View source for Waldorf Astoria New York

{{Short description|Hotel and residence in Manhattan, New York}}
{{Redirect|Waldorf Astoria|the original hotel on Fifth Avenue near 34th Street|Waldorf-Astoria (1893–1929)|other uses|Waldorf-Astoria (disambiguation)}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox hotel
| hotel_name       = Waldorf Astoria New York
| renovation_date  = 2017–2025
| logo             = Waldorf Astoria NY logo.svg
| logo_width       = 210
| image            = St Bartholomews and The Waldorf Astoria Hotel.jpg
| caption          = The hotel from the north, with [[St. Bartholomew's Episcopal Church (Manhattan)|St. Bart's]] visible in the foreground.
| location         = 301 [[Park Avenue]]<br>[[Manhattan]], New York, U.S.
| map_type         = 
| map_alt          = 
| map_caption      = 
| map_size         = 
| mapframe-wikidata = yes
| coordinates      = {{coord|40|45|23|N|73|58|27|W|region:US-NY|display=inline,title}}
| opened_date      = {{start date and age|1931}}
| closing_date     = 
| architect        = [[Schultze & Weaver]]
| hotel_chain      = [[Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts|Waldorf Astoria]]
| operator         = [[Hilton Worldwide]]
| owner            = Dajia Insurance Group Co.
| number_of_restaurants = ''Peacock Alley''<br>''Bull and Bear Steakhouse''<br>''La Chine''
| number_of_rooms  = 375
| number_of_suites = 
| floor_area       = 
| floors           = 47
| height           = {{convert|625|ft|m|abbr=on}}
| parking          = 
| website          = {{URL|1=https://www.waldorftowers.nyc/|2=Official hotel website}}
| footnotes        = <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.emporis.com/buildings/115502 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306014829/https://www.emporis.com/buildings/115502 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=March 6, 2016 |title=Emporis building ID 115502 |work=[[Emporis]]}}</ref><ref>{{SkyscraperPage|2165}}</ref><ref>{{Structurae|20022203}}</ref>
| embedded         = {{Infobox historic site
| embed                   = yes
| designation1            = New York City Landmark
| designation1_date       = January 5, 1993{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1993|p=1}}
| designation1_number     = 1812{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1993|p=1}}
| designation1_free1name  = Designated entity
| designation1_free1value = Exterior
| designation2            = NYCL
| designation2_number     = 2591{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2017|p=1}}
| designation2_date       = March 7, 2017{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2017|p=1}}
| designation2_free1name  = Designated entity
| designation2_free1value = Interior (ground through fourth floors, partial)
}}
}}

The '''Waldorf Astoria New York''' is a [[luxury hotel]] and [[condominium]] residence in the [[Midtown Manhattan]] neighborhood of [[New York City]], New York. The structure, at 301 [[Park Avenue]] between 49th and [[50th Street (Manhattan)|50th Street]]s, is a 47-story, {{convert|625|ft|abbr=on}} [[Art Deco]] landmark designed by architects [[Schultze and Weaver]] and completed in 1931. The building was the world's tallest hotel until 1957, when it was surpassed by Moscow's [[Hotel Ukraina, Moscow|Hotel Ukraina]]. An icon of glamor and luxury,{{Sfn|Flippin|2011|p=34}} the Waldorf Astoria is one of the world's most prestigious and best-known hotels.{{sfn|Bernardo|2010|p=40}} Both the exterior and the interior of the Waldorf Astoria are designated by the [[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]] as official landmarks.

The original [[Waldorf-Astoria (1893–1929)|Waldorf-Astoria]], built in two stages in the 1890s, was demolished in 1929 to make way for the construction of the [[Empire State Building]]. [[Conrad Hilton]] acquired management rights to the hotel in October 1949, and the [[Hilton Hotels Corporation]] bought the hotel outright in 1972. It underwent a $150 million renovation by [[Lee Jablin]] in the 1980s and early 1990s.  In 2009, the Waldorf Astoria and Towers had 1,416 rooms; the most expensive room, the Presidential Suite, was designed with Georgian-style furniture to emulate that of the [[White House]].

The [[Anbang Insurance Group]] of China purchased the Waldorf Astoria New York for $1.95 billion in 2014, making it the most expensive hotel ever sold. Anbang closed the entire building in March 2017 for extensive renovations, converting the upper stories into 375 condominiums and retaining 375 hotel rooms on the lowest 18 floors. Dajia Insurance Group took over the Waldorf Astoria when Anbang went bankrupt in 2020, and, after several delays, the hotel reopened in July 2025. The hotel has three restaurants: Peacock Alley, Lex Yard and Yoshoku.

The Waldorf Astoria has been known for its lavish dinner parties and galas, often at the center of political and business conferences and fundraising schemes involving the rich and famous. After World War II, it played a significant role in world politics and the [[Cold War]], culminating in the controversial [[World Peace Council#History|World Peace Conference of March 1949]]. The Presidential Suite was the residence of [[Herbert Hoover]] after his wife died for 20 years, and [[Frank Sinatra]] kept a suite at the Waldorf from 1979 until 1988. Some of the luxury suites were named after celebrities who lived or stayed in them, including [[Cole Porter]], the [[Edward VIII|Duke]] and [[Duchess of Windsor]], [[Douglas MacArthur]], and [[Winston Churchill]].

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==Name==
The first name of the hotel is ultimately derived from the town of [[Walldorf]], which lies in the north of the German state of [[Baden-Württemberg]], south of [[Mannheim]] and [[Heidelberg]].<ref name="Pohlsander 2010 p. 66">{{cite book | last=Pohlsander | first=H.A. | title=German Monuments in the Americas: Bonds Across the Atlantic | publisher=Peter Lang | series=New German-American studies | year=2010 | isbn=978-3-0343-0138-1 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6kCDYByxCSYC&pg=PA66 | access-date=June 22, 2023 | page=66}}</ref> The name of the town is derived from the German words {{langx|de|label=none|Wald}}, meaning "forest", and {{langx|de|label=none|Dorf}}, meaning "village".<ref name="Madsen 2002 p. 8">{{cite book | last=Madsen | first=Axel | title=John Jacob Astor: America's First Multimillionaire | publisher=Wiley | year=2002 | isbn=978-0-471-00935-1 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7ZJvFoNntzIC&pg=PA8 | access-date=June 22, 2023 | page=8}}</ref> Walldorf is the ancestral home of the [[Astor family]], the prominent [[German-American]] family to which the two side by side original hotels belonged, the Waldorf and the Astoria.{{sfn|Emmerich|2013|p=7}}

The hotels were soon joined by what was called peacock alley, and afterwards the hotel was known as the Waldorf-Astoria with a single hyphen, as recalled by a popular expression and song, "Meet Me at the Hyphen". The sign was changed to a [[double hyphen]], looking similar to an [[equals sign]], by Conrad Hilton when he purchased the hotel in 1949.<ref name="Edwardian">{{cite web |url=http://edwardianpromenade.com/new-york-city/the-waldorf-astoria/ |title=The Waldorf-Astoria |publisher=Edwardianpromenade.com |date=April 27, 2009 |access-date=May 30, 2014 |archive-date=April 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140414020625/http://www.edwardianpromenade.com/new-york-city/the-waldorf-astoria/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The double hyphen visually represents "Peacock Alley", the hallway between the two [[Waldorf-Astoria (1893–1929)|original hotels]] on [[Fifth Avenue]].{{sfn|Schwartz|2009|p=103}}<ref name="Abramovitch w997">{{cite web |last=Abramovitch |first=Ingrid |date=July 9, 2025 |title=An Exclusive Look Inside the Waldorf Astoria New York's Reopened Peacock Alley |url=https://www.elledecor.com/life-culture/travel/a65323448/waldorf-astoria-new-york-reopening-photos/ |access-date=July 13, 2025 |website=ELLE Decor}}</ref> The use of the double hyphen was discontinued by its parent company Hilton in 2009, shortly after the introduction of the Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts chain.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2009/2/10/23247/0103/hotels/Waldorf_Astoria_Drops_the_Equals_Sign_We%27d_Barely_Noticed |title=Waldorf Astoria Drops the Equals Sign We'd Barely Noticed |publisher=HotelChatter |date=February 10, 2009 |access-date=May 30, 2014 |archive-date=June 15, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615052544/http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2009/2/10/23247/0103/hotels/Waldorf_Astoria_Drops_the_Equals_Sign_We%27d_Barely_Noticed |url-status=live }}</ref>

==History==
The original hotels on Fifth Avenue were built by feuding relatives. The Waldorf Hotel was opened in 1893, at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 33rd Street, on the former site of millionaire developer [[William Waldorf Astor]]'s mansion.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=20}}<ref name="history">{{cite web |url=http://www.waldorfnewyork.com/about-the-waldorf/hotel-history.html |title=Hotel history |publisher=Waldorfnewyork.com |access-date=May 30, 2014 |archive-date=November 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131127101023/http://www.waldorfnewyork.com/about-the-waldorf/hotel-history.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 1897, Waldorf's cousin, [[John Jacob Astor IV]], opened the Astoria Hotel on an adjacent site where his mansion had been.<ref name="history"/> The hotels were initially built as separate structures but were intended to be connected by an alley.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=21}} The hotel subsequently became known as the "Waldorf-Astoria", the largest hotel in the world at the time.<ref name="cnn">{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/11/15/waldorf.shooting.ap/index.html?iref=mpstoryview |work=CNN |agency=Associated Press |title=Guard shot during robbery attempt at Waldorf-Astoria |date=October 17, 2004 |access-date=January 2, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210202259/http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/11/15/waldorf.shooting.ap/index.html?iref=mpstoryview |archive-date=December 10, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://nyc-architecture.com/GON/GON017.htm |title=The Waldorf Astoria |publisher=New York Architecture |access-date=January 2, 2014 |archive-date=September 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130909015243/http://www.nyc-architecture.com/GON/GON017.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

From the early 20th century, the hotel faced stiff competition from newer hotels in New York City such as the [[Hotel Astor]] (1904),  [[St. Regis New York|St. Regis]] (1904), [[The Knickerbocker Hotel (Manhattan)|the Knickerbocker]] (1906), and the [[Savoy-Plaza Hotel|Savoy-Plaza]] (1927).{{Sfn|Blanke|2002|p=121}} By the 1920s, the Waldorf Astoria was becoming dated, and the elegant social life of New York had [[March uptown|moved much farther north]]. The Astor family sold the hotel to the developers of the [[Empire State Building]], closing the hotel in 1929 and demolishing it soon after.<ref name="history" />

===Development of new location===
The idea of a new Waldorf-Astoria hotel was based on the concept that a large, opulent hotel should be available in New York for distinguished visitors. Financial backing was not difficult to get in the summer of 1929, as times were prosperous. The stock market had not yet crashed, nor had the [[Great Depression in the United States|Depression]] arrived. However, before ground was broken for the new building, some of the investors became dubious about whether this was the right time to be investing in a luxury hotel.<ref name="Bishop, Jim 1958" /><ref name="sea" /> The land for the new hotel was formerly owned by the [[New York Central Railroad]], which had operated a power plant for [[Grand Central Terminal]] on the site.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GnKxDQAAQBAJ&pg=PT98|title=Grand Central Terminal: 100 Years of a New York Landmark|last1=Robins|first1=A.W.|last2=New York Transit Museum|publisher=ABRAMS|year=2013|isbn=978-1-61312-387-4|page=150|access-date=December 6, 2018|archive-date=August 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801235502/https://books.google.com/books?id=GnKxDQAAQBAJ&pg=PT98|url-status=live}}</ref> New York Central had promised $10 million toward the building of the new Waldorf-Astoria. The railroad and all the other investors decided to honor their commitments and take their chances with the uncertain financial climate.<ref name="Bishop, Jim 1958">{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1595881/new_waldorf_built/ |title=From Depths of Debt Rose Pinnacle of Hostelry |page=14 |date=January 28, 1958 |newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune |author=Bishop, Jim |via=newspapers.com {{open access}} |location=Salt Lake City, Utah |access-date=October 20, 2015 |archive-date=January 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110221646/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1595881/new_waldorf_built/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="sea">{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1595863/new_waldorf_opening/ |title=From Sea of Red Ink, Tears, Rose New Waldorf Tower |page=18 |date=January 28, 1958 |newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune |author=Bishop, Jim |via=newspapers.com {{open access}} |location=Salt Lake City, Utah |access-date=October 20, 2015 |archive-date=April 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410020701/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1595863/new_waldorf_opening/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In October 1929, the Hotel Waldorf-Astoria Corporation obtained a 26-year lease from New York Central, and placed a $11 million first mortgage on the site.<ref name=nyt-1929-10-31>{{Cite news|date=October 31, 1929|title=Leaseholds Listed; Record of Site for the New Waldorf-Astoria Is Filed.|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1929/10/31/archives/leaseholds-listed-record-of-site-for-the-new-waldorfastoria-is.html|access-date=February 12, 2023|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

On March 24, 1930, the first steel column in the new hotel was installed,<ref name="p1113659678">{{cite news |date=March 25, 1930 |title=First Steel Column Rises On Site of New Waldorf: Starting Work Officially on New Waldorf-Astoria |page=23 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1113659678}}}}</ref><ref name="nyt-1930-03-25">{{Cite news |date=March 25, 1930 |title=Start Steel Work on New Waldorf; First Rivet in Hotel Structure on Park Avenue Is Driven by Charles Hayden |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1930/03/25/archives/start-steel-work-on-new-waldorf-first-rivet-in-hotel-structure-on.html |access-date=February 11, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and stonework installation began on June 3.<ref name="p1114057202">{{cite news |date=February 3, 1931 |title=Last Stone Will Be Laid In New Waldorf-Astoria |page=37 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1114057202}}}}</ref> The hotel's construction required massive amounts of materials, including 10,000 metal door frames,<ref name="p130806700">{{cite news |date=July 1, 1930 |title=Art Metal Co.: Receives Contract for Frames and Trim on Waldorf-astoria Door Openers |page=5 |work=Wall Street Journal |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|130806700}}}}</ref> 11 million bricks,<ref name="p1125418926">{{cite news |date=June 22, 1930 |title=11,000,000 Brick Bought To Build Waldorf-Astoria |page=E2 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1125418926}}}}</ref> {{convert|2.695|e6ft2}} of gypsum and terracotta partition blocks,<ref name="p1113727701">{{cite news |date=June 29, 1930 |title=New Waldorf-Astoria Is House of Many Partitions |page=E1 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1113727701}}}}</ref> and {{convert|1.2|e6ft2}} of concrete floors.<ref name="p1113633980">{{cite news |date=April 20, 1930 |title=Will Cost Million to Build Floors in Waldorf Astoria: Dan La Morte Gets Job of Building 1,200,000 Sq. Ft. of Surface |page=E2 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1113633980}}}}</ref> The new Waldorf Astoria had gold-plated doorknobs on eight stories,<ref name="nyt-1930-07-20">{{Cite news |date=July 20, 1930 |title=Gold for Waldorf Knobs; Plated Hardware to Be Used on at Least 8 Floors of New Hotel. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1930/07/20/archives/gold-for-waldorf-knobs-plated-hardware-to-be-used-on-at-least-8.html |access-date=February 11, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and its guestrooms, totaling {{convert|20.487|e6ft3}}, made the hotel the most spacious in New York City.<ref name="p1113278587">{{cite news |date=October 19, 1930 |title=New Waldorf- Astoria Will Have Largest Hotel Rooms in City: Park Avenue Structure Totals 20,487,000 Cu. Ft.; It Also Is Tallest Hostelry |page=E2 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1113278587}}}}</ref> It used {{convert|27100|ST|LT t}} of steel, more than in the [[Woolworth Building]].<ref name="nyt-1930-10-23">{{Cite news |date=October 23, 1930 |title=Raise Flag on Waldorf; Workers Celebrate Placing of Topmost Column on New Hostelry. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1930/10/23/archives/raise-flag-on-waldorf-workers-celebrate-placing-of-topmost-column.html |access-date=February 11, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Several crews of workers labored simultaneously, and not all of them consulted with each other, leading to inconsistencies in the design.<ref name="Davidson l721">{{cite web |last=Davidson |first=Justin |date=July 10, 2025 |title=Re-creating a Waldorf Astoria That No One Remembers |url=https://www.curbed.com/article/waldorf-astoria-restoration-reopening-art-deco-architecture.html |access-date=July 13, 2025 |website=Curbed}}</ref> The hotel's steel frame topped out, {{convert|625|ft}} above street level, on October 22, 1930.<ref name="nyt-1930-10-23" /> The last stone on the Waldorf Astoria's facade was installed at a ceremony on February 4, 1931.<ref name="nyt-1931-02-05">{{Cite news |date=February 5, 1931 |title=Last Stone Laid in New Waldorf. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1931/02/05/archives/last-stone-laid-in-new-waldorf.html |access-date=February 11, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="p1114048687">{{cite news |date=February 5, 1931 |title=Places Last Stone In Waldorf-Astoria |page=24 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1114048687}}}}</ref>

On October 1, 1931, the new building opened on Park Avenue, between 49th and 50th streets,<ref name="p1114202187">{{cite news |date=October 2, 1931 |title=Hundreds Dine and Dance in the New Waldorf-Astoria: Mr. and Mrs. Robert Goelci Give One of the Largest Entertainments |page=21 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1114202187}}}}</ref> following a soft opening the previous day.<ref name="nyt-1931-10-01">{{Cite news |date=October 1, 1931 |title=Old and New Meet as Waldorf Opens; the New Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1931/10/01/archives/old-and-new-meet-as-waldorf-opens-the-new-waldorfastoria-hotel.html |access-date=February 11, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="p1114131461">{{cite news |date=September 30, 1931 |title=Waldorf-Astoria On View Today; 12,000 Invited: President to Give Radio Address During Formal Reception From 4 to 7 Opens to Public Tomorrow Architects and Builders Have Dinner in Huge Hotel |page=9 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1114131461}}}}</ref> It was the tallest and largest hotel in the world at the time,{{sfn|Korom|2008|p=422}} covering the entire block. The slender central tower became known as the Waldorf Towers, with its own private entrance on 50th Street, and consisted of 100 suites, about one-third of which were leased as private residences.{{sfn|Morrison|2014|p=105}} NBC received the exclusive right to broadcast events and music from the hotel<ref name="nyt-1931-07-09">{{Cite news |date=July 9, 1931 |title=Gets Hotel Broadcasts; N. B. C. Acquires All Radio Rights for New Waldorf-Astoria. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1931/07/09/archives/gets-hotel-broadcasts-n-b-c-acquires-all-radio-rights-for-new.html |access-date=February 11, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and to book live entertainment there.<ref name="p1529384631">{{cite magazine |date=July 14, 1931 |title=Radio: NBC Placing Bands and Talent at Waldorf-Astoria |magazine=Variety |volume=103 |issue=5 |page=51 |id={{ProQuest|1529384631}}}}</ref> President [[Herbert Hoover]] said on the radio, broadcast from the [[White House]]: "The opening of the new Waldorf Astoria is an event in the advancement of hotels, even in New York City. It carries great tradition in national hospitality...marks the measure of nation's growth in power, in comfort and in artistry...an exhibition of courage and confidence to the whole nation".<ref name="history"/> About 2,000 people were in the ballroom listening to this speech, but by the end of the business day, the 2,200-room hotel had only 500 occupants.<ref name="sea" />

