I have booked the Waldorf Astoria in New York for a 3 day stay from 23rd to 26th of December. Price was very good (220 dollars per night) and at time of booking (August) recent online reviews were very favorable.

However, just today I have started looking at online reviews of the hotel (tripadvisor) and things do not seem rosy in the Waldorf. Most negatives were to associated with the age of the hotel and that it's condition was deteriorating to "shabby". Now I'm considering cancelling the booking although I'm extremely hesitant to do so as I had a fantastic mental picture of the Waldorf at Christmas time. Are things that bad at the Waldorf? Should I change hotels?

Thanks.

I have stayed at the Waldorf and it was a free stay with Hilton Honors pts. It was a year ago August. We were given a very small room with no view (a brick wall). But the room was comfortable with the big down comforters. The beds were very comfortable. I slept good. The room was clean, but a little old. It is not a modern hotel. It is old. Many of the grand hotels in NY are older,but kept up. I was not overly impressed with my room and you are not paying alot for yours (so you may be getting my old room.). BUT, I slept well in a very nice old elegant hotel. We spent our days and nights running all over NY and were only in our room to sleep and change. Hotel rooms in NY in Dec are going to be very pricey. The rate you have is very good. The Waldorf will be decorated beautifully for the holiday. It is a classic. I would go and enjoy. Expect a small, but nice room and you may be surprised to get a better room.It is in a good location to get around to dinner and shows and Rockefeller Center. Have fun.

I just realized you are the gentelmen that is about to pop the question!! I would call the hotel and let them know that you are planning to engaged and that you would like a nice room to make this a special occasion. It may help to get a better room. Best wishes!

With that rate, the Waldorf is just fine. I had heard about shabby rooms without views, but we've stayed there many times with Priceline and Hotwire and have always been very pleased. The hotel is very well maintained. The public areas are sensational. If you stay there, be sure to have her check out those restrooms off the foyer at the top of the stairway. Magnificent!

The reviews of the Waldorf have been mixed for some time. It's nothing new. The public areas are grand and beautiful, the rooms are in desperate need of updating. At this late date I doubt you could find anything near that affordable. If you are looking for someplace else, the NY Palace would be a good option. The public rooms are grand and historic, the rooms are modern.

I do agree if you decide to stay at the Waldorf you need to alert them to the reason for your trip. Perhaps you'd want to consider upgrading your reservation and paying a bit more there to make sure to get a great room. I think there are some rooms that have been more recently renovated. The real issue there is I don't think any of the bathrooms have been redone.

Our room wasn't in bad shape. It was just older. It was not all that impressive, but it was nice. I have stayed at the very modern Parker Meridian and the rooms had such thin walls that I could hear everything in the next room. I would not stay at the Parker Meridian again.
The bathrooms are fine. I think you will enjoy your stay at the Waldorf. Call and let them know of the special occasion.

A hotel like the Waldorf=Astoria doesn't renovate all at the same time. They'll take several rooms out of commission at once, do an overhall, then put them back into the reservations pool.

That said, you really shouldn't find an all out shabby room at the WA.

It is a fantastic hotel. I've stayed there on several occaisions and always had a nice room/

CALL the hotel!! Make sure they know the reason for the trip and they will upgrade you!

Thanks everyone. I booked the Waldorf without really checking what people were saying (although I'm not sure if that's even worthwhile most of the time). I saw what I felt was an unbelieveable price for a 5 star hotel and booked straight away. Up to yesterday I was really looking foward to "Christmas at the Waldorf" and then after reading alot of the reviews online I was a bit pissed off and seriously considering a change of hotel. After reading the comments here though I think I'll stay put.
With regard to the upgrade, I had intended asking at check-in. Is this too late?

I would call ahead. It is Christmas week and the hotel could be full. Does your fiance know about the proposal? If you ask at check in, she will.
If you call ahead and then remind the clerk that it is a special occasion, then I think you will have covered all the bases.

I would let them know now the reason for your stay; then at check-in you may be upgraded. This is what happened to me. And we were upgrded to the concierge floor. we've stayed there a couple of times, and each time was just fine.

Call now and ask the reservationist to note ON your reservation that you are asking your girlfriend to marry you.

Check back about three days to a week before your arrival, make sure it is noted, and tell them again when you check in.

Will do. Thanks.

At $220 per night, I would not cancel the reservations. Like everyone else has stated, the rooms are older and a little shabby but it's an old hotel. Our room was a little small but all we did was sleep there. The concierge was not helpful and appeared "bothered" that we asked questions. When we checked out, we mentioned it and they sent us a letter for a free upgrade during our next stay. Also you can't bet the location.

Went to an event there last spring and concur that the public spaces are fantastic! The Waldorf has always had a broad range of room types. You are on the right path in trying to make sure you get one of the better, more elegant ones. Have a wonderful time.