TWA Hotel at JFK International in New York City

Nestled within the iconic TWA Flight Center at John F. Kennedy International Airport, the TWA Hotel stands as a remarkable fusion of history, architecture, and hospitality in New York City. 

Opened in May 2019, the hotel transports visitors back to the golden age of air travel, combining mid-century modern design with contemporary luxury. Designed by the celebrated architect Eero Saarinen, the original TWA Flight Center opened in 1962 and quickly became a symbol of innovation and elegance, with its winged roof, sweeping curves, and expansive glass walls embodying the optimism of the Jet Age. 

After ceasing operations in 2001, the terminal faced an uncertain future, but landmark designations and preservation efforts ensured its survival. In 2015, plans to transform the terminal into a hotel were finalized, culminating in the grand opening of the TWA Hotel in 2019.

The hotel encompasses 512 guest rooms distributed across two seven-story wings—the Saarinen Wing and the Hughes Wing—which flank the historic terminal. These wings are connected to the Flight Center through red-carpeted passageways that echo the glamour of 1960s travel. Inside, the hotel honors its roots through carefully curated mid-century modern furnishings, brass light fixtures, and rotary phones, while the restored split-flap departure board continues to display flight information, maintaining a tangible connection to its past. Every detail, from the décor to the ambient soundscape, contributes to an immersive experience that allows guests to step into a bygone era while enjoying modern comforts.

Among the hotel’s most striking features is its rooftop infinity pool, which offers sweeping views of JFK’s runways. Open year-round and heated for colder months, the pool is complemented by The Pool Bar, where visitors can enjoy cocktails while gazing over the bustling airport below. Aviation enthusiasts are drawn to the Connie Cocktail Lounge, located inside a fully restored Lockheed L-1649A Constellation aircraft. Guests can sip classic cocktails surrounded by authentic airline memorabilia, effectively combining history and leisure in a unique setting. Dining options at the TWA Hotel are equally compelling, with the Paris Café by Jean-Georges offering French-inspired cuisine, the Sunken Lounge preserving the retro elegance of the original TWA lounge, and the TWA Food Hall providing diverse quick-service selections to accommodate travelers’ needs.

The hotel also caters to business and event travelers, featuring 50,000 square feet of meeting and event space capable of hosting up to 1,600 attendees. The underground conference center is outfitted with state-of-the-art technology, making it ideal for conferences, weddings, and large gatherings. For guests seeking recreation, the hotel includes a 10,000-square-foot fitness center, ensuring that routines can be maintained even during travel. Beyond its role as lodging, the TWA Hotel functions as a living museum, celebrating aviation history and the Jet Age. Guests can explore artifacts such as vintage flight attendant uniforms, airline ephemera, and a scale model of a TWA airport operation center from the 1960s, all of which provide context and depth to the story of mid-century air travel.

Its location within JFK Airport adds a practical convenience that complements its historical and aesthetic appeal. Accessible via the AirTrain, the hotel connects seamlessly to all airport terminals, with particular proximity to Terminal 5, home to JetBlue Airways. This makes it an ideal option for travelers seeking both luxury and accessibility before or after flights. Visitors frequently praise the TWA Hotel for its unique ambiance and ability to transport them to a different era, noting that the meticulous design and attention to detail create an immersive experience unlike any other. While some reviews mention that certain rooms are smaller than expected or that dining options may not fully align with the premium pricing, the overwhelming response celebrates the hotel as a destination in its own right.

The TWA Hotel offers more than accommodations; it provides an experiential journey into the history and glamour of air travel. From the moment guests enter the Flight Center, the sense of stepping back in time is immediate, yet the integration of modern amenities ensures comfort and convenience. The hotel’s blend of historic preservation, architectural elegance, and immersive storytelling makes it a standout in the landscape of luxury hotels and airport accommodations alike. Whether it is lounging by the rooftop pool, enjoying a cocktail inside the Connie aircraft, or simply wandering through the corridors of a building that once represented the pinnacle of aviation design, visitors are reminded of an era when air travel was not just a mode of transportation, but an experience imbued with style, sophistication, and optimism.

