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The TWA Hotel's Stunning Rooftop Pool Will Be a Planespotter's Paradise

April 23, 2019
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4 min read
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The TWA Hotel's Stunning Rooftop Pool Will Be a Planespotter's Paradise
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The only thing better than a truly great airport hotel? One with a rooftop pool offering uninterrupted tarmac views.

The TWA Hotel at New York-JFK, which will welcome its first guests in May, just released renderings of its roof deck pool — and it's absolutely stunning.

A rooftop infinity pool and observation deck designed for diehard planespotters, travelers can post up on a pool chair to watch the traffic on JFK's runway 4L/22R. After it debuts on May 15 along with the rest of the hotel, the rooftop facilities will remain open 365 days a year. (Don't fret: The heated pool can be warmed to a balmy 100-degrees for guests who want to enjoy the space even on the coldest winter day.)

A rendering of the TWA Hotel's rooftop pool and observation deck. Image courtesy of the TWA Hotel.

“Our rooftop pool provides a JFK-runway view that rivals an air traffic controller’s vantage point,” Tyler Morse, CEO and managing partner of MCR and MORSE Development, said in a statement. “There’s simply no better place for planespotting — and enjoying a cocktail — in the world.”

In addition to the pool, the 10,000-square-foot observation deck will feature a full bar with special cocktails like the Mile High Spritz (vodka, St. Germain elderflower liqueur, fresh lime juice and prosecco) and the Watermelon Collins (Aviation gin, watermelon and lemon juices, agave and club soda). Guests will also have access to a food menu served from a full kitchen.

While sprawled out on a lounge chair sipping a cocktail, you can expect to see all types of aircraft, from a JetBlue A320 or Delta 737 to heavies such as a Lufthansa or Etihad A380.

Fortunately, you don't have to check in as a guest to check out the rooftop deck, although you will have to make a reservation in advance to book a spot.

The rooftop pool and observation deck are just the cherry-on-top of this monument to the Golden Age of air travel. The TWA Hotel's lobby will be located inside the iconic TWA Flight Center built by Eero Saarinen in 1962. The Flight Center has undergone extensive renovations, including the rebirth of the terminal's original Paris Café, this time run by world famous chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.

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The TWA Flight Center. (Photo by Max Touhey/TWA Hotel.)

The hotel will have six restaurants and eight bars including one inside a restored TWA Lockheed Constellation.

The TWA Hotel's Lockheed Constellation will feature a bar and restaurant. (Image by Aaron Flacke/MCR Development.)

“You’re going to feel like you’ve walked back into 1962,” Morse told TPG for previous story. “It’s going to be a full theatrical experience down to the uniforms, gift bags and the food that we serve."

The 512 guest rooms will be decked out in TWA swag, too — some even will have views of the runway.

A mock room at the TWA Hotel. Photo courtesy of the TWA Hotel.

The hotel is now accepting reservations, but unfortunately, it's not part of a larger chain so you won't be able to redeem hotel points for nights at the property. You're better off paying with a card like the Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card and redeeming miles against the purchase if you want a "free" or discounted stay.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Intro Offer

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  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.