On Finding My Zen at the TWA Hotel
On the journey of seeking higher purpose and looking out for others, one must never neglect being mindful of self care and finding that which provides inner bliss, harmony, peace, zen… whatever one may call it. I may indulge through this blog by sharing on occasion a few places that have brought me joy and are worth acquainting with my friends and followers.
This past Thanksgiving, while much of the US population was traversing through crowded airports and hotels en route to their destinations, for my family, the airport hotel was the destination!
An airport hotel actually makes a terrific destination for a long weekend when it happens to be one as unique and enjoyable as the TWA Hotel, situated adjacent to Terminal 5 at JFK Airport in New York. Before JetBlue developed its base of operations at JFK, Trans World Airlines (TWA) was one of the dominant carriers, with destinations stretching from across North America, the Caribbean, Europe, and the Middle East. While the carrier was absorbed by American Airlines nearly 25 years ago, its legend and history live on. And to me, this is profoundly meaningful.
Here are five reasons why I found my zen at the TWA Hotel:
Anyone who knows me well can attest to my wanderlust. World travel has been part of my DNA for as long as I can remember, thanks in large part to having parents who liked to travel internationally and would always take me along from the youngest age. Moreover, I established an interest in airlines and airplanes as a kid that has never left. I still proudly identify as an “avgeek” and have worked both in and around the industry for a chunk of my earlier career. I have even traveled to some far flung countries just to experience riding as a passenger on some very old and rare aircraft (think Soviet era Antonovs, Tupolevs, and Ilyushins, as well as a couple of the very last Boeing 727s and vintage model 747s… the kind with a flight engineer flying sideways in the cockpit).
Back to TWA. This was my family’s preferred airline thanks in large part to my Dad’s lifetime membership in the Ambassador Club, a somewhat novel luxury in the ‘80s and early ‘90s, before airport lounges became as ubiquitous as they are today. The TWA terminal at JFK (originally called Idlewild), dedicated in 1962, was designed by legendary Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen (also famous for the St. Louis Gateway Arch, among many landmarks). Its design was revolutionary in its time for among other things, conveying the “feeling” of jetsetting adventure. This was certainly the impression that I had from the number of times that my parents and I traversed JFK while connecting between our home in Boston and somewhere else in the world. The memories of this are vivid and present a deep nostalgia that has stuck with me since childhood.
It is therefore with some fortune that this architectural marvel has withstood years without use, as JetBlue built a brand new terminal in the same area of JFK, but without tearing down the original structure. With foresight and perhaps a bit of luck, Saarinen’s jewel was never torn down and wise developers had the idea of converting this to a usable, functional hotel. Not only did JFK not have an on-premises hotel previously, but this presented the perfect opportunity to create a living museum. Today, this terminal lives on, preserving the memory of something special that could have very easily been lost to time. Whether or not you, dear reader, have ever previously flown with TWA, there is something magical in stepping back into time and experiencing something akin to what others may have experienced as far as six decades in the past.
Nostalgia. Wow. To the smallest details, the hotel brings the visitor back to a different (dare I say, happier) place. Nostalgic memories speak to the “good” rather than the “bad” memories of a time gone by. The preservation and decor of the lobby, corridors, and guest rooms (functional rotary telephones, anyone?), all elicit feelings of the Danish “hygge” or Dutch “gezelligheid,” an almost indescribable feeling of coziness and warmth.
Vibe. Where else can one grab a drink and enjoy a flight without leaving the ground aboard a 1950s Lockheed Constellation? Passing through the foyers, the atmosphere is enriched with travelers with luggage in tow, as well as actual flight crews from American and JetBlue strolling through on their layovers. Popular music of the early ‘60s, enriches the atmosphere of museum pieces on display, including vintage TWA pilot and flight attendant uniforms, an old-fashioned clickety-clack flight departure board, and reproduction travel posters and airport terminal signage.
You can’t beat the views. A rooftop pool-size infinity hot tub offering close-up views of beautifully painted giant metal tubes from around the world? Where else does one find this? I genuinely have not heard of anything similar. Many of the rooms even offer up such a view. Raise the curtains and voila, you’re just feet away from dozens of international airliners! Word to the wise: once the curtains are drawn, the guest doesn’t have much privacy either.…
Fun for the family. While my two preschoolers certainly didn’t have the same emotional connection or nostalgic reaction that consumed my attention, their reaction was more akin to spending three nights in an interactive museum. They couldn’t get enough of the “Twister” room or the vintage 1960s hot pink hair salon. However, the pinnacle for them was climbing inside the classic automobiles from days of yore are tastefully displayed both in the lobby and at curbside, where “do not touch” warnings are mercifully nowhere to be found.
So what exactly is my “higher purpose” takeaway? Visit the TWA Hotel if you have a chance? For sure. More to the point, it is to seek that place or experience that brings you to your happy zone. Find opportunities for simple pleasures and enjoyment that are outside of your regular routine. Mental wellness is critical for everyone, no matter who you are, where you’re from, or how much money you have. Taking time to center one’s self is vital for well being and finding new opportunities to do that can be more fulfilling than stumbling into a pot of gold.