TWA Hotel pool. Photos by Gordon Gebert unless otherwise noted.
As the temperature drops this fall, I’m thinking fondly of a summertime outing taken with my coworkers on a hot day this past July. We were treated to a tour of the new TWA Hotel and the magnificent public spaces within the old TWA Terminal at JFK Airport. Our day ended with a long lunch and plenty of time for dunking up on the rooftop pool deck.
The pool is shallow and short so I didn’t even attempt to swim a lap. Rather, it’s a nice place to hang out and watch things flying around the airport and Jamaica Bay National Wildlife Refuge, which in our case included birds, a gigantic swarm of dragon flies, and airplanes (seen but magically not heard).
Our tour guide told us that the pool would be open year round, though some aspects of the heating plan had yet to be determined. I’d be curious to check it out in the winter, especially if the deck also has some warm spots.
Day visitors are welcome for a fee, but there are no locker rooms and you have to leave a long list of personal items with security, making the whole experience a bit awkward. We loved the spaces and the views, had some bumps with the service just like the New York Times critic, and all agreed we’d go back in a heartbeat.
Here are some more views of the pool area and the rest of the property from this wonderfully memorable day.
Our lunch table complete with pool-themed accessories and TWA wings. Note that everything on the deck is white and there is no shade. We weren’t sure if this was because the project wasn’t completed or they don’t want guests to overstay their welcome up there. (This photo is mine.)
Architect Eero Saarinen’s creation as seen from the pool area atop one of the new hotel wings, with the “Connie” lounge inside a plane salvaged from the Honduran jungle.
Nothing says a good day at work like a pool huddle with some of your favorite coworkers. Thanks to Michael for the pic!
The entire terminal is now public space, open to hotel guests and visitors alike. There’s even free wifi! Check out the beautiful former departure lounge.
Another view of the terminal, in all its sweeping glory.
The light at the end of the tunnel: a fantastic promenade sans harried travelers.
Curvaceous concrete and bike rack at the terminal entrance. (This photo is by yours truly.)
Let’s hear it for this great team! (Photo by tour guide Kelly.)
40 Pools 
Hannah,
Thank you for bringing this building back into my consciousness. About 55 years ago as a student at Baruch in the Art 101 course, as opposed to doing a library based project, the teacher offered the option to select and experience any work of art and I chose this building. The instructions, and there were only two, were to “look” and to “write” which I did. That may have been the first time I really looked at art. I wrote what I wrote and was not sure if what I wrote was “correct” but the teacher did accept my interpretation.
This building was breath-taking then and I am pleased to see it resurrected and to see you enjoying your experience of it.
I always enjoy reading your blog.
Best regards,
David
Thanks for reading, David. It’s really a stunning restoration. Hope you are enjoying it anew.