Monday newsletters always feature top 10 travel lists to inspire.
Today: Top 10 best Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts in the world
Waldorf Astoria is positioned as the flagship brand within the Hilton Hotel Group’s portfolio. Inspired by their timeless environments and elegant service, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts aim to deliver an effortless experience seamlessly, creating a true sense of place for guests through stunning architecture, Peacock Alley, refined art collections, Michelin-starred dining concepts and elevated in-room amenities. Here’s my selection of the 10 best Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts in the world.
The original Waldorf Astoria New York – which will soon reopen following an extensive refurbishment – was a place like no other: a marvel of the modern age with electricity, telephones, a bath in most guest rooms, and palatial public spaces, whose unique blend of personalized service, architectural grandeur and sophisticated style attracted leaders of industry, illustrious artists, and society’s elite. It also captured the imagination of hotel magnate Conrad Hilton, who kept a photograph of The Waldorf Astoria under the glass on his desk. On the picture he had written simply, “The greatest of them all.”
There is more information (with detailed reviews and YouTube movies) below the slideshow. What is your favorite Waldorf Astoria Hotel or Resort? Leave a comment.
10. WALDORF ASTORIA BANGKOK, THAILAND
Designed by architect André Fu, Waldorf Astoria Bangkok marks the luxe brand’s first foray in Southeast Asia. The luxury hotel is housed in a nearly 250 m (800 ft) high, ultramodern scraper, which is shaped like a magnolia bloom. Inside, soaring ceilings, bronze accents, and a soft cream-and-sea-green palette create a calming retreat from the bustle outside. Floor-to-ceiling windows, light colored wood, and spacious bathrooms with walk-in closets in the 171 rooms and suites (floors 6 to 15) create a sense of relaxed luxury. Dining options range from Nordic Thai in Front Room to the stylish Bull & Bear grill, featuring steak and seafood with a bird’s-eye view of the city. Situated on the ultra-modern Magnolias Ratchadamri Boulevard, the hotel offers a wealth of amenities for discerning business and leisure travelers, including indulgent spa facilities and a stunning rooftop pool.
- Hotel website: Waldorf Astoria Bangkok
- Other accolades: Waldorf Astoria Bangkok features in my list of the best luxury hotels in Bangkok.
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, $100 USD food & beverage credit, early check in and late check out).
- Review: read my review of Waldorf Astoria Bangkok here.
9. WALDORF ASTORIA WASHINGTON DC, USA
Elegantly restored to its historic grandeur, the iconic Old Post Office has been reimagined as Waldorf Astoria Washington DC. The property – which first opened as Trump hotel before being rebranded as a Waldorf Astoria – sits on Pennsylvania Avenue between The White House and the U.S. Capitol near National Mall museums, the Washington Monument, and Lincoln Memorial. The hotel features 263 richly furnished guest rooms and suites, among the largest luxury rooms in Washington, D.C., with lofty ceilings, soaring windows, beautifully restored historic millwork, and glittering crystal sconces and chandeliers. The three extraordinary Presidential Suites are among the largest in the USA, with the suite facing Pennsylvania Avenue being the largest in Washington DC. The hotel entices with Michelin-starred dining and a signature lobby bar. In-room dining is available if privacy is preferred.
- Hotel website: Waldorf Astoria Washington DC
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, $100 USD food & beverage credit, early check in and late check out).
8. WALDORF ASTORIA DOHA WEST BAY, QATAR
With an ideal location close to the city center and key attractions, the new Waldorf Astoria Doha West Bay epitomizes modern luxury – offering elegant furnishings, a range of culinary options, and a four-floor dedicated wellness area. With a façade and main entrance almost identical to the original Waldorf Astoria in New York, the hotel nods to the brand’s rich heritage and legacy, bringing Manhattan flair to Qatar’s capital. The 44-story property features 283 rooms and suites (floors 39 to 43), as well as 50 luxury apartments – all of which boast a distinct art deco style. Paying homage to the history of grand clocks at Waldorf Astoria properties around the world, the central feature of the lobby is a striking clock created by Tiffany & Co. A piece of art, the clock celebrates the falcon – Qatar’s national bird – with a bezel inspired by the tips of a falcon’s feathers. S
- Hotel website: Waldorf Astoria Doha West Bay
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, $100 USD hotel credit, early check in and late check out).
7. WALDORF ASTORIA LAS VEGAS, USA
Stunningly designed and beautifully appointed, Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas – formerly a Mandarin Oriental hotel – is the only Forbes triple 5-star luxury hotel at the heart of The Strip. The property towers 47 stories high above the legendary city. With views of the city and the desert, the hotel offers the perfect mix of style, serenity and luxury in a non-gaming and smoke-free environment. The 23rd floor Sky Lobby is a spectacular entry point to a chic bar, gourmet dining, and discreet luxury. The 392 rooms and suites are fantastically comfortable with a sleek décor incorporating subtle Asian-inspired touches. Bathrooms are spectacular with views through the floor-to-ceiling windows; but nothing compares to the top three suites at the hotel, spanning 3,000 sq. feet each. The gourmet fusion restaurants and advanced leisure facilities are second to none, while the 5-star, Asian inspired luxury service is truly unbeatable.
