I visited the long-awaited TWA Hotel at JFK airport, and it's a must-see for travel nerds, aviation geeks, and history buffs

Located in the iconic Trans World Airlines Flight Center terminal building, the hotel makes use of a classic building that's been abandoned since the airline went bankrupt in 2001.
The hotel has six restaurants, a cocktail lounge in a classic Lockheed Constellation airplane, shopping boutiques, and an infinity pool overlooking JFK's runways.
Business Insider had an opportunity to tour the hotel during the opening day ceremonies, and it's a dream for any travel geek, aviation nerd, or history buff.

After years of back-and-forth, planning, and negotiations, the long-awaited TWA Hotel finally opened Wednesday at JFK International Airport in New York City.

The project transformed Eero Saarinen's iconic TWA Flight Center the main trans-Atlantic hub for Trans World Airlines up until it went out of business in 2001. The original building, which sits adjacent to the newer construction that makes up JFK's Terminal 5, is a New York City landmark and a living artifact from the so-called "Golden Age" of air travel.

While the hotel is officially open for business, and most of its 512 rooms and suites are ready for guests, the developers are still finishing up work in the public areas, installing items in kitchens and dining rooms, finalizing the pool, and installing furniture.

Even so, the hotel is already an impressive sight. With retro styling, themed restaurants, and a pool that promises to make kids and adult aviation fans geek out, it's worth a visit the next time you find yourself flying into or out of JFK.

A ribbon cutting was held in advance of the hotel's first-ever 3 p.m. check-in time, and various media outlets, former TWA employees, and aviation history buffs had a chance to walk through the property. Although it's obvious that work is still being finished, read on for a first look at one of the world's most stylish airport hotels.

Wednesday was opening day for the TWA Hotel.

BusinessInsider USA Images

David Slotnick/Business Insider

The TWA Hotel was built in the classic TWA Flight Center, which is next to JFKs newer Terminal 5.

BusinessInsider USA Images

Berlin Rosen

The original Flight Center makes up the hotels massive lobby, restaurants, and lounges, with guest rooms off in other connected buildings

BusinessInsider USA Images

TWA Hotel/David Mitchell

A prolific feature of the lobby is a vintage-style split-flap sign board also known as a Solari board, after the company that makes them. While it doesnt show live flight times, its still fun to watch and helps set the atmosphere.

BusinessInsider USA Images

David Slotnick/Business Insider

Over in the "arrivals" area...

BusinessInsider USA Images

David Slotnick/Business Insider

Youll find the front desk. There are self-serve kiosks, although the desks will be staffed with attendants as well. These are the original kiosks from when passengers would check in to TWA flights obviously, the self-service computerized parts on top are new.

BusinessInsider USA Images

David Slotnick/Business Insider

There are stacks of blank key cards on top of each kiosk, waiting to be programmed for your room.

BusinessInsider USA Images

David Slotnick/Business Insider

Theres a conveyor belt for luggage running behind the check-in kiosks. During the TWA days, this took checked bags to the planes. Today, it leads to a luggage storage room for people who are checking in before their rooms are ready.

BusinessInsider USA Images

David Slotnick/Business Insider

There are a few boutique retail outlets in the hotel. This stylized newsstand is more for overnight essentials, but theres also a shop around the corner selling TWA merchandise (I wasnt able to access it when I was there)...

BusinessInsider USA Images

David Slotnick/Business Insider

A Shinola shop...

BusinessInsider USA Images

David Slotnick/Business Insider

...And a Warby Parker boutique.

BusinessInsider USA Images

David Slotnick/Business Insider

Towards the back of the building, the "Sunken Lounge" offers a comfortable and spacious place to have a seat, and maybe a cup of coffee or a drink.

BusinessInsider USA Images

David Slotnick/Business Insider

The Paris Cafe, run by restauranteur Jean-Georges Vongerichten, is the hotels flagship restaurant. Its scheduled to open Wednesday night.

BusinessInsider USA Images

David Slotnick/Business Insider

There are some smaller eateries and cafes, too, including the London Club and the Lisbon Lounge ...

BusinessInsider USA Images

David Slotnick/Business Insider

... with a ton of comfortable seating.

BusinessInsider USA Images

David Slotnick/Business Insider

Then, theres the main attraction: The Connie, a 1958 Lockheed Constellation L-1649A thats been converted into a cocktail bar.

BusinessInsider USA Images

David Slotnick/Business Insider

You enter the Connie, a restored TWA aircraft in the airlines original livery, just like you would have if you were taking a flight.

BusinessInsider USA Images

David Slotnick/Business Insider

At the very back of the plane, theres a full-service bar.

BusinessInsider USA Images

David Slotnick/Business Insider

There are a few different seating options, including restored aircraft seats, and regular tables. According to a representative for Gerber Group, which operates the lounge, some of the furniture still needs to be installed ...

BusinessInsider USA Images

David Slotnick/Business Insider

... But the airplane seats are a permanent fixture. For anyone wondering why youd want to sit on a plane when youre not actually flying, keep in mind that these arent the slimline plane seats weve grown used to. These are comfortable and padded, and a fun throwback to what flying used to be like.

BusinessInsider USA Images

David Slotnick/Business Insider

You can also take a seat in the cockpit, which has been left more-or-less as-is.

