JFK Airport possibly has the least glamorous airport hotels of any major airport (well, along with London Heathrow), so I usually do whatever I can to avoid an overnight here. When I do have an overnight in New York I almost always try to go in the city.
In this case that didn’t make sense, though. We had just a quick overnight in New York and it would be cold, so I just wanted to get to the nearest airport hotel.
I booked the Sheraton JFK Airport for $125. That seemed like a low rate, but I guess that’s what you get for staying a Saturday night during the first week of the year, when business travel hasn’t picked up yet.
For reference, this is a Category 4 Starwood property, meaning a free night would cost 10,000 Starpoints. I value Starpoints at ~2.2 cents each, so the rate would have to be at least $220 for me to consider using points.
All the Kennedy Airport shuttles depart from Federal Circle (which requires taking the AirTrain), but since we were arriving at Terminal 8 we decided to just share an Uber to the hotel. It wasn’t very expensive, and meant we could be picked up directly at the terminal and wouldn’t have to wait in the cold for up to 30 minutes.
The Sheraton JFK is a roughly 10 minute drive from the airport, so it’s quite conveniently located. Jamaica isn’t the most exciting place for an overnight, but the hotel did look decent enough from the outside.
Sheraton JFK Airport exterior
The lobby of the hotel felt more like a Hampton Inn than a Sheraton, in my opinion. The reception was located to the left, the restaurant straight ahead, and the elevators to the right.
Sheraton JFK Airport lobby
The associate checking me in was friendly, thanked me for being a Platinum member, and informed me I’d receive free Wi-Fi, club lounge access, etc.
Sheraton JFK Airport lobby
Sheraton JFK Airport restaurant
Sheraton JFK Airport elevators
I took the elevator up to the seventh floor, which is the top floor of the hotel, and also where the club lounge is located.
Sheraton JFK Airport hallway
I was assigned room 717, which was a right turn out of the elevator and then on the left.
Sheraton JFK Airport room entrance
Sheraton JFK Airport floorplan
For a JFK Airport hotel, I was reasonably impressed by the room. It featured a wide entryway with the bathroom to the left and a closet to the right.
Sheraton New York JFK Airport club room entrance
The decor wasn’t especially inspiring and mildly funeral-homey, but on the plus side everything was in decent condition and felt clean/fresh.
Sheraton New York JFK Airport club room
Sheraton New York JFK Airport club room
After a while in Europe I was quite looking forward to a Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Bed, and this one didn’t disappoint. It was plush and featured four pillows.
Sheraton New York JFK Airport club room bed
By the window was the desk, which hosted two bottles of water and an ice bucket on the left, and the coffee machine on the right.
Sheraton New York JFK Airport club room bed
Sheraton New York JFK Airport club room coffee machine
Sheraton New York JFK Airport club room complimentary water
Then next to the bed was a comfortable lounge chair.
Sheraton New York JFK Airport club room chair
And on the opposite wall of the bed was a wall-mounted flat screen TV, which could easily be viewed from bed or the lounge chair.
Sheraton New York JFK Airport club room TV
The room was so close to the adjacent Hilton Garden Inn that you could literally see inside the windows. Actually, the Wi-Fi signal from the Hilton Garden Inn was stronger than the signal from the Sheraton.
Sheraton New York JFK Airport club room view
The bathroom featured a sink, toilet, and walk-in shower with sliding glass door.
Sheraton New York JFK Airport club room bathroom
Sheraton New York JFK Airport club room shower
While the water pressure in the shower was fine, the temperature control was a bit of a challenge, as you literally had to move the control about a millimeter in order to find an acceptable temperature.
Sheraton New York JFK Airport club room shower
Sheraton New York JFK Airport club room toilet
Toiletries were Sheraton branded, as usual.
Sheraton New York JFK Airport club room toiletries
I believe the hotel’s club lounge is presently being renovated (or something), because the makeshift club lounge is literally just inside the hallway on the seventh floor as you walk outside the elevator. It’s sort of awkward, actually.
The club lounge has a single couch, two seats by the TV, and a single table.
Sheraton New York JFK Airport club room shower
Here’s a poster they had up about the club lounge “refresh” plans, which don’t make much sense to me, but…
Sheraton New York JFK Airport club lounge
The breakfast spread was surprisingly decent.
Sheraton New York JFK Airport club lounge
For one, they had a Starbucks coffee machine which made a mean cup of coffee, though it took forever.
Sheraton New York JFK Airport club lounge coffee machine
In terms of food, they had bagels, croissants, cereal, danishes, toast, scrambled eggs, sausage, and bacon.
Sheraton New York JFK Airport club lounge breakfast spread
Sheraton New York JFK Airport club lounge breakfast spread
Sheraton New York JFK Airport club lounge breakfast spread
Sheraton New York JFK Airport club lounge breakfast spread
Then there was a fridge with bottled water and soda.
Sheraton New York JFK Airport club lounge fridge
I suppose the good news about the club lounge literally being in front of the elevators is that you can grab a drink or cup of coffee 24/7 — there’s no way for them to “lock” the lounge at night.
The hotel also has a gym on the ground floor, which is reasonably nice, with good equipment.
Sheraton New York JFK Airport gym
We took the 8AM shuttle back to the airport (it operates 24 hours a day), which is shared with the Hilton Garden Inn next door. While the hotel only picks up at Federal Circle, the shuttle will drop you off at any terminal, so it took us all the way to Terminal 8.
Sheraton New York JFK Airport shuttle
Sheraton New York JFK Airport shuttle
Sheraton JFK Airport bottom line
While the Sheraton JFK Airport is by no means memorable, I was pleasantly surprised. It was clean, the rooms were in good condition, the staff were friendly, and while the club lounge was a bit odd, the offerings themselves were decent enough.
I’d certainly return if I had a short overnight at JFK (which is something I usually do everything in my power to avoid).
Do you have a favorite JFK Airport hotel?
Membership is free and takes no more information than commenting as a guest. Earn status points for good contributions, and see fewer ads as your status grows.