For my 40th Birthday weekend, I chose to go to New York City and to stay at the famous and grand Waldorf Astoria.
It would be hard to say anything unique about a property that has over 1600 reviews but I'll try. My impression of the Waldorf is this: I know it was once great, like the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Football team was great a generation ago. But times have changed and while both The Waldorf and the Irish are still very good, it seems like their best days are likely behind them.
Location and accomodation:
As has been widely reported, it is indeed a great location and a spacious clean room (we had a corner room which had an enormous bathroom which was great so ask for one). It is easy to get a cab, or it's a short walk to the subway, shopping, and Central Park. We even walked to and from the theater district (Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson is a riot) and we felt completely safe at night.
Staff:
I believe a hotel staff can overcome any shortcomings a hotel might have. And because the Waldorf doesn't have a lot of shortcomings, I got the impression that the staff were all just going through the motions. There wasn't anything wrong per se, it just seemed like the whole system was nothing more than a well oiled old machine. Everyone was friendly, accomodating, helpful....but with no urgency, and without an air of being genuine.
My wife on the other hand liked the "hustle and bustle" of the place as literally thousands of people were either staying there and or attending functions in the ball rooms. Furs, diamonds, and plastic surgery abounded. She felt the staff were very professional and I wouldn't disagree.
In the spirit of full disclosure, we used 200,000 Hilton Honors points for the 3 night stay.
Still, it took me a long time and a lot of nights away from home to earn those points. We could have stayed anywhere, but we chose the Waldorf because we wanted to get that grand old hotel experience. I wouldn't say we were let down, but I would say we were underwhelmed.
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