Closest Hotel to JFK T4 (Delta)
May 5, 2019, 12:48 pm
#16
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
This is not a bad suggestion, but the others, including me, who have done both are making the point that even with an Uber or taxi, you're still 15 minutes from your terminal--as with many major airports although you can see where you're going the entire time you're traveling there, it still takes longer than it should look to do so. So there's a savings of maybe 15 minutes each way..
The Manhattan suggestion was to take the train from Penn station. Once you add the walk or cab ride from your hotel to Penn station, plus waiting time for your train, I have a hard time believing that this can be done in under one hour, especially super early in the morning when trains don't run as often. Even if you were to take a car from Manhattan you'd still be looking at a 30-40 minute drive, and a much more expensive fare.
Again, I love New York, I think it is one of the best cities in the world, and I would always grab a chance to spend time in the city. But it's just not accurate to portray these options as similar. Staying in Manhattan will almost certainly be more expensive (hotel and commute) and it will likely include travel time to JFK that 5-6 times as long as the uber ride from a JFK airport to the T4 curbside.
May 5, 2019, 4:00 pm
#17
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: ORF
Programs: Amex Plat, AA, BA Silver, Marriott Plat, Choice Gold, HHonors Gold, IHG Diamond
Posts: 3,749
I have to agree. Last year I went to NYC twice, stayed in Manhattan once and stayed right by JFK once. When I stayed in Manhattan, we arrived at JFK at 10 pm on a Friday evening and got in the cab around 1030 PM. It still took well over an hour to get to our hotel in Central Manhattan. Traffic coming out of JFK was awful and Manhattan was bumper to bumper traffic. Getting back to JFK on Sunday morning was slightly better but still heavy traffic in Manhattan and heavy traffic around JFK.
Later that year we stayed overnight at JFK after coming back from Europe. Had an ~11 PM arrival into JFK. Our flight left for Texas at 2 PM the next day. We stayed at the Hampton Inn by JFK which was more than adequate. To get to the hotel, we did have to take the AirTrain to Federal Circle; thankfully the shuttle was there right as we came down, so we got lucky in that regard. On the way back to JFK the following day, the hotel shuttle took all of us straight to the terminals - we didn't have to deal with the AirTrain going back to JFK. Maybe just lucky on our part there too but was certainly convenient enough.
But I would certainly agree that if you don't want to mess with the AirTrain and shuttle, just get a cab and take it to an airport hotel (Hilton, Hampton Inn, etc.) which will be more than adequate for an overnight place to sleep.
Who doesn't use Google Maps to check a hotel location prior to booking it these days?
Later that year we stayed overnight at JFK after coming back from Europe. Had an ~11 PM arrival into JFK. Our flight left for Texas at 2 PM the next day. We stayed at the Hampton Inn by JFK which was more than adequate. To get to the hotel, we did have to take the AirTrain to Federal Circle; thankfully the shuttle was there right as we came down, so we got lucky in that regard. On the way back to JFK the following day, the hotel shuttle took all of us straight to the terminals - we didn't have to deal with the AirTrain going back to JFK. Maybe just lucky on our part there too but was certainly convenient enough.
But I would certainly agree that if you don't want to mess with the AirTrain and shuttle, just get a cab and take it to an airport hotel (Hilton, Hampton Inn, etc.) which will be more than adequate for an overnight place to sleep.
Who doesn't use Google Maps to check a hotel location prior to booking it these days?
BTW, who doesn't know that the AirTrain/LIRR combination saves the hassle of having to worry about the surface traffic into Manhattan that any shuttle, bus, taxi, or Uber would have to battle?
May 5, 2019, 5:48 pm
#18
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Mostly living in the basement
Programs: Newly minted free agent; MR LT(!)TE, HH SE, BA SECM, DL MM, UA PS, 2V Fanboi, CBP GE
Posts: 5,108
Until OP comes back to clarify schedule and requirements, all we can do is what New Yorkers typically do when giving advice to out of towners... debate opinions 
BTW thanks to this thread I now know the TWA Hotel is finally opening, so will be booking it for my next 8am DL flight rather than follow my own advice of staying in Manhattan the night before.
