Rooms and Features of the Old Waldorf

Rooms and Features of the Old Waldorf

Clocks and watches

Bathrooms

Descriptions of the various room of the Old Waldorf-Astoria Hotel from the 1903 promotional publication assembled by George C. Boldt, then manager and proprietor of the Waldorf-Astoria.

Boldt, George C., 1851-1916

Edition de Luxe.

1903

Falk, B. J. (Benjamin J.), 1853-1925

Histories & Publications

Boldt, G. C. (c.1903). The Waldorf-Astoria: New York. New York: Edition de Luxe.

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English

Text

Waldorf-Astoria Hotel -- 1890-1930

Roof Garden

Miscellaneous Suites/Rooms -- Waldorf

ALL BATH ROOMS face and ventilate to the open air. Each floor is arranged as a separate hotel. It has its own clerical force, its telephones, private service of page boys, distinct force of waiters, special dumb-waiter service, heating apparatus, and refrigerators. The number of employees since the year 1899 averaged 1,467 per day. In the winter months, during the entertainment season, the number employed reached from 1,800 to 2,900 per day, while in the summer months, with an extra force for renovating purposes, there were rarely less than 1,100 employed. The Hotel has its own interior telephone system connecting all departments. There are over 3,090 city (or restaurant) accounts, aside from those of the regular hotel patrons.

THE ROOF GARDEN. In the beginning of June the roof garden is opened in the evenings for the convenience of patrons and their friends. Admission is by ticket only, obtainable at the office. Two complete orchestras alternate in furnishing musical entertainment.

THE CLOCK. This magnificent clock, executed for exhibition at the Chicago World’s fair, is a wonderful example of skill, and is valued at $25,000. It stands twelve feet high. The octagonal sides are ornamented with interesting scenes and busts of famous men and women, executed in solid silver bas-relief. Above, small figures, likewise of silver, gilded, represent different sports, ancient and modern; these figures revolve when the chimes ring. Then come the four faces of the clock proper, marking the time of New York, Greenwich, Paris and Madrid. Surmounting all is the beautiful miniature of the “Statue of Liberty.” The chimes, which ring every quarter hour, are well worth hearing.

promotional materials