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New York Post
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Iconic Waldorf-Astoria brings back Big Apple's ‘grand hotel' style — here's what guests can expect
The Waldorf-Astoria Hotel's September reopening, five years later than first planned, will be well worth the long wait. The magnificently restored, reborn Waldorf-Astoria brings back the Big Apple's 'grand hotel' style, with glorious public spaces open to everyone and worthy of the inn's iconic legacy. New York City's great hotel lobbies fell one by one over the decades. Even the Plaza's once-spectacular entrance is a shadow of its old self. Advertisement 8 The magnificently restored, reborn Waldorf-Astoria brings back the Big Apple's 'grand hotel' style, with glorious public spaces open to everyone and worthy of the inn's iconic legacy. Waldorf Astoria New York The Waldorf's public portion, on the other hand, is so large, I almost forgot that more than half of the building was converted to condo apartments. (The inn's 1,400 guest rooms were pared down to 375, although they're much larger than the old ones). The Waldorf hosted the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and global royalty. It was a key art of the city's celebration fabric for nearly a century. Advertisement But after it closed in 2017, relaunching it fell far behind schedule due to construction issues, COVID-19 and an unexpected change in Chinese ownership. The many delays that The Post first reported will be forgotten when visitors have their first look at the ground floor opening this week, before the first room guests arrive on Sept. 1. 8 A view of the lobby in 2014. AP 8 The Waldorf will reopen in September, five years later than planned. Waldorf Astoria New York Advertisement The new Waldorf-Astoria, an Art Deco icon of New York City since 1931, is a sight to behold. Its landmarked lobby and Peacock Alley lounge between Park and Lexington avenues never looked so beautifully burnished since I first saw them a half-century ago. Two gorgeous new restaurants, a magnificent marble floor and a welcoming porte-cochere entrance on East 49th Street elevate the Waldorf to a higher realm than the faded, tourist-trampled inn of the recent past. Fears that 19th Century murals and other interior details would be lost turned out to be baseless. All were meticulously restored by project architect Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and interior designers Pierre-Yves Rochon and Jean-Louis Deniot under the watchful eyes of the Landmarks Preservation Commission. 8 Newly renovated Peacock Alley lounge between Park and Lexington avenues. Waldorf Astoria New York Advertisement 8 Hotel guests in 2014. AP The famous floor mosaic 'Wheel of Life' near the Park Avenue entrance is so perfectly restored, it looks as France's Louis Rigal assembled its 148,000 pieces this year rather than in 1931. Much of the vast ground floor was reconfigured to improve sightlines. The check-in counter that forced Peacock Alley revelers to stare at piles of luggage was relocated. Gone are old lounges such as notoriously tacky — and sometimes scandalous — Sir Harry's Bar. Peacock Alley's walls in dark maple and black marble columns are magically lighter on the eyes than previous blue panels. The Waldorf clock, commissioned by Queen Victoria in 1893, was cleaned and polished to look new. 8 Cole Porter's Steinway piano in Peacock Alley. Waldorf Astoria New York Composer Cole Porter lived at the Waldorf, where he composed Broadway hits like 'Anything Goes.' His Steinway piano reposes serenely in the lobby where waitstaff sport outfits by designer Nicholas Oakwell — with silver silk blazers and waistcoats for women, three-piece check suits for men. The restaurants are a special pride of hotel managing director Luigi Romaniello. Lex Yard, a plush, two-level affair helmed by Gramercy chef Michael Anthony, opens on a limited basis for dinner tonight. Japanese cafe Yoshoku will open in stages as well. The Peacock Alley bar's cocktail menu was devised by Jeff Bell of downtown Please Don't Tell fame. Advertisement 8 Lex Yard, a plush, two-level affair helmed by Gramercy chef Michael Anthony. Waldorf Astoria New York 8 Park Avenue Junior Suite bed Waldorf Astoria New York There'll be live music, Romaniello said — 'nothing intrusive, maybe jazz.' I hope he sticks to that. Peacock Alley's enchanting surroundings don't need a cabaret to transport guests to heaven.
Time Out
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
First look: The Waldorf Astoria's shiny $2 billion renovation
After eight years behind scaffolding and a reported $2 billion restoration, the Waldorf Astoria New York is nearly ready for its next curtain call. The Art Deco icon at 301 Park Avenue, which was once the tallest and largest hotel in the world, is reopening this fall with just 375 oversized rooms and suites (down from more than 1,400), a sleek new look and a reverence for its storied past. During a recent hard-hat tour, I tiptoed past dust sheets and dangling chandeliers for a sneak peek at the reincarnated legend. Even before the final polish, the transformation is jaw-dropping. The soaring lobby has been restored to its original 1931 proportions, with gleaming marble underfoot, hand-restored murals overhead and sightlines that feel grander and more open than ever. The iconic 'Wheel of Life' mosaic shines once again and, just where they belong, guests will spot the gilded Queen Victoria clock and Cole Porter's Steinway piano. Gone are the office cubicles and corporate carpet vibes of the past. In their place are creamy marble floors, silver-leaf ceilings and custom Pierre-Yves Rochon furnishings—plus thoughtful modern details in every room, from through-closet luggage storage to dedicated bar setups. The Waldorf's comeback hasn't been quick or linear. Originally opened in 1931 by hotelier Lucius Boomer after the demolition of the original Fifth Avenue location, the property became a hub for galas, diplomats and cultural icons—from Marilyn Monroe and Eartha Kitt to Queen Elizabeth and every U.S. president from Hoover to Obama. In 2017, the hotel closed for its extensive overhaul, converting the top floors into private residences while Hilton retained management. Now under Dajia Insurance Group, the hotel returns with fresh ownership, new vision and its old glamour fully intact. The culinary program alone makes a strong case for a visit. Later this month, the revitalized Peacock Alley returns as a gilded cocktail bar led by PDT's Jeff Bell. The two-story flagship Lex Yard, from Gramercy Tavern's Michael Anthony, will serve seasonal American fare in a glowing space by AvroKO that nods to the hotel's secret train platform below. A third venue, Yoshoku, helmed by Ry Nitzkowski, offers a playful Japanese twist on brasserie dining. Room bookings open Monday, September 1. Every category starts at nearly 600 square feet and is decked in subtle hues of mint and mauve, accented with deco-inspired light fixtures and plush, contemporary touches. Other draws include a 30,000-square-foot spa, 43,000 square feet of restored event space and a Library Lounge check-in area that replaces the old front desk with a serene welcome zone.
