Skip to main content

The Waldorf Astoria New York returns with a luxurious new look

The hotel reopened nearly two months ahead of schedule

By Amanda Teague Jul 17, 2025 4:00 AM

Waldorf Astoria New York

The legendary Waldorf Astoria New York has officially reopened its doors after a seven-year closure and a jaw-dropping $2 billion renovation. Once expected to debut in September, the Manhattan icon is now welcoming guests ahead of schedule, kicking off a phased reopening that includes refreshed rooms and reimagined dining.

The historic Park Avenue property, closed since 2017, now boasts 375 hotel rooms and 372 private residences, a dramatic reduction from its original 1,400 guestrooms. Most accommodations now exceed 570 square feet, making them some of the most spacious in Manhattan, according to the brand.

Recommended Videos

Designed by architecture firm Skidmore Owings & Merrill, the ambitious restoration of the 47-story Art Deco landmark preserved 62,000 square feet of interior space protected by the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. Historic gems like the 1893 Waldorf Astoria Clock, murals, and Cole Porter’s Steinway piano have all been meticulously restored to their original condition, preserving the property’s old-world charm.

Incredible dining and world-class amenities

The hotel is bringing luxury back in full force with standout dining experiences and next-level amenities. Reservations are now open at three new restaurants, including Lex Yard, a 220-seat American brasserie helmed by James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Anthony. Guests can also enjoy the restored Peacock Alley lounge, a beloved classic, or experience refined kaiseki-inspired cuisine at Yoshoku, the hotel’s new Japanese concept.

Beyond the food, the property offers 43,000 square feet of meeting and event space, with the iconic Grand Ballroom set to reopen on September 1. A 20,000-square-foot Guerlain Wellness Spa will also debut later this year.

Guests are welcomed with the hotel’s signature scent, 301 Park Avenue, a fragrant nod to its legendary address. Rates start at $1,500 per night, or 150,000 Hilton Honors points, making the Waldorf’s return one of the most anticipated hotel comebacks in recent memory.

Amanda, an accomplished freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio, is a dedicated explorer of both the world and the written word… Read Full Bio

Topics

Destinations

Cafe Charmant, The Corner Store Crew’s Latest, Puts Food Ahead of the Scene

Clothing, Long Sleeve, Sleeve

I’ll be honest. If I weren’t a writer, there is no way in hell I could have landed a 7:15 Saturday night reservation at Cafe Charmant just a mere four weeks after its opening. The most recent jewel in the buzzy Catch Hospitality Group’s crown, the glitzy eatery is the newest IT restaurant to hit the downtown scene, so chalk it up to one of the perks of the job that I could walk in, order a drink, and be ushered to a corner table for two in under 10 minutes.

Though the state of making prime reservations in New York City may not come as a surprise to many, I’m still not able to reconcile with the current velvet rope of so many of this city’s restaurants. Sure, the 90s and early 2000’s had their Indochine, Moomba (if you remember that one, we need to grab a drink). The Waverly Inn, but for the most part, you could easily make a reservation or even walk in and wait for a table with a cocktail in hand at most popular establishments. And, let’s be honest, half the people weren’t even eating, if you know what I mean.

A tasting guide to Livermore Valley, California’s friendliest wine country

Adult, Male, Man

Livermore Valley sits in Northern California’s East Bay, where the hustle and bustle of neighboring Oakland and San Francisco give way to grassy rolling hills, big open skies, and over 40 tasting rooms. The region is home to some of the best wines I’ve tasted in the state, without the pretense and rigidity I’ve come to expect from other tasting rooms in the region.

And thanks to the valley’s marine-influenced winds, varied climate, and diverse soils, I tasted an unusually broad range of wines. Crisp whites, structured reds, and everything in between seem to be able to find their footing here.

High Society, Low Alcohol: A Trip to the Hamptons with Heineken 0.0

Ball, Sport, Tennis

After a multi-year bender of back-to-back press trips, I decided to swear off travel this past summer. The old dog was tired, and I desperately wanted to reconnect with old friends, visit family, and continue wooing a lovely lady in New York. Oh, and I needed to find time to actually write the stories I had promised publicists in exchange for gallivanting around the globe on their dime. I am, after all, a professional.

As summer raced by, my inbox swelled with tantalizing invitations. I turned them down one after the next with Spartan fortitude. A junket to the Loire Valley to review wineries? Thank you for considering me, but for the next few weeks, I’m committed to rekindling my relationship with my bed. A sailboat cruise on the Amalfi Coast? I hear it’s beautiful this time of year, but sadly, I’m in the weeds bingeing Landman.