Waldorf Astoria New York: History, Location and What Is Nearby

Waldorf Astoria New York at a glance

Facts checked October 19, 2026 against the hotel’s own site. Confirm rooms and rates with the hotel before you book.

• Address: 301 Park Avenue, between 49th and 50th Streets, in Midtown East.
• Rooms: 375 guest rooms and suites, down from about 1,400 before the restoration.
• Dining: Lex Yard, Peacock Alley and Yoshoku.
• Spa: the Guerlain Wellness Spa, about 22,000 square feet.
• Check-in and check-out: 4 pm and 12 pm.

Where it is

It sits on Park Avenue between East 49th and East 50th Streets. That is Midtown East. The area leans business, yet the big sights are close.

For the wider picture, see our guide to hotels in Midtown East near Grand Central and our Midtown and Fifth Avenue neighborhood guide.

The history in short

The name comes from two hotels on Fifth Avenue, the Waldorf and the Astoria, built by cousins from the Astor family. A corridor joined them, and people called it Peacock Alley. Those hotels came down around 1929 to make room for the Empire State Building.

The present hotel opened on Park Avenue in 1931. Schultze and Weaver designed the 47-story tower. The city landmarked the outside in 1993, and the interior followed in 2017.

The restoration

The hotel shut in 2017 for a long restoration. Skidmore, Owings and Merrill ran the work, and Pierre-Yves Rochon did the interiors. They kept the Grand Ballroom and the lobby clock.

Part of the building now holds residences, with a smaller number of hotel rooms. The Peacock Alley lounge came back too. Reports disagree on some dates, so check current details with the hotel.

What is nearby

• Grand Central Terminal, a short walk south.
• Rockefeller Center and Fifth Avenue shopping, a few blocks west. See hotels near Rockefeller Center.
• St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Fifth Avenue at East 50th Street.
• Central Park, a longer walk north or a quick subway ride.

Prefer another classic address? Read about The Plaza Hotel or browse luxury hotels in NYC. Hotel bars are a good way to see old New York without a room, and our guide to famous NYC hotel bars lists some.

Is it the right hotel for you?

Choose a historic address like this for a classic setting and easy walks around Midtown. Midtown East can feel quieter at night than Times Square. If park views matter more, look at Central Park South instead.

Compare options in where to stay in NYC before you book, and check current rates on the hotel’s own site and with booking partners.

How to Plan Waldorf Astoria New York: Rates, Subway Access, and Seasonal Timing

When researching waldorf astoria new york and planning around Waldorf Astoria New York, comparing block-by-block walkability, express subway connections, and seasonal rate shifts helps you get the most out of every day in New York City. Across Midtown & Fifth Avenue and neighboring Manhattan and Brooklyn corridors, nightly hotel prices and ticket demand fluctuate with Broadway schedules, midweek corporate conventions at the Javits Center, and holiday travel peaks. Reviewing our NYC hotel prices by month guide alongside our where to stay in NYC neighborhood breakdown makes it easy to spot high-value travel weeks before you lock in your itinerary.

Comparing Neighborhood Walkability and Express Transit Around Waldorf Astoria New York

Transit proximity matters just as much as the nightly room rate when moving between Midtown landmarks, museum mornings near Central Park, and evening dinner reservations in Downtown Manhattan. Choosing a hotel within a five-to-eight-minute walk of an express subway station—such as the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, A, C, E, B, D, F, M, or N, Q, R, W lines—saves both commute time and taxi fares. Travelers arriving via JFK Airport, LaGuardia Airport, or Newark Liberty International Airport should also check how directly their route connects to New York Penn Station, Moynihan Train Hall, or Grand Central Terminal when carrying luggage.

Booking Windows, Refundable Room Rates, and Total Stay Value in New York City

Before finalizing any reservation in New York, always inspect the all-in nightly price including New York City hotel occupancy taxes and any mandatory property or destination fees. Booking a flexible, refundable rate 30 to 45 days ahead lets you secure a proven room in a prime location and re-check live inventory two weeks before check-in if unsold Manhattan rooms drop in price. Pairing smart neighborhood selection with early morning arrival times ensures a smooth, stress-free New York City experience in every season.

Travelers who compare weekday corporate rates against weekend leisure pricing across Midtown Manhattan, Chelsea, SoHo, and the Upper West Side routinely save fifteen to twenty-five percent on comparable four-star rooms.

If your flight or train arrives hours before standard three o-clock check-in, nearly every full-service New York hotel bell desk will store your bags complimentary while you explore Midtown.

Common questions