The TWA Hotel at JFK is, in essence, a bridge between the past and present. It captures the spirit of the Jet Age while offering modern luxury, allowing guests to relive history without sacrificing contemporary comforts. Its preservation of the iconic Flight Center serves as a testament to the value of architectural and cultural heritage, and its unique combination of design, amenities, and storytelling ensures that it remains a destination for both travelers and history enthusiasts. In a city known for its fast pace and constant evolution, the TWA Hotel offers a rare opportunity to pause, reflect, and experience the glamour and innovation of a bygone era, all within the bustling heart of one of the world’s busiest airports.

 

Life Hotel in Manhattan, New York City

In the heart of Manhattan’s NoMad district, just a short walk from the Empire State Building, the Life Hotel blends New York City history with modern boutique style. Located at 19 West 31st Street, the hotel occupies the former headquarters of LIFE Magazine, where editors and artists once shaped one of America’s most iconic publications. Today, that same building hums with a different kind of energy, one that mixes nostalgia, creativity, and contemporary comfort.

The structure was originally built in 1895, designed by the renowned architecture firm Carrère and Hastings in a Beaux-Arts style that still radiates quiet grandeur. When LIFE Magazine moved out in 1936, the building’s purpose shifted over the years, but its story never faded. In 2017, it was brought back to life through an extensive restoration that uncovered original details like marble floors, cast-iron columns, and decorative moldings long hidden behind modern renovations. The transformation preserved the bones of the past while infusing it with the relaxed sophistication of a modern New York hotel.

Inside, the Life Hotel feels effortlessly stylish. Its 98 rooms balance mid-century design cues with modern amenities and accents like brass beds, vintage-style lighting, marble bathrooms, and sleek technology, including large HDTVs and high-speed WiFi. Some rooms even offer private terraces overlooking the Midtown skyline. The atmosphere is intimate but not precious, with a focus on warmth and authenticity rather than luxury for luxury’s sake. The hotel is also pet-friendly, offers filtered water stations on every floor, and maintains a 24-hour fitness center for travelers who want to keep their routines intact.

Surrounded by vibrant restaurants, boutique shops, and architectural landmarks, it offers quick access to Midtown’s business district and the downtown creative scene alike. Staying at the Life Hotel feels like inhabiting a piece of New York’s layered story—a place where history isn’t sealed behind glass, but alive in the details. For visitors who crave character as much as comfort, it’s a stay that embodies the city itself: restless, storied, and undeniably alive.

Tail O' the Pup in Los Angeles, California

Few landmarks in Los Angeles capture the city’s playful spirit quite like Tail o’ the Pup, a giant hot dog-shaped stand that’s been part of the city’s cultural DNA since 1946. With its smiling bun and mustard-yellow details, it’s both a restaurant and a roadside monument to an era when architecture wasn’t afraid to be both literal and silly.

Tail o’ the Pup first opened its bun-shaped doors at the corner of La Cienega and Beverly Boulevard, commissioned by ballroom dance stars Frank Veloz and Yolanda Casazza (known professionally as Veloz & Yolanda). They wanted something eye-catching and fun and architect Milton J. Black delivered. The result was a perfect example of what’s called “programmatic architecture”: buildings shaped like the things they sell. In the postwar boom of car culture, when every roadside stand competed for attention, Tail o’ the Pup became an instant hit.

Opening night in 1946 was pure Hollywood spectacle - spotlights, celebrities, and curious Angelenos lining up for hot dogs. Over the years, it became a go-to snack stop for movie stars, locals, and tourists alike. It even appeared in film and TV, from Columbo to countless photo shoots, solidifying its place in pop culture.

Like many icons of mid-century Los Angeles, Tail O' the Pup wasn’t immune to progress. After decades of service, it closed in 2005 when its site was slated for redevelopment. The structure was carefully dismantled and placed in storage, sparking fears that it might become another lost piece of L.A. nostalgia - and for years that was actually the case.

In 2018, the Pup was rescued and restored down to its original paint colors and neon details. Relocated to its new home at 8512 Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood, when it reopened in 2022, the city celebrated as if an old friend had come back to life.

Now, Tail o’ the Pup feels both retro and refreshed. The menu honors its roots with classic hot dogs and shakes, but adds modern twists. The setting is playful yet polished, with indoor and outdoor seating that nods to the old roadside stand vibe.

More than just a place to eat, the Pup stands as a symbol of L.A.’s eccentric creativity. In a city known for reinvention, its survival proves that even a giant hot dog can become timeless.