The Waldorf=Astoria. More than a century of tradition and style.
In a bygone era of gracious elegance, one of the world's most celebrated hostesses was born. Acclaimed as a marvel at the time of her opening, the Waldorf=Astoria captured the hearts of people the world over. Her story is the tapestry of America's fondest memories. We invite you to share it.
The legend of New York's reigning hotel began when William Waldorf Astor opened the doors to his hotel, the Waldorf hotel, in March of 1893. The prevailing hotel was the largest hotel of it's time and wowed its guests with the use of modern electricity, 24-hour room service, and breathtaking Art Deco décor. Just years later, The Astoria hotel, four stories taller than the Waldorf hotel, opened contiguous to the Waldorf hotel by William Waldorf Astoria's cousin. The grand hotels were linked through a 300-foot marble promenade and the hotel's names were linked creating the Waldorf=Astoria.
A few decades later, the technological advances of the 20th century forced the hotels to relocate to make room for the Empire State Building. The decision was made to build the present-day hotel uptown on the site of an old power station, situated near shops and corporate offices.
The current Waldorf=Astoria, located on Park Avenue, opened in October of 1931. Since its grand opening, The Waldorf=Astoria has hosted thousands of the world's leading politicians, royals, socialites, and celebrities, including all the President's since Hoover, Queen Elizabeth II, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, and Prince Rainier III
