NEW YORK CITY – Waldorf Astoria New York today begins offering the first looks at a meticulous restoration of the hotel’s iconic architecture with sophisticated designs during an opening season for the world-famous hotel. Over the coming weeks, the hotel will fully bring to life experiences that define the next era of modern luxury. 

Guests can now book stays at Waldorf Astoria New York in reimagined guest rooms and suites. Reservations are also available for the hotel’s three distinctive food and beverage experiences — Chef Michael Anthony’s signature brasserie Lex Yard, the legendary Peacock Alley, and the Japanese dining concept Yoshoku.

On September 1, the hotel’s 43,000-square-feet of meetings and events spaces will make their grand return, including the legendary Grand Ballroom and Basildon, Jade and Astor Rooms. Guests can also look forward to the opening of Guerlain Wellness Spa.

“The Greatest of Them All” – as Conrad Hilton famously described the landmark property – recaptures the hotel’s original 1931 splendor with the handiwork of hundreds of artists and skilled craftspeople, once again setting the benchmark for luxury hospitality globally while offering guests and residents an unparalleled experience in the heart of Manhattan.

Transformation through Design

The masterful transformation of Waldorf Astoria New York was led by renowned architects Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), with hotel interiors by Pierre-Yves Rochon (PYR) and residential interiors and amenities designed by Jean-Louis Deniot. The reimagined property recaptures the grandeur of the hotel’s original Art Deco architecture and rich history, while seamlessly integrating contemporary furnishings, cutting-edge technology, and high-end finishes for the next generation of travelers. 

SOM’s work is a blend of preservation, restoration, and adaptive reuse, and the interplay between all three approaches informed thousands of decisions over the course of design and construction. 

Through in-depth archival research and a close collaboration with the Landmarks Preservation Commission, SOM preserved the integrity of the original 1931 design of Waldorf Astoria New York while positioning the building for its future. The tower is both an exterior and interior landmark, with 62,000 square feet inside designated by the commission—making the transformation of the historic property one of the largest preservation and adaptive reuse projects in New York City’s history. 

Throughout all of the building’s landmark interior, the restoration celebrates the hotel’s storied legacy, while improving access, creating more space, and introducing new pathways for natural light. Guests will also notice the careful preservation of the hotel’s beloved murals, with some of these vibrant artworks dating to the 19th century, restored by ArtCare Conservation.

The interior design of Waldorf Astoria New York was entrusted to Pierre-Yves Rochon (PYR), whose expertise in working with landmark buildings and large-scale luxury hospitality projects has been built over decades. Beyond the restoration of heritage spaces and the redesign of guest rooms, the true challenge lay in understanding the building as a whole, its architecture, its history, its constraints, and projecting it into a new operational and experiential era. 

The design establishes a deliberate spatial sequence, from enclosed, intimate thresholds to expansive, light-filled volumes, articulated through material and tonal consistency. In the new reception area, the same marble used for the historic Peacock Alley columns was employed to construct the fireplace, ensuring visual continuity. Portoro marble, mosaics, and restored decorative features were preserved and repositioned in dialogue with contemporary interventions such as integrated lighting systems, automated curtains, and custom-designed furniture. PYR selected a palette of neutral, mineral tones to amplify the clarity of volumes and the presence of original materials. Every element was calibrated to serve the architectural order and support a coherent experience across the hotel. 

Food & Beverage

Renowned for its culinary mastery as the birthplace of groundbreaking innovations and unforgettable hospitality, reservations are now available on resy.com for the hotel’s three distinctive food and beverage experiences — the signature brasserie Lex Yard, the legendary Peacock Alley, and the Japanese dining concept Yoshoku. 

• Peacock Alley: Peacock Alley, a favorite of New Yorkers for decades, makes its return with impeccable design, signature cocktails, and five-star service synonymous with the Waldorf Astoria brand. The legendary Peacock Alley, once frequented by fashionable guests, remains the heart of Waldorf Astoria New York. Linking Park Avenue, Lexington Avenue and Library Lounge, it serves as the hotel’s main thoroughfare. Here guests will find the historic Waldorf Astoria Clock and Cole Porter piano. Restored to its former glory and positioned in the center of Peacock Alley, the Waldorf Astoria Clock was crafted in London for the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. A fixture at both the hotel’s Fifth Avenue and Park Avenue locations, guests are invited to once again say, “meet me at the clock.” The clock has now become an icon at many Waldorf Astoria properties and a symbol of the brand globally. Additionally, guests, locals and residents can expect entertainment from artists at the Cole Porter Piano. Legendary pianist and composer Cole Porter was a longtime resident at the hotel and his Steinway piano, which was gifted to him by hotel staff, has been carefully restored and relocated to its permanent home in Peacock Alley.