The hotel contained several innovations for its time. The Waldorf Astoria contained phones that rang automatically, a first for its time; [[teletype]] devices; a [[telephone extension]] in each of the 1,550 two-bedroom suites; and a [[telephone switchboard]] that served 2,535 extensions.<ref name="nyt-1930-08-10">{{Cite news |date=August 10, 1930 |title=Huge Phone System for New Waldorf; Said to Be Largest Hotel Contract Ever Placed With New York Company. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1930/08/10/archives/huge-phone-system-for-new-waldorf-said-to-be-largest-hotel-contract.html |access-date=February 11, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="p1114345909">{{cite news |date=August 10, 1930 |title=Waldorf-Astoria Closes Contract For Telephones: New Hotel Will Have Many Unusual Service Features in Its 2,535 Extensions 125 Trunk Lines Needed Automatic Message Recording Device Part of System Impressive Park Avenue House |page=E2 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1114345909}}}}</ref> There were radios in all 2,000 guestrooms and in 15 public rooms, connected by {{convert|190|mi}} of wire. 140 suites on the upper stories had provision for privately owned receivers.<ref name="p557886067">{{cite news |date=August 10, 1930 |title=Hotel Radio Will Use 190 Miles Of Wire: Installation in New York Waldorf-Astoria Will Make Six Programs Available to Guests |page=10 |work=The Hartford Courant |id={{ProQuest|557886067}}}}</ref> Soon after the hotel opened, hotelier [[Conrad Hilton]], almost bankrupt at the time, reportedly cut out a photograph of the hotel from a magazine and wrote across it, "The Greatest of Them All".{{Sfn|Dana|2011|p=227}} Nonetheless, the Waldorf-Astoria did not begin operating at a profit until 1939.<ref name="sea" /> Lucius Boomer continued to manage the hotel in the 1930s and 1940s, a commanding figure to whom Tony Rey referred as "the greatest hotelman of his era".{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=40}} Boomer was elected chairman of the board of the Waldorf-Astoria Corporation on February 20, 1945, a position he held until his death in July 1947.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|pp=46–47}}<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1563944/lucius_boomer_dies_in_norway_1947/ |title=Lucius Boomer, 68, Waldorf Director, is Dead in Norway |date=July 26, 1947 |newspaper=The Kingston Daily Freeman |page=1 |via=newspapers.com {{open access}} |location=Kingston, New York |access-date=October 20, 2015 |archive-date=January 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110221955/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1563944/lucius_boomer_dies_in_norway_1947/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Early years and international politics ===
Like the original hotel, from its inception, the Waldorf Astoria gained worldwide renown for its glamorous dinner parties and galas, often at the center of political and business conferences and fundraising schemes. Author Ward Morehouse III has referred to the Waldorf Astoria as "comparable to great national institutions" and a "living symbol deep within our collective consciousness".{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=259}} It had the "greatest banquet department in the world" at the time according to restaurateur Tom Margittai, with the center of activity being the Grand Ballroom.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=215}} On August 3, 1932, some 200 people representing the "cream of New York's literary world" attended the Waldorf Astoria to honor [[Pearl S. Buck]], the author of ''[[The Good Earth]]'', which was the best-selling novel in the United States in 1931 and 1932.{{sfn|Harker|2007|p=47}} One dinner alone, a relatively "small dinner" attended by some 50 people in June 1946, raised over $250,000.{{sfn|Schweber|2009|p=115}}

{{external media|width=170px|image1=Photograph of the Waldorf Astoria's elegant Starlight Roof in 1935 <br> [https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/the-starlight-roof-an-ornately-decorated-ceiling-graces-the-news-photo/640505135?adppopup=true'''Here on Getty images''']}}

During the 1930s and 1940s the hotel's guests were also entertained at the elegant "Starlight Roof" nightclub by the [[Waldorf-Astoria Orchestra]] and such noted musicians as: [[Xavier Cugat]], [[Eddie Duchin]], [[Lester Lanin]] and [[Glenn Miller]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Turback |first=Michael |title=What a Swell Party It Was!: Rediscovering Food & Drink from the Golden Age of the American Nightclub |publisher=Skyhorse Publishing |year=2018 |isbn=978-1-5107-2779-3 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=35M9DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT165 |access-date=December 11, 2018 |page=165 |archive-date=February 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225181339/https://books.google.ae/books?id=35M9DwAAQBAJ&pg=PT165&redir_esc=y |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Studwell |first1=William E. |last2=Baldin |first2=Mark |title=The Big Band Reader: Songs Favored by Swing Era Orchestras and Other Popular Ensembles |publisher=Haworth Press |series=Resources in music history |year=2000 |isbn=978-0-7890-0914-2 |url=https://archive.org/details/bigbandreader00will |url-access=registration |access-date=December 11, 2018 |page=[https://archive.org/details/bigbandreader00will/page/215 215]}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=On The Stand – Eddy Duchin at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel |date=December 4, 1948 |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MewDAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA39 |language=en |access-date=December 11, 2018 |page=39 |archive-date=February 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218061326/https://books.google.com/books?id=MewDAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA39 |url-status=live}}</ref> In the Wedgwood Room, guests dined during performances by entertainers including [[Frank Sinatra]],<ref name="The Waldorf Astoria 2023 a797">{{cite web |title=Frank Sinatra in the Wedgwood Room · Host to the World |website=The Waldorf Astoria |date=November 1, 2023 |url=https://waldorfnewyorkcity.com/archive/items/show/775 |access-date=November 1, 2023}}</ref> [[Victor Borge]],<ref name="Nielsen Business Media, Inc. p. 24-26">{{cite magazine |title=Wedgwood Room, Hotel Waldorf-Astoria, New York |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc. |issn=0006-2510 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sxoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT23 |date=October 14, 1944 |language=en |access-date=November 4, 2023 |pages=24–26}}</ref> the Mischa Borr Orchestra,<ref name="The Waldorf Astoria 1943 y322">See: {{Unbulleted list citebundle|{{cite web |title=The Wedgwood Room Dinner and Supper Dancing with Performance by Frank Sinatra, undated but circa 1943 |website=The Waldorf Astoria |date=October 9, 1943 |url=https://waldorfnewyorkcity.com/archive/items/show/626 |access-date=November 1, 2023}}|{{cite web |title=The Wedgwood Room Dinner and Supper table card with entertainment including Frank Sinatra, undated but circa 1946 |website=The Waldorf Astoria |date=December 14, 1946 |url=https://waldorfnewyorkcity.com/archive/items/show/627 |access-date=November 1, 2023}}|{{cite book | last=Sutton | first=Horace | title=Confessions of a Grand Hotel: The Waldorf-Astoria | publisher=Holt | year=1953 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W5hAAAAAIAAJ | access-date=November 4, 2023 | page=204}}}}</ref> with [[John Serry Sr.|John Serry]],<ref name="Gerstner Publications 1948 p. ">{{cite book |title=Accordion World |publisher=Gerstner Publications |issue=v. 14 |year=1948 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aJeD2VY5qfEC |access-date=November 1, 2023 |page=6}}</ref> the [[Leo Reisman]] Orchestra,<ref name="ScholarsArchive JWU 2014 f679">{{cite journal |title=The Wedgwood Room at The Waldorf-Astoria, Entertainment Menu featuring Gracie Fields, Leo Reisman, and Mischa Borr (Signed by Gracie Fields) |journal=Hotel Menus |date=February 28, 2014 |url=https://scholarsarchive.jwu.edu/hotel_menus/9/ |access-date=November 1, 2023}}</ref> [[Annamary Dickey]],<ref name="Nielsen Business Media, Inc. p. 18">{{cite magazine |title=Hotel Waldorf-Astoria, Wedgwood Room, New York |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc. |issn=0006-2510 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UQwEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT18 |date=December 11, 1943 |language=en |access-date=November 1, 2023 |page=19}}</ref> [[Corinna Mura]],<ref name="Nielsen Business Media, Inc. p. 24">{{cite magazine |title=Wedgwood Room, Hotel Waldorf-Astoria, New York |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc. |issn=0006-2510 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dwwEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT23 |date=March 25, 1944 |language=en |access-date=November 4, 2023 |page=24}}</ref> [[Paul Draper (dancer)|Paul Draper]],<ref name="Nielsen Business Media, Inc. p. 24" /> and [[Gracie Fields]].<ref name="ScholarsArchive JWU 2014 f679"/>

The hotel played a considerable role in the emerging [[Cold War]] and international relations during the postwar years, staging numerous events and conferences. On March 15, 1946, [[Winston Churchill]], who had recently given his [[Iron Curtain speech]], attended and addressed a welcoming dinner at the hotel given by Governor [[Thomas E. Dewey]],{{Sfn|Harbutt|1988|p=3}} and from November 4 to December 12, 1946, the [[Big Four Conference]] was held in [[Jørgine Boomer]]'s apartment on the 37th floor of the Towers.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|pp=176, 185}} On November 24, 1947, 48 prominent figures of the [[Hollywood film industry]] met at the Waldorf Astoria and discussed what would become the [[Waldorf Statement]], banning people with Communist beliefs or tendencies from the Hollywood film industry, initially aimed at the [[Hollywood Ten]] and becoming the [[Hollywood Black List|blacklist]]. On June 21, 1948, a press conference at the hotel introduced the [[LP record]].<ref>{{cite book |author=Marmorstein, Gary |title=The Label: The Story of Columbia Records |publisher=Thunder's Mouth Press |page=165}}</ref>{{sfn|Bresler|2004|p=169}}

From March 27 to 29, 1949, the Cultural and Scientific Conference for World Peace, also known as the Waldorf World Peace Conference, was held at the hotel to discuss the emerging [[Cold War]] and the growing divide between the US and the Soviet Union.{{sfn|Porter|2010|p=149}} The event was organized by the struggling [[Communist Party USA|American Communist Party]]{{Sfn|Sorin|2002|p=109}} and was attended by the likes of Soviet Foreign Minister [[Andrey Vyshinsky]], composer and pianist [[Dmitri Shostakovich]], and writer [[Alexander Fadeyev (writer)|Alexsander Fadeyev]].{{Sfn|Carroll|2006|p=25}} It was picketed by anti-Stalinists running under the banner of [[America for Intellectual Freedom]], and prominent individuals such as [[Irving Howe]], [[Dwight Macdonald]], [[Mary McCarthy (author)|Mary McCarthy]] and [[Robert Lowell]].{{Sfn|Sorin|2002|p=109}}

In 1954, Israeli statesman and archaeologist [[Yigael Yadin]] met secretly with the [[Syriac Orthodox]] Archbishop [[Mar Samuel]] in the basement of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel to negotiate the purchase of four [[Dead Sea Scrolls]] for [[Israel]]; Yadin paid $250,000 for all four scrolls.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1992/03/22/harry-m-orlinsky-84-leading-biblical-scholar/ |title=Harry M. Orlinsky, 84, leading biblical scholar |date=March 22, 1992 |author=Sehlstedt Jr. Albert |newspaper=The Baltimore Star |location=Baltimore, Maryland |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119220901/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1992-03-22/news/1992082055_1_orlinsky-dead-sea-scrolls-baltimore-hebrew-university |archive-date=January 19, 2015}}</ref><ref name="scrolls">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/The+man+who+bought+the+Dead+Sea+scrolls.-a014155309 |title=The Man Who Bought the Dead Sea Scrolls |author=Isaacs, Marty |journal=Contemporary Review |date=November 1, 1992 |access-date=January 19, 2015 |archive-date=January 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120013301/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/The+man+who+bought+the+Dead+Sea+scrolls.-a014155309 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{efn|Professor [[Eleazar Sukenik|Elazar L. Sukenik]] was first offered the scrolls in 1947 by an antiquities dealer in Bethlehem.  Because of the recent partitioning of Palestine, Jews were not permitted to travel there.  Sukenik disguised himself as an Arab to travel to the city.  He was allowed to examine the scrolls and to take a small fragment of one for testing.  When he made the trip back to Bethlehem to purchase them the next day, he found that the dealer had been pressured into selling them to the Syriac Orthodox Church. Archbishop Mar Samuel offered to sell them to Sukenik for $125,000; before the transaction could take place, Mar Samuel's life was threatened and he fled to the United States.  Sukenik died in 1953 without a further word about the whereabouts of the scrolls.<ref name=scrolls/>

In 1954, a classified ad appeared in ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' offering to sell the four scrolls.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://b-i.forbesimg.com/peterjreilly/files/2013/06/wall_street_journal2.jpg |title=Classified ad offering the sale of the four Dead Sea Scrolls |year=1954 |journal=The Wall Street Journal |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119223149/http://b-i.forbesimg.com/peterjreilly/files/2013/06/wall_street_journal2.jpg |archive-date=January 19, 2015}}</ref> Yigael Yadin, the son of Professor Sukenik, was visiting the United States when the ad appeared and someone brought it to his attention. The State of Israel then planned to secretly buy the scrolls.<ref name=scrolls/>|name=buy}} Among the hotel's notable events was the [[April in Paris Ball]], a gala event whose mission was to improve [[Franco-American relations]], share cultures, assist US and French charities, and commemorate the 2,000th anniversary of the founding of Paris.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=226}} Established by the hotel's banquet manager [[Claude Philippe]] in 1952, it was managed mostly by [[socialites]];<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_3k4EAAAAMBAJ |title=LIFE |date=May 23, 1960 |publisher=Time Inc |page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_3k4EAAAAMBAJ/page/n88 90] |issn=0024-3019}}</ref> the ball was hosted annually until 1959.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=230}}

Hilton acquired management rights to the hotel on October 12, 1949.{{sfn|Taraborrelli|2014|p=118}}<ref name="nyt-1949-10-13">{{Cite news |last=Bradley |first=John A. |date=October 13, 1949 |title=Control of Waldorf-Astoria Hotel Sold to Hilton Chain for $3,000,000; Control of Waldorf-Astoria Hotel Sold to Hilton Chain for $3,000,000 |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1949/10/13/archives/control-of-waldorfastoria-hotel-sold-to-hilton-chain-for-3000000.html |access-date=February 12, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Restaurateur [[George Lang (restaurateur)|George Lang]] began working at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in 1955, and on December 13, 1955, he helped organize the American Theatre Wing's First Night Ball to celebrate [[Helen Hayes]]'s 50th year in show business.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=125}} He did much to organize dinners at the Waldorf to assist with Hungarian issues and relief. On one occasion, an event was attended by [[Edward G. Robinson]] and pianist Doklady and some $60,000 was raised.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=126}} Under Hilton's ownership, the lobby was refurbished in the 1950s and again in the 1960s.<ref name="Abramovitch w997" />

=== Late 20th century ===
By 1959, the hotel emerged as the annual host for live broadcasts from the ballroom by [[Guy Lombardo]] and his Royal Canadians Orchestra during New Year's Eve celebrations. Lasting until 1976, these broadcasts were carried worldwide on [[CBS]] and invariably concluded at midnight with a performance of "[[Auld Lang Syne]]".<ref name="Morrison 2014 p. 88">{{cite book | last=Morrison | first=W.A. | title=Waldorf Astoria | publisher=Arcadia Publishing Incorporated | series=Images of America | year=2014 | isbn=978-1-4396-4269-6 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EL2EAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA88 | language=es | access-date=November 3, 2023 |ref=none | page=88}}</ref><ref name="Crump 2016 p. 101">{{cite book | last=Crump | first=W.D. | title=Encyclopedia of New Year's Holidays Worldwide | publisher=McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers | series=EBL-Schweitzer | year=2016 | isbn=978-1-4766-0748-1 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ujTfCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA101 | access-date=November 3, 2023 | page=101}}</ref><ref name="United States. Congress 1971 p. 45269">{{cite book | author=United States. Congress | title=Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates of the ... Congress | publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office | series=LLMC Digital | year=1971 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TqXQcz83-60C&pg=PA45269 | access-date=November 3, 2023 | page=45269}}</ref> ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' observed that the American public would simply not believe it was New Year's Day unless Guy Lombardo heralded its arrival from the Waldorf Astoria Hotel.<ref name="Crump 2016 p. 101"/> ''Time'' celebrated its 40th anniversary at the hotel on May 6, 1963, at an event attended by some 1,500 celebrities.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=254}} When [[Pope Paul VI]] made the [[List of pastoral visits of Pope Paul VI|first papal visit]] to the [[Papal visits to the United States|United States in 1965]], he met with U.S. president [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] at the Waldorf Astoria.<ref>{{cite magazine|url= https://time.com/4042433/paul-vi-lbj-1965/|title= The First Time a Pope Visited the U.S. Was Much More Complicated|first= Lily|last= Rothman|date= September 21, 2015|magazine= [[Time (magazine)|Time]]|archive-url= https://archive.today/20200416234358/https://time.com/4042433/paul-vi-lbj-1965/|archive-date= April 16, 2020|url-status= live|df= mdy-all}}</ref> In 1968, British rock band [[The Who]] checked into the hotel and were reportedly banned from the hotel for life;{{Sfn|Fletcher|2010|p=376}} however, they were allowed to visit the hotel in 1990, when they performed at the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]] Induction.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/the-who/1990/waldorf-astoria-hotel-new-york-ny-7bd43670.html |title=The Who Setlist at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony No. 5 |publisher=Setlist.fm |access-date=January 20, 2015 |archive-date=June 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190630065524/https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/the-who/1990/waldorf-astoria-hotel-new-york-ny-7bd43670.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Conrad Hilton (croped).jpg|thumb|upright|[[Conrad Hilton]]]]
In 1972, the [[Hilton Hotels Corporation]] bought the hotel outright from New York Central's successor, [[Penn Central]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://waldorfastoria3.hilton.com/en/hotels/new-york/waldorf-astoria-new-york-NYCWAWA/about/legacy.html |title=New York Luxury Hotels & 5 Star Vacations – The Waldorf Astoria New York Legacy |access-date=October 7, 2014 |archive-date=October 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031142838/https://waldorfastoria3.hilton.com/en/hotels/new-york/waldorf-astoria-new-york-NYCWAWA/about/legacy.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In the 1970s, the Waldorf Astoria continued to play an important role in international politics, particularly between the US and the Middle East. In November 1974, the hotel was placed on high alert when a "20-car motorcade, with eight shotgun-toting police marksmen aboard in bullet-proof vests" brought Palestinian [[Fatah]] party leader [[Farouk Kaddoumi]] to the Waldorf from [[John F. Kennedy International Airport]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/52975820/?terms=Waldorf+Astoria |title=Motorcade |date=November 13, 1974 |newspaper=San Antonio Express |page=1 |via=newspapers.com {{open access}} |location=San Antonio, Texas |access-date=October 20, 2015 |archive-date=October 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021022550/https://www.newspapers.com/image/52975820/?terms=Waldorf+Astoria |url-status=live }}</ref> In December 1974, President Ford met with [[Nelson Rockefeller]] after he was voted [[Vice President of the United States|vice president]], and a 90-minute press conference was held in a suite in the hotel.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/78927039/?terms=Waldorf+Astoria |title=President Views Energy |date=December 11, 1974 |newspaper=The Times Recorder |page=1 |via=newspapers.com {{open access}} |location=Zanesville, Ohio |access-date=October 20, 2015 |archive-date=October 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021024537/https://www.newspapers.com/image/78927039/?terms=Waldorf+Astoria |url-status=live }}</ref>

In November 1975, the US government insisted that PLO leader [[Yasser Arafat]] stay at the Waldorf during his visit to America, against the wishes of the hotel staff; security was stepped up severely.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|pp=185–186}} On August 12, 1981, [[IBM]] unveiled its [[IBM 5150|Personal Computer]] in a press conference at the Waldorf Astoria.{{sfn|Littman|1987|p=155}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www-03.ibm.com/ibm/history/exhibits/pc25/pc25_birth.html |title=The Birth of the IBM PC |date=January 23, 2003 |publisher=IBM |access-date=January 19, 2014 |archive-date=January 2, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102212336/http://www-03.ibm.com/ibm/history/exhibits/pc25/pc25_birth.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The [[National Basketball Association]] held its first-ever draft lottery between non-playoff teams at the Starlight Roof for the [[1985 NBA draft]].{{sfn|Fizel|2012|p=41}}

[[Lee Jablin]], of Harman Jablin Architects, fully renovated and upgraded the property during the mid-1980s through the mid-1990s in a $150 million (${{Format price|{{Inflation|US-GDP|150000000|1980}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US-GDP}} dollars){{inflation-fn|US-GDP}} renovation.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=57}} The main lobby was renovated in 1986 as part of the project, and the hotel was also downsized from 1,800 to 1,700 rooms.<ref name="nyt-1986-09-21">{{Cite news |last=Lyons |first=Richard D. |date=September 21, 1986 |title=For the Waldorf, a Return to the Elegance of the 30's |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/09/21/realestate/for-the-waldorf-a-return-to-the-elegance-of-the-30-s.html |access-date=February 11, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The [[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]] (LPC) designated the Waldorf Astoria's exterior as a New York City landmark in January 1993, which prevented Hilton from demolishing or altering the hotel's facade without the LPC's permission.<ref name="nyt-1993-01-10">{{Cite news |date=January 10, 1993 |title=Postings: And a Bank in Harlem; Waldorf a Landmark |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/01/10/realestate/postings-and-a-bank-in-harlem-waldorf-a-landmark.html |access-date=November 29, 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="n113852444">{{Cite news |last=Moritz |first=Owen |date=January 6, 1993 |title=Waldorf is suite history |pages=258 |work=New York Daily News |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/113852444/waldorf-is-suite-historyowen-moritz/ |access-date=November 29, 2022}}</ref> At the time, Hilton did not have any plans to alter the hotel's facade.<ref name="n113852444" />

