Waldorf Astoria New York: Historic, Grand, Pleasant, Spacious, Expensive Resort

I simply spent an evening on the 375-key Waldorf Astoria New York, which reopened in mid-2025, after a transformative eight-year renovation. I’ve been intrigued by this resort, given what an icon it’s, and likewise how a lot it modified since pre-renovation (when it had 1,400+ rooms).

I booked my stick with a Hilton Honors free night time award (the speed would’ve in any other case been round $1,000 or 150,000 Hilton Honors factors), as a Hilton Honors Diamond member.

Whereas I’ll have a full evaluate quickly, on this submit I’d wish to share some preliminary impressions. Lengthy story quick, the property exceeded my expectations. It is a gorgeously restored, grand resort, with such an incredible sense of place. It has spacious rooms, pleasant service, and an enormous health club. That being stated, I discovered the meals & beverage retailers to be extortionately priced, with out truly delivering that nice of an expertise.

All-in-all, I’d extremely advocate this property, and that is undoubtedly one in all my new go-to luxurious factors resort in New York, maybe together with the Ritz-Carlton NoMad New York (which has a very totally different vibe and site).

The Waldorf Astoria New York is a historic masterpiece

The Waldorf Astoria is a New York icon, having operated in its present location since 1931. Previous to closing for a renovation, the resort was undoubtedly a bit previous its prime.

So I can’t assist however give the resort’s house owners excellent marks for the way in which they restored this property, to carry it again to its outdated glory days. The inside design venture was led by Pierre-Yves Rochon (additionally behind properties just like the 4 Seasons George V), and the staff did an incredible job sustaining the resort’s appeal and sense of place, whereas making it extra luxurious and fewer outdated.

For now I’ll simply share a couple of photos, after which I’ll have much more particulars within the full evaluate.

The Waldorf Astoria New York has big & comfy rooms

A overwhelming majority of the rooms on the Waldorf Astoria New York are suites, although even the restricted variety of non-suites are spacious, with the deluxe king rooms (which I stayed in) measuring 575 sq. ft. I believed it felt extra like a junior suite than something, and I appreciated the double sinks, soaking tub, walk-in bathe, and so forth.

I believed the room design was tasteful with out being something too over-the-top or memorable, which might be the appropriate strategy to take for a historic property with such iconic public areas, because you don’t wish to have room finishes that contradict the design in different components of the resort.

The Waldorf Astoria New York has very pleasant service

I don’t essentially have the perfect impression of service in New York Metropolis lodges, and with almost 400 rooms, I used to be anticipating the Waldorf Astoria to perhaps not have excellent service.

So I’ve to say, I used to be positively impressed by the workers. It was clear that every one employees had an unimaginable sense of pleasure to be working at this historic property, and I feel this resort undoubtedly punches above its weight in terms of service.

Simply to offer one instance, the very pleasant bellmen who helped us with our baggage upon arrival had requested for our names on the time (to let the entrance desk know we had been coming), and a number of other hours later once we left the resort, he nonetheless remembered our names, and addressed us by them. For a resort with 375 rooms, that’s superb.

The Waldorf Astoria New York eating retailers are costly

The Waldorf Astoria New York has three meals & beverage retailers — there’s Peacock Alley (the enduring foyer bar) Lex Yard (the signature restaurant), and Yoshoku (a Japanese restaurant). The Japanese restaurant was closed throughout our keep.

Peacock Alley is in fact a really spectacular venue, and you’ll’t assist however be in awe at what an area it’s.

Right here’s the factor — I’d wish to suppose that I’ve real looking expectations in terms of how a lot issues ought to price, and in consequence, I hardly ever have sticker shock. However I discovered the pricing right here to be borderline offensive, with cocktails starting from $32 to $38, and that’s earlier than tax and tip. Yowzers.

What bothered me most wasn’t the value as such. As an alternative, I really feel like in the event you’re going to cost $35 for a traditional negroni, at the least proactively serve it with some good bar snacks, and make it slightly little bit of an expertise. To me it simply exhibits an absence of effort once you’re charging that quantity for a drink, and supply nothing with it (there wasn’t reside music or the rest particular, to create a vibe).

Take Les Airelles Courchevel, for instance — that’s additionally how a lot they cost for every cocktail, however you get slightly pizza and a tray of nuts once you order drinks.

I had breakfast at Lex Yard, the resort’s signature restaurant, which is gorgeous.

Let’s simply say that your $50 each day Hilton Honors Diamond credit score gained’t go very far. 😉

My baked egg white frittata price $35, and whereas tasty… ouch.

Anyway, you in fact count on to pay excessive costs at a luxurious resort in New York, however I believed the costs right here had been on the steep aspect with out the expertise in any other case reflecting that. I suppose they’re simply charging for the venue, which is (in a approach) honest sufficient. However nonetheless, these drink costs are materially increased than at Aman New York…

The Waldorf Astoria New York health club is superb

The Waldorf Astoria New York has a Guerlain Spa, although what impressed me most was the health club. That is the perfect health club I’ve ever seen at a resort in New York (in equity, I haven’t stayed on the Equinox Resort, and I’d hope that gives entry to a greater health club). However wow, what a facility!

For what it’s price, the resort doesn’t have a pool, which will likely be a draw back for some…

Backside line

I’m blissful I had the possibility to remain on the Waldorf Astoria New York, after its insanely lengthy restoration. All-in-all, the property exceeded my expectations, with lovely historic design, large rooms, pleasant service, and an unimaginable health club.

I’d advocate this property, and I feel it’s among the many extra compelling luxurious factors lodges in New York. The Park Hyatt has a pleasant pool however is in any other case form of lackluster (how does it nonetheless not have an actual restaurant?!), and amongst historic properties, I choose this to the St. Regis.

Admittedly the Waldorf Astoria is for these in search of an outdated world vibe, since this isn’t some trendy, fashionable, younger resort, if that’s what you’re after.

What’s your tackle the Waldorf Astoria New York?