6. WALDORF ASTORIA CANCUN, MEXICO
The property is situated on 100 acres of coastline south of Cancun’s popular Hotel Zone and north of Riviera Maya. Behind a mangrove nature preserve, on a secluded stretch of beach, the luxury hotel offers the perfect blend of Mexican heritage and modern sophistication with an abundance of choices to create an ideal getaway. The 173 luxurious rooms and suites combine elegance and refinement with privacy and comfort, featuring private balconies with soaking tubs and breathtaking ocean views. With menus crafted by consummate connoisseurs, guests can indulge and imbibe in a wide variety of dining options across five food and beverage venues. With 21 indoor and outdoor treatment rooms, a salon, sauna, extensive thermal area, outdoor spa pool and garden, and exquisite relaxation lounges, the Waldorf Astoria Spaoffers a serene destination for holistic well-being.
- Hotel website: Waldorf Astoria Cancun
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, $100 USD food & beverage credit, early check in and late check out).
5. GRAND WAILEA MAUI, A WALDORF ASTORIA RESORT, USA
The recently enhanced Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort nestles within 40 tropical acres fronted by Wailea Beach, one the the most beautiful beaches on Maui Island in Hawaii. Each of the resort’s 794 spacious accommodations has been totally revamped; guests staying in a in a club-level Napua Room enjoy exclusive amenities. The hotel boasts one of the most spectacular hotel pools in Hawaii: a river connects nine individual pools on six various levels, offering endless activities for the whole family to enjoy. Those preferring tranquility can always escape to the serenity of the adults-only Hibiscus Pool. Guests of the iconic resort can indulge in an island-inspired treatment at the enormous Kilolani Spa (Hawaii’s largest); choose from seven dining venues (the resort’s Grand Luau is a feast for the senses); and have access to three 18-hole championship courses at Wailea Golf Club and 11 courts at the Wailea Tennis Club.
4. WALDORF ASTORIA BEVERLY HILLS, USA
Opened in 2017, Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills exemplifies the very best of the California good life. Designed inside and out by the legendary Pierre-Yves Rochon, you’ll find world-class service and excellence in every detail. Lush gardens and coastal California décor set the tone for a relaxing retreat. Every hotel element is richly designed, from the grand three-story lobby to the delicate Lalique crystal. The hotel features 170 guest rooms and suites with oversized balconies and stunning views in every direction. The hotel also features a restaurant serving the French-American cuisine of famed chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, and a rooftop lounge deck with panoramic views, VIP cabanas and a sparkling swimming pool. Located at the gateway of Beverly Hills, the 12-story hotel occupies a place of distinction directly at the corner of Wilshire and Santa Monica Boulevards.
- Hotel website: Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills
- Tip: get complimentary VIP perks when booking via Virtuoso (e.g. room upgrade, daily breakfast, $100 USD food & beverage credit, early check in and late check out).
3. WALDORF ASTORIA AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS
Set on the banks of Amsterdam’s grandest canal, the Herengracht (‘gentleman’s canal’), the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam boasts a fabulous location in the heart of the city, just a short walk from the Hermitage Museum, the Opera House, the Museum Quarter and a wealth of dining, shopping and leisure options. The hotel is a magnificent grouping of 17th- and 18th-century palaces, bringing the legendary Waldorf Astoria service to the heart of Holland’s capital. Authentic contemporary decor and architectural touches define the 93 elegant rooms, lofts, and suites, which are reached by elevators or by a unique grand staircase built by the architect of Louis XIV, Daniel Marot. The King Lofts, located on the highest floor, with the building’s original wooden beams, are particularly enticing. Dine with a two-Michelin-starred chef in Spectrum, followed by after-dinner cocktails at the stylish Vault Bar.
2. WALDORF ASTORIA SEYCHELLES PLATTE ISLAND, SEYCHELLES
The brand-new Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island Resort is a located on a private island, just over 130 km (80 mi) south of Mahé, in a pristine atoll fringed by palm forests and protected by its own coral reef. Home to native Hawksbill turtles, eagle rays, manta rays and whale sharks, much of Platte Island’s surrounding scenery remains beautifully untouched, promising a plethora of firsts and an unrivaled sense of magic for guests. The ultra-luxury property houses an intimate collection of 50 seafront villas with personal concierge services, including one-to-three-bedroom villas as well as a master five-bedroom villa with expansive gardens. Each villa is designed with a fan-shaped style that gives the space an ascending pitched ceiling. The villas are also sensitively set back from the shoreline and feature expansive gardens that create an undisturbed place for sea turtles to lay their eggs.
1. WALDORF ASTORIA MALDIVES ITHAAFUSHI, MALDIVES
Just a 40-minute yacht journey from Velana International Airport, Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi awaits. Alfresco pavilions, swaying hammocks, and jaw-dropping views come with the territory at Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi. Spanning three (man-made) islands in South Male Atoll, the stunning resort has 119 beach and overwater villas, carefully positioned to guarantee privacy for the guests while providing them with unsurpassed views of the ocean. Each villa is equipped with a private pool, jacuzzi and lounge deck. The thatched roofed villas may appear simple on the outside, but on the inside they are fitted with luxurious interior furnishing and branded amenities. There’s a palatial spa as well as numerous food and beverage offerings that cater to a diverse culinary palette, including Terra where guests can dine among the treetops in one of seven bamboo nests.
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