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The Waldorf-Astoria Is Not What You Think It Is

Where: 301 Park Avenue [map], New York, NY, United States, 10022

by juliana | January 5, 2009 at 1:33 PM | 1 Comment

Every so often we feature a hotel review from one of our readers that we feel should be shared with the rest of you dear hotel guests. These reviews are highlighted because they are timely, about cool hotels in cool places and are relatively level-headed. Think you can submit one just like this? Send it in. Today's review takes place in the big bad city of New York. Enjoy.

Let's hope that the model that Waldorf-Astoria Collection is using as they go around snapping up properties around the world is not based on the experience at the flagship Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. We received an email last week from a reader while she was staying in the hotel and she was far from pleased. In fact, she even called the storied hotel a "1-star hotel."

A one-star establishment is expected to offer clean, no-frills accommodations with minimal on-site facilities for the budget traveler for whom cost is the primary concern.

Guestrooms generally are small, functionally decorated, and may not have a private bathroom, in-room telephone, or amenities. On-site dining is usually not available. Public access and guest reception may not be available at all hours.

With the exception of the lobby, this is a 1-star-hotel. The sad part is, the room 1215, isn’t even clean, the upper room toilet is leaking on me and my little girl.

The thing is, we can totally vouch for this review because we stayed there last year and we were sort of shocked at the condition of the hotel rooms (however, all of them do have their own baths.) Granted, it's a very old historic hotel but we just though the Waldorf would live up to its (luxury-implied) name.

[Photo: MusicLover-UK]