Waldorf Astoria New York
Hotel · Midtown East
301 Park Ave, New York, NY 10022
Highlights
Refined rooms, elegant dining, classic cocktail lounge, and spa
Refined rooms, elegant dining, classic cocktail lounge, and spa
"After an eight-year closure and a multibillion-dollar restoration that reopened in July 2025, I found the Waldorf Astoria’s legend finally matches the fantasy: the art deco colossus at 301 Park Avenue has been painstakingly restored from its mosaic-floored Park Avenue lobby and chandeliered ballrooms to the reinvigorated Peacock Alley anchored by Cole Porter’s Steinway. The renovation reduced the room count from roughly 1,400 to 375 (with added residences), and French designer Pierre-Yves Rochon has turned the accommodations into neutral, residential-feeling sanctuaries—many starting at about 570 sq ft—with automated drapery, spa-like bathrooms (deep soaking tubs and separate showers), oversized marble vanities, oversized beds, and double-glazed windows that hush Park Avenue into a low hum. Dining and drinking span the theatrical Peacock Alley lounge (complete with a four-faced Victorian clock and live music), a Jeff Bell cocktail program (my refreshing Lombardo Spritz was grapefruit, koval rose hip liqueur, and prosecco), the brasserie-style Lex Yard by Michael Anthony (oysters, a bright citrus-honey vinaigrette Waldorf Salad 2.0, Long Island royal red shrimp, and a black bass in yogurt sauce on a generous prix fixe), and Yoshoku—a quieter, evolving Japanese-Western spot by Ry Nitzkowiski where the eel donburi with intentionally crispy rice and a succulent quail katsu stood out. Service felt proudly theatrical and highly attentive—staff like Elvis hustled to greet me, deliver bags, and personally walk me through room features, while back-of-house amenities (a “green room,” full-time tailor, and bespoke uniforms) keep standards polished. The hotel sits on an entire block between East 49th and 50th streets near Grand Central, Rockefeller Center, and MoMA, offers step-free arrival and extensive ADA features (nine public lifts, 32 ADA rooms with roll-in showers and hearing-accessible variants), and markets a Guerlain 20,000-square-foot spa opening later this fall; rates start around $1,500 and the property participates in Hilton Honors." - Jennifer Flowers
"Opened in 1931, this Art Deco masterpiece has, over nearly 80 years, played host to political figures including Queen Elizabeth, the Dalai Lama and Barack Obama, as well as celebrities such as Grace Kelly, Marlene Dietrich, Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe. It was the first hotel in New York City to offer room service, have electricity in rooms and allow single-women guests. After an eight-year, nearly $2 billion renovation by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon, it has reopened at 301 Park Avenue (between East 49th and 50th streets) and now presents three new restaurants and an expanded guest reception and public spaces." - Andrea Strong
"Reopened to guests on July 15 after a multi-year restoration, this iconic 1931 landmark has been reimagined with 375 larger hotel rooms (plus 372 residences) and modernized public spaces that retain art deco glamour. Skidmore, Owings & Merrill led the preservation and adaptive-reuse work across roughly 62,000 square feet designated by the Landmarks Preservation Commission, while interiors by Pierre-Yves Rochon use soft leathers, tailored upholstery, custom furniture, artisanal hardware, and marble bathrooms to deliver restrained, elegant nods to the building’s heritage. Artisans restored metalwork, hand-painted murals, mosaics, and gold-leaf details, and designers introduced more natural light, greater accessibility, integrated lighting systems, and automated curtains to meet contemporary needs. Visual continuity is emphasized in public areas (for example, the reception fireplace uses the same marble as the historic bar columns), and the staff presentation has been updated with chic, tailored uniforms by a British couture designer to match the hotel’s blend of timeless elegance and modern innovation." - Devorah Lev-Tov
"A historic Manhattan hotel reopening with revamped Art Deco-style interiors, a 30,000-square-foot spa, and a two-story brasserie."
"An art-deco masterpiece in the heart of Manhattan undergoing a top-to-bottom overhaul this year, positioned as a must-visit for those interested in history and legendary hospitality." - Jennifer Flowers
