Back in the day, the Waldorf Astoria New York was one of the most well-known hotels in New York, and for that matter, in the United States. However, a lot has changed in the past decade.
In 2015, the hotel was purchased by a Chinese firm for $1.95 billion. The hotel was a bit past its prime at this point (it initially opened all the way back in 1931), so it closed in 2017, with plans for a $1 billion makeover. This makeover has dragged on way longer than planned, due to a variety of factors, including corruption, the pandemic, and more. Fortunately significant progress has been made in the past couple of years.
While we’ll see how this plays out, the hotel is supposed to once again welcome guests in the coming months, so I wanted to recap what we know about this.
In this post:
Waldorf Astoria New York to open after renovation
The Waldorf Astoria New York is expected to reopen as of the spring of 2025. However, the hotel isn’t yet accepting reservations, so I’m skeptical about this timeline sticking.
Whenever the Waldorf Astoria New York does reopen, it’ll be completely different than before. While the hotel initially had more than 1,400 rooms, the reimagined property will have 375 hotel rooms and 375 residences. Not only will the hotel be way smaller than before, but the size of the rooms is also increasing drastically, with rooms now starting at around 600 square feet, which is very generously sized.
With the redesign, the goal is to maintain the initial charm of the property, while also making it feel fresh, and greatly improving technology. Oddly, exact details about what amenities we can expect in the hotel portion of the property are still limited, but below are some renderings. If the hotel does in fact open in the spring of 2025, presumably bookings will become available soon.
My take on the “new” Waldorf Astoria New York
I’m looking forward to seeing what the Waldorf Astoria New York looks like after its renovation, given how long it has been. A few thoughts come to mind:
- I have a hard time getting too excited about any hotel in New York, given that service and the overall guest experience in the United States just isn’t comparable to what you’ll find in many parts of the world
- While the hotel will have way fewer rooms than in the past, the property will still have 375 key, so it’ll hardly be boutique, and I imagine service will reflect that
- It’s cool how rooms here will start at 600 square feet, as they’ll be among the largest base rooms in the city (only a bit smaller than at Aman New York)
- I’m curious what cash rates will be like here; regardless, it’s exciting to be able to redeem Hilton Honors points here, though I imagine award availability at the saver cost will be very limited
- The Waldorf Astoria brand really is developing nicely with some iconic properties, and I’m perhaps even more excited about the Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch, opening in 2025
Bottom line
The Waldorf Astoria New York is supposed to reopen in the spring of 2025, after a closure of around eight years. The hotel will be totally different than it was pre-2017, and I can’t wait to see the finished product. In particular, I’m curious to see what rates are like, in both points and cash. While I prefer a property with fewer rooms, this should still be a great addition to the New York hotel scene.
What are you expecting from the renovated Waldorf Astoria New York?
@ben Their website now says Spring 2025, FYI
Let’s see if it will really be a luxurious hotel or not. I once stayed there several years ago. It was in desperate need of a renovation and the service was like that of any other Hilton. It was sad for such an iconic property.
The WA website now says opening in spring 2025
Many of the renderings you've shared depict spaces available only to residents, not hotel guests. Hilton hasn't really released many images of the hotel spaces yet beyond some lobby renderings.
... and Virtuoso-like amenities will be available through Hilton's preferred partner program "Hilton for Luxury."
As someone who walks past this albatross of a construction site everyday, I can say with 110% certainty that this will not be finished before EOY.
I HIGHLY doubt it will be finished in 2025. Try 2026-2027...
I agree with Ben that you'll get better hotel service elsewhere; however, I wonder if the Chinese owners might be willing to throw a little extra money at the property given that the companies...
I agree with Ben that you'll get better hotel service elsewhere; however, I wonder if the Chinese owners might be willing to throw a little extra money at the property given that the companies and governments that purchase this kind of high profile real estate do it more for prestige rather than making money. Same idea as the unnecessary routes to JFK from places like Nairobi that aren't profitable. OTOH, Chinese service culture isn't particularly amazing
To be true about NYC service, recently visited Hyatt there. The Hyatt Grand (not a Grand but renamed that instead of Regency), the good old NY unionized service we did receive indeed.
Bellman unionized threw our luggage, the front desk check in was dead in a living body. That is where that label comes from.
Differently the Andaz was much better in the lobby, bell, and check in. The restaurant people failed in service...
To be true about NYC service, recently visited Hyatt there. The Hyatt Grand (not a Grand but renamed that instead of Regency), the good old NY unionized service we did receive indeed.
Bellman unionized threw our luggage, the front desk check in was dead in a living body. That is where that label comes from.
Differently the Andaz was much better in the lobby, bell, and check in. The restaurant people failed in service with very bad attitudes.
We stayed at the Waldorf Astoria before it closed. Service was hit and miss, but mostly hit. The lobby was just a most powerful view, that design is iconic.
The second room given was nice, plainish, but large, with a view up the avenue where that very tall thin apartment building was going up. Heard there were lots of complaints, large amounts paid for an apartment.
Now another next to it. That is NY. Its always been different, probably always will be.
