Tried & Tested: Waldorf Astoria New York
You probably heard the excited scream echoing all across Europe: the queen of luxury hotels is officially back! And guess what? LuxuryWise is the very first European media outlet to be invited for a stay – thanks to a perfectly timed fam trip! Originally, the renovation of the 94-year-old landmark was slated to take three years. In the end, it took a record-breaking eight. But just three weeks ago, the Waldorf Astoria New York finally reopened its legendary doors. Come along for a site inspection of a property that has made history more than once! As experienced by LuxuryWise Editor-in-Chief Iris M. Köpke
The Hotel
The Waldorf Astoria’s address alone is très chic: right in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, on upscale Park Avenue, just a few blocks from Rockefeller Center and Grand Central Station. The legendary hotel takes up an entire city block – and yes, it’s as massive as it sounds. When it comes to space, the Waldorf doesn’t do anything by halves: where once there were 1,400 rooms, the post-renovation layout now includes 375 rooms and suites, plus 372 residences. According to the hotel, that makes for the largest average room size in all of New York City. While inside almost no stone was left unturned during the eight-year renovation, the exterior remains exactly as loyal guests know and love it (and as the landmark preservation office requires): bold, square-cut Art Deco architecture, gleaming gold letters on the freshly polished stone façade – and of course, the iconic statue "Spirit of Achievement", welcoming guests at the Park Avenue entrance since the hotel first opened in 1931.
The History
The origins of the Waldorf Astoria are worthy of a soap opera: it began with two cousins who couldn’t stand each other. Wealthy William Waldorf built a posh luxury hotel on Fifth Avenue – only to be one-upped by his even richer cousin, John Jacob Astor, who constructed a hotel three times the size right next door. Fueled by envy and rivalry, the two grand establishments stood side by side until savvy businessmen persuaded the feuding business men to join forces. In 1897, the very first Waldorf Astoria was born – physically linked by a grand passageway where New York’s high-society ladies would stroll to see and be seen. It didn’t take long for this ornate corridor to earn the nickname "Peacock Alley."
Sounds familiar? It should. To this day, every one of the 34 Waldorf Astoria properties around the world features a Peacock Alley, usually in the form of an elegant bar or lounge.
In 1929, the original hotel made way for a new Manhattan icon: the Empire State Building. The Waldorf Astoria was completely rebuilt at its now-famous location on Park Avenue and East 49th Street – and when the doors reopened in 1931, it quickly became the place to see and be seen. Everyone from Elvis Presley to Marilyn Monroe checked in, alongside political heavyweights from around the globe. In fact, the hotel had its own secret railway platform: Track 61, built to allow wheelchair-bound President Franklin D. Roosevelt to travel directly from his armored train car into the hotel without public scrutiny. And the property itself, acquired by Conrad Hilton in 1949, kept racking up historic firsts: the very first Met Gala was held here, the Waldorf Salad and in-room dining were invented in its kitchens, and Eggs Benedict were made famous right here. The Waldorf Astoria was also the first hotel to offer electric lighting on every floor and ensuite bathrooms in every room. Good to Know: At the moment, only three floors are open to guests, while work continues on the hotel’s Signature Suites. The full inventory is expected to be up and running by September – including the Guerlain Spa, which will occupy its own floor with a whopping 20,000 square feet of wellness space.
