Ready for Landing, The Hilton NY JFK Airport Hotel
Free Shuttle To JFK Terminals.
The JFK Airport in New York City is one of the busiest air hubs in the world, located on the USA’s largest barrier island — Long Island.
New York is the fashion capital of the Western Hemisphere, the TV and Entertainment lifeblood of networks and production houses, and the financial capital of the world. World events and conferences are staged year around.
The Hilton JFK Airport Hotel has free shuttles for fliers.
JFK International Airport sees the arrival and departures of nearly every flag carrier in the world. The JFK complex is so huge, there are eight different terminals (T1 to T8) for domestic and international flights. JFK, also known as Kennedy Airport, is an ever changing or evolving landscape of services.
Airspace Lounge, an airport lounge network open to all airline passengers, announced its expansion to Terminal 5 (T5) of John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Operated by Swissport, the lounge opened in May 2013, and is located near Gate 24 of T5, which serves JetBlue Airways, Hawaiian Airlines, and, Aer Lingus. All passengers traveling with any of the airlines serving JFK T5 can separate themselves from the concourse and visit Airspace Lounge to enjoy ample space to rest or work, as well as complimentary food and beverage offerings, including alcohol. Travelers can enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi, power outlets at every seat, the use of MacBooks and Windows PCs, and seating and workspace areas. Airspace Lounge opens each day well before the first T5 flight until boarding of the last departure of the day.
The modernistic front desk and reception center.
Terminal 7, British Airways’ home at New York JFK International Airport was redeveloped in 2013 with a wide range of improvements and renovations designed to enhance the travel experience. The terminal upgrades include an additional security channel and modernized escalators to help speed travelers through the airport, while new seating and carpeting, enhanced lighting and renovated restrooms have been upgraded.
Delta Air Lines joined with Architectural Digest to develop the airline’s first-ever outdoor airport terraces, called The Sky Deck at Delta Sky Club in New York’s redeveloped Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport. Designer Thom Filicia was selected by Architectural Digest to create the spaces as extensions of the Delta Sky Clubs. At JFK, the space is a rooftop terrace at the club in the airline’s new $1.2 billion expansion of Terminal 4, which opened in May 2013. For more news and updates about the JFK airport visit www.jetsettersblog.com/blog and type in JFK Airport as a search term.
Like most travelers I like a non-stop flight to avoid schlepping carry-on luggage from one plane to the next, and to avoid weather problems. The hub and spoke system designed by airline companies often means unforeseen problems, often caused by delays thousands of miles away. The new 787 Dreamliners promise fewer non-stops to more cities, and with more flat-bed seats on the long range planes, but a flat-bed seat, for me, still means less deep REMs of solid sleep than the comfort of a real amply pillowed bed.
The lobby edges the Restaurnt 144 entrance.
AirTrain (light rail) makes frequent stops in a loop everywhere around all eight terminals at the JFK Airport, serving parking lots, hotel shuttle areas, and rental car facilities. What’s more, every AirTrain ride around the airport is free. The service operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. So I hopped on the Air Train and check out the route system stenciled on the wall, and jumped off at the Hilton JFK Airport Hotel shuttle area for the 1/4 mile complimentary ride by one of the hotel’s four 22-passenger shuttles. How convenient. Do I get Hilton HHonors points for this short ride?
Speaking of HHonors, the massive frequent flyer program is linked in with most of the bigger and regional air carriers, so maybe you can swing a free stay at the recently renovated Hilton New York JFK Airport Hotel. HHonors members enjoy the luxury of the three private floors (out of the 12 story tower) that feature upscale accommodations with exclusive access to a private lounge.
A Deluxe Suite with sitting area.
All of the 3-star property’s 356 rooms were renovated after the former Holiday Inn was acquired by a Hilton franchisee. There is a wide variety of accommodations at this Hilton: There are 263 Deluxe Rooms, 11 Executive Suites, 64 Executive Deluxe Rooms with access to Executive Lounges, 18 wheelchair accessible Deluxe rooms. Some of the rooms are Pure rooms, and all are nonsmoking rooms. Check in is at 3 p.m. and check out is at12 noon.
