Waldorf's opulent tradition made it a household name

0 Comments | USA TODAY, January, 2006 | by Roger Yu

NEW YORK -- Hilton Hotels' plan to launch a luxury chain under its Waldorf-Astoria brand capitalizes on the colorful history of a distinctive hotel for Manhattan's well-heeled.

Built by millionaire William Waldorf Astor in 1893, the Waldorf set many industry standards. The original Waldorf-Astoria was the first hotel to have electricity throughout, and private bathrooms in many of the rooms, according to the hotel. It was also the first to abolish a separate ladies' entrance, and first to introduce room service.

The original hotel was demolished in 1929 for the Empire State Building. When the Waldorf reopened two years later 15 blocks north at Park Avenue and 49th Street, it was the largest and tallest hotel at the time, according to the hotel: 1,852 rooms and 42...