=== 21st century ===
On May 27, 2001, the Eastern Diocese of the [[Armenian Church of America]] had a grand banquet at the hotel to celebrate the 1700th anniversary of Armenia's conversion to Christianity, with Ambassador [[Edward Djerejian]] as guest speaker.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-79125860.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329151312/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-79125860.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 29, 2015 |title=Ambassador Edward P. Djerejian to Speak at Waldorf-Astoria Banquet on Sunday, May 27 |work=The Armenian Reporter |date=May 5, 2001|access-date=January 20, 2015}}</ref> On May 7, 2004, a press conference was held by MGM, discussing [[Steve Martin]]'s [[The Pink Panther (2006 film)|''The Pink Panther'']] of [[The Pink Panther (film series)|the Pink Panther]] series. The 5th Annual DGA Honors Gala was held at the Waldorf on September 29.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-99904360.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329151325/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-99904360.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 29, 2015 |title=Ben Affleck at the 5th Annual DGA Honors Gala, held at the Waldorf Astoria in New York, Wednesday, September 29, 2004 |work=KRT Photos |date=September 29, 2004|access-date=January 20, 2015}}</ref>

In 2006, Hilton launched [[Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts]], a brand named for the hotel. Branches of the Waldorf Astoria were launched in Arizona, California, Florida, Hawaii, and Louisiana in the United States, and abroad in France, Israel, Italy, and Saudi Arabia.{{Sfn|Knight|2014|p=923}} In 2006, Hilton was reported to be considering opening a new Waldorf Astoria hotel on the [[Las Vegas Strip]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-132438195.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329151127/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-132438195.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 29, 2015 |title=Hilton considers building Waldorf-Astoria in Vegas |work=International Herald Tribune |date=December 15, 2006|access-date=January 5, 2015}}</ref> In 2008, the Waldorf Astoria opened the Guerlain and Spa Chakra, Inc. spa at the hotel, as part of the Waldorf Astoria Collection.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-186731579.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329151321/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-186731579.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 29, 2015 |title=The Waldorf-Astoria Collection Announces the Opening of the Legendary Hotel Brand's First Guerlain Spa at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. (Company overview) |work=Biotech Week |date=October 8, 2009|access-date=January 5, 2015}}</ref> The Waldorf Astoria New York is a member of Historic Hotels of America, the official program of the [[National Trust for Historic Preservation]]. "The Towers of the Waldorf Astoria" continued to operate as a boutique "hotel within a hotel".<ref name="history" />

==== Anbang acquisition and conversion ====
In October 2014, Chinese company [[Anbang Insurance Group]] bought the Waldorf Astoria New York from Hilton for $1.95 billion, making it the most expensive hotel ever sold at the time.<ref name="nyt 20141007">{{cite web |last=Bagli |first=Charles V. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/07/nyregion/waldorf-astoria-hotel-to-be-sold-for-195-billion.html?_r=0 |title=Waldorf-Astoria to Be Sold in a $1.95 Billion Deal |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=October 7, 2014 |access-date=October 7, 2014 |archive-date=October 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191027153826/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/07/nyregion/waldorf-astoria-hotel-to-be-sold-for-195-billion.html?_r=0 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2014/10/06/waldorf-becomes-most-expensive-hotel-ever-sold-195-billion.html |title=Waldorf becomes most expensive hotel ever sold: $1.95 billion |last=Frank |first=Robert |publisher=CNBC |date=October 6, 2014 |access-date=October 6, 2014 |archive-date=June 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626115740/http://www.cnbc.com/id/102062617 |url-status=live }}</ref> A Chinese restaurant, La Chine, opened at the Waldorf Astoria late the following year.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Fabricant|first=Florence|date=October 27, 2015|title=With La Chine, the Waldorf Astoria Welcomes Haute Cuisine From China|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/28/dining/waldorf-astoria-la-chine-chinese-cuisine.html|access-date=February 14, 2023|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Morabito | first=Greg | title=La Chine, a Ritzy Regional Chinese Restaurant in the Waldorf Astoria | website=Eater NY | date=November 12, 2015 | url=https://ny.eater.com/2015/11/12/9724790/la-chine-waldorf-midtown | access-date=February 14, 2023}}</ref> Anbang's founder [[Wu Xiaohui]] wanted to convert the Waldorf Astoria into a five-star hotel with [[condominium]]s and large units, discussing with several local developers about the possibility of partnering on the redevelopment.<ref name="The Wall Street Journal x560">{{cite web |last=Karmin |first=Craig |last2=Pohle |first2=Allison |date=September 22, 2025 |title=The Waldorf's Makeover Went a Billion Over Budget—and China Is Footing the Bill |url=https://www.wsj.com/real-estate/waldorf-astoria-makeover-china-aa24f5d2 |access-date=September 26, 2025 |work=The Wall Street Journal |language=en-US |issn=0099-9660}}</ref>

On July 1, 2016, Anbang announced plans to refurbish the hotel and turn some rooms into condominiums, The Towers of the Waldorf Astoria. Under the plan, some of the hotel's rooms would be turned into condominium apartments, while the remaining guestrooms would be operated by Hilton.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Strum|first=Beckie|date=April 12, 2021|title=Hilton VP Says Luxury Shouldn't 'Need to Be Serious'|url=https://www.mansionglobal.com/articles/hilton-vp-says-luxury-shouldnt-need-to-be-serious-226392|access-date=September 15, 2021|website=www.mansionglobal.com|language=en-US|archive-date=September 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915182309/https://www.mansionglobal.com/articles/hilton-vp-says-luxury-shouldnt-need-to-be-serious-226392|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://uk.reuters.com/video/2016/07/01/waldorf-astoria-turning-into-condos?videoId=369135690&videoChannel=78 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818102334/http://uk.reuters.com/video/2016/07/01/waldorf-astoria-turning-into-condos?videoId=369135690&videoChannel=78 |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 18, 2016 |title=Waldorf Astoria turning into condos |date=July 1, 2016 |work=Reuters |access-date=July 14, 2016}}</ref>  The final event in the Grand Ballroom, on February 28, 2017, was a charity gala celebrating [[NewYork-Presbyterian]] Hospital with [[Stevie Wonder]] playing.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Yakas|first=Ben|date=March 1, 2017|title=Videos: Stevie Wonder Serenades Waldorf-Astoria On Its Last Night Before Closing|url=http://gothamist.com/arts-entertainment/videos-stevie-wonder-serenades-waldorf-astoria-on-its-last-night-before-closing|access-date=March 15, 2021|website=Gothamist|language=en|archive-date=May 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518120731/https://gothamist.com/arts-entertainment/videos-stevie-wonder-serenades-waldorf-astoria-on-its-last-night-before-closing|url-status=live}}</ref> The hotel closed the next day, March 1, 2017.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Burke |first1=Kerry |last2=Greene |first2=Leonard |title=New York's Waldorf Astoria Hotel closes for major renovations |website=NY Daily News |date=February 27, 2017 |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/new-york-waldorf-astoria-hotel-closes-major-renovations-article-1.2983845 |access-date=March 13, 2017 |archive-date=October 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021051040/https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/new-york-waldorf-astoria-hotel-closes-major-renovations-article-1.2983845 |url-status=live }}</ref> The restaurants, which were all closed, were planned to reopen when the renovation was completed.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-feed-waldorf-astoria-restaurants-to-close-1467152401 |title=The Feed: Waldorf Astoria Restaurants to Close |author=Passy, Charles |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=June 28, 2016 |access-date=July 14, 2016 |archive-date=October 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026024359/https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-feed-waldorf-astoria-restaurants-to-close-1467152401 |url-status=live }}</ref> On March 7, the LPC voted unanimously to list the interiors of many of the hotel's public spaces as New York City landmarks, protecting them from major alterations;<ref>{{cite web |author=Hurowitz, Noah |url=https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20170307/midtown/waldorf-astoria-landmark-designation |title=Midtown & Theater District Real Estate Waldorf Astoria Interiors Landmarked Days After Closure for Renovations |publisher=Dnainfo |date=March 7, 2017 |access-date=March 23, 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312041625/https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20170307/midtown/waldorf-astoria-landmark-designation |archive-date=March 12, 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=March 7, 2017 |title=Waldorf Astoria interiors are now NYC landmark |url=https://therealdeal.com/2017/03/07/waldorf-astoria-interiors-are-now-nyc-landmark/ |access-date=August 1, 2022 |website=The Real Deal New York |language=en-US}}</ref> the designation covered about {{Convert|62000|ft2}}.<ref name="nyt-2025-07-14">{{Cite news |last=Satow |first=Julie |date=2025-07-14 |title=New York's Waldorf Astoria Hotel Reopens After Almost 8 Years |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/07/14/travel/waldorf-astoria-hotel-new-york-reopening.html |access-date=2025-07-14 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> [[Skidmore, Owings & Merrill]] (SOM) was hired to renovate the hotel's interior and preserve the landmark-protected rooms,<ref name="Getlen e468">{{cite web |last=Getlen |first=Larry |date=March 17, 2025 |title=The Waldorf Astoria's New Condos Took a Heavy Legal Lift |url=https://commercialobserver.com/2025/03/waldorf-astoria-condos-rules-landmark/ |access-date=March 22, 2025 |website=Commercial Observer}}</ref><ref name="Sieracki j445">{{cite web |last=Sieracki |first=Jill |date=June 20, 2025 |title=Exclusive First Look Inside the Newly Refurbished Waldorf Astoria in New York |url=https://galeriemagazine.com/exclusive-first-look-inside-newly-refurbished-waldorf-astoria-in-new-york/ |access-date=June 21, 2025 |website=Galerie Magazine}}</ref> and [[Suffolk Construction Company|Suffolk Construction]] was hired as the general contractor.<ref name="Adolphus t455">{{cite web |last=Adolphus |first=Emell D. |date=January 10, 2025 |title=$2B Waldorf Astoria Renovation in NYC Resumes After Jobsite Fatality |url=https://www.enr.com/articles/60135-2b-waldorf-astoria-renovation-in-nyc-resumes-after-jobsite-fatality |access-date=June 21, 2025 |website=Engineering News-Record}}</ref><ref name="Obando g692">{{cite web |last=Obando |first=Sebastian |date=June 20, 2025 |title=On site: Checking in at the Waldorf Astoria's $2B renovation |url=https://www.constructiondive.com/news/on-site-waldorf-astorias-renovation-new-york-city/751130/ |access-date=June 21, 2025 |website=Construction Dive}}</ref>

Public spaces like the Grand Ballroom and Peacock Alley were refurbished as part of the project.<ref name="Jelski p560">{{cite web |last=Jelski |first=Christina |date=February 13, 2024 |title=Counting down to a new beginning for the Waldorf Astoria New York |url=https://www.travelweekly.com/Travel-News/Hotel-News/Waldorf-Astoria-New-York-rebirth-is-months-away |access-date=May 9, 2024 |website=Travel Weekly}}</ref> The hotel rooms were planned to be on the lowest 18 floors.<ref name="ABC7 New York 2020">{{cite web | title=Waldorf Astoria in New York City reimagined and transformed into condos | website=ABC7 New York | last=Waller | first=Derick | date=March 13, 2020 | url=https://abc7ny.com/waldorf-astoria-condos-new-york-city-real-estate-hotel/6010493/ | access-date=February 13, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=March 16, 2021|title=Top 10 Secrets of The Waldorf Astoria Hotel in NYC|url=https://untappedcities.com/2021/03/16/secrets-waldorf-astoria-hotel-nyc/|access-date=March 17, 2021|website=Untapped New York|language=en-US|archive-date=September 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915224744/https://untappedcities.com/2021/03/16/secrets-waldorf-astoria-hotel-nyc/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Jean-Louis Deniot]] redesigned the apartments and amenity areas,<ref name="Palumbo 2021" /><ref name="Vera m145">{{cite web |last=Vora |first=Shivani |date=September 2, 2024 |title=Jean-Louis Deniot on Creating the Next Chapter for a New York Icon |url=https://www.mansionglobal.com/articles/jean-louis-deniot-on-creating-the-next-chapter-for-a-new-york-icon-22169859 |access-date=March 27, 2025 |website=Mansion Global}}</ref> [[Pierre-Yves Rochon]] refurbished the hotel rooms,<ref name="Palumbo 2021">{{cite web |last=Palumbo |first=Jacqui |date=October 4, 2021 |title=Inside the Waldorf Astoria's $1 billion makeover |url=https://www.cnn.com/style/article/waldorf-astoria-renovation/index.html |access-date=February 11, 2023 |website=CNN Style}}</ref><ref name="Lewis m885">{{cite web |last=Lewis |first=Vicky |date=January 8, 2025 |title=Waldorf Astoria New York unveils renovation by PYR |url=https://www.hospitality-interiors.net/news/waldorf-astoria-new-york-unveils-renovation-by-pyr/ |access-date=March 27, 2025 |website=Hospitality Interiors}}</ref> and AvroKO designed a new restaurant space.<ref name="Boutique Hotelier USA i068">{{cite web |last=Crowe |first=Eamonn |date=November 21, 2024 |title=Lex Yard will be Waldorf Astoria NYC's signature restaurant |url=https://usa.boutiquehotelier.com/lex-yard-waldorf-astoria-new-york-city/ |access-date=March 27, 2025 |website=Boutique Hotelier USA}}</ref> [[ArtCare Conservation]] was hired to redesign the hotel's murals,<ref name="Sieracki j445" /> and the historical woodwork, metalwork, and plasterwork was renovated or replaced.<ref name="Obando g692" /><ref name="Sieracki j445" /> The windows were enlarged to comply with revised building codes.<ref name="Davidson l721" /> At its busiest point, the renovation project employed 1,000 workers each day.<ref name="Hawker o313">{{cite web |last=Hawker |first=Cathy |date=September 7, 2024 |title=Buy a home in the New York hotel that was loved by Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe |url=https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/property-home/article/buy-a-home-in-the-new-york-hotel-that-was-loved-by-frank-sinatra-and-marilyn-monroe-30wvc6v86 |access-date=October 13, 2024 |website=The Times & The Sunday Times}}</ref> SOM estimated that 96% of the hotel's interior was replaced entirely, although the landmarked portions of the interior were refurbished.<ref name="Davidson l721" /> Wu had contemplated adding several other features to the hotel, including a billionaires' private club and a private gym.<ref name="The Wall Street Journal x560" /><ref name="Velsey g323">{{cite web |last=Velsey |first=Kim |date=September 23, 2025 |title=The Waldorf Astoria's Billionaires-Only Club and Other Unrealized Plans |url=https://www.curbed.com/article/waldorf-astoria-billionaires-only-club-plans-delay-cost-overruns.html |access-date=September 26, 2025 |website=Curbed}}</ref>

==== Completion of renovation and Hilton takeover ====
In early 2018, the Chinese government took over the Waldorf Astoria and Anbang's other assets for one year, alleging economic crimes by Anbang.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rauhala |first=Emily |date=March 1, 2018 |title=China seizes control of troubled insurer that owns Waldorf Astoria |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/china-seizes-control-of-troubled-insurer-that-owns-waldorf-astoria/2018/02/23/f5a1b632-1878-11e8-942d-16a950029788_story.html |access-date=May 9, 2024 |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Bradsher |first1=Keith |last2=Stevenson |first2=Alexandra |date=February 23, 2018 |title=Beijing Takes Over Anbang, Insurer That Owns Waldorf Astoria |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/22/business/china-anbang-waldorf-astoria.html |access-date=May 9, 2024 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> This prompted the cancellation of plans for the private club and gym.<ref name="The Wall Street Journal x560" /><ref name="Velsey g323" /> In November 2019, it was announced that the 375 condos in the Waldorf-Astoria would go on sale early the next year, while the 375 remaining hotel rooms would not reopen until 2021.<ref name="www.yahoo.com 2019">{{Cite web |last=Madden |first=Helena |date=November 14, 2019 |title=After a $1 Billion Renovation, the Waldorf Astoria Is Reopening – and You Can Now Live There |url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/1-billion-renovation-waldorf-astoria-230000024.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026215908/https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/1-billion-renovation-waldorf-astoria-230000024.html |archive-date=October 26, 2020 |access-date=November 21, 2019 |website=www.yahoo.com |language=en-US}}</ref>  Following Anbang's bankruptcy in 2020, Dajia Insurance Group Co. took over Anbang's American assets, including the Waldorf Astoria.<ref>{{cite web | last=Liu | first=Yujing | title=Chinese regulator to bring strategic investors into Dajia Insurance Group, the firm that replaced fallen Anbang Insurance | website=South China Morning Post | date=February 24, 2020 | url=https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3052104/chinese-regulator-bring-strategic-investors-dajia-insurance | access-date=July 19, 2022}}</ref> Sales of the Waldorf-Astoria's condos began that March.<ref name="McMullen 2020">{{cite news | last=McMullen | first=Troy | title=Inside the new Waldorf Astoria condos | newspaper=Washington Post | date=March 16, 2020 | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/03/10/inside-new-waldorf-astoria-condos/ | access-date=February 13, 2023 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref><ref name="Condosales">{{Cite news|last=Hughes|first=C. J.|date=March 6, 2020|title=Condo Sales Begin at the Revamped Waldorf Astoria|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/06/realestate/condo-sales-begin-at-the-revamped-waldorf-astoria.html|access-date=September 15, 2021|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=September 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915181918/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/06/realestate/condo-sales-begin-at-the-revamped-waldorf-astoria.html|url-status=live}}</ref> By late 2020, the hotel was set to open at the end of 2022;<ref>{{Cite news|last=Forster|first=Jack|date=January 1, 2021|title=The Waldorf-Astoria's Iconic Clock Is Ready To Run Again|language=en|work=Bloomberg|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-01/waldorf-astoria-clock-ready-to-run-after-year-long-restoration|access-date=March 17, 2021|archive-date=September 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915224748/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-01/waldorf-astoria-clock-ready-to-run-after-year-long-restoration|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Cary|first=Bill|title=Developer Unveils First Look Into Residences at New York's Iconic Waldorf Astoria|url=https://www.mansionglobal.com/articles/developer-unveils-first-look-into-residences-at-new-yorks-iconic-waldorf-astoria-218688|access-date=March 17, 2021|website=Mansion Global|language=en-US|date=August 31, 2020|archive-date=September 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915224743/https://www.mansionglobal.com/articles/developer-unveils-first-look-into-residences-at-new-yorks-iconic-waldorf-astoria-218688|url-status=live}}</ref> however, by March 2021, the timeline had been postponed to early 2023.<ref name="Rahmanan 2021">{{cite web | last=Rahmanan | first=Anna | title=This is what the Waldorf Astoria's Grand Ballroom is going to look like once it reopens | website=Time Out New York | date=March 31, 2021 | url=https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/this-is-what-the-waldorf-astorias-grand-ballroom-is-going-to-look-like-once-it-reopens-033121 | access-date=September 15, 2021 | archive-date=June 5, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605170013/https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/this-is-what-the-waldorf-astorias-grand-ballroom-is-going-to-look-like-once-it-reopens-033121 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Schulz 2021">{{cite web | last=Schulz | first=Dana | title=Get a sneak peek of the Waldorf Astoria's restored Grand Ballroom | website=6sqft | date=March 26, 2021 | url=https://www.6sqft.com/get-a-sneak-peek-of-the-waldorf-astorias-restored-grand-ballroom/ | access-date=September 15, 2021 | archive-date=September 15, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210915181929/https://www.6sqft.com/get-a-sneak-peek-of-the-waldorf-astorias-restored-grand-ballroom/ | url-status=live }}</ref> The renovation of the Waldorf Astoria stalled in mid-2022 as the project exceeded its $2 billion budget,<ref name="Hall City 2022">{{cite web | last=Hall | first=Miriam | title=Waldorf Astoria's $2B Condo Conversion Is Over Budget, Behind Schedule As Top Exec Departs | website=Bisnow | date=May 2, 2022 | url=https://www.bisnow.com/new-york/news/hotel/waldorf-condo-conversion-is-two-years-behind-and-1b-over-budget-112863 | access-date=July 19, 2022}}</ref><ref name="wsj-2022-05-02" /> and the Chinese government considered selling the building or partnering with another developer.<ref name="The Wall Street Journal x560" /> According to ''The Wall Street Journal'', this had pushed the renovation back to at least 2024.<ref name="wsj-2022-05-02">{{Cite news|first1=Craig |last1=Karmin |first2=Kate |last2=King|date=May 2, 2022|title=WSJ News Exclusive &#124; New York's Waldorf Astoria Hotel Finds a Rocky Path to Condo Conversion|language=en-US|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-yorks-waldorf-astoria-hotel-finds-a-rocky-path-to-condo-conversion-11651492804|access-date=July 19, 2022|issn=0099-9660}}</ref> Further complications arose due to various workplace accidents,<ref name="Small Hughes u614">{{cite web |last=Small |first=Eddie |last2=Hughes |first2=C. J. |date=February 18, 2025 |title=Waldorf Astoria's long-awaited reopening is a key test for luxury condo, hotel markets |url=https://www.crainsnewyork.com/real-estate/waldorf-astoria-reopening-key-test-luxury-condo-hotel-markets |access-date=February 20, 2025 |website=Crain&#039;s New York Business}}</ref> including the death of a worker.<ref name="Adolphus t455" /><ref>{{cite web |date=January 2, 2025 |title=Man falls to death from construction site at NYC's Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Midtown, Manhattan |url=https://abc7ny.com/post/man-falls-death-construction-site-nycs-waldorf-astoria-hotel-midtown-manhattan/15741283/ |access-date=February 20, 2025 |website=ABC7 New York}}</ref>

