Sticker shock: TWA Hotel adds $50 per person fee plus tax to use that famous rooftop pool

A night at the TWA Hotel — one of TPG’s favorite spots for planespotting — just underwent a massive devaluation.

The JFK airport hotel will now charge guests up to $50 per person to make a reservation at its famous rooftop pool and observation deck, one of the signature attractions of the hotel.

Reservations cost $25 per adult Mondays through Thursdays, according to a new list of rates on the hotel’s website, and a jarring $50 per adult Friday through Sunday. Children ages 5-12 cost $20 every day, while a reservation does not appear to be required for children 4 and under. The hotel also adds sales tax.

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That’s on top of the so-called facility fee (plus taxes) of $17.94 per night per room.

There are more taxes and fees added onto your bill for the use of the pool.

A reservation gets you a window of just one hour and 45 minutes at the pool, and does not guarantee a poolside lounger, which are first-come-first-serve — that means you might end up at a table with an obstructed view of the airfield.

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The reservation also does not include the price of food or drinks from the pool bar, which can get pricey quickly: cocktails start at $15, and most food options are $15 to $17. The hotel also adds a 10% “COVID-19 Recovery Charge” to each bill.

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The infinity pool and roof deck at the TWA Hotel offer stunning panoramic views of runway 4L/22R at JFK making it a perfect hangout for AvGeeks and plane-spotters. Although the hotel previously offered reservations, and later sold day passes, for non-guests, those with a room at the hotel were previously able to make a reservation for no additional cost.

From now until May 30, reservations are required to visit the roof from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays, and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on weekends. Starting May 31, reservations will be required every day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Non-guests are no longer allowed at the pool.

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That means that a family of four staying at the hotel and visiting the pool for lunch, dinner, or just an afternoon swim on the weekend would have to pay $140 — or $1.33 per minute of pool time — before even thinking about getting something to eat or drink.

Reservations are not required from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. daily, so your best bet to see the runway without paying extra on top of your room rate would be to head up early and hope there’s space available.

Featured photo courtesy of The TWA Hotel. 

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

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