Waldorf Astoria New York {US-NY}
Jan 31, 2017, 2:02 am
#136
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: UK
Programs: Hilton HHonors Diamond,Bonvoy Platinum,Shangri-La Golden Circle Jade,LH SEN,AZ Gold,VS Elevate Gold
Posts: 134
make sure you ASK them if they gave you an upgrade and, if not, why not, by the way.
Jan 31, 2017, 2:05 am
#137
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: Meh
Posts: 2,597
Feb 7, 2017, 2:41 am
#138
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BDU
Programs: DL:MM, Marriott:LTT
Posts: 8,779
Fun, easy read about the WA: http://nypost.com/2017/02/06/13-surp...ldorf-astoria/
Personal Story: As winter turned to spring, 1964, my parents stayed at the WA. They were idiots, as my mom was towards the end of a pregnancy and probably should not have traveled, but they thought one last trip would be okay. That morning, in the room...
MOM: I'm in labor.
DAD: No you're not.
MOM: I've been in labor before. This is labor.
DAD: I'm a doctor. This isn't real labor.
With that, he left her in the room to attend a conference meeting. Within the hour, hotel staff was helping mom to the hospital, trying to find my dad in the conference room. I was born at 12:06 pm, so mom was right.
My parents had not decided on a middle name, but in NYC, at least at the time, the full name had to be recorded before leaving the delivery room. My parents put the letter "J" on the document, intending to decide later and correct the birth certificate. Which they never did. When asked, I claim the "J" stands for "my parents are idiots."
Personal Story: As winter turned to spring, 1964, my parents stayed at the WA. They were idiots, as my mom was towards the end of a pregnancy and probably should not have traveled, but they thought one last trip would be okay. That morning, in the room...
MOM: I'm in labor.
DAD: No you're not.
MOM: I've been in labor before. This is labor.
DAD: I'm a doctor. This isn't real labor.
With that, he left her in the room to attend a conference meeting. Within the hour, hotel staff was helping mom to the hospital, trying to find my dad in the conference room. I was born at 12:06 pm, so mom was right.
My parents had not decided on a middle name, but in NYC, at least at the time, the full name had to be recorded before leaving the delivery room. My parents put the letter "J" on the document, intending to decide later and correct the birth certificate. Which they never did. When asked, I claim the "J" stands for "my parents are idiots."
Feb 23, 2018, 2:54 pm
#140
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: TUL
Programs: AA EXP 2MM; Marriott Titanium; Hilton Diamond; Hyatt Explorist; Vistana 5* Elite; Nat'l Exec Elite
Posts: 6,177
Waldorf=Astoria NY Owner (Anbang) Taken Over by Chinese Government
It's been over twenty hours since this was announced so I'm surprised there has not been any discussion on FT about it.
Speculation on what this could mean to the future of the Waldorf=Astoria New York? Could this delay the anticipated reopening? Could the hotel be reflagged?
Anbang: China seizes control of insurer that owns the Waldorf Astoria - Feb. 22, 2018
Speculation on what this could mean to the future of the Waldorf=Astoria New York? Could this delay the anticipated reopening? Could the hotel be reflagged?
Anbang: China seizes control of insurer that owns the Waldorf Astoria - Feb. 22, 2018
Feb 23, 2018, 9:08 pm
#141
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: DL PM, HH Diamond, Marriott Plat, AA, WP
Posts: 840
Well, Hilton issued a statement on Friday: "Work to restore the Waldorf Astoria New York is well underway and proceeding to plan. We are confident that the hotel will return as a focal point for New York City and a premier global destination."
And ten days ago, Hilton CEO Nassetta said, "We are in a very well-protected position" no matter who owns the hotel. Hilton does have that 100 year management lease, so it's way early to see any changes. It's very strange to walk by the hotel and see it so quiet and morose. Not to mention missing the Inagiku restaurant.
And ten days ago, Hilton CEO Nassetta said, "We are in a very well-protected position" no matter who owns the hotel. Hilton does have that 100 year management lease, so it's way early to see any changes. It's very strange to walk by the hotel and see it so quiet and morose. Not to mention missing the Inagiku restaurant.
Feb 26, 2018, 12:52 pm
#142
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
chinese government could control who gets condos, or could sell hotel, likely high demand
a year ago media reported chinese government had told anbang et al to sell overseas assets
courts have established that contracts can be ended easily, even Four Seasons etc
anbang so now chinese govt also owns: Four Seasons Washington & Four Seasons Silicon Valley
a year ago media reported chinese government had told anbang et al to sell overseas assets
courts have established that contracts can be ended easily, even Four Seasons etc
anbang so now chinese govt also owns: Four Seasons Washington & Four Seasons Silicon Valley
Feb 26, 2018, 1:10 pm
#143
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Norway, Maine
Programs: United Silver and HH Diamond
Posts: 1,474
chinese government could control who gets condos, or could sell hotel, likely high demand
a year ago media reported chinese government had told anbang et al to sell overseas assets
courts have established that contracts can be ended easily, even Four Seasons etc
anbang so now chinese govt also owns: Four Seasons Washington & Four Seasons Silicon Valley
a year ago media reported chinese government had told anbang et al to sell overseas assets
courts have established that contracts can be ended easily, even Four Seasons etc
anbang so now chinese govt also owns: Four Seasons Washington & Four Seasons Silicon Valley
Jan 23, 2020, 2:04 pm
#146
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Chicago
Programs: Delta SkyMiles, IHG (Platinum Elite), Amtrak Guest Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors
Posts: 636
I have a friend who works for the company doing the building's restoration, and she says the interior is currently completely gutted. According to her, it's not going to realistically open anytime soon - she says no earlier than 2022 given its current state, so don't hold your breath.
Jan 24, 2020, 9:18 am
#147
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hilton Diamond
Posts: 4,252
I have a friend who works for the company doing the building's restoration, and she says the interior is currently completely gutted. According to her, it's not going to realistically open anytime soon - she says no earlier than 2022 given its current state, so don't hold your breath.
Jan 24, 2020, 11:51 am
#148
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Chicago
Programs: Delta SkyMiles, IHG (Platinum Elite), Amtrak Guest Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors
Posts: 636
Anyway, happy to share any future updates I get from her, but there probably won't be any exciting news for a while.
Jun 6, 2021, 4:49 pm
#149
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
Posts: 34,339
Not an exciting update, but I'm staying across the street at the Barclay, which is actually older than the Waldorf and did it's own massive renovation a few years ago. My room is looking at the Waldorf and I can see many rooms with plywood covering the windows and the top floors completely covered by scaffolding and nets. The rooms that I can see into are completely empty, some with a bare light bulb lit. It certainly isn't going to open in early 2022. Maybe 2023.
May 17, 2022, 7:14 pm
#150
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: DL Diamond, HHonors Diamond, National Executive Elite
Posts: 2,362
There are widespread reports of massive cost overruns in the Waldorf's renovation. All I'd read previously pertained to the condo conversions, so no idea what progress has been made on the hotel portion of building. Hope the strained budget doesn't lead to cut corners on the lower floors.