In March 2023, news media reported that the building would not reopen until 2025 at the earliest.<ref name="Rogers 2023 v509">{{cite web |last=Rogers |first=Jack |date=March 27, 2023 |title=NYC's Waldorf Astoria Won't Reopen Until 2025 |url=https://www.globest.com/2023/03/27/nycs-waldorf-astoria-wont-reopen-until-2025/ |access-date=August 31, 2023 |website=GlobeSt}}</ref><ref name="The Real Deal 2023 e892">{{cite web |date=March 23, 2023 |title=Waldorf Astoria Condo Conversion Further Delayed |url=https://therealdeal.com/new-york/2023/03/23/waldorf-astoria-condo-conversion-could-be-lucky-for-2025-opening/ |access-date=August 31, 2023 |website=The Real Deal}}</ref> [[Hilton Hotels & Resorts]] hired a leadership team in April 2024 in advance of the hotel's expected reopening later that year.<ref name="TravelWires f654">{{cite web |last=Simon |first=Alma |date=February 16, 2024 |title=The Waldorf Astoria New York Prepares for Grand Reopening with Modern Luxuries |url=https://www.travelwires.com/the-waldorf-astoria-new-york-prepares-for-grand-reopening-with-modern-luxuries |access-date=May 9, 2024 |website=TravelWires}}</ref><ref name="Nandi j887">{{cite web |last=Nandi |first=Kathakali |date=April 19, 2024 |title=Waldorf Astoria New York gears up for reopening with new exec team |url=https://hotelsmag.com/news/waldorf-astoria-new-york-gears-up-for-reopening-with-new-exec-team/ |access-date=May 9, 2024 |website=HOTELSMag.com}}</ref> In October 2024, the hotel's reopening was postponed yet again to early 2025.<ref name="NY1 2024 y522">{{cite web | title=Writer discusses Waldorf Astoria restoration delays | website=Spectrum News NY1  | date=October 11, 2024 | url=https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/mornings-on-1/2024/10/11/writer-discusses-waldorf-astoria-restoration-delays | access-date=October 13, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Waldorf Astoria New York to reopen to public in spring 2025 | website=Boutique Hotelier USA | last=Crowe |first=Eamonn | date=October 10, 2024 | url=https://usa.boutiquehotelier.com/waldorf-astoria-new-york-hotel-reopening/ | access-date=October 13, 2024 | archive-date=July 13, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713164246/https://usa.boutiquehotelier.com/waldorf-astoria-new-york-hotel-reopening/ | url-status=dead }}</ref> In addition, the chef [[Michael Anthony (chef)|Michael Anthony]] was hired that November to operate Lex Yard, the hotel's main restaurant.<ref name="Boutique Hotelier USA i068" /><ref name="McCart g376">{{cite web |last=McCart |first=Melissa |date=December 3, 2024 |title='Top Chef' Host Is Leading Her First New York Kitchen |url=https://ny.eater.com/2024/12/3/24311964/kristen-kish-the-ned-michael-anthony-the-waldorf-nyc-hotel-restaurants |access-date=March 27, 2025 |website=Eater NY}}</ref> Hilton began allowing guests to make reservations the next month in preparation for the hotel's reopening,<ref>{{cite web | last=Zhekova | first=Dobrina | title=and It Has a 30,000-square-foot Spa, an Outdoor Terrace, and a 2-story Restaurant | website=Travel + Leisure | date=December 2, 2024 | url=https://www.travelandleisure.com/new-york-waldorf-astoria-hotel-reopening-2025-8750946 | access-date=December 3, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Waldorf Astoria New York to Begin Accepting Reservations | website=Hospitality Net | date=December 3, 2024 | url=https://www.hospitalitynet.org/announcement/41011891.html | access-date=December 3, 2024}}</ref> and the first condos went on sale at that time.<ref name="Small Hughes u614" /><ref>{{cite web | last=Feinblatt | first=Rachel | title=Waldorf Astoria Residences New York Hit The Market | website=Gotham Magazine | date=January 24, 2025 | url=https://gothammag.com/waldorf-astoria-residences-new-york | access-date=February 4, 2025}}</ref> The first buyers finalized their purchases in February 2025.<ref name="Small Hughes u614" /><ref>{{cite web | last=Epstein | first=Jennifer | title=NYC's Waldorf Astoria Closes on First Sales After Major Revamp | website=Bloomberg.com | date=February 3, 2025 | url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-03/nyc-s-waldorf-astoria-closes-on-first-sales-after-major-revamp | access-date=February 4, 2025}}</ref> The firm [[Douglas Elliman]] was hired to sell the condos.<ref>{{cite web |date=June 11, 2019 |title=Anbang taps Douglas Elliman to market Waldorf Astoria condos |url=https://therealdeal.com/2019/06/11/waldorf-astoria-condos-to-hit-an-oversupplied-market-this-fall/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125225311/https://therealdeal.com/2019/06/11/waldorf-astoria-condos-to-hit-an-oversupplied-market-this-fall/ |archive-date=November 25, 2020 |access-date=June 11, 2019 |website=The Real Deal}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Plitt |first=Amy |date=June 11, 2019 |title=Waldorf Astoria's 375 new condos to hit the market this fall |url=https://ny.curbed.com/nyc-development/2019/6/11/18661133/waldorf-astoria-new-york-condos-sales-launch-douglas-elliman |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009065850/https://ny.curbed.com/nyc-development/2019/6/11/18661133/waldorf-astoria-new-york-condos-sales-launch-douglas-elliman |archive-date=October 9, 2020 |access-date=June 11, 2019 |website=Curbed NY}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Morris |first=Keiko |date=June 11, 2019 |title=Waldorf Astoria to Sell Condos, as Chinese Owners Shrug Off Glut |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/waldorf-astoria-condos-to-hit-market-in-fall-11560245401 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101225347/https://www.wsj.com/articles/waldorf-astoria-condos-to-hit-market-in-fall-11560245401 |archive-date=January 1, 2020 |access-date=June 11, 2019 |work=Wall Street Journal |language=en-US |issn=0099-9660}}</ref> [[Jay Neveloff]] was hired as an adviser for the hotel's renovation and residential conversion,<ref>{{cite web |last=Cunningham |first=Cathy |date=September 7, 2016 |title=Kramer Levin's Jay Neveloff Talks Hidden Value and Adaptive Re-use |url=https://commercialobserver.com/2016/09/kramer-levins-jay-neveloff-talks-hidden-value-and-adaptive-re-use/ |access-date=March 22, 2025 |website=Commercial Observer}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Solomont |first=E.B. |date=November 1, 2017 |title=The Closing: Jay Neveloff |url=https://therealdeal.com/magazine/new-york-november-2017/the-closing-jay-neveloff/ |access-date=March 22, 2025 |website=The Real Deal}}</ref> and Neveloff's law firm, [[Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel]], handled legal aspects of the condo conversion.<ref name="Getlen e468" />

The hotel reopened on July 15, 2025,<ref name="nyt-2025-07-15">{{Cite news |last=Fabricant |first=Florence |date=2025-07-15 |title=The Waldorf Astoria Reopens With Lex Yard, Yoshoku and Peacock Alley |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/15/dining/nyc-restaurant-news.html |access-date=2025-07-16 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> with 375 rooms.<ref name="www.yahoo.com 2019" /><ref name="Hawker o313" /><ref name="Small Hughes u614" /> Initially, only three restaurants were open.<ref name="McCart w537">{{cite web |last=McCart |first=Melissa |date=July 14, 2025 |title=The Waldorf Astoria Is Finally Reopening Alongside Its Three New Restaurants |url=https://ny.eater.com/restaurant-openings/400544/waldorf-astoria-new-york-lex-yard-yoshoku-peacock-alley-manhattan-midtown-reopening |access-date=July 16, 2025 |website=Eater NY}}</ref><ref name="Ratliff q187">{{cite web |last=Ratliff |first=Laura |date=July 15, 2025 |title=Inside the Waldorf Astoria's $2 billion reinvention |url=https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/first-look-the-waldorf-astorias-shiny-2-billion-renovation-071525 |access-date=July 16, 2025 |website=Time Out New York}}</ref> The hotel's meeting facilities and ballroom reopened on September 5, 2025,<ref>{{cite web | title=Waldorf Astoria New York Debuts Renovated Ballroom | website=LODGING Magazine | date=September 8, 2025 | url=https://lodgingmagazine.com/waldorf-astoria-new-york-debuts-renovated-ballroom-and-event-spaces/ | access-date=September 9, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Mocker | first=Greg | title=Waldorf Astoria welcomes visitors to restored interiors and new spaces | website=PIX11 | date=September 8, 2025 | url=https://pix11.com/news/local-news/manhattan/waldorf-astoria-welcomes-visitors-to-restored-interiors-and-new-spaces/ | access-date=September 9, 2025}}</ref> with the Guerlain Wellness Spa set to follow in early fall 2025.<ref>{{cite web |title=Waldorf Astoria New York |url=https://www.hospitalitynet.org/announcement/41013193.html |date=5 September 2025}}</ref> By late September, most of the guestrooms were open to the public, and over 30 condos had been sold.<ref name="The Wall Street Journal x560" /> Due to the acquisition fees, renovation fees, and cost overruns, the redevelopment's total cost was estimated at $6 billion.<ref name="The Wall Street Journal x560" />

==Architecture<span class="anchor" id="Architecture and design"></span>==
{{for|a discussion of the original hotel's architecture|Waldorf-Astoria (1893–1929)#Architecture}}
The hotel was designed by architects [[Schultze and Weaver]] and constructed at 301 [[Park Avenue]], between 49th and 50th Streets, several blocks north of [[Grand Central Terminal]].<ref name="Chapter 6: Historic Resources" /> The hotel occupies an entire city block, measuring {{convert|405|ft}} wide between Park Avenue to the west and Lexington Avenue to the east, and {{convert|200|ft}} deep between 49th Street to the south and 50th Street to the north.<ref name="p130893674">{{cite news |date=March 16, 1931 |title=Waldorf Ready in September: $40,000,000 Hostelry Will Have Own Railroad Siding-- Hayden is Chairman |page=15 |work=Wall Street Journal |issn=0099-9660 |id={{ProQuest|130893674}}}}</ref> The hotel was developed atop the existing railroad tracks leading to the station as part of the [[Terminal City (Grand Central Terminal)|Terminal City]] complex, using the [[air rights]] above the tracks.<ref name="Chapter 6: Historic Resources">{{cite web |title=Chapter 6: Historic Resources |url=http://web.mta.info/capital/esa_docs/eafiles06/06%20Historic%20Resources.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304030000/http://web.mta.info/capital/esa_docs/eafiles06/06 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=October 7, 2014 |publisher=[[East Side Access]] Project, mta.info |pages=6–7}}</ref>

''Travel America'' stated: "To linger in the sumptuous salons of the Waldorf-Astoria is to step back in time. Your trip down memory lane is a flashback to the glamor days of the 1930s when this [[Art Deco]] masterpiece was the tallest hotel in the world and the epicenter of elite society. A legendary limestone landmark occupying a whole block of prime real estate in midtown Manhattan, it's still a prestigious address that embodies luxury and power in the richest city on earth."<ref>{{cite web |author=Mink, Randy |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-91561919.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329131545/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-91561919.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 29, 2015 |title=The Waldorf-Astoria: the great gray dowager of Park Avenue personifies New York City at its best. (Resort Of The Month) |work=Travel America |date=September 1, 2002|access-date=January 5, 2015}}</ref>

===Form and facade <span class="anchor" id="Exterior"></span>===
[[File:Waldorf Astoria exterior.jpg|thumb|upright|Waldorf Astoria, Park Avenue facade]]
The 47-story, {{convert|625|ft|abbr=on}} hotel,{{sfn|Robins|2017|p=104}}{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1993|p=6}}<ref name="p130893674" /> was the tallest and largest hotel in the world for several years after its completion.{{sfn|Korom|2008|p=422}} The structure uses {{convert|1585|ft3}} of black marble imported from Belgium, {{convert|600|ft3}} of Brech Montalto and {{convert|260|ft3}} of Alps Green from Italy, and some 300 antique mantels.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=53}} In addition, 200 railroad cars brought some {{convert|800000|ft3}} of limestone for the building's facing, 27,100 tons of steel for the skeleton superstructure, and {{convert|2.595|e6ft2|m2}} of terra cotta and gypsum block.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=53}} The hotel is accessed by six bronze-and-nickel doorways, three each on Park and Lexington Avenues, all measuring {{convert|13|ft}} wide and {{convert|31|ft}} high.<ref name="p11136639182">{{cite news |date=May 4, 1930 |title=New Waldorf-Astoria Will Be House of Many Bronze Doors: 6 Entrances Will Be 13 Ft. Wide, 31 Ft. High; Metal Will Be Used Extensively |page=E2 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1113663918}}}}</ref>

The [[massing]] of the hotel rises from a pair of 20-story-high slabs at the base, which run parallel to Park and Lexington Avenues. The slabs contain [[Setback (architecture)|setbacks]] at the 18th story on their western [[Elevation (architecture)|elevation]] and at the 13th and 16th stories on the eastern elevation.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1993|pp=6–7}} The slab on Park Avenue contained a retractable metal and glass roof above the 18th and 19th stories, above the Starlight Roof nightclub.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1993|p=6}} The slabs are covered with gray limestone and lack colorful ornamentation.{{sfn|Robins|2017|pp=104–105}}{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1993|p=7}} The facade of the lower stories is divided vertically into numerous bays, which contain recessed windows and [[spandrel]] panels. There are three patterns of spandrels on the western and eastern elevations of the facade, facing Park and Lexington Avenues respectively.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1993|p=7}} Gilded letters with the hotel's name are placed above the entrances on either avenue.{{sfn|Robins|2017|p=107}}{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1993|p=7}} On Park Avenue, the letters are flanked by representations of maidens.{{sfn|Robins|2017|pp=107–108}}{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1993|p=7}}

Above the 20th story, the hotel rises as a single slab to the 42nd story. This slab is oriented parallel to the side streets and is also faced in gray limestone.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1993|ps=.|p=7}} The 42-story slab is topped by a pair of towers.{{sfn|Robins|2017|p=104}}{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1993|ps=.|p=7}} The tops of the towers contain bronze-and-glass lanterns measuring {{convert|15|ft}} high and 15 feet wide.<ref name="p1114057202" /> The upper stories of the towers are faced in brick, which was intentionally designed to match the stonework on the lower stories.{{sfn|Robins|2017|p=107}}{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1993|ps=.|p=7}} The use of brick led many to believe that the builders ran out of money.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=53}} The Waldorf Astoria's facade has undergone few changes over the years, except for the installation of openings for air conditioners; replacement of aluminum windows; and modifications to storefronts, marquees, and entrances at ground level.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1993|ps=.|p=7}}

===Interior===
[[File:Waldolfastoriaelevatorlobby.JPG|alt=The Waldorf-Astoria's elevator lobby|thumb|upright|The elevator lobby]] [[Frommer's]] has cited the hotel as an "icon of luxury", and highlights the "wide stately corridors, the vintage Deco door fixtures, the white-gloved bellmen, the luxe shopping arcade", the "stunning round mosaic under an immense crystal chandelier", and the "free-standing Waldorf clock, covered with bronze relief figures" in the main lobby.{{Sfn|Flippin|2011|p=34}} The first, third, fourth, and 18th floors were dedicated entirely to public rooms and spaces.<ref name="p1113774831">{{cite news |date=December 30, 1930 |title=Grand Ballroom At New Waldorf Will Hold 4,000: Famed Oscar to Return as Maitre d'Hotel, Completed Entertainment Plans Show |page=9 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1113774831}}}}</ref> Many of the public areas used indirect lighting, with lightbulbs concealed in objects such as lamps and vases, "so as to create a restful atmosphere".<ref name="nyt-1931-04-26">{{Cite news |date=April 26, 1931 |title=Waldorf Lighting; Indirect Method Adoptod for Main Interior Rooms. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1931/04/26/archives/waldorf-lighting-indirect-method-adoptod-for-main-interior-rooms.html |access-date=February 11, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Tours are conducted of the hotel for guests.<ref name="fact">{{cite web |url=http://www.scps.nyu.edu/export/sites/scps/pdf/tisch/HotelFactSheet.pdf |title=Hotel fact sheet |publisher=[[New York University]] School of Professional Studies |year=2009 |access-date=January 5, 2015 |archive-date=April 18, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150418235235/http://www.scps.nyu.edu/export/sites/scps/pdf/tisch/HotelFactSheet.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Ground level ====
The hotel is accessed by two foyers at ground level: one on Park Avenue to the west and one on Lexington Avenue to the east.<ref name="NYCL p. 21" /> The entire hotel is arranged around the west–east axis connecting the two foyers.<ref name="Davidson l721" /><ref name="NYCL p. 21" /> Three vestibules at the middle of the Park Avenue elevation contain metal-and-glass doors that lead to the foyer there. The center vestibule is composed of a limestone frame, which projects slightly inward and contains two revolving doors. The vestibules on either side contain doors that swing outward, as well as ornate nickel-bronze metalwork. There are nickel-bronze grilles between each of the vestibule, as well as large windows on the west wall, illuminating the space.<ref name="NYCL p. 21" /> These large windows are divided by wide [[mullion]]s with bas-reliefs, and they also have pierced metal screens.<ref name="NYCL p. 27">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2017|ps=.|p=27}}</ref> Stairs on the east wall lead up to the Park Avenue lobby.<ref name="NYCL p. 21">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2017|ps=.|p=21}}</ref>

The Lexington Avenue foyer is at the center of the Lexington Avenue elevation and also contains nickel-bronze decorations. The east wall has three vestibules with metal-and-glass doors leading to the street. The center vestibule is a revolving door within a curved frame, while the other vestibules have doors that swing outward. Above the vestibules are grilles, wood paneling, and beveled mirrors. The west wall contains escalators to the north and a stairway to the south, which ascend to the lobby level, as well as a hallway leading to additional spaces at ground level.<ref name="NYCL p. 24">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2017|ps=.|p=24}}</ref>

