The wait is — finally — over.
Waldorf Astoria New York, long hailed as the crown jewel of American hospitality, is once again welcoming guests after a years-long restoration that marries Art Deco grandeur with modern elegance. The reimagined hotel opens a new chapter in Manhattan luxury while staying true to its iconic past where presidents lived, legends played (and where Paris Hilton lived!), and luxury, quite literally, was defined.
“The Greatest of Them All,” as Conrad Hilton once famously declared, has reclaimed its place atop the hospitality world with 375 redesigned guest rooms and suites, three distinct culinary concepts, and 43,000 square feet of meetings and events space. While reservations are now open, guests can anticipate the grand debut of the Guerlain Wellness Spa this fall.
“In many ways, Waldorf Astoria New York is the most important hotel in the world. It is the original luxury property and the place where luxury service was perfected. It not only holds a special place in Hilton’s history, but also in modern history,” Hilton CEO Chris Nassetta said in a statement. “Today, we build on this legacy as we mark the start of a new chapter for this iconic property. We look forward to once again welcoming guests to experience its timeless charm and modern enhancements, as this hotel and Waldorf Astoria properties around the world set the standard for luxury stays.”
Preservation and Design
The painstaking transformation of the 1931 landmark was led by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), with interiors by Pierre-Yves Rochon and Jean-Louis Deniot. The project is now considered one of the most significant preservation and adaptive reuse efforts in New York City’s history, with 62,000 square feet of interiors designated by the Landmarks Preservation Commission.
The design captures the grandeur of the hotel’s Art Deco roots while weaving in contemporary functionality. Restored murals, architectural flourishes, and natural light now frame an experience tailored to a new generation of discerning travelers. Public spaces and private suites feature automated curtains, custom lighting, and furniture calibrated to complement the building’s historic proportions.
Culinary Revival
Dining at the new Waldorf is an experience as artful as the architecture.
Reservations are now open for the three culinary venues: the signature brasserie Lex Yard by Chef Michael Anthony, the revived Peacock Alley, and the Japanese dining concept Yoshoku.
Peacock Alley, anchored once again by the historic Waldorf Astoria Clock and the lovingly restored Cole Porter piano, has returned as the hotel’s beating heart. Award-winning mixologist Jeff Bell of Please Don’t Tell curated the cocktail program with a nod to New York's cocktail heritage as well as for today’s guests.
Lex Yard, a two-story, 220-seat brasserie on Lexington Avenue, offers seasonally driven menus and refined American cuisine. Meanwhile, Yoshoku delivers a kaiseki-inspired experience that reinterprets Japanese culinary traditions through a New York lens, all set against the backdrop of Louis Rigal’s famed “Wheel of Life” mosaic.
A New Era of Arrival
Guests can now enter via three different access points, including Manhattan’s only hotel porte-cochère on 49th Street. Greeting them is the restored “Spirit of Achievement” statue by Nina Saemundsson — once again perched atop the Park Avenue entryway.
The guest experience also comes with a distinct sartorial upgrade: new staff wardrobes by British designer Nicholas Oakwell, rooted in Deco glamour with a modern twist. The hotel’s bespoke fragrance, 301 Park Avenue by Fueguia 1833, subtly perfumes public spaces and evokes a sense of arrival that lingers long after check-in.
Residential Living, Reimagined
Above the hotel, the Waldorf Astoria Residences New York introduces a new dimension of five-star living, offering 372 turnkey homes curated by Jean-Louis Deniot and the B&B Italia Group. Residents enjoy private access to 50,000 square feet of amenities as well as priority privileges at the hotel.
With many hotel guest rooms now spanning more than 570 square feet and designed with a residential sensibility, even non-residents can feel like they’re living in Manhattan’s most coveted address.
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