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Saturday, December 24, 2011

Christmas at the Beautiful Waldorf-Astoria


You will want to know that we did not stay at the Waldorf, but at The Pod around the corner-- billed as the most hip budget hotel in Mid-town. Since we knew the place (formerly the Pickwick Arms), we chose the cheapest room with bunk beds, shared bath, and well worth the slight inconvenience for the price. "Shared bath" puts some people off, but is quite common in very respectable places in Europe, and is impeccably maintained at The Pod.



Mr. Cottage had stayed at the Waldorf with his family as a youngster, however, and enjoyed the walk down memory lane. The details are marvelous, and very much the same as they have always been.



You can feel the history at every turn, and there are also informative displays of the early days of a still glorious hotel.




The seasonal decoration hardly overshadows the oppulent decor.







The mosiac lobby floor.


Highly decorated ceilings and floors, and an ornately detailed center clock with a Statue of Liberty replica on top.

























Silvered art deco era elevator doors.














I love the still functional phone bank for dialing up guests. "Room please."













Chef's jacket on display. 









An old ledger recording event details, menus, etc..













I'd love to find one of these in a shop somewhere!










I did make sure to visit the WC! Still staffed by an attendant standing by ready to assist. This is one of the well-appointed closets. . . .




And powder room mirrors. . . .




I could sense the aura of lingering perfume, beaded gowns, and lively banter of a long lost era in this room.




Thanks for coming along for the tour!
I hope your holiday is full of peace and love!
We are snuggled up with family in Connecticut for Christmas Eve, and hope you're enjoying your own traditions wherever you are.

Ciao! for now!
And a Very Merry Christmas!!

Jacqueline

12 comments:

  1. Loved the close-ups of the chandeliers. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

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  2. It is a gorgeous hotel, isn't it? Thanks so much for the photos. Merry Christmas!

    xo
    Claudia

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  3. Merry Christmas J!!!
    You sure know how to travel in style... that is some glamourous sparkle!!
    Wishing you the Merriest of Christmases snuggled up in Conneticut... another lovely Christmas destination! You really have travel the country!!
    Big Christmas Hugs:-))
    XXOO
    Bella

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  4. Hi Jacqueline,
    Thank you for sharing these pictures. After seeing the Waldorf in movies, I've always wanted to know what it really looked like. It's even better than I imagined. It's true Hollywood Glamore of yesteryear. Can't you just imagine Marilyn Monroe in that powder room? Love it!

    Thanks again for another great post. I hope you have a very Merry Christmas!!!

    Danielle

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  5. wishing you a very Merry Christmas!!!!

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  6. abeautiful pictures!! Wishing you a merrry Christmas!!

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  7. WOW!!! Exquisite place and your photos are fabulous! I have really enjoyed all your photos of your travels across the country recently! Merry Christmas! Kay

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  8. Christmas in Conn.? Sounds magical, Merry Christmas!

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  9. Christmas greetings to you Jacqueline. thanks for sharing your visit, i have never seen anything like it in my life! Jane x

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  10. Mmmm, fabulous! Love the old days, the attention to beautiful detail, the romanticism... Merry Christmas and thanks for sharing the scene!

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  11. As I sit here in the quiet on this morning after I am enjoying catching up on your holiday strolls through New York...thank you! I have never been and would love to visit some day!

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  12. There is no place like New York at Christmas. i have not gotten to go for a few years. I have never stayed at the W hotel, but walked through at Christmas and it is beautiful. What a wonderful Christmas you had. Richard from My Old Historic house.

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