A private driveway, measuring {{convert|90|ft}} wide and {{convert|200|ft}} long, was built from 49th to 50th Street. Similar to the old Waldorf-Astoria's 34th Street carriageway, this allowed private vehicles and taxis to drop off and pick up guests without blocking traffic.<ref name="nyt-1930-03-11">{{Cite news |date=March 11, 1930 |title=New Waldorf to Contain Own Parking Space; 90-Foot Drive Will Run From 49th to 50th St. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1930/03/11/archives/new-waldorf-to-contain-own-parking-space-90foot-drive-will-run-from.html |access-date=February 11, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="p1113119297">{{cite news |date=March 11, 1930 |title=Own Drive Will Run Through New Waldorf-Astoria Hotel |page=10 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1113119297}}}}</ref> The driveway led to a parking lot with 300 spaces.<ref name="p513112828">{{cite news |date=October 1, 1931 |title=New Waldorf-Astoria Opens To 20,000 Special Guests There: President Hoover From Washington Goes on Air to Felicitate Management on Enterprise-- 'Peacock Alley' Gayer Than Ever Oscar Early on Hand Guests Are Now Patrons |page=3 |work=The Christian Science Monitor |id={{ProQuest|513112828}}}}</ref>

====Lobby level====
Unlike in other American hotels, the lobby story of the Waldorf Astoria is raised one story above ground level, which both created the impression of grandeur and allowed storefronts to be placed at ground level.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2017|ps=.|p=6}}<ref name="p1113774831" /> Many rooms contained murals from both 18th-century and contemporary artists. For example, the men's cafe contained a map of the [[New York metropolitan area]] with notable golf courses.<ref name="nyt-1931-09-27" /> Another dining room, at 50th Street and Park Avenue,<ref name="Abramovitch w997" /> had canvases painted by [[Josep Maria Sert]], gold walls, and a silver ceiling.<ref name="nyt-1931-09-27">{{Cite news |last=Storey |first=Walter Rendell |date=September 27, 1931 |title=Hotel Decoration in the Grand Manner; Modern and Period Effects in Furnishings Are Combined To Bring Charm and Comfort to the Waldorf-Astoria |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1931/09/27/archives/hotel-decoration-in-the-grand-manner-modern-and-period-effects-in.html |access-date=February 12, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

===== Park Avenue lobby and colonnade =====
[[File:Waldorf Astoria lobby view 2.jpg|alt=The Waldorf-Astoria's Park Avenue lobby|thumb|upright|The Park Avenue lobby]]
On the west side of the lobby level is the Park Avenue lobby, also called the main foyer; it is accessed from the Park Avenue foyer and is illuminated by that foyer's windows. The LPC describes the space as being in the Pompeian style. The Park Avenue lobby is surrounded by raised terraces on the north and south walls, the Park Avenue foyer to the west, and the colonnade to the east. The north terrace connects with the Empire Room, while the south terrace connects with the Vanderbilt Room; both terraces have an alcove to the west and a stair to the east.<ref name="NYCL p. 27" /> The Park Avenue lobby contains classical-style square columns.<ref name="NYCL p. 27" /> There are also pastoral murals by Louis Rigal,<ref name="nyt-1931-09-27" />{{sfn|Robins|2017|p=108}}{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2017|ps=.|p=8}} which are made of 148,000 stone fragments.<ref name="nyt-2025-07-14" /><ref name="Chen b940">{{cite web |last=Chen |first=Stephanie |date=July 15, 2025 |title=Waldorf Astoria New York Begins Its Next Chapter |url=https://hospitalitydesign.com/news/hotels-resorts/waldorf-astoria-new-york-renovation/ |access-date=July 16, 2025 |website=Hospitality Design}}</ref> The center of the Park Avenue lobby has a stepped ceiling, the terraces and Park Avenue foyer have painted panels on their ceilings, and the terraces' alcoves have metallic-trim ceilings.<ref name="NYCL p. 27" />

The Park Avenue Colonnade connects the Park Avenue lobby to the west and the West Lounge to the east. The space is divided into three aisles by two [[colonnade]]s of square columns. The mosaic floor contains rosette motifs surrounded by a [[travertine]] frame. Each wall is made of painted plaster with limestone [[pilaster]]s, wainscoting, and white-metal doors. The men's room and cloakroom are on the north wall, while the ladies' room and shoe-shine room are on the south wall; a set of metal-and-glass doors originally led to the West Lounge. The center aisle has a [[coved ceiling]] with indirect lighting and metal finishes, while the north and south aisles have paneled ceilings similar to those above the Park Avenue lobby's terraces.<ref name="NYCL p. 31">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2017|ps=.|p=31}}</ref>

The west lounge is known as the Peacock Alley and runs north–south, connecting the Park Avenue lobby and colonnade to the west and the west elevator bank to the east.<ref name="Abramovitch w997" /><ref name="NYCL p. 33" /> It contains wooden paneled walls and red-marble pilasters with silver [[Ionic order|Ionic]] capitals. The northern portion of the west lounge has been converted into a restaurant area.<ref name="NYCL p. 33">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2017|ps=.|p=33}}</ref> This space contains the Peacock Alley restaurant, which includes the main restaurant, a bar and lounge, and three private dining salons.<ref name="fact" /> The southern portion remains intact and contains a set of decorative metal gates that formerly led to a beauty salon.<ref name="NYCL p. 33" /> In the mid-20th century, the Peacock Alley was redecorated with blue-enamel walls and golden palm trees; the space's original appearance, consisting of wood-paneled walls and black marble columns, was restored in 2025.<ref name="Abramovitch w997" /><ref name="nyt-2025-07-14" /> There was also a check-in area in the Peacock Alley until 2025.<ref name="Abramovitch w997" /><ref name="nyt-2025-07-14" />

The west elevator lobby consists of a bank of six elevators with [[stainless steel]] doors that contain bas-reliefs of women. The elevator lobby also has a carpet, wooden paneling around the elevator doors, and a stepped ceiling with crystal chandelier.<ref name="NYCL p. 35">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2017|ps=.|p=35}}</ref>  The elevators are furnished with paneled pollard oak and Carpathian elm.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=141}}

===== Main lobby =====
{{multiple image
| footer            = Above: The main lobby. Below: The foyer
| direction         = vertical
| width             = 250
| image1            = Waldorf Astoria, NY.jpg
| alt1              = The main lobby
| image2            = Waldorf Astoria foyer.jpg
| alt2              = The Park Avenue foyer in 1987
}}

The main lobby, at the center of the lobby level, measures {{convert|82|by|62|ft}} across and {{convert|22|ft}} high.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2017|ps=.|p=6}} The lobby has four wood-paneled walls, all of which originally contained archways, but the archways on the north and south walls have been infilled. There are also square columns made of black marble, which support a plaster ceiling.<ref name="NYCL p. 36">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2017|ps=.|p=36}}</ref> The tops of the walls contain a bas-relief [[frieze]], installed in a 1980s renovation.<ref name="NYCL p. 36" /><ref name="nyt-1986-09-21" /> The lobby is furnished with polished nickel-bronze cornices and Rockwood stone.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=54}}  In the main lobby is a chandelier measuring {{convert|10|ft}} by {{convert|10|ft}}.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=141}} Initially, the north wall of the lobby had a porter and cigar store; the east wall had a transportation desk; and the south wall had a cashier's desk and front-office desk.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2017|ps=.|p=6}} Special desks in the lobby are provided for transportation and theater, where exclusive tickets to many of the city's prominent theaters can be purchased.<ref name="fact" />

The grand clock, a {{cvt|4000|lb|adj=on}} bronze, was built by the Goldsmith's Company of London{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=54}} and was acquired from the 1893 [[World's Columbian Exposition]].<ref name="Abramovitch w997" /><ref name="Small Hughes u614" />{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=54}} Its base is octagonal, with eight commemorative plaques of presidents [[George Washington]], [[Abraham Lincoln]], [[Ulysses S. Grant]], [[Andrew Jackson]], [[Benjamin Harrison]], and [[Grover Cleveland]], and [[Queen Victoria]] and [[Benjamin Franklin]]. A shield once belonging to the Waldorf was moved to the Alexis restaurant on W. Franklin Street in 1984.<ref>{{cite news |last=McAlpin |first=Dora |date=October 23, 1984 |title=New Restaurant Honors Dynasty Star |page=1 |newspaper=The Daily Tar Heel |location=Chapel Hill, North Carolina |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/67850766/?terms=Waldorf+Astoria |url-status=live |access-date=October 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021014154/https://www.newspapers.com/image/67850766/?terms=Waldorf+Astoria |archive-date=October 21, 2020 |via=newspapers.com {{open access}}}}</ref> The lobby also contains [[Cole Porter]]'s [[Steinway & Sons]] floral print-decorated grand piano on the Cocktail Terrace, which the hotel had once given him as a gift.<ref name="nyt-2025-07-14" />{{sfn|Davis|2011|p=27}} Porter was a resident at the hotel for 30 years and composed many of his songs here.<ref>{{cite web |last=Martinez |first=Jose |date=July 20, 2010 |title=Cole Porter's apartment at the Waldorf-Astoria can be yours for $140K a month |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/cole-porter-apartment-waldorf-astoria-140k-month-article-1.467078 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924122317/https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/cole-porter-apartment-waldorf-astoria-140k-month-article-1.467078 |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |access-date=January 2, 2015 |work=New York Daily News}}</ref>

The main lobby is surrounded on all four sides by a system of secondary corridors. The eastern corridor allowed direct access from Lexington Avenue to the various rooms on the third and fourth stories.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2017|ps=.|pp=6–7}} The architects used different colors of marbles for the lobby-floor lounges to distinguish them from each other. The west lounge has French walnut burl panels separated by red French marble; the former north lounge had yellow Siena marble; the south lounge has white gray Breche Montalto marble; and the east arcade has serpentine cladding.{{sfn|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2017|ps=.|p=8}}

===== East arcade and stair hall =====
East of the main lobby is the main lobby hall, which leads to the hotel's east arcade and eastern elevator bank. The room includes wall panels made of [[burl]]ed wood, as well as bronze [[Display case|vitrines]].<ref name="NYCL p. 40">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2017|ps=.|p=40}}</ref> The east arcade runs in a north–south direction, connecting the main lobby hall to the west and a stair hall to the east. Its design is similar to that of the west lounge. The east arcade has elevators with nickel-bronze doors that contain bas-reliefs of floral patterns and figures. The east arcade also contains Japanese-ash wall paneling; green-marble pilasters with [[Corinthian order|Corinthian]] capitals; and metal-and-glass doors. The northern end of the east arcade has been divided into another room, while the southern end leads to a staircase that connects with the 49th Street Ballroom. The arcade also contains display cases and stores, although it originally functioned as a lounge.<ref name="NYCL p. 41">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2017|ps=.|p=41}}</ref>

The stair hall consists of a pair of staircases leading from the first to the third floor, allowing guests to access the ballroom directly from Lexington Avenue. The staircases contain balustrades with frozen-fountain motifs and brass handrails, as well as marble statues. The plaster walls are painted to resemble [[travertine]] and contain grilles and mirrored panels, while the ceilings have stepped surfaces and crystal chandeliers.<ref name="NYCL p. 46">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2017|ps=.|p=46}}</ref>

===== Other lobby-level spaces =====
The lobby level contains the room registration and cashier desks, the Empire Room and Hilton Room, the private Marco Polo Club, the Wedding Salon, Kenneth's Salon, the Peacock Alley lounge and restaurant, and Sir Harry's Bar. From 1992 to 2013, [[Kenneth (hairdresser)|Kenneth]], sometimes called the world's first celebrity hairdresser,{{sfn|Reed|2012|p=25}} famed for creating [[Jacqueline Kennedy]]'s bouffant in 1961,{{sfn|Wong|2010|p=151}} moved his hairdressing and beauty salon to the Waldorf after a 1990 fire destroyed his shop on [[19 East 54th Street]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Fine Collins |first=Amy |date=June 2003 |title="Mr. Kenneth" Battelle: The Hairdresser Who Styled Jackie Kennedy, Marilyn Monroe, and Katharine Hepburn |magazine=Vanity Fair |url=http://www.vanityfair.com/style/features/2003/06/kenneth-battelle-hairdresser-jackie-kennedy |url-status=live |access-date=January 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120135823/http://www.vanityfair.com/style/features/2003/06/kenneth-battelle-hairdresser-jackie-kennedy |archive-date=January 20, 2015}}</ref> The Library Lounge, which has functioned as the check-in area since 2025, is accessed from a [[porte-cochère]] facing 49th Street.<ref name="nyt-2025-07-14" />

Several boutiques surround the lobby.{{sfn|Davis|2011|p=27}} The Empire Room is where many of the musical and dance performances were put on, from [[Count Basie]], to [[Victor Borge]], [[Gordon MacRae]], [[Liza Minnelli]], [[George M. Cohan]], and [[Lena Horne]], the first black performer at the hotel.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|pp=60–1}}

====Third and fourth floors====
The third floor contains the Grand Ballroom, the ballroom foyer, entrance hall, the Basildon Room, the Jade Room, and the Astor Gallery.<ref name="p1113774831" /> The eastern part of the third floor contains the Jade Room to the north and the Astor Gallery to the south, separated by a foyer. The stair hall from the first floor connects the Jade Room–Astor Gallery foyer to the east with the ballroom's entrance hall to the west. The ballroom's entrance hall extends north to the Basildon Room and connects with the ballroom's foyer to the southwest. West of the ballroom foyer is the ballroom itself, at the center of the third floor's south side.<ref name="NYCL p. 48">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2017|ps=.|p=48}}</ref>

===== Grand Ballroom =====
The Grand Ballroom, measuring {{convert|120|by|135|ft}},<ref name="NYCL p. 49">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2017|ps=.|p=49}}</ref> measures {{convert|44|ft}} high.<ref name="p1113774831" /><ref name="p1114161819">{{cite news |date=January 4, 1931 |title=Ballroom Large Enough to Hold Residents of Hamilton County: Big Banquet Hall of New Waldorf-Astoria Hotel Will Accommodate 4,000 Persons; Will Extend Through Four Floors From Third to Seventh |page=E1 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1114161819}}}}</ref> The space could fit up to 4,000 people.<ref name="p1114161819" /> Although the ballroom has had several decorative schemes over the years, since 1983 it has been painted in a [[Champagne (color)|champagne-colored]] palette with silver and gold accents.<ref name="NYCL p. 49" /> The center of the ballroom has no columns and is spanned by a {{convert|312|ST|t|adj=on}} girder, which supports the upper stories.<ref name="p1113663918">{{cite news |date=July 13, 1930 |title=312-Ton Truss Will Help Hold Up New Waldorf-Astoria: Steel Arch Over Ballroom Is Ninety Feet Long and Thirty-Three Feel High |page=E7 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1113663918}}}}</ref> The ballroom has a stage at its northern end,<ref name="p130893674" /><ref name="NYCL p. 49" /> which could accommodate a full orchestra.<ref name="p1114161819" /> The rest of the room is surrounded by two balconies, which are supported by full-height piers and contain indirect lighting fixtures.<ref name="NYCL p. 49" /> The balconies on the fourth floor project from the piers, while those on the fifth floor are designed as cantilevered [[Box (theatre)|boxes]],<ref name="NYCL p. 49" /><ref name="p1114161819" /> which have rounded fronts.<ref name="nyt-2025-07-14" /> The ballroom has a coved ceiling that measures {{Convert|44|ft}} tall<ref name="nyt-2025-07-14" /> and steps up toward the center; it originally had indirect lighting panels, but a crystal chandelier and [[cove lighting]] have also been installed.<ref name="NYCL p. 49" /> SOM restored the ballroom to its original appearance during the 2020s.<ref name="Davidson l721" /><ref name="Rahmanan 2021 k451">{{cite web |last=Rahmanan |first=Anna |date=March 31, 2021 |title=This is what the Waldorf Astoria's Grand Ballroom is going to look like once it reopens |url=https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/this-is-what-the-waldorf-astorias-grand-ballroom-is-going-to-look-like-once-it-reopens-033121 |access-date=September 7, 2023 |website=Time Out New York}}</ref>

The Grand Ballroom is surrounded by galleries that connect the main floor to the balconies. The galleries contain carpets on the floors, grilles on the walls, and metal staircases.<ref name="NYCL p. 49" /> The ballroom was originally served by 27 elevators which connected to the main entrances, a set of private entrances on 49th and 50th Streets, and the guestrooms.<ref name="p1114161819" />

Numerous organizations hold their annual dinners in the Grand Ballroom, including [[St. John's University (New York City)|St. John's University]] President's Dinner<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stjohns.edu/about/events/17th-annual-presidents-dinner |title=17th Annual President's Dinner |publisher=St. John's University |access-date=January 19, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119213952/http://www.stjohns.edu/about/events/17th-annual-presidents-dinner |archive-date=January 19, 2015 }}</ref> and the [[Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/topics/news/us/alfred-e.-smith-memorial-foundation-dinner.htm |title=Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner News |work=ABC News |access-date=January 19, 2015 |archive-date=May 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180531111844/https://abcnews.go.com/topics/news/us/alfred-e.-smith-memorial-foundation-dinner.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[NASCAR]] [[Sprint Cup Series|Sprint Cup]] end-of-season awards banquet was held at the Waldorf-Astoria every year between 1981 and 2008;, mainly in the Grand Ballroom.<ref>Dorn, Susan, "Presidential Suite, The Waldorf Towers, New York City", ''Hospitality Design'', July/August 1994, Pages 31–35.</ref> Every October, the Paris Ball was held in the Grand Ballroom, before moving to the Americana (now the [[Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel|Sheraton Times Square]]).{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=140}} [[Bob Hope]] was a regular performer at the Ballroom,{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=254}} as was [[Guy Lombardo]], who used to broadcast live on the radio there from the "Starlight Roof".{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|pp=64–5}} [[Maurice Chevalier]] performed at the ballroom in 1965 in his last appearance.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|pp=64–5}} [[Louis Armstrong]] performed at the Waldorf for two weeks in March 1971 in his last performance.<ref name="Nollen2004">{{cite book|author=Scott Allen Nollen|title=Louis Armstrong: The Life, Music, and Screen Career|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OwgrKZQeCncC|year=2004|publisher=McFarland|isbn=978-0-7864-1857-2|page=192|access-date=March 25, 2021|archive-date=March 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319091325/https://books.google.com/books?id=OwgrKZQeCncC|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Berrett2008">{{cite book|author=Joshua Berrett|title=Louis Armstrong and Paul Whiteman: Two Kings of Jazz|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sXdsTTQqUjkC|year= 2008|publisher=[[Yale University Press]]|isbn=978-0-300-12747-8|access-date=March 25, 2021|archive-date=May 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518121146/https://books.google.com/books?id=sXdsTTQqUjkC|url-status=live}}</ref>  Since 1986, most [[Rock & Roll Hall of Fame]] induction ceremonies have been held in the Grand Ballroom.<ref>{{Cite web|date=January 22, 2019|title=Rock & Roll Hall of Fame|url=https://waldorfnewyorkcity.com/blog/rock-roll-hall-of-fame/|access-date=April 25, 2021|website=The Waldorf Astoria|language=en-US|archive-date=April 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425153155/https://waldorfnewyorkcity.com/blog/rock-roll-hall-of-fame/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===== Other third- and fourth-story spaces =====
The ballroom foyer, east of the ballroom, measures {{convert|87|by|40|ft}} wide. There is an aisle to the east, separating the foyer from the ballroom entrance hall. The southern end of the aisle contains a staircase leading to a mezzanine and the fourth-floor balcony; the mezzanine and stairway have metal railings. The walls contain metal grilles, and the north and south walls also have marble piers. The north, west, and east walls have transoms with mirrors, while the south wall has marble paneling and mirrored doors. The ceilings are made of plaster, with crystal chandeliers hanging from a dome with plaster peacocks.<ref name="NYCL p. 56">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2017|ps=.|p=56}}</ref>

