The TWA Hotel is doing their damnedest to make spending an evening at the airport an enticing prospect, and honestly, they had me at simply reopening the doors of the old Eero Saarinen landmark. They could have just left it as-is, cobwebs and all, and I would have been satisfied. But instead, they keep adding things—a bar in an airplane, a rooftop pool, an ice skating rink! — the latest of which is a "runway chalet." Really, just a rebranding of the rooftop for winter, but dang they make it sound sexy.
Before you ask, no, this is not a sponsored post. Unfortunately, I've never even actually been to the TWA Hotel. I just like that it exists and that a gorgeous old building in New York City wasn't torn down to become, I don't know, the largest airport bank in the nation. One day I'll go and have two too many martinis and buy a ticket to whereversville and never look back, suckers. But until then, gotta keep my head down and just tell you all about this chalet.
"The hotel’s rooftop bar and observation deck has transformed into a retro Alpine hideaway," the press release informs me, before taking an unfortunate turn in tone to the parlance of a 1980s ski bum, which I don't particularly care for. I'm here for your mid-century charm, TWA Hotel, stop breaking character. Alas... "Take the lift straight to the (roof)top and shred some gnar cocktails," they write, asking that you "leave your poles at home, brah."
Let's just get to the facts, ma'am.
The Runway Chalet at The Pool Bar is "a toasty 1960s ski lodge-themed getaway" that will offer drinks (like the Weather Delay: hot chocolate and marshmallows with vodka), as well as food (like charcuterie with artisanal cheese and fig marmalade, or a burger). You can also take a soak in the pool, which will be heated with water over 90-degrees. Or you can just sit by the vintage fireplace (featuring electric logs) and watch the planes go by as you fantasize about blowing your life up and finally buying that one-way ticket to [redacted] — no internet or presidents or open office plans or "rent"...
Oh and they have a nice cheese fondue, too.
The whole area is heated, because it would be a terrible business plan otherwise, but bring your best Penny Pitou sweater anyway.
The Runway Chalet at The Pool Bar is now open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily; visit twahotel.com/thepoolbar for the menu and more. Bonus: There are no fees or food & beverage minimums during the winter season.
