We Finally Found a Decent Hotel Near JFK Airport

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For being one of the world’s busiest airports, the hotel situation around JFK is, frankly, disappointing.

Sure, there’s the iconic TWA Hotel in Terminal 5. It’s a destination in its own right, worth visiting for its design and nostalgia. But as an actual place to stay? Not so much. Prices are astronomical, practically everything carries an extra fee, service is hit-or-miss, and the rooms are showing real signs of wear.

Another option is the Hyatt Regency JFK Airport at Resorts World. While it bears the JFK Airport name, it’s actually located farther away. There is a shuttle between the resort and the Jamaica bus station, but its scheduled hours don’t work if you’ve got an early morning flight. That leaves a rideshare or taxi as your only real option — adding both cost and hassle.

Otherwise, the choices are the usual off-airport chain properties — Hampton Inn, Courtyard, Hilton Garden Inn — clustered just outside the terminals and serviced by shuttles. But when my wife, Sharon, needed a hotel for an overnight before her JetBlue flight, rates started at $300 and went up to $400. TripAdvisor ratings hovered in the 3.2–3.8 range. We’d already written off the Courtyard after a previous stay, so our list of options was shrinking fast.

That left one newer hotel: the Residence Inn New York JFK Airport, which has consistently received solid reviews. The catch? Prices to match.

Booking

Award nights here consistently price just above 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points (53–54K). That meant I couldn’t use a 35K Free Night Certificate plus points top-up. I kept watching for a lower rate but, about a week before the stay, the hotel flipped to “Sold Out.”

So cash it was. Our final price came out to $423, including tax, for one night. Painful for an airport hotel, but that’s the reality of JFK.

Location

142-30 135th Ave, Jamaica, NY 11436

The Residence Inn is situated just outside the airport perimeter, within the same cluster of hotels serviced by shuttle vans. It’s convenient to JFK, but you’re still looking at a 10–15 minute ride depending on traffic. The surrounding area is… well, typical for airport hotels — functional, not scenic.

To get to the hotel from JFK, you need to take the AirTrain to the Federal Circle station. There’s a website where you can request the shuttle to pick you up. Sharon needed to wait about 20 minutes, but it was rush hour and traffic around JFK is not pleasant.

Check-In

The lobby is modern and fresh, with a decent amount of seating and a separate business center. The front desk staff were efficient and friendly, which isn’t always the case at busy airport properties. It felt like the hotel was well-staffed and running smoothly.

Sharon checked out super early the next morning for her flight, so the lobby was empty and it was before the breakfast time (Note from Sharon: they did offer me a “to go” breakfast bag).

The Room

We booked a Two Queen Guestroom. The room was spacious, clean, and very functional. While this did include a kitchenette, as Residence Inns are required to include, though this was the most compact setup we’ve seen.

There was a work area with chair, and even a lounge chair. The TV was mounted across from the beds and near the kitchenette, which included a fridge, microwave, and coffee setup. However, there’s no couch or seating area, save for the desk and office chair, if you’re looking to eat in the room.

The beds were comfortable enough for a quick overnight, though the linens weren’t quite luxury quality — standard Residence Inn issue.

The Bathroom

The bathroom was modern and nicely designed, with a walk-in glass shower, bright lighting, and plenty of counter space at the sink. Marriott bulk amenities were provided in mounted dispensers. Overall, a big step up from the smaller, dated bathrooms in many JFK-area hotels.

Amenities

• Lobby & Seating: Plenty of space to wait for shuttles or just relax.
• Business Center: Two computers and a printer tucked away in a corner — not fancy, but functional.
• Market: Well-stocked with snacks, drinks, and travel essentials.
• Breakfast Area: A large seating area and buffet counter. (During our visit, breakfast wasn’t being served yet, but coffee and infused water were available in the evening.)
• Fitness Center: Not pictured here, but the property does include one.

Final Thought

The Residence Inn New York JFK Airport is one of the better choices in an otherwise bleak JFK hotel landscape. Rooms are modern, the property is well-kept, and service was friendly. The downside is price — with rates hovering between $350–$450, it’s a hard pill to swallow for just an overnight layover.

Still, compared to the worn Courtyard or overpriced TWA Hotel, this Residence Inn strikes a better balance of comfort and convenience. If you can snag an award night at below 50K Marriott Bonvoy points, it’s a reasonable redemption. Cash rates still feel steep for what you get.

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