More for flying out on DL out of LGA, but LIC actually has quite a few new properties now, mostly chains but some independents.
Depends which part of Queens.
OP was describing an early morning departure, when traffic outbound to the airports is generally clear. Specifics from the OP would help, though. Inbound traffic on a Friday evening can be terrible (at least certain times of year).
My suggestion was to pick a hotel optimized for the desired mode of travel. If transit, stay near Penn Station (where there are a bunch of new properties within about a 2 minute walk). If car, stay close to the tunnel or bridge. Going crosstown is a real time sink, even at 5am. (The lights are synchronized for N/S, not E/W.)
BTW thanks to this thread I now know the TWA Hotel is finally opening, so will be booking it for my next 8am DL flight rather than follow my own advice of staying in Manhattan the night before.
All this makes we wonder if there aren't cooler hotels other places than Manhattan that might be fun to spend a night - maybe cheaper and a quick car to the airport.
Some hipster place in Rockaway, or a chain hotel in Jackson Heights or Coney Island?
Could be interesting...
Some hipster place in Rockaway, or a chain hotel in Jackson Heights or Coney Island?
Could be interesting...
Depends which part of Queens.
I have to agree. Last year I went to NYC twice, stayed in Manhattan once and stayed right by JFK once. When I stayed in Manhattan, we arrived at JFK at 10 pm on a Friday evening and got in the cab around 1030 PM. It still took well over an hour to get to our hotel in Central Manhattan. Traffic coming out of JFK was awful and Manhattan was bumper to bumper traffic. Getting back to JFK on Sunday morning was slightly better but still heavy traffic in Manhattan and heavy traffic around JFK.
My suggestion was to pick a hotel optimized for the desired mode of travel. If transit, stay near Penn Station (where there are a bunch of new properties within about a 2 minute walk). If car, stay close to the tunnel or bridge. Going crosstown is a real time sink, even at 5am. (The lights are synchronized for N/S, not E/W.)
Jun 4, 2019, 7:05 am
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,042
I'd stay away from TWA hotel for a few months. Right now it's in a state it shouldn't be open even as a soft opening. However they're acting like it is fully open. Stayed here last week and ended up getting full refund, plus offer of a free night in future.
Also note access isn't the easiest. Airtrain connects to opposite end of T5 that TWA hotel does. Its quicker to go to street level and cross the street than going through T5. Also no Taxis wait here yet.
Also note access isn't the easiest. Airtrain connects to opposite end of T5 that TWA hotel does. Its quicker to go to street level and cross the street than going through T5. Also no Taxis wait here yet.
Jun 4, 2019, 10:46 am
#21
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: DL PM, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 8,414
I'd stay away from TWA hotel for a few months. Right now it's in a state it shouldn't be open even as a soft opening. However they're acting like it is fully open. Stayed here last week and ended up getting full refund, plus offer of a free night in future.
Also note access isn't the easiest. Airtrain connects to opposite end of T5 that TWA hotel does. Its quicker to go to street level and cross the street than going through T5. Also no Taxis wait here yet.
Also note access isn't the easiest. Airtrain connects to opposite end of T5 that TWA hotel does. Its quicker to go to street level and cross the street than going through T5. Also no Taxis wait here yet.
Jun 4, 2019, 11:36 am
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Falkirk, Scotland,VS Red, BA Gold, HH Diamond,UK Amex Plat
Programs: Master of the Privy Purse des Muccis
Posts: 17,911
Hi,
There are some comments in this thread towards the bottom ( a few posts down)
JFK's iconic TWA terminal now a hotel
Regards
TBS
There are some comments in this thread towards the bottom ( a few posts down)
JFK's iconic TWA terminal now a hotel
Regards
TBS
Jun 4, 2019, 3:02 pm
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,042
Booked accessible room. Arrived at hotel, no problems checking in. Long walk with confusing signage to get to the room. At one point you can miss a hallway and end up going all the way to terminal. Elevators are only at one end of floor. Guess which end they placed accessible rooms?Yep, opposite. Also the design of hotel is not ADA compliant in any fashion. You have lots of uphill walking. A person in a non-electric wheelchair would never make it up alone.