The Rooms
Even in New York City's luxury hotels, some rooms are barely more than a "small path around the bed." Not here, though – and what a refreshing surprise that is. I’m staying in a 625-square-foot Junior Suite, the fourth-smallest of the hotel’s eleven room categories. Easily spacious enough for a longer stay à deux. The first surprise comes right at the entrance: the TV screen greets me with "Welcome IRIS," while stunning shots of New York glide by in the background. Nicely done! I feel instantly at home – timeless, elegant interiors, high-end materials, and soothing tones of cream, mint, and gold. The bathroom? A beauty: deep soaking tub framed by pale grey marble. Look closely, and you’ll spot Art Deco nods throughout: on the faucets, the towel racks, the door handles, and even the toilet paper holder. Speaking of which: that neat little triangle-fold on the roll? It's sealed with the hotel’s watermarked logo. Haven’t seen that in ages! Only one thing throws me off: I can’t find a glass for my toothbrush. Eventually, I repurpose a whiskey tumbler from the minibar. Later I learn why – apparently, toothbrush glasses are "not part of the design." Okaaayyyy…
The Culinary Options
The hotel features three F&B outlets: the Kaiseki-style restaurant Yoshoku, the American brasserie Lex Yard (pictured), and – at the heart of it all – the iconic Peacock Alley lobby bar. Breakfast is served at Lex Yard, and the perfectly poached Eggs Benedict with leeks and a hint of chili flakes are absolutely worth it. But don’t stop there: your clients should definitely plan for lunch or dinner here, too. Executive Chef Michael Anthony turns starters into pure magic on a plate! Whether it’s the classic Waldorf Salad, tomato salad, house-cured trout, or delicate eggplant bites – every appetizer is a masterclass in flavor and finesse. Peacock Alley, on the other hand, is an experience in its own right. While guests sip cocktails and nibble on Waldorf Salad or a buttery lobster roll, their eyes are naturally drawn to the famous Waldorf Astoria clock standing proudly in the center of the room. The timepiece was originally gifted by Queen Victoria for the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago and later acquired by John Jacob Astor. Right next to it: Cole Porter’s restored 1907 Steinway, the very piano on which the legendary composer wrote many of his classics during his stay at the Waldorf.
The Public Spaces
Let’s be honest: unless you’re a MICE agent, meeting rooms are usually the dullest part of any site inspection. But not here. This time, we’re hearing audible gasps and wide-eyed "Wow!"s even from the most seasoned travel advisors. That Grand Ballroom (pictured)? Absolutely stunning. Spanning three stories, it looks like a miniature, silver version of Dresden’s Semperoper. Oh, the stories these balconies could tell… and soon, new ones will be added. Workers are still busy adding the final touches, but on September 8, the very first high-society wedding since the reopening will take place right here. Just outside the ballroom lies the so-called Silver Corridor – another showstopper. Think: a mirrored hallway inspired by Versailles, with historic chandeliers and elevator doors salvaged from the original 1897 hotel. The doors are absurdly wide – and for good reason: back in the day, women needed the extra space for their voluminous skirts. And did we mention the large mosaic near the Park Avenue entrance? This hotel breathes history!
Sensory Impressions
How the Stay Feels
Nostalgic
The public spaces – from Peacock Alley to the Grand Ballroom – feel like stepping into a time capsule of old New York. Goosebumps!
Stylish
The team's outfits by British designer Nicholas Oakwell were tailor-made for each and every staff member. Très chic!
Fragrant
From the signature scent "Fueguia 1833 – 301 Park Avenue" in the lobby to the citrus-infused Aesop lotion in the bathroom – divine!
Spaceous
Whether it’s the guest rooms, the lobby area, or the restaurants – the amount of space here is truly exceptional, not only by New York standards.
The Experiences
To impress luxury travelers these days, you need to surprise them. And with a well-traveled, thoroughly pampered crowd, that’s no small feat – even if the Waldorf Astoria makes it look effortless. It starts on our very first evening during the hotel tour with fellow fam trip participants from Europe and Brazil. Of course, the tour ends where it should: at the iconic Waldorf Astoria Clock and the legendary Cole Porter piano. "Would anyone like to play?" someone asks the group. One shy-looking young man quietly says yes, sits down at the piano – and suddenly plays as if he were Cole Porter himself. I barely have time to finish my thought ("Wait, he’s a travel advisor?") when another supposed advisor grabs a mic and starts singing with a buttery voice that gives me goosebumps. Turns out: both are bona fide Broadway stars, hired to surprise us with a mini pop-up performance. Mission accomplished! The hotel partners with Broadway Plus, a company that arranges private concerts or meet & greets with Broadway stars – just in case your clients are into that kind of thing. After dinner at Lex Yard, surprise number two: the previously crisp-white pillowcases on our beds now feature not only the hotel logo, but also our embroidered initials. And yes – we get to take them home. Swoon!
