Manhattan Mary - 2
Luigi Romanielli epitomises Italian charm. Were he a famous tenor every opera-addict worldwide would swoon, were he an Uber driver every client would tip him thousandfold. He’s also incredibly and genuinely nice, and as MD of the re-opened Waldorf he’s on top of one of the most stressful challenges in the luxury hotel world.
Everyone remembers the old hotel, re-built here in 1931 when it had 1,415 rooms and one world-wide famous clock, above. The Waldorf had so many famous MDs, including Eric Long and, last of all, Michael Hoffman, who closed the ‘old’ hotel – he’s currently VP/MD for The Arizona Biltmore, managed by Pyramid Global Hospitality for owners Henderson Park.
Now, at the ‘new’ Waldorf, the clock’s returned, but the key count’s down to 375, starting size 60sm (cleverly separated from the overnighters are 375 owned residences, where Simon de Pury’s on hand as art advisor, and main designer’s Jean-Louis Devnoit). Hotel rooms have been designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon, exhibiting a monochrome pale mushroom phase.
Girlahead ate splendidly, at Lex Yard, which opens directly off Lexington as well as via the tremendously-extended hotel lobby, an ocean of champagne marble (all the public areas that Girlahead saw were fab, by the way). Hotel-run, with the help of consultant Michael Anthony, Lex Yard’s a light and bright modern brasserie, Bernardaud, Sambonnet and leather-covered menus. It’s two floors, usually downstairs lunch and dinner, upstairs breakfast but can overflow as required.
At dinner, apparently about 30% have the $95 three-course menu, three choices each course. Going à la carte, Girlahead started with a ‘new’ Waldorf salad, $28, grilled stone fruits, walnuts, ricotta salsa. She went on to roast golden chicken, $46, with zucchini, sun gold tomatoes, garlic bread purée and potato skins and an absolutely delicious green garlic sauce. The finale? Chocolate ice cream.
This is the hotel for traditionalists. They’re so happy to be back. And, as in the Good Old Days, there are surprises. The hotel has a Suntory whiskey bar. The fitness centre’s so colourful it actually encourages exercise (see below). To celebrate the 2026 American Open, the 34-metre ballroom was temporarily turned into a full-size tennis court: the 400-strong charity event, sponsored by Hilton, LVMH and Suntory, included two exhibition matches, Tommy Paul v Ben Shelton; Leylah Fernandez v Maria Sakkari – 5% of total sales, matched by Hilton Global Foundation, went to Big Brothers Big Sisters.
This is a caring hotel, owned by Dajia Insurance, represented by Strategic. Some of the 700 current employees - who also do bespoke à la carte for the residences – were here before, others are new. Girlahead would bet that the longest applicant line today is for hostesses in Peacock Alley: not only are they custodians of the clock and all who meet by it but OH their frocks. Pale aquamarine bias slink by day. Gold glitter by night. Bellissimo…