The ballroom's entrance hall, also known as the Silver  Corridor or Silver Gallery,<ref name="nyt-2025-07-14" /><ref name="NYCL p. 532">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2017|ps=.|p=53}}</ref> bears a resemblance to the original hotel's Peacock Alley, but is shorter and wider.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=142}} It measures almost {{convert|200|ft}} long and connects the ballroom's foyer to the west with the stairways from Lexington Avenue to the east. This room has a vaulted ceiling with crystal chandeliers suspended from it. The walls and doors have mirrored panels, and the space also has grilles, molded frames, and murals. The elevator doors are made of nickel-bronze and depict two women, one each with a lute and a harp.<ref name="NYCL p. 532" /> This room also has allegorical murals painted by [[Edward Emerson Simmons]],{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=55}}<ref name="NYCL p. 532" /> which are surrounded by wood frames and were taken from the original hotel's Astor Gallery.<ref name="NYCL p. 532" /> They depict twelve female figures,<ref name="NYCL p. 532" /> which represent the seasons and months of the year.<ref name="nyt-2025-07-14" />

The Basildon Room, measuring {{convert|48|by|37|ft}}, is at the north end of the ballroom's entrance hall.<ref name="NYCL p. 58">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2017|ps=.|p=58}}</ref> The space includes oil paintings and a fireplace mantel salvaged from [[Basildon Park]], a 17th-century English manor designed by [[John Carr (architect)|John Carr]].<ref name="NYCL p. 58" /><ref name="p1114256926">{{cite news |date=February 1, 1931 |title=Old England Will Be Well Represented In Waldorf-Astoria: Rooms From Several Famous British Houses Have Been Shipped to New Hotel |page=E1 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1114256926}}}}</ref> The oil paintings, designed by Angelica Kauffmann,<ref name="p1114256926" /><ref name="nyt-1931-09-27" /> depict scenes from the poem ''[[Divine Comedy]]'' by [[Dante Alighieri]]. The mantel and walls are decorated in the neoclassical style; the room also originally contained a wooden floor and mirrored transoms and doors.<ref name="NYCL p. 58" />

The Jade Room, occupying the northeast corner of the third story, measures {{convert|78|by|48|ft}}, with marble pilasters and columns dividing the space into aisles. The center of the Jade Room originally had a maple dance floor, while the eastern aisle overlooks Lexington Avenue. The Jade Room contains bas-reliefs on the walls, themed to dance and rhythm; decorations along the edges of the ceiling; and a pair of suspended chandeliers. There are closets at the corners of each aisle, as well as mirrors on the north and south walls.<ref name="NYCL p. 60">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2017|ps=.|p=60}}</ref>

The small eastern foyer, connecting the Jade Room with the Astor Gallery, contains grilles on the walls and ceilings, as well as doorways leading west to the stair hall.<ref name="NYCL p. 62">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2017|ps=.|p=62}}</ref> The Astor Gallery, at the third story's southeast corner, also measures 78 by 48 feet and is divided into three aisles, like the Jade Room. Most of the decorative features are similar to those in the Jade Room, but the south wall of the Astor Gallery also contains a fireplace.<ref name="NYCL p. 63">{{harvnb|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2017|ps=.|p=63}}</ref> The Jade Room had green pilasters and gold window drapes. The Astor Gallery had silver-gray pilasters and rose drapes.<ref name="nyt-1931-09-27" />

On the fourth story were ballrooms that accommodated between 160 and 2,100 guests.<ref name="p1113774831" /> The fourth floor has the banquet and sales offices, and most of the suites were named after guests including [[Blue Barron|Barron]], [[Cornelius Vanderbilt IV|Vanderbilt]], [[Duke of Windsor|Windsor]], [[Conrad Hilton|Conrad]], [[Marcel Vertès|Vertès]], [[Louis XVI]], and Cole Porter. The fourth floor was where the notorious Sunday-night card games were played.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=96}} Before its 2021 renovation, the hotel had a model of one of the living rooms of apartment 31A, then the suite of former U.S. president [[Herbert Hoover]]. A living room from the suite is also recreated as a display at the [[Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum]] in [[West Branch, Iowa]].<ref name="abc 20090922">{{cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Travel/president-obama-stays-waldorf-astoria-united-nations-general/story?id=8634407&singlePage=true |title=Behind the Scenes at the Waldorf Astoria's Posh Presidential Suite |work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |date=September 22, 2009 |access-date=October 7, 2014 |author=Mayerowitz, Scott |archive-date=August 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190804164759/https://abcnews.go.com/Travel/president-obama-stays-waldorf-astoria-united-nations-general/story?id=8634407&singlePage=true |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=jslach|date=November 1, 2017|title=Years of Struggle and Acclaim 1933–1964|url=https://hoover.archives.gov/exhibits/years-struggle-and-acclaim-1933-1964|access-date=April 25, 2021|website=The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum|language=en|archive-date=April 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425085402/https://hoover.archives.gov/exhibits/years-struggle-and-acclaim-1933-1964|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Rooms and suites====
The hotel originally had 2,253 guestrooms, including 500 deluxe rooms and 300 parlors.<ref name="p130893674" /> The rooms above the 28th story were largely intended for long-term residents.<ref name="p513112828" /> The Waldorf Astoria and Towers had 1,413 hotel rooms as of 2014.<ref name="nyt 20141007" /> In 2009, when it had 1,416 rooms, the main hotel had 1,235 single and double rooms and 208 minisuites, of which 17 of which were "Astoria Level" rooms with deluxe amenities and complimentary access to the Astoria Lounge.<ref name="fact" /> The Waldorf Towers, from the 28th floor up to the 42nd, had 181 rooms, of which 115 were suites, with one to four bedrooms.<ref name="fact" /> As of the late 1990s, the hotel had a housekeeping staff of nearly 400, with 150 day maids and 24 night maids.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=187}} By the 2020s, the building had 375 guestrooms and 372 residential condominiums.<ref name="Sieracki j445" /><ref name="Davidson l721" />

===== Lower-story guestrooms =====
[[File:Waldorf Towers suite 30A.jpg|thumb|Waldorf Towers suite 30A]]
The hotel's guestrooms were originally decorated in 18th-century American, English, and French styles;<ref name="nyt-1931-09-27" /> Frommer's likened the décor of the rooms to those of an [[English country house]].{{Sfn|Flippin|2011|p=34}} In the early 21st century, the guestrooms were classified as Deluxe, Superior, and Luxury, with a marble bath or shower and amenities designed by [[Salvatore Ferragamo]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.waldorfnewyork.com/rooms-and-suites/guest-rooms.html |title=Waldorf New York Guest Rooms |publisher=Waldorfnewyork.com |access-date=January 5, 2015 |archive-date=December 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161208182347/http://www.waldorfnewyork.com/rooms-and-suites/guest-rooms.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The suites ranged from {{Convert|450|to|900|ft2}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.waldorfnewyork.com/rooms-and-suites/suites.html |title=Suite Amenities |publisher=Waldorfnewyork.com |access-date=January 5, 2015 |archive-date=December 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161204020800/http://www.waldorfnewyork.com/rooms-and-suites/suites.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The rooms retained their original Art Deco motifs, although each room is decorated differently.<ref name="fact" />

After Pierre-Yves Rochon's 2020s renovation, there are 11 types of hotel rooms and suites, each spanning at least {{Convert|570|ft2}}.<ref name="Chen b940" /><ref name="Nast t523">{{cite web |date=July 17, 2025 |title=Waldorf Astoria New York — Hotel Review |url=https://www.cntraveler.com/hotels/new-york-city/waldorf-astoria-new-york |access-date=July 26, 2025 |website=Condé Nast Traveler}}</ref> Many of the enlarged units are at least twice as large as the previous rooms,<ref name="Davidson l721" /><ref name="nyt-2025-07-14" /> and they generally contain bar areas and dressing rooms.<ref name="nyt-2025-07-14" /> The redesigned rooms have mauve and mint color schemes,<ref name="Ratliff q187" /> along with mosaics, marbles, and custom furniture.<ref name="Chen b940" /><ref name="Nast t523" /> There are also dark wood finishes, and each room has a wardrobe that is accessible directly from the walkway.<ref name="Nast t523" /> Rooms 1218–1220 are connected and can be configured as a single penthouse suite, the Waldorf Astoria Suite.<ref>{{cite web | last=Redman | first=Laura Dannen | title=Inside the Waldorf Astoria New York's Swanky New $50,000-a-Night Penthouse Suite | website=Robb Report | date=2025-11-10 | url=https://robbreport.com/travel/hotels/waldorf-astoria-suite-tour-nyc-1237351552/ | access-date=2025-11-11}}</ref>

===== Upper-story suites and condominiums =====
The Tower suites were divided into standard ones; The Towers Luxury Series, which have their own sitting room; the Towers Penthouse Series; the Towers Presidential-Style Suites; and finally the most expensive Presidential Suite on the 35th floor. The Penthouse Series contained three suites, The Penthouse, The Cole Porter Suite, and The Royal Suite, named after the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. They started at {{convert|1800|ft2}} in size, with two or more bedrooms, and had a kitchen and a dining room which could accommodate 8–12 guests.<ref name="Towers suites">{{cite web |url=http://www.waldorfnewyork.com/the-towers/rooms-and-suites.html |title=Rooms and suites |publisher=Waldorfnewyork.com |access-date=January 5, 2015 |archive-date=January 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170120012928/http://www.waldorfnewyork.com/the-towers/rooms-and-suites.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The Towers Presidential-Style Suites were divided into the MacArthur Suite and the Churchill Suite, and had their own grand entry foyer. Like the Penthouse Series, they had their own kitchen and dining room.<ref name="Towers suites" /> The {{convert|2250|ft2}} Presidential Suite was designed with Georgian-style furniture to emulate that of the [[White House]].<ref name="Towers suites" /> It had three large bedrooms and three bathrooms, and boasted numerous treasures, including the desk of General MacArthur and rocking chair of John F. Kennedy.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=151}}

{{as of|2024}}, the condominiums span floors 19 to 52<ref name="Hawker o313" /> and range from [[studio apartment]]s to [[penthouse apartment]]s.<ref name="ABC7 New York 2020" /> Many of the units have private terraces.<ref name="Chen b940" /> The upper stories largely have 28 condos on each floor. The 40th to 42nd stories contain a total of two penthouses.<ref name="Walker 2018">{{cite web |last=Walker |first=Ameena |date=April 27, 2018 |title=Waldorf Astoria's new condos will be enormous, floorplans reveal |url=https://ny.curbed.com/2018/4/27/17292278/waldorf-astoria-hotel-condo-conversion-floorplans |access-date=February 13, 2023 |website=Curbed NY}}</ref> The penthouses, within the copper pinnacles, are [[duplex apartment]]s covering {{convert|6500|ft2}} and have private elevators.<ref name="ABC7 New York 2020" /> In 2020, excluding the penthouses, the minimum asking prices for the condos ranged from $2.6 million for a one-bedroom unit, to $18.5 million for a four-bedroom, {{Convert|3000|ft2|adj=on}} unit.<ref name="McMullen 2020" />

====Other facilities====
The 18th floor had a {{convert|260|ft|m|-wide|adj=mid}} roof garden and outdoor terrace, as well as a foyer, checking room, coatroom, and kitchens.<ref name="p1113774831" /> The terrace contained multicolored glass mosaics inlaid in cement.<ref name="nyt-1931-09-27" /> A {{convert|2500|ft2}} fitness center is on the 5th floor. The $21.5 million Waldorf Astoria Guerlain Spa was inaugurated on September 1, 2008, on the 19th floor. It features 16 treatment rooms and two relaxation lounges.<ref name="fact"/> The hotel has its own Business Center, a {{convert|1150|ft2}} digital facility, where guests can access the Internet and photocopy.<ref name="fact"/>

In 2004, the hotel launched a line of products in keeping with its Art Deco design.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-118892184.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329154832/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-118892184.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 29, 2015 |title=The Waldorf=Astoria Hotel in New York has launched a line of products reflecting the Art Deco style of the hotel. |work=Household & Personal Products Industry|date=June 1, 2004|access-date=January 5, 2015}}</ref> The top five stories were devoted to mechanical equipment.<ref name="p513112828" /> Following the 2020s renovation, the hotel portion of the Waldorf Astoria had {{Convert|100,000|ft2}} of amenity spaces,<ref name="Hawker o313" /> while the condo portion had another {{Convert|50,000|ft2}} of amenities.<ref name="Hawker o313" /><ref name="Chen b940" /> These amenities included a kitchen, a library, an [[indoor garden]], four bars, and a swimming pool,<ref name="Vera m145" /> in addition to a spa covering {{Convert|30,000|ft2}} and an event space covering {{Convert|43,000|ft2}}.<ref name="Ratliff q187" />

When the Waldorf Astoria opened, it had 31 elevators. The lower stories were served by nine elevators, while the Waldorf Towers were served by four elevators traveling at {{convert|700|ft/min}}. There were also three elevators connecting the ground, ballroom, and banquet-room levels, each capable of carrying {{convert|6000|lb|kg}}, and an elevator on 50th Street connecting to the ballroom and exhibition levels, capable of carrying {{convert|8000|lb|kg}}.<ref name="p1113644501">{{cite news |date=August 3, 1930 |title=Waldorf-Astoria's Transit System Includes 31 Lifts |page=E1 |work=New York Herald Tribune |issn=1941-0646 |id={{ProQuest|1113644501}}}}</ref>

<span class="anchor" id="Secret railway track"></span>The hotel has its own [[railway platform]], [[Track 61 (New York City)|Track 61]], that was part of the [[New York Central Railroad]] (later [[Metro-North Railroad]]), and was connected to the [[Grand Central Terminal]] complex.<ref name="brennanjoe" /> Intended for guests with private railcars,<ref name="p130893674" /><ref name="p513112828" /> the platform was used by such figures as [[Franklin D. Roosevelt]], [[James Farley]], [[Adlai Stevenson II|Adlai Stevenson]], and [[Douglas MacArthur]], and it has also hosted exhibits and fashion shows.<ref name="brennanjoe">{{cite web |url=http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/abandoned/gct61.html |title=Grand Central Terminal, Waldorf-Astoria Platform |year=2002 |author=Brennan, Joseph |publisher=[[Columbia University]] |access-date=October 7, 2014 |archive-date=November 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201106232528/http://www.columbia.edu/~brennan/abandoned/gct61.html |url-status=live }}</ref> An elevator measuring {{convert|18|by|6|ft}},<ref name="p1113644501" /> large enough for Franklin D. Roosevelt's automobile, provides access to the platform.<ref name="nyt 20141007" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Waldorf-Astoria's private rail platform forever closed |work=NewYorkology |date=February 7, 2006 |url=http://www.newyorkology.com/archives/2006/02/waldorfastorias.php |access-date=February 25, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101114092456/http://www.newyorkology.com/archives/2006/02/waldorfastorias.php |archive-date=November 14, 2010 }}</ref> There is a pedestrian entrance from 50th Street, just to the left of the Waldorf Towers entrance, but it is rarely open to the public.<ref name="brennanjoe" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newyork.com/articles/hotels/secrets-of-the-waldorf-astoria-hotel-63985/ |title=Secrets of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel |work=New York.com |date=November 11, 2013 |access-date=October 7, 2014 |author=Nelson, Craig |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011020515/http://www.newyork.com/articles/hotels/secrets-of-the-waldorf-astoria-hotel-63985/ |archive-date=October 11, 2014 }}</ref><ref name="Forrest Wickman">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2014/05/01/fdr_secret_subway_in_the_amazing_spider_man_2_the_hidden_train_station_used.html |title=Is the Secret Subway in the New Spider-Man Real? Explained. |author=Forrest Wickman |magazine=Slate |date=May 1, 2014 |access-date=January 20, 2015 |archive-date=February 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216121850/http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2014/05/01/fdr_secret_subway_in_the_amazing_spider_man_2_the_hidden_train_station_used.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Ella Morton">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/track-61 |title=Track 61 |magazine=Atlas Obscura |author=Ella Morton |access-date=May 2, 2014 |archive-date=November 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124102216/https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/track-61 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Cuisine==
[[File:Waldorf Astoria buffet.jpg|thumb|Breakfast at the Waldorf Astoria]]
[[File:Waldorfsalat.jpg|thumb|right|The classic [[Waldorf Salad]]]]
[[File:Waldorf-Astoria menu Archbishop of York dinner.jpg|thumb|A 1918 menu for a dinner honoring [[Cosmo Gordon Lang]], Archbishop of York]]
The Waldorf Astoria was the first hotel to offer [[room service]] 24 hours a day,<ref name="Hawker o313" /><ref name="Small Hughes u614" /> and it was the first major hotel in the world to hire women as chefs, beginning in 1931.{{sfn|Hilton|2015|p=227}}<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1608747/women_chefs_at_waldorf_in_1931/ |title=Ripley's Believe It Or Not |date=July 25, 1984 |page=7 |newspaper=Tyrone Daily Herald |via=newspapers.com {{open access}} |location=Tyrone, Pennsylvania |access-date=October 20, 2015 |archive-date=April 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423141353/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/1608747/women_chefs_at_waldorf_in_1931/ |url-status=live }}</ref> An extensive menu is available for guests, with special menus for children and for dieters.<ref name="fact"/> The executive chef of the Waldorf for many years was [[John Doherty (chef)|John Doherty]], following the Austrian [[Arno Schmidt (chef)|Arno Schmidt]] who held the position for ten years from 1969 to 1979.{{sfn|Davis|2011|p=27}}{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=206}} Restaurateur George Lang was awarded the Hotelman of the Year Award in 1975.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=119}}

As of the early 1990s, the hotel served over three million dishes a year and got through {{convert|27000|lb}} of lobster, {{convert|100|lb}} of beluga caviar, {{convert|380000|USdrypt|l}} of strawberries annually.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=204}} The hotel has gained significant renown for its lavish feasts. During one grand feast for [[Francis Cardinal Spellman]], over 200 VIP guests, according to Arno Schmidt, devoured some {{convert|3600|lb}} of fillet, {{convert|600|lb}} of fresh halibut, {{convert|1500|lb}} of potatoes, and {{convert|260|lb}} of petit fours, eaten on gold china plates.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|pp=208–9}} One 1973 feast by the [[Explorer's Club]] devoured hippo meat, a {{convert|4|ft|adj=on}} alligator, a baby shark, an amberjack tuna, a boa, wild boar hams, 480 pieces of breaded-fried cod tongues and cheeks, antelope steaks, two boxes of Chinese rabbit, and {{convert|20|lb|0}} of rattlesnake.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=222}}

=== Bars and restaurants ===

==== Former restaurants ====
Prior to its 2020s renovation, the hotel had three main restaurants, Peacock Alley, The Bull and Bear Steak House, and Oscar's Brasserie, as well as a secondary restaurant, the Japanese Inagiku. At its peak in the late 1940s, the hotel once had nine restaurants.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=210}}

The Bull and Bear Steak House was furnished in richly polished mahogany in the English Regency style,{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=200}} with a "den-like" atmosphere.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=8}}  It won awards from the [[National Restaurant Association]] and [[Holiday (magazine)|Holiday]] magazine.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=199}} Between 2007 and 2010, the restaurant was the filming location for ''Fox Business Happy Hour'', presented live between 5 and 6&nbsp; pm. The Bull and Bear Bar was based on the original Waldorf Astoria Bar, which was a favorite haunt of many of the financial elite of the city from the hotel's inception in 1893, and adventurers such as [[Diamond Jim Brady]], [[Buffalo Bill Cody]] and [[Bat Masterson]].<ref name="Dining">{{cite web |url=http://www.waldorfnewyork.com/the-towers/dining.html |title=Dining |publisher=Waldorfnewyork.com |access-date=January 5, 2015 |archive-date=January 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170128225319/http://www.waldorfnewyork.com/the-towers/dining.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> Behind the bar were bronze statues of a bull and a bear, which [[Market trend#Primary trends|represent stock exchange trends]].{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=211}}

The Inagiku, meaning the "rice chrysanthemum",{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=211}} served contemporary Japanese cuisine. Designed by Henry Look of San Francisco, the restaurant had four "distinctly different" rooms, including one which represents an old Japanese farmhouse, and the Kinagu Room, resembling a Japanese temple.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=211}} Guests could reserve private orthodox [[tatami]] rooms.<ref name="fact" />