The biggest sparkle? Definitely saved for the final night: a visit to Rockefeller Center, arranged by the hotel. Yawn, haven't we all been there, done that? Not even close! As VIP guests, we start in a sleek private lounge. Waiting in line? What line? With anywhere from 6,000 to 12,000 daily visitors depending on the season, we don’t see a single one of them. From the lounge, our guide Tim takes us on an art walk, which suddenly lands us in the 620 Loft & Garden, a hidden gem on the 7th floor. Never seen New York’s skyscrapers and St. Patrick’s Cathedral from this angle before. Absolutely stunning! No wonder wedding parties are willing to pay $20,000 to rent the space for just one night. Next up: a fun, surprise-filled short movie just for us. Everyone else has to wait outside. Then, past the next crowd, we head straight out to the Top of the Rock observation deck. But this is no ordinary skyline view: we get to try "The Beam," a new-ish attraction where guests sit on a steel beam (just like in that iconic black-and-white photo of construction workers) – only to be lifted and slowly rotated high above the city. Absolutely wild! With nothing between you and the Manhattan skyline, it’s an unforgettable adrenaline rush. Pro tip: If your clients are afraid of heights, tell them not to sit on the very edge. That swing toward the platform’s outer edge? Yikes. And just when you think that’s the grand finale: enter the Skylift. A fully glass-walled, open-air platform takes you another 30 feet up, then spins for a 360° view that extends aaaalll the way to New Jersey. Epic! Want to treat your clients? A VIP tour like this can be booked for $6,000 for up to six people.
The Service
Some hiccups are to be expected when you’ve only been open for two weeks as it was the case when I was staying here. At breakfast, water is accidentally poured into the coffee cup, one fam trip guest finds the wrong initials embroidered on their pillowcase, and another is charged for a transfer that was actually supposed to be complimentary. Still, this is a far cry from the kind of service chaos luxury hotels nowadays sometimes fall into. The team here? Exceptionally dedicated and more than capable of smoothing out any bumps in record time. One housekeeping staffer literally jumps to press the elevator button for me, the doorman patiently answers every question I throw at him (and knows all the answers), and the concierge doesn’t even blink at unusual requests. I tried a few little service tests myself – "Could I please get a second luggage rack?", "Would you mind helping me with a reservation of an excursion that has absolutely nothing to do with this trip or New York?" – and every single one passed with flying colors. You can definitely feel it: everyone here genuinely enjoys going that famous extra mile.
What We Loved
✔ The atmosphere in Peacock Alley – you simply have to experience "New York’s living room" at least once! ✔ The breathtaking Grand Ballroom ✔ The embroidered pillowcases – thank you so much!!! ✔ The lightning-fast elevators – zero wait time ✔ The welcome amenity: a chocolate "Spirit of Achievement" statue dusted in bronze powder! ✔ The fragrant Aesop amenities in the bathroom ✔ The outstanding staff
Not So Much
✖ No glasses for my toothbrush – hello, five-star hotel?! ✖ Toilet flush and seat made from the cheapest plastic – who made this choice? ✖ Poor soundproofing – you can hear every word spoken in the hallway! ✖ The rather late check-in time at 4 PM
In a Nutshell
No, nostalgia seekers won’t find much of the old Waldorf Astoria vibe inside the guest rooms. But that’s all the more reason to linger in the beautifully restored public spaces – they’re an absolute must-see. The accommodations themselves are classically elegant and designed to appeal to everyone from a 35-year-old business traveler from Europe to an American grandma visiting with the whole family in tow. That said, the hotel’s main focus is clearly on leisure travelers, who make up 80% of its guests. Everything in the rooms and suites has been chosen to stand the test of time – I'm guessing that no one on the team is likely eager to hear the word renovation again anytime soon. LuxuryWise's verdict: this property is destined to land on many a bucket list – and it absolutely deserves to.
Trade Contact: David Martins, Director of Luxury Sales