Once in room, obvious I was 1st guest.
Issues -
Shower had no fold down bench installed as is supposed to be for accessible.
No shower curtain (common issue in all rooms).
Construction dirt still in shower.
Water pressure just about nil
Water temp, lukewarm at best
No clock in room/call for wakeup call/informed hotel doesn't do wakeup calls even though no clocks installed in rooms!
Curtains are electric floor to ceiling and are supposed to be in a track. One isn't meaning it doesn't close correctly without major fidgeting.
New towels had obviously not been washed.
One outlet, and you couldn't use both plugs at same time.
Tray full of toys and candies. No prices, you must go online. Minibar refrigerator not fully stocked.
Phones are rotary. Not very practical. Phones don't always work either. I called and asked for manager. No problem when I would call. When they would call, they could hear you, but you couldn't hear them. Found out this is a known issue, they have to find a phone that will connect properly if this happens.
Housekeeping randomly knocks on door and tries to enter. Obvious they had no clue which rooms needed what done, plus when it needed to be done.
No food service, they had just gotten shut down by health department. Even then, before it was only very limited service. They were telling guests to eat in terminal. Theres not much landslide at any terminal.
No waiting taxis for pickup. Airtrain requires entering T5, going to opposite end, crossing bridge, and boarding. Other option is to to cross street, which has no crosswalk to enter via parking garage.
Bag storage - they don't store them in a secure room. Instead they place them on the old bag belt behind the counter. One could easily walkup and walk away with a bag with no one noticing.
Finally employees just seemed to not care. It seemed they were worn down by all the issues, leaving no willpower to help.
I do think it'll become a great hotel. However they should've held off opening. They causing damage to their image by operating in the state they are. This is especially true, as they nowhere note that hotel is not fully ready. Everything has been published as the hotel being open, fullstop, no asterisk.
Once in room, obvious I was 1st guest.
Issues -
Shower had no fold down bench installed as is supposed to be for accessible.
No shower curtain (common issue in all rooms).
Construction dirt still in shower.
Water pressure just about nil
Water temp, lukewarm at best
No clock in room/call for wakeup call/informed hotel doesn't do wakeup calls even though no clocks installed in rooms!
Curtains are electric floor to ceiling and are supposed to be in a track. One isn't meaning it doesn't close correctly without major fidgeting.
New towels had obviously not been washed.
One outlet, and you couldn't use both plugs at same time.
Tray full of toys and candies. No prices, you must go online. Minibar refrigerator not fully stocked.
Phones are rotary. Not very practical. Phones don't always work either. I called and asked for manager. No problem when I would call. When they would call, they could hear you, but you couldn't hear them. Found out this is a known issue, they have to find a phone that will connect properly if this happens.
Housekeeping randomly knocks on door and tries to enter. Obvious they had no clue which rooms needed what done, plus when it needed to be done.
No food service, they had just gotten shut down by health department. Even then, before it was only very limited service. They were telling guests to eat in terminal. Theres not much landslide at any terminal.
No waiting taxis for pickup. Airtrain requires entering T5, going to opposite end, crossing bridge, and boarding. Other option is to to cross street, which has no crosswalk to enter via parking garage.
Bag storage - they don't store them in a secure room. Instead they place them on the old bag belt behind the counter. One could easily walkup and walk away with a bag with no one noticing.
Finally employees just seemed to not care. It seemed they were worn down by all the issues, leaving no willpower to help.
I do think it'll become a great hotel. However they should've held off opening. They causing damage to their image by operating in the state they are. This is especially true, as they nowhere note that hotel is not fully ready. Everything has been published as the hotel being open, fullstop, no asterisk.