New York's grand old hotel
Written: Apr 23 '02 (Updated Apr 23 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Historic, famous hotel, grand lobby, great location in midtown Manhattan
Cons: Nothing special about the room
The Bottom Line: Not a hotel with a trendy scene and chic decor, it distinguishes itself by its history & art-deco splendor.
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| CoolGobi's Full Review: The Waldorf=Astoria? |
In a city full of ultra-chic hotels with minimalist lobbies and trendy lounges, the Waldorf=Astoria holds its own. From its Park Ave address to its art-deco facade, it's ornate, grand lobby to its clubby wood-paneled lounges, the Waldorf exudes class. Its rooms have hosted world leaders and its conference facilities have been the venue for countless world conferences. When it opened in 1931, it was the largest hotel in the world. In short, it's perhaps one of the world's best known hotels.
So what is it like to actually stay here?
The Check-in
When your cab pulls into the hotel, the doorman will relieve you of your luggage. You walk into the grand lobby, and are efficiently checked in. Soon you're on the way to your room and your luggage will be delivered to your room. We had to actually wait for about 15 min before we were re-united with our bags, which is not a big deal but a minor irritant considering this is supposed to be one of the city's best hotels.
The Room
I don't know what the suites are like, but the room is a bit of a let down considering how grand the hotel is. It's perfectly comfortable, and reasonably spacious - especially by Manhattan standards - but is in no way "special". I once stayed at the Regent on Wall St. and I was struck by the opulence of the room and the bathroom there. Not so at the Waldorf.
Our room had a comfortable king-size bed and the usual hotel room furniture. The decor was quiet and dignified, and I must say, soothing. From the business point of view there was a fax machine, high speed Internet (via the TV and a cordless keyboard), and two phones. And yes, there was a minibar with the usual outrageously priced nuts, sodas, and alcoholic beverages. You could empty out your wallet by just raiding the minibar - how do you like $5.25 for a can of Coke? There is no coffee maker in the room.
I am a guy and I am not overly observant about bathrooms, but my wife termed it "adequate but boring".
The Hotel
The hotel is chockful of restaurants and bars, but it's sort of a moot point because you're in the heart of midtown Manhattan and have some of the best eating and drinking places to choose from. So it's not likely you will need to eat at the hotel at all. We did have some cocktails at the Bull and Bear pub attached to the hotel and they were well made. If you do feel inclined to eat at the hotel, there are couple of American restaurants and one Japanese restaurant. Apparently the Sunday brunch at the hotel's Peacock Alley restaurant is very good (but not cheap at $55 per person).
There is a fitness center as well, but we did not check it out.
The Location
The hotel's got an awesome location. It's pretty much in the heart of midtown Manhattan, a short walk away from touristy Times Square and the theater district and a couple of blocks away from Rockefeller Center. You're also close to Central Park. In short, it's a great location for most of Manhattan's main attractions. There's a subway station close by as well.
The Conclusion
Is it worth spending the big bucks to stay at this historic hotel? It depends. If you like the New York "scene" and hotels with trendy lounges, this is not the place. But if you want a quiet, dignified place in the heart of Manhattan this is certainly a good place to be.
Recommended:
Yes
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CoolGobi
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