One of the most significant changes has been the reduction in rooms from 1,400 to just 375, 78 of which are suites. These accommodations are more spacious, with high-end finishes and privileged views, while the freed-up space has allowed for the addition of 372 residences known as The Towers of the Waldorf Astoria, all with access to hotel services and priced between €1.8 million and €70 million.
The reopening has also brought a first-class culinary offering. Lex Yard, the two-story brasserie led by renowned chef Michael Anthony, offers reinterpretations of classics such as the Waldorf Salad and red velvet cake, renewed with contemporary ingredients and a creative, historically respectful approach. Alongside it, the historic Peacock Alley, the hotel’s emblematic meeting point, has been fully restored to its former glory: it preserves the legendary clock and Cole Porter’s piano, and now combines its original function as a bar with that of an all-day restaurant, featuring signature cocktails crafted by Jeff Bell. In addition, Yoshoku, a Japanese fine dining concept, adds further variety to the culinary scene.
In terms of wellness, the Guerlain Spa presents itself as a 2,700 m² oasis with personalized treatments, complemented by a gym equipped with the latest technology. The areas for meetings, weddings, and events have also been completely relocated and expanded, incorporating state-of-the-art audiovisual technology to meet the demands of the most discerning corporate and social segments.
The restoration has carefully preserved and enhanced iconic elements such as frescoes, gilded moldings, and original reliefs. Public spaces such as the Grand Ballroom, the Basildon Room, and corridors like the Silver Corridor have also been revitalized, with meticulous attention to detail, using traditional conservation techniques combined with a contemporary vision.
The reopening of the Waldorf Astoria represents not only the restoration of a building but the rebirth of a living legend. The hotel reclaims its emblematic role as a global symbol of luxury and as a cultural and architectural landmark in Manhattan, reaffirming itself as a social, gastronomic, residential, and design hub.
