WALDORF ASTORIA NEW YORK

 WALDORF ASTORIA NEW YORK

NEW YORK, NY

WALDORF ASTORIA NEW YORK

301 PARK AVENUE 

NEW YORK CITY, NY 10022

855-277-5298

www.waldorfnewyork.com

 What's wrong with the Waldorf Astoria New York?  Well, a lot of things.  This is the fourth time I have stayed at this iconic New York hotel and it will probably be the last.  You would think that a hotel that hosts Kings, Queens, Celebrities and Presidents would be hitting on all cylinders and providing a guest experience that is second to none.  My past few visits here have not met expectations of a Five Star Hotel.  While it is nice to say "I'm staying at the Waldorf", it is not worth it for me anymore.  This trip started with the Bellmen on Park Avenue - or lack of.  Upon arrival there was no greeting or help with baggage.  My cab driver set my bag on the curb and I pulled it into the hotel.  Once inside you have to walk up a steep set up stairs carrying your bag.  Nobody ever asked to help.  I don't care about this for me, but thought what about an elderly person or someone who could not carry multiple bags up the stairs.  I wheeled my bag into the lobby where I was greeted by a pretty long line for check in.  Now most hotels of this size and stature that I have stayed in usually have a person greeting guests and managing the flow until you can get to the reception desk.  Nobody was there and the line was continually being cut in and out of by guests and tourists walking through the lobby.  Once I got to the front desk the reception was polite but you would think coming back for the fourth time they would say "welcome back".  No such thing.  I received my room key and headed for the bank of elevators on the far end of the lobby.  The room was small, a bit dated and dirty behind the nightstand.  I found this out when the clock did not work.  Since it did not display time, I looked behind the nightstand to see if it was plugged in.  Wow…there was a ton of dust down there.  Clock was plugged in so I left a note along with $5 for housekeeping.  Note read "please check clock.  Does not work.  Thank you".  The next day the clock was working but the time was not set.  Wow…I thought this is not the Waldorf.  Other parts of the room had areas showing its age and wear and tear.  There is no electrical outlet on the nightstand but the desk has an outlet bar on the left side.  Problem is the light is on the right side and you cannot see the outlets too well.  Hey, I am a simple guy and could live with everything in the room.  My problem is that the Waldorf Astoria is supposed to be a great hotel.  I have found the service here to be non-existent.  When you walk through the halls here there is no welcoming feeling or attempt to make you feel welcome or appreciated.  Staff walks by repeatedly with their heads down and makes no attempt to engage you.  Hey, that is ok with me too if I am paying $100 for a room, but here you are paying hundreds.  Other little things are the fact that you cannot order food in the afternoon anywhere in the hotel except for room service.  You can order a few small plates in the lobby lounge, but could not enjoy a meal.  The Theatre desk here charges a fee for your tickets.  I found it far cheaper to book on Broadway.com.   Concierge were helpful but do not smile and feel like they are looking down at you for asking them questions.  Just did not get any feeling of Aloha here.
Click links below for more posts on the Waldorf Astoria;
http://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2010/11/waldorf-astoria-new-york-ny-we-were.html
http://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2008/02/2500-apple.html
http://greateatshawaii.blogspot.com/2014/01/peacock-alley-restaurant-waldorf.html

WALDORF ASTORIA NEW YORK ON PARK AVENUE

WALDORF ASTORIA MAIN LOBBY

LOBBY OF WALDORF ASTORIA 

MAIN LOBBY RECEPTION DESK

STANDARD ROOM AT THE WALDORF ASTORIA NEW YORK

TERRIBLE PHILIPS TELEVISION WITH LOUSY PICTURE

SMALL DESK AREA WITH ELECTRICAL OUTLETS ON FAR LEFT.   VERY LITTLE LIGHT

CLOCK IN MIDDLE DID NOT WORK WHEN I ARRIVED.  ASKED HOUSEKEEPING TO FIX THE CLOCK.
THEY GOT THE CLOCK TO TURN ON BUT DID NOT SET THE TIME

VERY SMALL BATHROOM

THE ROOMS SHOW THEIR AGE AND NEED A BIT OF MAINTENANCE 

HEATING AND COOLING COULD NOT BE CONTROLLED.   YOU GET THE TEMPERATURE THEY SET