Tag: Waldorf-Astoria Collection
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The Veil Has Been Lifted From Waldorf-Astoria's Presidential Suite. Now What?
Barring the possibility that you're a former President—or that you don't mind spending $10,000/night—then you've likely never caught a glimpse of the Waldorf-Astoria's Presidential Suite. Why? Because until recently, the hotel has never allowed photography inside the suite.
Lucky for us, the NY Daily News has taken on the oppressive task of video touring the entire space—from gleaming top (the crystal chandelier in the master bedroom) to well-polished bottom (the black-and-white tiled bathroom floor).
Now, the goods are out in the open for all to see. So, what do you think?
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A Quick Look at Some Cool Hotel Designs Coming in 2012
Remember the guys who brought you the sperm-shaped urinals at Trump Panama? Well, in the spirit of our recently-launched (and super hot topic-y) 2012 Master List of Hotel Openings, we were a little curious to see what else the design wizards at HBA had cooking on the stove.
Though their total project list spans 21 properties, a few in particular stand out: Four Seasons Guangzhou, Park Hyatt Hyderabad, Sheraton Fuzhou, and Waldorf-Astoria Ras Al Khaimah are all places we'll be keeping a close eye on as they gear up for their respective 2012 grand openings. We love nothing more than unique, well-executed, culturally-relevant design, and these places have it all.
Though we can't quite make out the white sculpture at the far end of Park Hyatt Hyderabad's atrium (above)—some sort of cat? or god?—we love the scale of those high black marble columns and curvy chandelier over the low rounded bench below. Proving, once and for all, you don't need urinals with tails to really make a lobby pop.
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Waldorf-Astoria to Remove All Traces of The Elysian When it Takes Over Next Month
Even though this hotel memory-erasing was expected, it still makes us sad. The luxe Elysian Hotel in Chicago will be no more come February 1 when the Waldorf-Astoria takes it over.
Waldorf is wiping the Elysian name from every nook and cranny, starting with the front entrance sign and then working their way up into the guest rooms to include the stationary, the bathrobes and literally anything else that says Elysian on it.
The good news is that the Chicago Tribune reports that pretty much everything else inside the hotel, as well as all the services, will remain the same.
What will stay the same is nearly everything else that has cemented the hotel's reputation for refinement: heated cobblestones in the courtyard, staff members who greet guests with platters of Evian bottles and a stunning, sunburst-shaped chandelier in the lobby modeled after a brooch by Coco Chanel.
That should please all those TripAdvisor members who voted the hotel the best in the U.S. If you're looking to be the first to stay at the Waldorf-Astoria Chicago, room rates start at $395 on February 1.
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Best Hotel Scene of 2011: Chicago Is Having a Bit of a Hotel Renaissance
It's what you've been waiting all year for--The 2011 HotelChatter Awards! We'll be bringing you the best and worst of the year all day today and part of tomorrow. Agree or disagree with our picks? Air your thoughts in the comments below.
This year marked the introduction of not one but three major hotel brands to the good ol' US of A. And the midwestern city they all chose as a launching pad? Why, Chicago! Where else?
After Radisson Blu Aqua Chicago and Public Chicago opened literally within a month of each other, we then got sideblinded by the news that, when it debuts in 2013, Virgin Hotels' first location will be Chicago (specifically, in the North Loop, next to The Wit and Trump Chicago). We wondered for a minute whether this had been Virgin's plan all along, or if they simply got wind of the burgeoning hotel scene going on in Chicago right now, and decided to forgo the coastal cities like New York and LA.
Either way, we see this as the city to watch in 2012, and we can hardly wait for 2013 to come so we can get inside the world's first Virgin Hotel. Until then, however, there will be plenty going on in this city—we're looking at you, Waldorf-Astoria and JDV!—to keep us distracted.
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The Waldorf-Astoria Lights Their Lobby Menorah
Although there's still several more days to go until you can rip through the presents underneath the Christmas tree, Hanukkah started last time, meaning gifts are already being opened as the candles of the menorah are lit, day-by-day. And although almost every hotel lobby wouldn't be caught without a massive Christmas tree, it's actually pretty rare to find a hotel menorah.
One standby for finding a menorah is the Waldorf-Astoria—the original on Park Avenue in New York City. Enter through the Park Ave doors and head up the stairs, past the Christmas trees and underneath the chandelier. Keep going and just before you hit the main reception area with its classic art deco details, you'll see this 5' tall gold menorah.
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The Elysian To Become A Waldorf-Astoria
Maybe it's all the bangin' new hotels popping up on the scene (Public Chicago, Radisson Blu, the forthcoming Virgin). Or maybe it's just Chicago's general swagger. Whatever the reason, Waldorf-Astoria has just added a Chi-town hotel to its collection. Specifically, the Elysian.
