New York Waldorf Astoria
A Personal Review
I finally stayed at the Waldorf Astoria last month after putting it off for years.
The hotel reopened in 2022 after a massive renovation. I had a lot of questions before booking so I'm sharing what I learned from our 3-night stay.
Room + Booking Tips
Which room category should I book?
We stayed in a Superior King on the 14th floor. The room was around 450 square feet which is big for Manhattan. The bathroom had heated floors and a separate soaking tub. If you're staying more than 2 nights I'd say the Superior is worth the upgrade from the Deluxe.
How much does it actually cost?
We paid $892/night in October. Weekends are more expensive. I checked rates for December and they jumped to $1,400+ so timing matters.
Is the location good?
It's on Park Avenue between 49th and 50th. Grand Central is a 5-minute walk. We walked to MoMA, Rockefeller Center, and most of midtown easily. Subway access is right there.
What about parking?
Don't drive. The hotel doesn't have its own garage anymore. You'd have to use a nearby lot and it's something like $75/day. We took a cab from JFK for $70 flat rate.
Our Experience
The lobby is massive. Probably too big honestly. It felt a bit empty on weekday mornings. The famous clock is still there in the center.
Peacock Alley is now more of a bar than a restaurant. We had cocktails there twice. The martini was $28 which is standard for this part of town. They have a small food menu but we didn't eat there.
Breakfast isn't included. We walked to a diner on Lexington most mornings. There's a restaurant called La Marchande in the hotel but I heard mixed things so we skipped it.
The bed was comfortable. Pillows were too soft for me but they brought firmer ones when I called down. Housekeeping came twice a day which I wasn't expecting.
One complaint: the wifi was inconsistent on our floor. Had to reset the connection a few times. Not a huge deal but worth mentioning.
What I'd Do Differently
Book through Amex Fine Hotels if you have it.
We didn't and I regret it. You get $100 hotel credit + late checkout + room upgrade when available.
Ask for a higher floor.
Park Avenue is loud. Our room faced the avenue and we heard traffic until about 11pm. Friends who stayed on 20+ said it was much quieter.
Don't bother with the spa.
It's nice but overpriced even by NYC standards. The 50-minute massage was $350 before tip. I've paid half that at other hotel spas in the city.
Would I Stay Again
Yes. Probably for a special occasion rather than just a regular trip. The history of the building is interesting — they've kept a lot of the original Art Deco details in the hallways and elevator banks.
For a normal NYC visit I'd probably book somewhere smaller and save the money. But for what we were celebrating it felt right.
NOTES
The hotel is technically condos now too so you'll see residents coming and going through a separate entrance. Doesn't affect the hotel experience but it surprised me at first. Also bring slippers, the marble floors get cold at night even with the heating.