After 8 years wearing a ‘we’re closed’ sign in the window and after a 2 billion dollar facelift, the Waldorf Astoria, New York, has reopened its doors. The legacy of this hotel is really quite staggering: originally two hotels, merged and then relocated and rebuilt as the towering Art Deco masterpiece we see today. It reopened as the Waldorf-Astoria in 1931 as the world’s tallest and largest hotel, with thousands of rooms spread vertically across 47 iconic stories.
America’s President Herbert Hoover resided in the hotel for 30 years, and it was beloved by celebrity guests, including Marilyn Monroe, who sublet suite 2728; Frank Sinatra, who performed in the Grand Ballroom; and Cole Porter, who lived in The Towers.
From Golden Age Glam to Modern Sophistication: New York’s Legendary Waldorf Astoria Has Just Reopened
The Astoria’s abundance of rooms has now been turned into 375 guest rooms and suites across 11 catergories, each designed to feel private and spacious (most are 570 square feet or larger), boasting bespoke minibars, walk-in dressing rooms, and marble bathrooms.
Pierre‑Yves Rochon, who led the project, has artfully combined sumptuous Art Deco features with modern comforts, bringing back original features like the Waldorf clock from the 1893 World’s Fair and the impressive Grand Staircase. There’s also a revamped spa, and the historic event spaces have been artfully brought up to date with new technologies, while retaining their timeless ‘grand ball’ aesthetics.
Culinary heritage at the Waldorf is as rich and storied as the hotel itself. It was here in 1894 that Eggs Benedict was created when guest Lemuel Benedict asked maître d’hotel Oscar Tschirky for a hangover cure, and the Waldorf Salad, of course, gets its name from the hotel. Today, the Waldorf Astoria has three exceptional dining venues.
The Peacock Alley lounge serves cocktails in front of Porter’s original (and beautifully restored) piano, while the Japanese kaiseki-inspired Yoshoku overlooks the Wheel of Life mosaic. Meanwhile, Chef Michael Anthony’s Lex Yard brasserie serves things like an updated Waldorf salad and red velvet soufflé tart.
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