Oscar's Brasserie, overlooking Lexington Avenue in what was once a Savarin restaurant, was designed by [[Adam Tihany]].<ref name="fact" /> The restaurant tooks its name from [[Oscar Tschirky]] (Oscar of the Waldorf) and served traditional American cuisine, with many dishes based upon his cookbook, including the [[Waldorf salad]], [[Eggs Benedict]], Thousand Island dressing, and Veal Oscar.<ref name="fact" />{{sfn|Morrison|2014|p=121}} The [[Waldorf salad]]—a salad made with [[apple]]s, [[walnut]]s, [[celery]], [[grapes]], and [[mayonnaise]] or a mayonnaise-based dressing—was first created in 1896 at the old Waldorf.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kitchenproject.com/history/Waldorf_Salad.htm |title=The History of Waldorf Salad |work=Kitchen Project |access-date=September 20, 2009 |archive-date=February 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212015351/http://www.kitchenproject.com/history/Waldorf_Salad.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Tschirky was also noted for his "Oscar's Sauce", which became so popular that it was sold at the hotel.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=24}} Another of the hotel's specialties was red velvet cake, which became one of its most popular desserts.{{sfn|Fine|Turner|2001|p=10}}

Sir Harry's Bar was one of the principal bars of the hotel, situated just off the main lobby. It was named after British Sir [[Harry Johnston]] (1858–1927). In the 1970s the bar was renovated in a "plush African safari" design to honor Johnston, a notable explorer of Africa, with "zebra-striped wall coverings and carpeting, with bent-cane furnishings".{{sfn|Morrison|2014|p=121}} It was later redecorated back to a more conservative design, with walnut paneling and leather banquettes, and featured a {{convert|23|ft}} by {{convert|8|ft}} ebony bar as of the early 1990s.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=211}} [[Frank Sinatra]] frequented Sir Harry's Bar for many years.{{sfn|Rojek|2004|p=141}}

==== Current restaurants ====
Following the 2020s renovation, the hotel has had three restaurants: the Lex Yard, Yoshoku, and Peacock Alley.<ref name="nyt-2025-07-15" /><ref name="McCart w537" /><ref name="Nast t523" /> The Lex Yard restaurant, named for the train yards below the hotel, was added as part of the hotel's 2020s renovation.<ref name="Boutique Hotelier USA i068" /><ref name="Cortina s523">{{cite web |last=Cortina |first=Matt |date=January 10, 2025 |title=New York City restaurant openings we're most excited about |url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/entertainment/dining/2025/01/10/nyc-restaurant-openings-2025/77551419007/ |access-date=March 27, 2025 |website=Bergen Record}}</ref> The restaurant occupies two floors, with two private dining rooms on each level and an Art Deco bar on each level.<ref name="Boutique Hotelier USA i068" /> The restaurant itself serves Brasserie-style cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner,<ref name="Boutique Hotelier USA i068" /><ref name="Cortina s523" /> and it has separate [[prix fixe]] and [[à la carte]] menus.<ref name="McCart w537" /> Two types of Waldorf salad are served at the Lex.<ref name="McCart w537" /><ref>{{cite web |last=Stein |first=Joshua David |date=July 14, 2025 |title=Michael Anthony Has Spent Months on His Waldorf Salad |url=https://www.grubstreet.com/article/michael-anthony-lex-yard-waldorf-astoria-nyc.html |access-date=July 16, 2025 |website=Grub Street}}</ref>

Yoshoku, occupying a minimalist space in the Park Avenue lobby,<ref name="McCart w537" /> adjoins Rigal's mosaic.<ref name="Chen b940" /> It serves à la carte Japanese food such as [[sashimi]] and sushi rolls. Its other food options range from small dishes, such as salad and [[snap pea]], to larger dishes, such as [[wagyu]] striploin.<ref name="nyt-2025-07-15" />

Peacock Alley, in the west lounge, is the only restaurant in the hotel that survived the 2020s renovation.<ref name="McCart w537" /> Originally, was known primarily for its fish and seafood dishes.<ref name="fact" /> Sunday Brunch was particularly popular with locals and featured over 180 gourmet dishes divided into 12 themed displays, with cuisine ranging from lobster and oysters to Belgian waffles, Eggs Benedict, and omelettes to hollandaise sauces.<ref name="fact" /> By 2025, Peacock Alley had become a full-service venue with a cocktail bar.<ref name="McCart w537" />

===Cocktail books===
Albert Stevens Crockett, the hotel's veteran publicist and historian, wrote his first cocktail book "Old Waldorf Bar Days" in 1931 during [[Prohibition in the United States|Prohibition]] and the construction of the current hotel on Park Avenue. It was a homage to the original hotel and its famous bar and clientele. The book contains Crockett's takes on the original hand-written leather-bound book of recipes that was given to him at the time of the closure by bartender Joseph Taylor. This edition was never reprinted.<ref>{{cite book |last=Crockett |first=A.S. |title=Old Waldorf Bar Days: With the Cognomina and Composition of Four Hundred and Ninety-one Appealing Appetizers and Salutary Potations Long Known, Admired and Served at the Famous Big Brass Rail; Also, a Glossary for the Use of Antiquarians and Students of American Mores |publisher=Aventine Press |year=1931 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=T38MAAAAYAAJ |access-date=December 3, 2017 |archive-date=February 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218061337/https://books.google.com/books?id=T38MAAAAYAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1934, Crockett wrote a second book, "The Old Waldorf Astoria Bar Book", in response to the repeal of the [[Volstead Act]] and the end of the Prohibition era. He edited out most of the text from the first book. Drawing from his experiences as a travel writer, Crockett added nearly 150 more recipes, the bulk of which can be found in the "Cuban Concoctions" and "Jamaican Jollifers" chapters. These books became reference books on the subject of pre-Prohibition cocktails and their culture.<ref>{{cite book |last=Crockett |first=A.S. |title=The Old Waldorf-Astoria Bar Book: With Amendments Due to Repeal of the XVIIIth; Giving the Correct Recipes for Five Hundred Cocktails and Mixed Drinks Known and Served at the World's Most Famous Brass Rail Before Prohibition, Together with More Than One Hundred Established Formulas for Cocktails and Other Beverages, Originated While Prohibition was in Effect; the Whole Flavored with Dashes of History Mixed in a Shaker of Anecdote and Served with a Chaser of Illuminative Information |publisher=A.S. Crockett |year=1935 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SuqGPQAACAAJ |access-date=December 3, 2017 |archive-date=February 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218062645/https://books.google.com/books?id=SuqGPQAACAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2016, the long-time hotel bar manager of Peacock Alley and La Chine, Frank Caiafa, added a completely new edition to the canon. Caiafa's "The Waldorf Astoria Bar Book" includes all of the recipes in Crockett's books; many of the hotel's most important recipes created since 1935; and his own creations.<ref>{{cite book |last=Caiafa |first=F. |title=The Waldorf Astoria Bar Book |publisher=Penguin Random House, LLC |year=2016 |isbn=978-0-14-312480-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=erYBDAAAQBAJ |access-date=December 3, 2017 |archive-date=February 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218061352/https://books.google.com/books?id=erYBDAAAQBAJ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Simonson |first=Robert |author-link1=Robert Simonson |title=The Waldorf's Cocktail Bible, Remixed |website=The New York Times |date=March 7, 2013 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/04/dining/waldorf-astoria-bar-book-cocktails.html |access-date=December 3, 2017 |archive-date=September 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930105255/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/04/dining/waldorf-astoria-bar-book-cocktails.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2017, it was nominated for a [[James Beard Foundation Award]] for Best Beverage Book.<ref>{{cite web |title=The 2017 James Beard Award Nominees |website=James Beard Foundation |date=March 15, 2017 |url=https://www.jamesbeard.org/blog/the-2017-james-beard-award-nominees |access-date=December 3, 2017 |archive-date=December 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201215073803/https://www.jamesbeard.org/blog/the-2017-james-beard-award-nominees |url-status=live }}</ref>

Other notable books with connections to the hotel include "Drinks" (1914) by Jacques Straub, a wine steward and a friend of Oscar Tschirky who had written about the first hotel's notable recipes.<ref>{{cite book |last=Straub |first=Jacques |title=Drinks |publisher=Hotel Monthly Press |year=1914 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zMg6AQAAMAAJ |access-date=December 3, 2017 |archive-date=February 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218062307/https://books.google.com/books?id=zMg6AQAAMAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref> Tschirky compiled a list of 100 recipes for his own 1934 book "100 Famous Cocktails", a selection of favorites from Crockett's books.<ref>{{cite book |last=Tschirky |first=O. |title=100 Famous Cocktails: The Romance of Wines and Liquors, Etiquette, Recipes |publisher=Kenilworth Press |year=1934 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kaZBAQAAMAAJ |access-date=December 3, 2017 |archive-date=February 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218061453/https://books.google.com/books?id=kaZBAQAAMAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref> Hotel publicist Ted Saucier wrote "Bottoms Up" in 1951, consisting of a compendium of popular, national recipes of the day.<ref>{{cite book |last=Saucier |first=T. |title=Ted Saucier's Bottoms Up &#91;With Illustrations by Twelve of America's Most Distinguished Artists&#93; |publisher=Martino Fine Books |year=2011 |edition=2nd |isbn=978-1-891396-65-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UxZBYgEACAAJ |access-date=December 3, 2017 |archive-date=February 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218062731/https://books.google.com/books?id=UxZBYgEACAAJ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Notable residents and guests==
===Leaders and businesspeople===
[[File:Eleanor Roosevelt and the Royal Family of Norway with Princess Juliana of the Netherlands and Thomas Watson - NARA - 195657.jpg|thumb|[[Olav V of Norway|Crown Prince Olav of Norway]], [[Princess Juliana of the Netherlands]], [[Eleanor Roosevelt]], [[Crown Princess Märtha of Norway]], and [[Thomas J. Watson]] at the Waldorf Astoria in 1944.]]
On the 100th anniversary of the original hotel in 1993, one publication wrote: "It isn't the biggest hotel in New York, nor the most expensive. But when it comes to prestige, the Waldorf-Astoria has no peer. When presidents come to New York, they stay at the Waldorf-Astoria. Kings and queens make it their home away from home, as have people as diverse as [[Cary Grant]], the [[14th Dalai Lama|Dalai Lama]] and [[Chris Evert]]. Some of them liked the hotel so well, they made their home there."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-14226427.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329130011/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-14226427.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 29, 2015 |title=New York's famed Waldorf-Astoria hotel celebrates its 100th anniversary |agency=Knight Ridder/Tribune News Service |last=Clarke |first=Jay |date=October 11, 1993|access-date=January 5, 2015}}</ref>

Over the years many royals from around the world stayed at the Waldorf Astoria including [[Shahanshah]] of Iran and [[Empress Farah]], King [[Frederik IX]] and [[Queen Ingrid of Denmark]], [[Princess Astrid of Norway]], Crown Prince [[Olav V of Norway|Olav]] and Crown Princess [[Princess Martha of Norway|Martha of Norway]], King [[Baudouin I of Belgium]] and [[Queen Fabiola]], [[Albert II of Belgium|Prince Albert]] and [[Queen Paola of Belgium|Princess Paola]] of Belgium, King [[Hussein I]] of Jordan, Prince [[Rainier III]] and Princess [[Grace Kelly|Grace]] of Monaco, [[Queen Juliana]] of the Netherlands, King [[Michael of Romania]], [[Queen Elizabeth II]] and [[Prince Philip]] of the Commonwealth realms, [[Mohammed Zahir Shah]] and [[Homaira Shah]] of Afghanistan, King [[Bhumibol Adulyadej]] and [[Queen Sirikit]] of Thailand, and Crown Prince [[Akihito]] and [[Princess Michiko]] of Japan, The great-great-grandson of King [[Joseph Bonaparte]] and many others.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=106}}

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip stayed at the hotel during their first visit to America on October 21, 1957, and a banquet was held for them in the Grand Ballroom. In the Bicentennial year in 1976, most of the heads of state from around the world and all of the Kings and Queens of Europe were invited to the hotel, and it also served the presidential candidates in the run up to the elections of that year.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|pp=117, 181}}

[[File:Khrushchev family at the Waldorf-Astoria 1959.jpg|thumb|The [[Nikita Khrushchev|Khrushchev]] family at the Waldorf Astoria in 1959]]
In modern times, the clientele of the Waldorf is more typically wealthy politicians and businessmen than playboys and royalty.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=147}} An entire floor was often rented out to wealthy Saudi Arabians with their own staff. Wealthy Japanese businessmen during their stay would sometimes remove the furniture and replace it with their own floor mats.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=142}} Demands by people of prominence could often be exorbitant or bizarre. [[Fidel Castro]] once walked into the hotel with a flock of live chickens, insisting that they be killed and freshly cooked on the premises to his satisfaction, only to be turned away.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=168}} While serving as Secretary of State, [[Henry Kissinger]] ordered all of the antiques to be removed from one suite and replaced with 36 desks for his staff. An unnamed first lady once demanded that all of the bulbs in her suite be changed to 100-watt ones and kept on all day and night to simulate daylight. She further insisted that there be an abundance of chewing gum available.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=161}}

[[File:President Hoover portrait.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Herbert Hoover]] lived at the Waldorf for 20 years, from 1944 until he died in 1964 while living in the hotel's Presidential Suite.]]
[[United States Postmaster General|Postmaster General]] [[James Farley]] occupied two adjoining suites in the current Waldorf Astoria during his tenure as the chairman of the board of Coca-Cola's International division from 1940 until his death in 1976, arguably one of the landmark's longest housed tenants.<ref>{{cite book |url=http://www.press.umich.edu/pdf/0472099302-ch10.pdf |title=Mr. Democrat: Jim Farley, the New Deal, and the Making of Modern American Politics |pages=215–229 |publisher=press.umich.edu |first=Daniel |last=Scroop |year=2006 |access-date=April 11, 2013 |isbn=978-0472021505 |oclc=646794810 |archive-date=October 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019155509/https://www.press.umich.edu/pdf/0472099302-ch10.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The Presidential Suite at the hotel come from when, during the 1950s and early 1960s, former U.S. president Herbert Hoover and retired U.S. General [[Douglas MacArthur]] lived in suites on different floors of the hotel. Hoover lived at the Waldorf Astoria for 20 years from after his wife died in 1944 until he died in 1964.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Leuchtenburg |first1=William E. |title=Herbert Hoover |date=2009 |pages=155–156 |publisher=Times Books (Henry Holt and Company) |isbn=978-0-8050-6958-7}}</ref>{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=151}} Former president [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] lived there between 1967 and his death in 1969.<ref name=nyt-2015-02-12>{{Cite news |last=Roberts|first=Sam|date=February 12, 2015|title=Inside the Waldorf Astoria's Presidential Suite|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/13/nyregion/inside-the-waldorf-astorias-presidential-suite.html|access-date=August 1, 2022|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

MacArthur's widow, [[Jean MacArthur]], lived there from 1952 until her death in 2000. A plaque affixed to the wall on the 50th Street side commemorates this. John F. Kennedy was fond of the Waldorf Astoria and had a number of private meetings at the hotel, including one with Israeli prime minister [[David Ben-Gurion]].{{sfn|Hart|2009|p=406}} From Hoover through [[Barack Obama]], every [[president of the United States]] has either stayed over or lived in the Waldorf Astoria, although [[Jimmy Carter]] claimed to have never stayed overnight at the hotel.<ref name="abc 20090922"/>{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=148}} [[Nancy Reagan]] was reputedly not fond of the Presidential Suite.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=14}}{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|pp=46–7}}

[[File:Dwight D. Eisenhower, official photo portrait, May 29, 1959.jpg|thumb|upright|Former US president [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] maintained a residence at the hotel until his death in 1969.<ref name=nyt-2015-02-12/>]]

The official residence of the United States' [[Permanent Representative to the UN|Permanent Representative]] to the [[United Nations]], an unnamed [[Residence of the United States ambassador to the United Nations|42nd-floor apartment]], was located in the Waldorf Towers for many years. In 2015, the US Department of State announced that it was moving its headquarters during meetings of the UN General Assembly to the [[Lotte New York Palace Hotel|New York Palace Hotel]].<ref>{{cite web | title=US to abandon Chinese-owned Waldorf at UN General Assembly | first=Matthew | last=Lee | publisher=Associated Press | date=June 17, 2015 | url=http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_UNITED_STATES_UN_WALDORF?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626151351/http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_UNITED_STATES_UN_WALDORF?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT | archive-date=June 26, 2015 | url-status=dead | access-date=June 7, 2022}}</ref>

[[Carlos P. Romulo]], Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines and member of the UN had suite 3600, below Hoover's, for some 45 years from 1935 onwards. Former Philippine First Lady [[Imelda Marcos]] also spent much time and money at the hotel.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|pp=151–4}} Another connection with the Philippines is that many meetings were held here between President [[Manuel L. Quezon]] and high ranking American politicians and senators. Through the meetings, Quezon encouraged investment into the country and convinced General MacArthur to accompany him back to the Philippines as his military adviser.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=154}}

Nicaraguan president [[Anastasio Somoza Debayle]] and his wife [[Hope Portocarrero]] had a penthouse suite at the Waldorf Towers, where Somoza received political leaders.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Jl0qAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA9&article_id=2709,1521236|title=Nicaraguan Dictator Gobbles U.S. Aid|first=Jack|last=Anderson|work=The Pittsburgh Press|date=July 6, 1976|access-date=June 7, 2022}}</ref>

===Celebrities===
{{multiple image
| footer    = [[Elizabeth Taylor]] and [[Frank Sinatra]]
| direction = horizontal
| total_width = 350
| image1    = Elizabeth Taylor-1945.JPG
| alt1      = Elizabeth Taylor
| image2    = Frank Sinatra by Gottlieb c1947- 2.jpg
| alt2      = Frank Sinatra
}}

The hotel has had many well-knowns under its roof throughout its history, including [[Charlie Chaplin]], [[Ava Gardner]], [[Liv Ullmann]], [[Edward G. Robinson]], [[Gregory Peck]], [[Ray Bolger]], [[John Wayne]], [[Tony Bennett]], [[Jack Benny]], [[Katharine Hepburn]], [[Spencer Tracy]], [[Muhammad Ali]], [[Vince Lombardi]], [[Judy Garland]], [[Sonny Werblin]], [[Greer Garson]], [[Harold Lloyd]], [[Liberace]], [[Burt Reynolds]], [[Robert Montgomery (actor)|Robert Montgomery]], [[Cesar Romero]], and many others.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|pp=10–2, 200–1, 216, 252}} Due to the number of high-profile guests staying at the hotel at any one time, author Ward Morehouse III has referred to the Towers as a "kind of vertical Beverly Hills. On any one given night you might find [[Dinah Shore]], Gregory Peck, Frank Sinatra [or] [[Zsa Zsa Gabor]] staying there".{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=137}} Gabor married Conrad Hilton in 1941.{{Sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=147}}

During the 1930s, gangster [[Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel]] owned an apartment at the Waldorf.<ref name="Biography of a Gangster">{{cite web |title=Biography of a Gangster |url=http://www.essortment.com/benjamin-bugsy-siegel-biography-gangster-20596.html |work=Essortment.com |access-date=May 31, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120705023658/http://www.essortment.com/benjamin-bugsy-siegel-biography-gangster-20596.html |archive-date=July 5, 2012 }}</ref> [[Frank Costello]] was said to have got his haircut and nails done in the Barber's Shop at the Waldorf.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=254}} Around the time of World War I, inventor [[Nikola Tesla]] lived in the earlier Waldorf-Astoria.<ref>{{cite web |author=Broad, William J. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/05/science/05tesla.html?pagewanted=all |title=A Battle to Preserve a Visionary's Bold Failure |work=[[New York Times]] |date=May 4, 2009 |access-date=January 2, 2015 |archive-date=November 30, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141130214756/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/05/science/05tesla.html?pagewanted=all |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 1955, Marilyn Monroe and her husband [[Arthur Miller]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Katie |date=August 31, 2016 |url=https://travel.usnews.com/gallery/new-york-city-hotels-where-history-was-made?slide=3 |title=New York City Hotels Where History Was Made |website=U.S. News & World Report |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180906124835/https://travel.usnews.com/gallery/new-york-city-hotels-where-history-was-made?slide=3|archive-date=September 6, 2018|url-status=dead|access-date=September 6, 2018}}</ref> stayed at the hotel for several months.{{sfn|Spoto|1993|p=337}} Due to costs of trying to finance her production company "Marilyn Monroe Productions", only being paid $1,500 a week for her role in ''[[The Seven Year Itch]]'' and being suspended from [[20th Century Fox]] for walking out on Fox after creative differences, living at the hotel became too costly, and Monroe had to move into a different hotel in New York City.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|pp=6, 146}}

