Rediscover ‘The Greatest of Them All’ at Waldorf Astoria New York
The legendary hotel is welcoming back guests with modern comforts, reimagined spaces, and impeccable service.
Waldorf Astoria Logo
‘The Greatest of Them All’ has served as a haven for influential figures spanning many decades, from Hollywood starlets like Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor to world leaders, such as Winston Churchill, Queen Elizabeth, and many U.S. presidents. Musician Cole Porter made a residential suite his home for 30 years, composing lyrics that nodded to the property. His Steinway grand piano is now displayed in Peacock Alley.
Learn More about the history and revivalAfter a much anticipated restoration, Waldorf Astoria New York has unveiled an inspired transformation. It’s a renaissance befitting “The Greatest of Them All”—a phrase penned by renowned hotelier Conrad Hilton. A pioneer of many hospitality innovations, Waldorf Astoria New York has set the standard of excellence for a brand with 36 exquisite properties worldwide. Now, the renowned hotel is ushering in the next chapter of its legacy.
Rising 47 stories above the heart of Midtown Manhattan, the property spans an entire block at its iconic location between Park and Lexington Avenues. Waldorf Astoria New York was one of the first hotels in America to give prominence to the Art Deco style. After the historic restoration—helmed by architects Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill and interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon—it exudes the stately elegance of a cultural landmark.
“Upon arrival, the first impression is sheer grandeur,” says Barkley Hickox, a Travel + Leisure Travel Advisory Board member and co-founder of Local Foreigner. The Park Avenue lobby gleams with bronze accents, preserved frescoes, and polished marble. “It’s very open, airy, and fresh, but with all the original details.”
Highlights include the “Wheel of Life” floor mosaic, made of 148,000 hand-cut tiles by French artist Louis Rigal, and the immaculately restored World’s Fair Clock, commissioned by Queen Victoria in 1893. (Paying tribute to this masterpiece, lobby clocks are a tradition at nearly every Waldorf Astoria hotel, where ornate timepieces often incorporate local customs and history.)
Special attention has also been paid to the 19th-century murals in the Silver Corridor. Here, a series of glittering crystal chandeliers illuminate the entrance to the third-floor ballroom. As the first hotel to host a charity ball, the first Tony Awards, and countless other celebrations and ceremonies, these treasured event spaces are once again poised to become the center of New York’s social scene.
For moments of pause beyond your suite, Guerlain Wellness Spa offers a quiet oasis with a sauna, steam room, and its signature Parisian treatments. Meanwhile, the 7,000-square-foot fitness center keeps wellness at the forefront of every stay.
learn more about the wellness offeringsWaldorf Astoria New York has a long legacy of innovation, laying claim to innumerable “firsts” throughout its more than 130-year history. It was the first hotel in New York to allow women to enter through the main lobby, rather than a separate ladies’ entrance, and the first to modernize the concept of 24-hour room service.
Now, at a time when hotel rooms keep getting smaller, Waldorf Astoria New York has again forged its own path by reducing its room count from 1,400 to just 375. This provides each guest with a serene, spacious sanctuary (most rooms exceed 570 square feet) and a more exclusive experience. Dedicated personal concierges—another brand signature—cater to every detail of your stay. Sincere, elegant service begins before you even arrive.
“Every element has been thoughtfully curated,” says Hickox of the guest rooms, “from the sumptuous bedding and spa-like bathrooms with soaking tubs to the separate entrances for luggage.” For maximum comfort, state-of-the-art windows minimize street noise in “the city that never sleeps.”
Above the hotel, Waldorf Astoria Residences New York offers 372 residences that elevate modern living with resident-only amenities, including a game room, theater, and the 25-meter Starlight Pool overlooking Park Avenue. The resplendent interiors range from gracious studios to four-bedroom suites and penthouses with expansive terraces. Designed by Jean-Louis Deniot, each residence seamlessly blends contemporary comforts—such as heated floors, custom-designed cabinetry, and spa-like bathrooms—with Art Deco opulence.
of Hospitality
A team of personal concierges—masters in the art of signature Waldorf Astoria service—makes each guest feel blissfully at ease. As the ultimate hosts, they expertly orchestrate guest itineraries and craft unforgettable moments, whether it's a special surprise during a celebratory stay or simply making the check-in process seamless. It’s a world-class standard of service that establishes Waldorf Astoria as ‘The Greatest of Them All.’
Learn more about the thoughtful amenitiesWaldorf Astoria New York has been a trailblazing dining destination since its inception. Red velvet cake, eggs benedict, and the Rob Roy cocktail were all either invented or gained popularity within these walls, building a legacy of epicurean excellence that has become synonymous with Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts.
In its latest evolution, the hotel has unveiled three new dining concepts. At the brasserie-style signature restaurant, Lex Yard, Chef Michael Anthony helms a seasonal menu of new American classics. Notably, the iconic Waldorf Salad—created by the hotel’s maître d’ Oscar Tschirky in the 1890s—has been delightfully reimagined. “The salad was delicious,” raves Hickox. “It has all the flavor profiles of the original, but it’s much brighter with a citrusy aioli instead of mayo.”
Guests can also savor Japanese fine dining at Yoshoku, where chef Ry Nitzkowski presents kaiseki-inspired dishes with masterful precision and artistry. Situated beside the “Wheel of Life” mosaic, the intimate, minimalist space has the allure of a secret local gem that’s perfect for people-watching. Guests can choose between a seasonal seven-course tasting menu or a personalized à la carte experience, complemented by refined sake selections and signature cocktails.
At the heart of nearly every Waldorf Astoria property is Peacock Alley, an homage to the original New York corridor where the glamorous once gathered to see and be seen in their finest attire. This flagship location has been beautifully revived as a regal lobby bar with tufted armchairs, live music, and a full-service menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Thirsty patrons can sample the signature Waldorf cocktail made with rye, absinthe, and sweet vermouth—a must-try. But don’t skip new creations from Jeff Bell, a James Beard Award winner who developed the beverage program for both Lex Yard and Peacock Alley. Bell’s fresh and irreverent takes are redefining the next wave of New York cocktail culture. So raise a glass to the hotel’s storied past—and its future.