Hopskip x Hilton: Waldorf Astoria, NYC Hard-Hat Tour

On Thursday, February 6, 2025, HopSkip partnered with Hilton to give 16 planners in our community a rare sneak peek at the Waldorf Astoria, New York, before its Spring 2025 reopening.

For those who couldn’t join us, here’s what you need to know about this iconic venue’s transformation.

What Our Guests Saw During Their Hard-Hat Tour

The intimate tours revealed how dramatically different the “new” Waldorf will be while still honoring its legendary past. After closing in 2017 for renovations, the hotel has been reimagined with both luxury and functionality in mind:

• Dramatically larger guest rooms: The room count has been reduced from 1,400 to just 375, with standard rooms starting at 570 square feet—nearly twice the size of typical NYC hotel rooms
• Expanded meeting space: 43,000 square feet of event space across 17 versatile venues
• Restored historic spaces: The Grand Ballroom and iconic Peacock Alley have been meticulously restored
• New signature restaurant: Lex Yard, a two-story American Brasserie by chef Michael Anthony (formerly of Gramercy Tavern)
• Exceptional wellness amenities: A 30,000-square-foot spa and cutting-edge fitness center

What This Means for Your Events

For planners considering the Waldorf for future programs, here are the practical details:

• Starting rates: $1,500 per night
• Group potential: Ideal for high-end corporate meetings, incentive programs, and social events requiring premium accommodations
• Location advantage: Central Midtown East location with convenient access to Grand Central

The Waldorf’s transformation positions it perfectly for:

• Board meetings and C-suite gatherings where spacious accommodations matter
• Incentive programs seeking iconic New York experiences
• Events that need to balance historic prestige with modern functionality
• Multi-day conferences where in-house dining and wellness amenities enhance the attendee experience

How Hopskip Can Help

If you’re interested in booking this reimagined icon, Hopskip can be used to:

• Evaluate how the Waldorf compares to other luxury properties for your specific needs
• Build your RFP and track proposal details, room block information, and meeting space specifications all in one place

We’re grateful to our Hilton partners, our co-sponsor Millenium Hilton One UN Plaza, and everyone who joined us for this behind-the-scenes look at what will surely be one of New York’s most sought-after venues.

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