Around the same time that Monroe lived in the hotel, Cole Porter and his wife [[Linda Lee Thomas]] had an apartment in the Waldorf Towers, where Thomas died in 1954. Porter's 1934 song "[[You're the Top]]", contains the lyric, "You're the top, you're a Waldorf salad". The Cole Porter Suite, Suite 33A, was the place where Porter lived and entertained for a period. Frank Sinatra paid nearly $1 million a year to keep it as his suite at the hotel between 1979 and 1988, which he called home when out of Los Angeles.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|pp=6, 146}} Sinatra took over part of the hotel during the filming of ''[[The First Deadly Sin]]'' in 1980.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=133}}

[[Grace Kelly]] and [[Rainier III]] were regular guests at the hotel. At one time Kelly was reputed to be in love with the hotel banquet manager of the Waldorf, Claudius Charles Philippe.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=136}} [[Elizabeth Taylor]] frequented the hotel, and would often attend galas at the hotel to talk about her various causes. Her visits were excitedly awaited by the hotel staff, who would prepare long in advance.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=9}} Taylor was honored at the 1983 Friars Club dinner at the hotel.{{sfn|Morehouse III|1991|p=143}}

[[Brooke Shields]] has stated that her very first encounter with the paparazzi was in the Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf at the age of 12, stating that she "stood like a statue wondering why they were all hired to photograph me", and that she "debuted at the Waldorf".{{Sfn|Morehouse III|1991|pp=254–5}} During her childhood in the 1980s and 1990s, [[Paris Hilton]] lived with her family in the hotel.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/oct/06/hilton-hotel-waldorf-astoria-new-york-china |title=Hilton sells Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York for $2bn |work=The Guardian |last=Allen |first=Katie |date=October 6, 2014 |access-date=January 19, 2015 |archive-date=January 3, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150103072204/http://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/oct/06/hilton-hotel-waldorf-astoria-new-york-china |url-status=live }}</ref>

One of the most prestigious debutante balls in the world is the invitation-only [[International Debutante Ball]] held biennially in the Grand Ballroom at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, where girls from prominent world families are presented to [[high society]].{{efn|These include aristocrats [[Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia]], Vanessa [[House of Bismarck|von Bismarck]] (great-great-granddaughter of [[Otto von Bismarck]]), Princess Natalya Elisabeth Davidovna [[Obolensky]] (granddaughter of the [[Ivan Obolensky (son)|Prince Ivan Obolensky]], the chairman of the International Debutante Ball), Princess Ines de [[Bourbon-Parma|Bourbon Parme]], Countess Magdalena [[Habsburg-Lothringen]] (great-great-granddaughter of [[Empress Elisabeth of Austria|Empress Elisabeth 'Sisi' of Austria]]) and Lady Henrietta Seymour (daughter of the [[Duke of Somerset|Duke and Duchess of Somerset]] and descendant of [[Henry VIII of England|Henry VIII's]] wife [[Jane Seymour]]).<ref name="In vogue on NYSD">{{cite web |title=In vogue on NYSD |url=http://www.newyorksocialdiary.com/legacy/partypictures/2007/01_08_07/partypictures01_08_07.php |publisher=New York Social Diary |access-date=December 17, 2017 |archive-date=May 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170506094255/http://www.newyorksocialdiary.com/legacy/partypictures/2007/01_08_07/partypictures01_08_07.php |url-status=dead }}</ref>}}{{efn|Untitled elites include [[Tricia Nixon]],<ref>{{cite magazine |date=June 24, 1971 |title=The Making of the President's Daughter |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/the-making-of-the-presidents-daughter-19710624 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=December 29, 2017 |archive-date=December 29, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229172304/https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/the-making-of-the-presidents-daughter-19710624 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Julie Nixon]], [[Jennie Eisenhower]], Ashley Walker [[Bush family|Bush]] (granddaughter of President [[George H. W. Bush]] and niece of President [[George W. Bush]]), Lucinda Robb (granddaughter of President [[Lyndon B. Johnson]]), Christine Colby (daughter of [[Central Intelligence Agency]] (CIA) director [[William Colby]]),<ref>{{cite news |title=Christine M. Colby to Marry |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/11/16/style/christine-m-colby-to-marry.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=November 16, 1986 |access-date=December 17, 2017 |archive-date=December 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222053704/http://www.nytimes.com/1986/11/16/style/christine-m-colby-to-marry.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Hollister Knowlton (future wife of CIA director [[David Petraeus]]),<ref>{{cite news |title=Hollister Knowlton Betrothed To David H. Petraeus, a Cadet |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1974/05/12/archives/hollister-knowlton-betrothed-to-david-h-petraeus-a-cadet.html |newspaper=The New York Times |date=May 12, 1974 |access-date=December 17, 2017 |archive-date=November 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115210047/https://www.nytimes.com/1974/05/12/archives/hollister-knowlton-betrothed-to-david-h-petraeus-a-cadet.html |url-status=live }}</ref>  Charlotte and Catherine Forbes (granddaughters of [[Malcolm Forbes]]) and Christina Huffington (daughter of [[Arianna Huffington]] of the Huffington Post) have all been invited to the ball.<ref name="In vogue on NYSD"/> [[Ivanka Trump]] (daughter of President [[Donald Trump]]) and [[Sasha and Malia Obama]] (daughters of President [[Barack Obama]]) have also been invited to be presented as debutantes at the International Debutante Ball.<ref>{{cite web |title=Debutantes make their bows to society at NY gala |date=January 2, 2017 |url=https://www.apnews.com/909f94efd4d3466494023dbf23448701 |publisher=AP News |access-date=December 17, 2017 |archive-date=December 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222052536/https://www.apnews.com/909f94efd4d3466494023dbf23448701 |url-status=live }}</ref>}} Since 1954 the musical entertainment at the ball has traditionally been provided by the musicians of the [[Lester Lanin Orchestra]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Foderaro |first=Lisa W. |title=Glamour Still Rules, but With Fewer Debutantes |website=The New York Times |date=December 30, 2008 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/31/nyregion/31debs.html |access-date=December 11, 2018 |archive-date=April 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401154558/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/31/nyregion/31debs.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Trager |first=James |title=The New York Chronology: The Ultimate Compendium of Events, People, and Anecdotes from the Dutch to the Present |publisher=HarperCollins |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-06-201860-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xvGhQoNT27IC&pg=PA595 |access-date=December 11, 2018 |page=595 |archive-date=March 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319091333/https://books.google.com/books?id=xvGhQoNT27IC&pg=PA595 |url-status=live }}</ref>

<gallery mode="packed">
File:Cast from Parks and Recreation, Portlandia and Game of Thrones at the 71st Annual Peabody Awards.jpg|The casts of ''[[Parks and Recreation]]'', ''[[Portlandia]]'', and ''[[Game of Thrones]]'' at the 71st Annual [[Peabody Award]]s inside the Waldorf Astoria
File:58th International Debutante Ball 2012, New York City (Waldorf-Astoria Hotel).jpg|The 58th [[International Debutante Ball]], 2012, at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City
</gallery>

==In popular culture==
The Waldorf Astoria has been a filming location for numerous films and TV series. [[Ginger Rogers]] headlined an all star [[ensemble cast]] in the 1945 film ''[[Week-End at the Waldorf]]'', set at the hotel and filmed partially on location there.<ref name="history"/><ref name="cnn"/> Other films shot at the hotel include ''[[The Out-of-Towners (1970 film)|The Out-of-Towners]]'' (1970), ''[[Broadway Danny Rose]]'' (1984), ''[[Coming to America]]'' (1988), ''[[Scent of a Woman (1992 film)|Scent of a Woman]]'' (1992), ''[[The Cowboy Way (film)|The Cowboy Way]]'' (1994), ''[[Random Hearts]]'' (1999), ''[[Analyze This]]'' (1999), ''[[For Love of the Game]]'' (1999), ''[[Serendipity (film)|Serendipity]]'' (2001), ''[[The Royal Tenenbaums]]'' (2001), ''[[Maid in Manhattan]]'' (2002), ''[[Two Weeks Notice]]'' (2002), ''[[Catch Me If You Can]]'' (2002), ''[[End of the Century]]'' (2005),  ''[[Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005 film)|Mr. and Mrs. Smith]]'' (2005), ''[[The Pink Panther (2006 film)|The Pink Panther]]''  (2006), and ''[[The Hoax]]'' (2006).<ref name="fact"/> Television series that have filmed at the Waldorf include ''[[Law & Order|Law and Order]]'', ''[[Rescue Me (U.S. TV series)|Rescue Me]]'', ''[[Sex and the City]]'', ''[[The Sopranos]]'' and ''[[Will and Grace]]''.<ref name="fact"/>

Several biographies have been written about the Waldorf, including [[Edward Hungerford (author)|Edward Hungerford]]'s ''Story of the Waldorf'' (New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1925) and [[Horace Sutton]]'s ''Confessions of a Grand Hotel: The Waldorf-Astoria'' (New York: Henry Holt, 1953).{{Sfn|Wharton|2001|p=199}}
[[Langston Hughes]] wrote a poem entitled "Advertisement for the Waldorf-Astoria", criticizing the hotel and inviting the jobless and homeless to take over the space of the hotel.{{sfn|Hughes|2008}} [[Wallace Stevens]] wrote a poem entitled "Arrival at the Waldorf", in which he contrasts the wild country of the jungles of [[Guatemala]] to being "back at the Waldorf". In [[Meg Cabot]]'s novel ''[[Jinx (Cabot novel)|Jinx]]'', the Chapman School Spring Formal takes place in the Waldorf-Astoria. It is at this point that Tory (the main antagonist) reveals Jean's first attempt at a love spell, which catalyzed the novel's events.{{sfn|Cabot|2008|p=191}}

[[Statler and Waldorf|Waldorf]] of [[the Muppets]] series was named after the hotel. In the episode starring [[Dizzy Gillespie]] his heckling partner Statler (named after [[Hotel Pennsylvania|Statler Hilton]], also in Manhattan) couldn't make it due to illness so Waldorf's wife Astoria came with him.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/02/10/mf.muppet.favorites.stories/index.html?eref=rss_us |title=Surprising stories behind 20 Muppet characters |last=Conradt |first=Stacy |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=February 10, 2009 |access-date=December 27, 2016 |archive-date=December 28, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228124539/http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/02/10/mf.muppet.favorites.stories/index.html?eref=rss_us |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Ayn Rand]] biographer Anne Heller wrote that the Waldorf Astoria inspired the "Wayne-Falkland Hotel" in Rand's novel ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|first=Anne|last=Heller|date=February 9, 2004|title=The New Yorker's Diary|url=https://observer.com/2004/02/the-new-yorkers-diary-2/|access-date=August 4, 2020|website=Observer|language=en-US|archive-date=October 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020142918/https://observer.com/2004/02/the-new-yorkers-diary-2/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Art Deco architecture of New York City]]
* [[List of hotels in New York City]]
* [[List of New York City Designated Landmarks in Manhattan from 14th to 59th Streets]]
* [[List of tallest buildings in New York City]]
* [[The Waldorf-Astoria Orchestra]]
* [[List of residences of presidents of the United States]]

==References==
===Explanatory notes===
{{notelist}}

===Citations===
{{Reflist|30em}}

===Bibliography===
{{refbegin|30em}}
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* {{cite book |last=Hughes |first=Langston |title=The Big Sea: An Autobiography |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zEc8PgAACAAJ |year= 2008 |publisher=Paw Prints |isbn=978-1-4395-0507-6 |access-date=October 20, 2015 |archive-date=April 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429060603/https://books.google.com/books?id=zEc8PgAACAAJ |url-status=live }}
* {{cite book |last=Knight |first=Gladys L. |title=Pop Culture Places: An Encyclopedia of Places in American Popular Culture &#91;3 volumes&#93; |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kheDBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA923 |year= 2014 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-0-313-39883-4 |access-date=October 20, 2015 |archive-date=May 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160510171951/https://books.google.com/books?id=kheDBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA923 |url-status=live }}
* {{cite book |last=Korom |first=Joseph J. |title=The American Skyscraper, 1850–1940: A Celebration of Height |url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_JVzYO1TyZ6AC |page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_JVzYO1TyZ6AC/page/n420 422] |year=2008 |publisher=Branden Books |isbn=978-0-8283-2188-4 }}
* {{cite book |last=Littman |first=Jonathan |title=Once upon a time in ComputerLand: the amazing, billion-dollar tale of Bill Millard |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eYK1AAAAIAAJ |year=1987 |publisher=Price Stern Sloan |isbn=978-0-89586-502-1 }}
* {{cite book |last=Morehouse III |first=Ward |title=The Waldorf Astoria: America's Gilded Dream |date=1991 |publisher=M. Evans |isbn=978-0-87131-663-9 |oclc=23383196}}
* {{cite book |last=Morrison |first=William Alan |title=Waldorf Astoria |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MAUaAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA105 |year= 2014 |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |isbn=978-1-4671-2128-6 |access-date=October 20, 2015 |archive-date=May 6, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506201035/https://books.google.com/books?id=MAUaAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA105 |url-status=live }}
* {{cite book |last=Porter |first=Eric |title=The Problem of the Future World: W. E. B. Du Bois and the Race Concept at Midcentury |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mbHXEQvvNXgC&pg=PA149 |year= 2010 |publisher=Duke University Press |isbn=978-0-8223-9319-1 }}
* {{cite book |last=Reed |first=Paula |title=Fifty Fashion Looks that Changed the 1960s |year=2012 |publisher=Hachette UK |location=Design Museum, London |isbn=978-1840916171 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=T4465PO6Ub8C&q=Kenneth+Battelle+Monroe&pg=PT25 |access-date=October 3, 2020 |archive-date=May 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518121047/https://books.google.com/books?id=T4465PO6Ub8C&q=Kenneth+Battelle+Monroe&pg=PT25 |url-status=live }}
* {{Cite New York Art Deco}}
* {{cite book |last=Rojek |first=Chris |title=Frank Sinatra |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=F4DEdXSMYikC&pg=PA141 |year=2004 |publisher=Polity |isbn=978-0-7456-3090-8 |access-date=October 20, 2015 |archive-date=June 3, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603105926/https://books.google.com/books?id=F4DEdXSMYikC&pg=PA141 |url-status=live }}
* {{cite book |last=Schwartz |first=Evan I. |title=The Last Lone Inventor |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZWvvlxWy_OUC&pg=PA103 |year= 2009 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |isbn=978-0-06-185614-3 |access-date=October 20, 2015 |archive-date=May 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160501132155/https://books.google.com/books?id=ZWvvlxWy_OUC&pg=PA103 |url-status=live }}
* {{cite book |last=Schweber |first=Silvan S. |title=Einstein and Oppenheimer: The Meaning of Genius |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Mpgs6qqNERwC&pg=PA115 |year= 2009 |publisher=Harvard University Press |isbn=978-0-674-04335-0 |access-date=October 20, 2015 |archive-date=June 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160617125435/https://books.google.com/books?id=Mpgs6qqNERwC&pg=PA115 |url-status=live }}
* {{cite book |last=Sorin |first=Gerald |title=Irving Howe: A Life of Passionate Dissent |url=https://archive.org/details/irvinghowelifeof00sori |url-access=registration |page=[https://archive.org/details/irvinghowelifeof00sori/page/109 109] |year=2002 |publisher=NYU Press |isbn=978-0-8147-9821-8 }}
* {{cite book |last=Spoto |first=Donald |title=Marilyn Monroe: The Biography |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r2W9SGUyRmgC&pg=PA337 |year=1993 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-0-8154-1183-3 }}
* {{cite book |last=Taraborrelli |first=J. Randy |title=The Hiltons: The True Story of an American Dynasty |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IeN5AAAAQBAJ&pg=PT118 |year= 2014 |publisher=Grand Central Publishing |isbn=978-1-4555-8236-5 |access-date=October 20, 2015 |archive-date=April 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424131308/https://books.google.com/books?id=IeN5AAAAQBAJ&pg=PT118 |url-status=live }}
* {{cite report|url=http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/1812.pdf|title=Waldorf-Astoria Hotel Exteriors|date=January 5, 1993|publisher=[[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]]|archive-date=February 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225212713/https://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/1812.pdf|url-status=live|ref={{Harvid|Landmarks Preservation Commission|1993}}}}
* {{cite report|url=http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/2591.pdf|title=Waldorf-Astoria Hotel Interiors|date=March 7, 2017|publisher=[[New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission]]|archive-date=August 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814174318/http://s-media.nyc.gov/agencies/lpc/lp/2591.pdf|url-status=live|ref={{Harvid|Landmarks Preservation Commission|2017}}}}
* {{cite book |last=Wharton |first=Annabel Jane |title=Building the Cold War: Hilton International Hotels and Modern Architecture |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LKrB7njVSe0C&pg=PA199 |year= 2001 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |isbn=978-0-226-89419-5 |access-date=October 20, 2015 |archive-date=May 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160511000435/https://books.google.com/books?id=LKrB7njVSe0C&pg=PA199 |url-status=live }}
* {{cite book |last=Wong |first=Aliza Z. |title=The American beauty industry encyclopedia: Hairstylists, Celebrity |year=2010 |publisher=Greenwood |location=Santa Barbara, Calif. |isbn=978-0313359491 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CljLw4sH2DMC&pg=PA151 |editor=Julie Willett |access-date=October 20, 2015 |archive-date=May 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518120953/https://books.google.com/books?id=CljLw4sH2DMC&pg=PA151 |url-status=live }}
{{refend}}

===Further reading===
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book |title=American Architect and Architecture |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xYlMAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA3 |edition=Public domain |year=1898 |publisher=The American Architect and Building News Company |volume=59–62 |location=Boston, Massachusetts |access-date=October 20, 2015 |archive-date=May 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160518051315/https://books.google.com/books?id=xYlMAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA3 |url-status=live }}
* {{cite book |last=Crockett |first=Albert Stevens |title=The Old Waldorf-Astoria Bar Book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6lXjAAAACAAJ |year=2005 |publisher=New Day Publishing |isbn=978-0-9743259-0-3 |access-date=October 20, 2015 |archive-date=April 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424082246/https://books.google.com/books?id=6lXjAAAACAAJ |url-status=live }}
* {{cite book |last1=Pommer |first1=Alfred |last2=Pommer |first2=Joyce |title=Exploring Manhattan's Murray Hill |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vNR2CQAAQBAJ |year=2013 |publisher=The History Press |isbn=978-1-62619-059-7 }}
* {{Cite New York 1930}}
* {{cite aia5}}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Waldorf-Astoria 301 Park Avenue}}
*  [http://www.waldorfnewyork.com Official hotel website]
* [http://waldorfastoria3.hilton.com/en/hotels/new-york/waldorf-astoria-new-york-NYCWAWA/index.html Official corporate website]
* [https://archive.org/search.php?query=waldorf%20astoria%20AND%20subject%3A%22Waldorf-Astoria%20Hotel%20%28New%20York%2C%20N.Y.%29%22 Waldorf Astoria at the Internet Archive]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060602200718/http://xroads.virginia.edu/~MA04/ranger/astor_collection/introduction.html The Astor Collection at the University of Virginia] virtual exhibition of Native American artifacts originally displayed in the Grill Room of the Astor Hotel
* [http://new-york-city.yodelout.com/category/waldorf-astoria/ Waldorf-Astoria] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101220218/http://new-york-city.yodelout.com/category/waldorf-astoria/ |date=November 1, 2013 }} at History of New York City
* [http://41.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lptkuwoTbV1qgpvyjo1_1280.jpg Plan of the lobby level of the hotel]

{{S-start}}
{{Succession box
 | title = Venues of the<br /> [[Tony Award]]s
 | years = 1947–1953
 | before = First
 | after = [[Plaza Hotel]]
}}
{{Succession box
 | title = Venues of the<br /> [[NFL draft]]
 | years = [[1979 NFL draft|1979]]
 | before = [[Roosevelt Hotel (New York)|Roosevelt Hotel]]
 | after = [[Park Central Hotel]]
}}
{{End}}

{{Waldorf Astoria New York}}
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