The style-conscious hotel, which opened a year and a half ago, was reportedly having money issues, and one of its investors wanted out. According to USA Today, billionaire Sam Zell stepped in to purchase the property for $95 million—with hopes that Waldorf-Astoria, and, as an extension, Hilton Worldwide, can get the place back on its feet.
Sadly, Marc Jacobs himself displayed no interest in scooping up the hotel.
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Somewhere Between Japan and California, You'll Find Amasia
Japanese-born chef Alan Wong has spent years building a legacy as one of the most talented and innovative chefs in Hawaii. His Oahu restaurant, Alan Wong's, was ranked twice by Gourmet magazine as one of the top ten best restaurants in America. Now, the master will be turning his attention to the Grand Wailea Resort for a new "Asian street food"-inspired upscale restaurant—to be named, awesomely, Amasia.
The name refers to the possible future merging of the Asian and North American continents. Which is actually fitting for Wong's style, which likes to borrow a little from both cultures. Wong recently entered into an agreement with Grand Wailea to take over their Japanese kaiseki restaurant Kincha, which closed in 2009. Currently undergoing a $2 million renovation, and with Wong's team set to arrive in January to start experimenting in the kitchen, the restaurant will re-open as Amasia in February.
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Smell of Eau de Fancy With Waldorf-Astoria's Salvatore Ferragamo Tuscan Soul Amenities
Waldorf-Astoria's new amenities collection is redolent of "tangy citrus" and the "Italian lifestyle" (whatever that means)
It's Eau de Luxury you'll be catching a whiff of in landmark Waldorf-Astoria hotels by January of next year. Italian label Salvatore Ferragamo may be best known for it's gold-accented bow shoes and buttery soft leather satchels, but for their partnership with Waldorf-Astoria they're trading accessories for amenities and launching Tuscan Soul, a line of in-room bath items meant to evoke "a touch of Italian lifestyle [for guests]." That's a hazy description at best, but we're willing to bet the products sure do smell nice.
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Hilton Plans a Waldorf-Astoria Resort For Dubai (But They Won't Let Us See)
Hilton just announced that a 324-room resort on Palm Jumeirah in Dubai will become a Waldorf Astoria Resort by the end of 2013. Hilton is teaming up with Al Habtoor Group, who had originally bought the land but ran into major delays when the economy went down the drain in 2008, affecting all imminent Dubai properites.
Not only is Al Habtoor now re-starting construction on the $272 million resort, they are funding the entire project out of their own pocket. Apparently, the city's banks are so hard-pressed that receiving funding is virtually impossible. Al Habtoor also told Arabian Business that it is working on "other projects, which we are going to announce soon."
Click below to see a (not very visible) artist's rendering of the upcoming resort.
Hotel Renovations / Waldorf-Astoria Collection / Historic Hotels / Manhattan Hotels / Hotel News / → All Tags
Hallelujah! The Waldorf-Astoria Is Finally Getting a Makeover
It has always boggled our minds that Hilton Hotels decided to franchise the Waldorf-Astoria as one of their premiere luxury brands when the rooms at the flagship hotel are in such a sad state of affairs with worn down furniture, tired decor, and an overall glumness throughout.
But it looks like the powers that be have finally realized that the Waldorf needs an entirely new look. Yay! The NY Post reports:
The ritzy redo will raise the profile of this grande dame of hotels, with no expense to be spared, sources tell Side Dish.
While sources inside the hotel, whose three restaurants include the Bull and Bear Steakhouse, confirm the major renovation, they told Side Dish they are not ready to release details.
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Bueno! The Waldorf Astoria Sevilla to Open This Summer
Not content with one luxe country retreat in London (Syon Park), The Waldorf Astoria Collection has announced another one in Sevilla, Spain, their first ever hotel in the country.
The brand is converting the Hacienda La Boticaria into Waldorf Astoria Sevilla and what's more it will open this Summer. Talk about quick work!
The original building opened in 2004 and has a massive 40 acres of private grounds for guests to go wild in. According to the release "The property will be a warm and inviting hideaway, where guests will discover the delights of the Andalusian lifestyle while enjoying exceptional facilities." So no student rampages here then.
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Treat Yourself To A Piggy At Syon Park
Fancy buying yourself a Micro pig? Then head to London Syon Park where they are selling them in the tropical zoo for the bargain price of £600. That’s right not only does the hotel have a butterfly world, it's also housed next door to a tropical zoo.
The zoo houses animals which have been rescued either by customs, from other zoos or private collectors. Jo Fernandez from The Evening Standard reviewed the hotel and even got to hold a baby crocodile while she was there.
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