BusinessInsider USA Images

David Slotnick/Business Insider

Theres a live radio feed from one of JFKs air traffic control frequencies, and anyone kids or adults can sit in the original pilots seats.

BusinessInsider USA Images

David Slotnick/Business Insider

Theres TWA memorabilia all over the hotel ...

BusinessInsider USA Images

David Slotnick/Business Insider

... including classic uniforms ...

BusinessInsider USA Images

David Slotnick/Business Insider

... and reproductions of vintage posters.

BusinessInsider USA Images

David Slotnick/Business Insider

Theres also 50,000 square feet of event space, including social areas outside of the conference rooms (which were mostly still being painted and furnished).

BusinessInsider USA Images

David Slotnick/Business Insider

Sadly, I wasnt able to get access to one of the hotels coolest novelties, a roof deck and infinity pool overlooking the tarmac.

BusinessInsider USA Images

TWA Hotel/David Mitchell

The hotel has 512 rooms and suites. I toured a standard king room, the base-level accommodation, which looked bright, airy, and comfortable.

BusinessInsider USA Images

David Slotnick/Business Insider

While theres definitely still work to be done ...

BusinessInsider USA Images

David Slotnick/Business Insider

The TWA Hotel is a creative, fun use of a classic building, and looks like it will be a fantastic place to stay allowing for any initial bumps as it begins its first operations.

BusinessInsider USA Images

David Slotnick/Business Insider

I visited the long-awaited TWA Hotel at JFK airport, and it's a must-see for travel nerds, aviation geeks, and history buffs

Wednesday was opening day for the TWA Hotel.

The TWA Hotel was built in the classic TWA Flight Center, which is next to JFKs newer Terminal 5.

The original Flight Center makes up the hotels massive lobby, restaurants, and lounges, with guest rooms off in other connected buildings

A prolific feature of the lobby is a vintage-style split-flap sign board also known as a Solari board, after the company that makes them. While it doesnt show live flight times, its still fun to watch and helps set the atmosphere.

Over in the "arrivals" area...

Youll find the front desk. There are self-serve kiosks, although the desks will be staffed with attendants as well. These are the original kiosks from when passengers would check in to TWA flights obviously, the self-service computerized parts on top are new.

There are stacks of blank key cards on top of each kiosk, waiting to be programmed for your room.

Theres a conveyor belt for luggage running behind the check-in kiosks. During the TWA days, this took checked bags to the planes. Today, it leads to a luggage storage room for people who are checking in before their rooms are ready.

There are a few boutique retail outlets in the hotel. This stylized newsstand is more for overnight essentials, but theres also a shop around the corner selling TWA merchandise (I wasnt able to access it when I was there)...

A Shinola shop...

...And a Warby Parker boutique.

Towards the back of the building, the "Sunken Lounge" offers a comfortable and spacious place to have a seat, and maybe a cup of coffee or a drink.

The Paris Cafe, run by restauranteur Jean-Georges Vongerichten, is the hotels flagship restaurant. Its scheduled to open Wednesday night.

There are some smaller eateries and cafes, too, including the London Club and the Lisbon Lounge ...

... with a ton of comfortable seating.

Then, theres the main attraction: The Connie, a 1958 Lockheed Constellation L-1649A thats been converted into a cocktail bar.

You enter the Connie, a restored TWA aircraft in the airlines original livery, just like you would have if you were taking a flight.

At the very back of the plane, theres a full-service bar.

There are a few different seating options, including restored aircraft seats, and regular tables. According to a representative for Gerber Group, which operates the lounge, some of the furniture still needs to be installed ...

... But the airplane seats are a permanent fixture. For anyone wondering why youd want to sit on a plane when youre not actually flying, keep in mind that these arent the slimline plane seats weve grown used to. These are comfortable and padded, and a fun throwback to what flying used to be like.

You can also take a seat in the cockpit, which has been left more-or-less as-is.

Theres a live radio feed from one of JFKs air traffic control frequencies, and anyone kids or adults can sit in the original pilots seats.

Theres TWA memorabilia all over the hotel ...

... including classic uniforms ...

... and reproductions of vintage posters.

Theres also 50,000 square feet of event space, including social areas outside of the conference rooms (which were mostly still being painted and furnished).

Sadly, I wasnt able to get access to one of the hotels coolest novelties, a roof deck and infinity pool overlooking the tarmac.

The hotel has 512 rooms and suites. I toured a standard king room, the base-level accommodation, which looked bright, airy, and comfortable.

While theres definitely still work to be done ...

The TWA Hotel is a creative, fun use of a classic building, and looks like it will be a fantastic place to stay allowing for any initial bumps as it begins its first operations.

FOLLOW BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA

Recommended articles

10 best airports in Africa in 2024

10 most expensive cities in Africa in 2024

Illegal money changers adapt to Zimbabwe's ZiG currency rollout

Zimbabwe's ZiG currency printing contingent on reserve sufficiency

The global workforce is set to collapse without Africa

500 millionaires fall off in Kenya - here’s why

Top 10 African countries with the most centi-millionaires in 2024

7 most influential Africans in the world 2024 -TIME

5 African countries with the least expensive freelancers