NYC’s Historic Waldorf Astoria Reopens—And It’s Even Grander Than It Was As The World’s Tallest Hotel

The Waldorf Astoria, a legendary New York City landmark, has reopened its doors to guests after an eight-year closure. The reopening is considered one of the NYC’s lengthiest and most high-profile hotel closures and redevelopments to date. Chris Nassetta, president and CEO of Hilton, said: > We build on this legacy as we mark the start of a new chapter for this iconic property. We look forward to once again welcoming guests to experience its timeless charm and modern enhancements, as this hotel and Waldorf Astoria properties around the world set the standard for luxury stays. To truly understand the enormity of its reopening, let’s get into a little history about the Waldorf Astoria. Before getting situated at its current spot on Park Avenue, the Waldorf Astoria once sat on Fifth Avenue and 33rd Street in the 1890s. At this time, it was known as the Waldorf Hotel. By 1897, the Waldorf Hotel and the Astoria Hotel were merged. It wasn’t until 1929 that the hotel was torn down to make way for the Empire State Building and later relocated in 1931 as the Waldorf Astoria Hotel on Park Avenue. The Waldorf Astoria emerged as a dazzling example of Art Deco architecture in New York City, claiming the title of the world’s largest and tallest hotel at its debut . It continued to make history in the hospitality scene, becoming the first hotel to offer 24-hour room service, the first venue for the Met Gala and has welcomed iconic figures throughout the years from presidents to Marilyn Monroe, Andy Warhol, and more. The Waldorf Astoria eventually closed in 2017 for a full “top to bottom renovation.” While ensuring the maintenance and preservation of the hotel’s heritage as “the unofficial palace of New York,” renovations include the conversion of the hotel’s 1,400 guest rooms into 375 guest rooms and 372 new condominium residences . Additional work includes a renewed facade by cleaning and restoring the original bronze entrances and brickwork, 900 new windows to bring in more natural light, refurbished spaces to their original condition and glorious outdoor terraces boasting city views for residents. Other residential amenities include an exclusive porte-cochère (a covered entrance large enough for vehicles to pass through), a fitness center, a cinema and the Starlight Pool, transformed from the once-popular Starlight Roof nightclub. New restaurants Peacock Alley, Lex Yard, and Yoshoku will bring remarkable culinary experiences to the modernized hotel. Diners can now reserve tables at all three on Resy. “This is what every other hotel will be measured against. It’s gone way beyond just the metrics of the hospitality industry,” Dr. Mark Young, director of the Hospitality Archives at the University of Houston who works on the hotel’s preservation, says of the revitalization. “The Greatest of Them All, the Waldorf Astoria.” The website lists that the Waldorf Astoria will welcome guests and event bookings as soon as September 1st, 2025 . The hotel will even debut a sauna, steam room and Guerlain Wellness Spa later in the year. Book your stay or peruse the available residences online. Source: https://secretnyc.co/nyc-waldorf-astoria-reopens-with-hotel-rooms-and-private-residences/