We do hope the service from people, some kind of magic will overtake them and they will surprise us all.
BTW, the Jersey City Hyatt Regency was even worse, so we include that property to be in NYC.
Opening late 2024? HA! They, or whoever suggested that, must be joking. I walked past it many times the last 2 weeks when I was in New York and it looks nowhere near ready for an opening late 24 - we are already mid-september.
Any hotel opening of this size will require housing for illegal immigrants. The socialist democrats have turned NYC into a shit hole with rampant crime.
Oh Lord the guys from VFTW/LALF are starting to pollute this comments section too...
...or MAGA nuts have escaped from the asylum...
Probably another disinformation-spreading troll or a bot.
Go have a drink.
I can foresee the lead-in room rates being at least $2K at this property, so redemptions will be correspondingly pricey.
It's strange how hotel openings keep getting delayed. Perhaps you could write a post on that?
That post is delayed
Can’t wait for the Opening!
My office is around the corner on Park Avenue, and the construction has been an eyesore for years.
Many of the renderings you've shared depict spaces available only to residents, not hotel guests. Hilton hasn't really released many images of the hotel spaces yet beyond some lobby renderings.
There's a difference between New York and the rest of the country. The baseline in New York is thoroughly inhospitable, whereas the baseline in most of the rest of the country (especially outside the Northeast) is...
There's a difference between New York and the rest of the country. The baseline in New York is thoroughly inhospitable, whereas the baseline in most of the rest of the country (especially outside the Northeast) is at least a hello and a friendly smile. That's still a far cry from Asian hospitality but it is tolerable.
Low- to midrange NYC hotels have a problem that the staff are New York locals, which is to say they are cold and unsmiling. I have personally walked into hotel lobbies where the receptionist simply glares at me, with not even a modicum of a smile, and leaves me to say plainly, "Hello, I am here to check in." Then they check me in as if they are a robot. Does it get the job done? Yes, I suppose. Is it pleasant? Not in the least. I'm not asking for a lengthy discussion about my favorite baseball team. I'm only asking for the basic manners and decency that the entire rest of the country seems to have agreed upon, but New York is the odd one out. And (some) New Yorkers are proud of their obstinance!
That said, the service level dramatically improves at high-end New York hotels, and at these places you will absolutely get a warm smile and a proper greeting. Asian hospitality still has the edge, but if you have the money, New York is a very nice place.
I have been living in New York for more than 30 years and it is simply a misconception to continue characterizing "NYC locals" as "cold and unsmiling." Hardly the locals at places where I hang out!
In fact, the city started shedding the "cold and unsmiling" reputation just before the...
I have been living in New York for more than 30 years and it is simply a misconception to continue characterizing "NYC locals" as "cold and unsmiling." Hardly the locals at places where I hang out!
In fact, the city started shedding the "cold and unsmiling" reputation just before the turn of the century, and then came 9/11/2001 and it was reborn as the goodwill and friendly city, which it remains to this day.
Some people probably also think that crime is rampant in the city!
One regret about the reopening of the original W=A could be that the iconic 'Bull & Bear Steakhouse', where I used to go just to sit at the bar and have a cocktail, might no reopen with the new hotel...
Agree with DCS here. 2 things can both be true:
1) There is a massive difference between the top hotels and everything else in NY in terms of service. That can be/should be true of anywhere - after all, the service is a big differentiator for the top hotels - but it does seem to be more drastically different in NY.
2) Paul used a ton of old/played out generalizations and as a...
Agree with DCS here. 2 things can both be true:
1) There is a massive difference between the top hotels and everything else in NY in terms of service. That can be/should be true of anywhere - after all, the service is a big differentiator for the top hotels - but it does seem to be more drastically different in NY.
2) Paul used a ton of old/played out generalizations and as a NYer who also frequently stays in hotels, this is not my experience at all. Even at low/mid-range hotels, the service I've received has always been perfectly fine.
I've had great experiences with customer service and generous suite upgrades at both the Park Hyatt as well as St Regis NYC so yes at higher end at least is great albeit not like Asian levels
Paul Weiss' perceptions are strained by reality and antiquated. I used to prepare for the worst, but I invariably end up being pleasantly surprised by NYC locals on my semi regular visits. If you're in trouble, or just need a bit of help or directions, they'll be there for you. And as for hotel staff, I've never had anything but polite and pleasant interactions with them too. Perhaps next we'll be hearing tales of Irish...
Paul Weiss' perceptions are strained by reality and antiquated. I used to prepare for the worst, but I invariably end up being pleasantly surprised by NYC locals on my semi regular visits. If you're in trouble, or just need a bit of help or directions, they'll be there for you. And as for hotel staff, I've never had anything but polite and pleasant interactions with them too. Perhaps next we'll be hearing tales of Irish street gangs battling Mafiosi or Jewish street gangs while hanging out of Model T Fords with Tommy machine guns and other current issues of NYC in 2024??
I've pretty much lived at NY hotels on and off for the last 2 years. I frequent Hyatts. And, apart from the odd stay, I don't mean the Park/Andaz. I've found the staff generally really pleasant, friendly and eager to please.