Waldorf Astoria New York Hospitality Firsts
The Waldorf opened as New York’s (and arguably the world’s) grandest, most luxurious and most modern hotel with private bathrooms for most rooms and electricity throughout. The hotel was a sensation and was instrumental in changing how society entertained and socialized. The first charity ball ever held in a hotel was at The Waldorf and the hotel’s restaurants were a catalyst in making dining out a popular and fashionable social activity, as opposed to a necessity when traveling.
• First Hotel with a Private Bath for Every Guestroom.
• First Hotel with a Ballroom
• First Hotel to Suggest People Live Permanently in Private Suites.
• First Hotel to Give Prominence to the Art Deco Style in America.
• First Hotel with Décor Featuring Indirect Lighting.
• First Hotel with a Lobby PA System.
• First Hotel to Introduce Room Service.
• First Electric Kitchen – installed in 35A (the Presidential Suite) by GE.
• First Hotel in America to Rent Rooms to Women Traveling Alone.
• The Waldorf Astoria New York (the hotel we know today) was the largest in the world at its opening in 1931.
• Home to the First Supper Club to have a Retractable Roof (in the Starlight Roof).
• Only Hotel to be the Residence of Three Five-Star Generals: Dwight Eisenhower, Douglas MacArthur and Omar Bradley.
• Home to every U.S. President since 1947.