  With its illustrious history, Peacock Alley continues to embody the hotel’s legacy as a lively center for social events and unforgettable experiences in the heart of New York City. Award-winning mixology expert Jeff Bell, managing partner of the globally renowned speakeasy Please Don’t Tell (PDT), worked alongside the hotel team to curate the beverage programs for Peacock Alley and Lex Yard. The cocktail menu honors the legacy of classic New York cocktail culture while redefining the hotel bar experience. Light bites and bar staples created by the hotel’s culinary team, helmed by Executive Chef Patrick Schaeffer, accompany Peacock Alley’s cocktail menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

• Lex Yard: Lex Yard is Waldorf Astoria New York’s signature restaurant, led by acclaimed Chef Partner Michael Anthony and located at the corner of Lexington and 50th Street. Designed by AvroKO’s New York studio, the two-story, 220-seat American brasserie captures the dynamic spirit of the city through contemporary cuisine and thoughtful design. The menu celebrates seasonal ingredients and refined technique, with standout dishes like the Royal Ocsiètre Gold Caviar Sando and Slow-Poached Halibut with Borscht Sauce — each reflecting Chef Michael Anthony’s expressive, ingredient-driven approach. A casually elegant dining room and lively bar featuring cocktails by Jeff Bell welcome hotel guests, New Yorkers, and residents of Waldorf Astoria Residences New York for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Two private dining rooms on each floor accommodate up to eight guests individually or 16 when combined.  

• Yoshoku: Just steps from Park Avenue, Yoshoku is an intimate dining destination inspired by the visual and architectural storytelling of the historic Waldorf Astoria. Set beside the iconic 148,000 hand-cut tile “Wheel of Life” mosaic by Louis Rigal and neoclassical murals honoring the rituals of food and gathering, Yoshoku offers a kaiseki-inspired menu, the pinnacle of Japanese culinary tradition, reimagined through a New York lens. The six-course tasting traces the arc of life, from birth to memory, with dishes like Grilled Lobster with clarified butter, Toro Tartare with Caviar, and King Crab with Tosazu Jelly, all balancing purity and precision. Guests may also opt for à la carte selections crafted with the same artistry. A refined beverage program rounds out the experience with sake, Champagne, Japanese spirits, and signature cocktails such as the Sendai.

Guest Experience

Guests can now arrive at the hotel via three entrances including a discreet porte-cochère on 49th Street between Lexington Avenue and Park Avenue – the only hotel porte-cochère available in Manhattan – or via Park Avenue or Lexington Avenue between 49th and 50th streets. Returning atop the exterior of the Park Avenue entrance is the iconic and restored “Spirit of Achievement” statue from Icelandic artist Nina Saemundsson, serving as a symbol of perseverance, ambition and innovation. The art installation has been perched on the entryway since the hotel opened in 1931. 

Upon arrival, guests will also notice a dramatic shift in the hotel team member’s wardrobe collection which Waldorf Astoria New York designed in collaboration with British couture designer, Nicholas Oakwell’s NO Uniform. The new wardrobes present a fashion-forward and functionally tailored approach that is rooted in the building’s art deco heritage and inspired by the city’s dynamic fashion scene.

Another tribute to the timeless artistry reimagined for a new era is the hotel’s signature scent, 301 Park Avenue, created in partnership with luxury fragrance house Fueguia 1833. The scent, named after the address of the legendary hotel, has been integrated throughout the property’s public spaces and residences and will instantly transport guests from the moment they walk through the doors.

Accommodations

Following the hotel’s transformation from a 1,400-room hotel to 375 hotel guest rooms and 372 residences, Waldorf Astoria New York will offer some of the largest guest rooms and suites in Manhattan, with the majority of the hotel’s guest rooms exceeding 570 square feet. Guests will experience modern design with a residential feel, with expanded layouts and spacious bathrooms. 

With more than 11 different guest room categories, rooms are meant to feel like private apartments, featuring distinct yet connected zones for living, working, and sleeping. Featuring soft leathers, polished woods and tailored upholstery in a palette of light neutral tones, guest rooms will provide a respite from the bustle of Manhattan. Custom furniture and artisanal hardware elevate the hotel’s sense of luxury and exclusivity, with a bespoke bar in each room.   

Marble-finished spa-like bathrooms feature walk-in showers, separate toilets, and dressing areas, with a direct path from the dressing area to the guest room door, making it easy to unpack luggage. Every detail, from hand-finished leather to custom lighting, reflects Art Deco craftsmanship and timeless quality. 

Waldorf Astoria Residences New York

Since opening in 1931, Waldorf Astoria New York has been the residence of choice for world leaders, celebrities, and the global elite. Now, following an unprecedented restoration, a new era of contemporary living has arrived above the legendary hotel, bringing a world-class residential lifestyle to the heart of Midtown Manhattan with Waldorf Astoria Residences New York. The 372 condominium residences, with interiors and amenities by internationally acclaimed interior designer Jean-Louis Deniot, range from gracious studios to opulent four bedrooms and penthouses, including several marquee residences with expansive private terraces. As part of the exclusive turnkey program with B&B Italia Group, residents will have the option to purchase furnished residences curated by the highly esteemed design firm.

Residents enjoy priority access to the unrivaled services of the hotel while maintaining a discreet residential experience separate from the hotel, as well as 50,000 square feet of private residential amenities. 

Waldorf Astoria New York is located at 301 Park Avenue New York, New York 10022. Visit waldorfastorianewyork.com for more information or follow along on Instagram at @waldorfnyc and on Facebook at @WaldorfAstoriaNewYork. 

The post Waldorf Astoria New York Lifts Curtain on Reimagined Guest Rooms, New Michael Anthony Restaurant and Fabled Peacock Alley Lounge as Hotel Begins its Opening Season appeared first on Stories From Hilton.