The 5 Best JFK Airport Hotels: Rated (by a NY-Based Pilot)

Looking for a decent hotel near John F. Kennedy International Airport for your next layover in New York? With lots of poorly-rated, expensive, run-down hotels near JFK, the choice may seem complicated.

As an airline pilot who commutes to JFK for work, the early mornings and late nights my job requires have led me to spend many nights staying around the airport.

I’ve tried every cadre of JFK Airport hotels; cheap and rusty ones, expensive and luxurious ones, and everything in between.

In the end, I’ve learned which hotels are worth their respective price tags, and which ones aren’t.

So here’s everything you need to know about JFK International Airport area hotels – by an airline pilot that has actually tried most of them. These are my legitimate, actually go-to hotels I use, so I feel like I’m giving away my secrets by sharing them!

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The Best Hotels to Stay at Near JFK Airport (List)

1. TWA Hotel (9.5/10)
2. The Rockaway Hotel (9.4/10)
3. Residence Inn JFK Airport (9/10)
4. Hampton Inn NY-JFK Hotel (8/10)
5. Holiday Inn by IHG JFK Airport, Jamaica (7/10)
Plus: Must-Avoid Hotels Around JFK Airport

1. TWA Hotel (9.5/10)

My absolutely favorite JFK Airport layover hotel, and one I look forward to staying at again and again, is the TWA Hotel.

The TWA Hotel at JFK is the closest thing you can find to a time machine. Walk through the glass doors and you’ll find a retro (and fully functional) airport timetable, Convair convertibles from the 60’s, and even a “Connie” Constellation propeller airplane – with a bar inside!

Everything at the TWA Hotel is immaculate, from the 400+ TWA Flight Center era window pane replicas, to the gorgeous red-carpeted hallways, the split-flap departure board, and even the flight crew uniforms worn by the baristas. It’s the most palpable 1960s vibe you’ll find anywhere in the United States, and it’s right at JFK Airport.

Even the rooms have a retro feel to them, with posters from the old TWA days of classic exotic cities; Cairo, Budapest, Cape Town, etc. Imagining what the golden days of aviation were like is not so much work anymore.

Plus the rooftop pool, heated to 95 degrees with sprawling views over the entire airport, is probably the most photogenic airport viewpoint outside St. Maarten. I love going for a swim here in the middle of winter, it somehow feels like I’m cheating at life. Rooftop pool in winter at JFK airport with views on the tarmac? Yeah, right.

2. The Rockaway Hotel (9.4/10)

Honestly, this hotel feels like an absolute travel hack for those staying near JFK Hotel. First off, you’re right next to the beach. Second off, you can not only get a room for less than $200 a night most nights, but it’ll have a freaking ocean view and walk-out terrace. Third, it’s super accessible by public transportation!

It’s boutique-style, offers a rooftop bar and heated outdoor pool, and is super-well located.

As I wrote about in my JFK Layover Guide, Rockaway Beach is a super neat area to visit; nice restaurants, a super-long ocean boardwalk, and a surprisingly nice and calm beach. And it’s super close to the Rockaway NYC Ferry Station, so you’re just one ferry ride away from Manhattan. Like I said, staying here is a super travel hack, and nobody even knows about it!

3. Residence Inn JFK Airport (9/10)

Offering excellent benefits (and serious discounts) for Bonvoy members, the Residence Inn by Marriott New York JFK Airport offers the ultimate combination of amenities, price, distance, and comfort.

It also happens to be the most-highly reviewed hotel in the JFK vicinity.

There’s a full-free breakfast, laundry services, a fitness center, and most importantly, larger rooms for families or those who prefer having a kitchenette and mini-office.

As a result, it’s my go-to when prices at the TWA Hotel are too high for me.

4. Hampton Inn NY-JFK Hotel (8/10)

The Hampton Inn JFK Airport is a newer hotel, and features a free airport shuttle, free breakfast, a decent fitness center, and comfortable beds.

Service here is pretty good, the rooms are overall quiet, but overall the hotel does not live up to most Hampton Inn standards. It’s still better than most JFK-area hotels (better than the Hilton Garden Inn, similar to the Fairfield by Marriott, not as nice as the Hyatt Regency but much closer to the airport).

5. Holiday Inn by IHG JFK Airport, Jamaica (7/10)

I’m including the Holiday Inn Jamaica in the top 5, simply because with JFK construction at the moment, hotels are required to pick you up from Federal Circle, which means you’ll have to ride the AirTrain then wait out in the cold to be picked up. The Holiday Inn Jamaica is one ride away from JFK Airport, and it’s just so convenient, especially when you’re tired and all you want to do is go to bed.

Although I absolutely love the convenience of staying at a hotel literally walking steps from the Jamaica Station (direct service from the airport by AirTrain, only a 10-15 minute ride), the walk here feel post-apocalyptic.

Trash everywhere, drugged-up homeless people, marijuana and smoke fumes, it just doesn’t feel like a safe area (at all). Sure, you can take a taxi or Uber here from the station, but that kind of defeats the purpose.

If the hotel was actually good, I think it could make up for the hassle of being in a bad area. But I like to walk around and escape the confines of a small hotel room, especially when it’s unremarkable like the Holiday Inn Jamaica.

Mentions

• Crowne Plaza JFK Airport (7.5/10)
  • Super close to the airport, nice rooms, overall a great option
  • A little more dated than similar options, and frequent alarms may wake you up
• Five Towns Inn (7/10)
  • Free, decent breakfast, decent rooms, but quite dated and feels more ‘budget’
  • A bit further than other hotels, but made of for by the lower prices
• Hyatt Regency JFK Airport At Resorts World New York (7/10)
  • Brand new hotel, nice and well-equipped rooms
  • Great if you like casinos, otherwise not a good location and on-site food isn’t very good

They all include free airport shuttles, decent rooms, and good amenities.

JFK Airport Hotels You Should Avoid

In my experience after trying these hotels, they are either scams, or generally awful hotels:

• Latisha Luxury Place
  • A well-equipped, comfortable, quiet AirBnb-style private apartment in a decent area
  • I’ve stayed here and loved it, but I was charged $25 months later out of nowhere and the host will not respond to my messages asking about this erroneous charge; beware
  • Other reviews say the same exact thing – they have also been scammed
• Hotel Pergola JFK
  • Yes, it’s extremely cheap, but it’s one of the worst hotels you could ever dream of (or nightmare) staying at
• Van Wyck Hotel
  • A hotel that locals stay at to smoke marijuana and bring women to… well, I won’t go there….

Conclusion: there are some great, and some not-so great JFK Airport layover hotel options

I’ve made my fair share of mistakes booking hotels at JFK over the years. And one of them was, as you can see, booking the Latisha Luxury Place. It’s unfortunate because it’s a great place, but questionable ethics and business dealings ruined it. I can’t in good faith stay in a place that regularly scams money from people.

And I’ve tried my fair share of AirBnbs near JFK airport. Between the hassle of having to take an expensive Uber, taxi, or AirTrain, the noise and discomfort, and the lack of amenities, it’s just not worth the minimal difference of cost (especially after including cleaning fees).

But all of those nights over the years spent away from home weren’t for nothing. I’ve found genuinely good hotels in the vicinity of JFK airport, including the TWA Hotel that I actually look forward to staying at, and the stupid-awesome Rockaway Hotel. And now, you will be well-equipped to do the same!