The Business Center has computers and Wi-Fi.
The Hilton New York JFK Airport Hotel business center means business, with many business services, such as high speed internet access, audio/visual equipment, including large screen TVs, photo copying services, courier services, bilingual staff, reception areas, and translation service on call.
This property offers nine meeting rooms with 6 334 square feet of flexible meeting and banquet facilities including the magnificent 500-person Grand Ballroom that breaks out into four sections, called the Tribeca Rooms.
The four Tribeca banquet rooms are the largest conference rooms, with various seating capacities. The Lexingtons (two Lexington rooms), Gramercy, and Madison meeting rooms are for smaller groups. Reception areas can be arranged for all business rooms or other group function. A large kitchen is adjacent to the Grand Ballroom, and a smaller kitchen adjoins the two Lexington Rooms.
A banquet room setting.
All the meeting and banquet rooms share a private and separate entrance. The recently renovated Murray Hill Board Room seats 12 with state-of-the-art technology. There is free wireless internet in all business rooms and public areas. Your room key works the door to the separate Business Center that offers modern PC stations in a quiet atmosphere.
Located in Jamaica, New York, this property is nearby many corporate offices like DHL Swissport, The GEO Group, LSG Skychefs, UPS, Delta, Jet Blue, Federal Express, and FAA. There is an ATM machine on the premises. Many business people fly in and conduct business at the hotel and fly out on the same day, or stay overnight without the hassle of down town commutes.
The Hilton JFK is located near Aqueduct and Belmont horseracing tracks, the Aviator Sport Complex, St. Johns University, Queens Museum of Art, Brooklyn Botanical Garden, Brooklyn College, Yankee Stadium, Citifield, and Lido Beach Golf Club. Catch public transport at the hotel or take a cab into Manhattan, about 30 miles away.
A Deluxe King bedded room.
The King bed suites come with oversized desks for road warriors. The Deluxe two-bed Queen rooms are great for families and tour groups. All rooms feature the comfortable Hilton Serenity beds (which you can also purchase), with luxurious bedding, Baths have Peter Thomas Roth indulgent finely milled bath toiletries. Each quarters has an in-room safety deposit box.
Watch the NY Yankees in the Sports Lounge.
International cuisine and traditional fare is served by a friendly staff in a contemporary atmosphere at the hotel’s Restaurant 144, which is open for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Many hotels in New York, including a few Hiltons down town, no longer offer room service, but the Hilton JFK has this option.
Catch a Yankee game on the wide-screen TV at the casual American bistro-style, sports lounge that taps into a variety of beers and creates trendy cocktails. The Restaurant 144 and lounge are adjacent to the front desk; interior corridor walls are lined with contemporary artworks. There is also a Starbucks Grab and Go Café for those rushing to catch a flight. Grab a gift at the gift shop while you await the free 24/7 shuttle bus that runs straight to your designated Kennedy terminal.
The Architectural Digest designed pool.
The Hilton JFK has a magnificent indoor heated pool arched by beams and glass, resembling whale bones, that give it an unusual spaciousness; it overlooks the beautiful zen Japanese Garden. The fitness center features Hilton Fitness by Precor. Fully equipped with the latest generation of equipment: Hilton Fitness by Precor includes two cardiovascular and strength training machines for guest use only, with individual TV screens on the machines.
After my Zen-full stay at the Hilton JFK Airport Hotel it was a calm pickup by their shuttle and it seemed the usual chaotic check in for my international flight was seamless. Now if they could only get those Hilton Serenity beds onboard the plane the flight would be bliss as I cross the planet’s meridians.
Hilton New York
JFK Airport Hotel
144-02 135th Avenue
Jamaica, NY 11436
Tel: 718-659-0200
Fax: 718-322-2533
www.NewYorkJFKAirport.Hilton.com
Reservations: 800-HILTONS
www.HiltonHonors.com
— Feature by Kriss Hammond, Editor, Jetsetters Magazine; photos courtesy of the Hilton New York JFK Airport Hotel.