The 512-room TWA Hotel across the street from the JetBlue terminal at JFK Airport tempts travelers with a retro lobby complete with clacking flight board and the Sunken Lounge lobby bar.

Through February, the hotel has an ice-skating rink set up out back, right next to the 1958 Lockheed Constellation Connie airport-turned-cocktail lounge. (Skating fee: $15/adults; $10 kids under 12; skate rental: $10 adults/$8/kids; two free ice-skating shows each evening).

Now there’s another reason to stop by the hotel before or after a flight:

The Runway Chalet, a 1960s style ski lodged-themed bar, has landed at the hotel’s rooftop pool.

The tented and heated ‘chalet’ is decorated with vintage skiing gear and a retro ski lodge style fireplace.

The menu includes chocolate or cheese fondue, burgers and other items while the cocktail list includes concoctions such as the Idlewild Hot Toddy (Sailor Jerry rum and hot cider, with a cinnamon stick) and The Weather Delay (Belvedere vodka, hot chocolate and marshmallows).

Both the chalet and the rooftop infinity pool (heated to 95 degrees and referred to as a ‘pool-cuzzi’) offer views of JFK’s Runway 4 Left/22 right.

No need to be a checked-in guest to visit the Runway Chalet at the TWA Hotel’s Pool Bar, which is open from 11 am to 11 pm daily.

Doesn’t this sound more fun than waiting for an extra hour or two at the gate?

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