After a full renovation lasting 8 years, the legendary landmark Waldorf Astoria New York officially reopened on July 15, 2025. Located at 301 Park Avenue in Manhattan (between 49th and 50th Streets), the hotel has witnessed nearly a century of American history, and many U.S. presidents have stayed here.
After the reopening, Waldorf Astoria New York still belongs to Hilton and can be booked with Hilton Honors points, which is of course the focus for points-and-miles travelers.
The renovated Waldorf Astoria New York keeps its signature Art Deco twin towers:
Latest update
Updated April 28, 2026: Waldorf Astoria New York completed its renovation and reopened on July 15, 2025. Hilton Honors points can be used for standard rooms, in the top category, and we suggest comparing cash rates before using points.
About the hotel
Waldorf Astoria New York was built in 1931 and was the largest and tallest hotel in the world at the time, and one of the most representative luxury brands in the Hilton group. Hilton's founder Conrad Hilton called it "The Greatest of Them All." The hotel closed in 2017 for a major renovation, and took about 8 years to return.
The renovation was led by the well-known architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), with interiors by the French designer Pierre-Yves Rochon. After the renovation, the total room count was cut sharply from the original 1,400 to 375 hotel rooms, with 372 residential condominiums added, to raise the sense of space and luxury of each room. The renovation also carefully preserved a large number of the hotel's historic artworks and murals, some dating back to the 19th century.
It is the only hotel in Manhattan with a private driveway entrance (porte-cochère), for a distinguished arrival:
The reopening also brings several new dining options: the American restaurant Lex Yard, run by chef Michael Anthony; the classic Peacock Alley lounge (known for its signature clock and Cole Porter piano); and the Japanese restaurant Yoshoku. The hotel's Guerlain Wellness Spa (over 20,000 square feet) also officially opened in October 2025.
Redeeming Hilton Honors points
As a top Hilton brand, Waldorf Astoria New York is in the highest redemption category, and the points needed per night are quite high. Before considering a points redemption, look at the cash rate and work out whether the actual value per point reaches a good level (usually 0.5 cents per point or more). Hilton Honors Diamond members also get extra benefits, including room upgrades and exclusive perks.
In our view, for a top-category hotel like Waldorf Astoria, the best-value way to redeem is actually a Free Night Certificate, not points directly. The reason is simple: a Free Night Certificate is not limited by points category, and no matter how many tens of thousands of points the hotel costs a night, one certificate covers it (standard rooms only, standard rooms only, standard rooms only, important enough to say three times), which greatly multiplies the actual value of your points.
Holders of the AmEx Hilton Honors Aspire credit card get one Free Night Certificate a year, usable at any Hilton property including Waldorf Astoria, the smartest way to stay at a top-end hotel like this.
How to earn Hilton points
You can earn Hilton points with the American Express Hilton Honors family of credit cards (Hilton Honors Card, Surpass, Aspire), and some cards also come with a yearly free night certificate that may be used directly on high-end Waldorf Astoria room types.
Final Thoughts
The reopening of Waldorf Astoria New York adds another star to New York's luxury hotel market. For those of us who like to travel on points, staying at this legendary landmark with years of accumulated Hilton points, or with a Free Night Certificate, is sure to be an unforgettable experience.
Related reading: U.S. Credit Cards – AmEx Hilton Honors Aspire Credit Card, 150,000-Point Welcome Bonus
Other related Hilton Honors articles:- An Introduction to the Hilton Honors Program
- Hilton Honors Points Purchase Promotions
- Hilton Introduces Global Automated Upgrades
- Experience Sharing – How to Quickly Get Top-Tier Hotel Status with Marriott and Hilton, and How Stays Compare
- Analysis – Marriott vs. Hilton: Which Makes It Easier to Earn a Free Night by Staying at Hotels?
- Hilton Rolls Out Several Favorable New Policies