Booking Your Stay

Head to the TWA Hotel website to book your stay.

How to Get to the TWA Hotel at JFK

From the City: Make your way to JFK Airport by subway or taxi. They also offer a helicopter ride straight to the hotel for those who are in a rush, want to avoid traffic, and have a lot more money than I do.

If you opt to ride the subway, transfer to the Airtrain and ride to Terminal 5. An elevator to the hotel is located by baggage claim #6.

From the Airport: Take the Airtrain to Terminal 5. If you arrive in Terminal 5, head to baggage claim. Just past baggage claim #6 is an elevator that leads to the hotel.

Once you arrive on the other side of the elevator, there is a long hallway. Follow the signs to the lobby.

Checking In

An empty check-in section of the lobby of the TWA Hotel at JFK. THere are seats and a coffee shop. There is self-check in and a staffed area.

You can opt for self-check-in or visit the staffed check-in counter.

We arrived late, and both areas were empty. I saw the self-check-in first, so that is what we did. If you have any questions, it is best to check in at the regular check-in counter. We ended up heading back to ask questions.

The self-check-in desks have touch screens and blank key cards. You follow the directions and make your own key card.

You can pick up a map of the hotel at check-in. This is also where you can make pool reservations if you did not make them in advance.

TWA Hotel with Kids Wrap-Up

Though it feels as though the TWA Hotel is designed for adults, my kids would recommend staying there overnight or during a long layover.

With the steep price tag, I would suggest staying at the TWA Hotel only if you will be there long enough to enjoy it. While it is the closest hotel to the airport, and you do not need to leave the airport to get there, I wouldn’t recommend it for someone who only needs a room to sleep.

Save your money and book the TWA Hotel when you have time to enjoy the amenities.

Yes, it is annoying to pay for the hotel pool, but for us, it was worth it for the experience. There are plenty of “free” things you can do at the hotel if you do not want to spend more money.

As we did not have a long stay, it was not worth an upcharge for a runway room, but I would love to stay in one in the future.

Spending a night at the airport was amazing, and I loved not needing to get on the subway or in a taxi upon arrival. We just walked over to the elevator and were transported to the 1960s.

TWA Hotel JFK with Kids