Dennis Saul
In the early 1900s, a new type of building was redefining the New York City skyline and its social life: the grand luxury hotel. These were more than just places for travelers to sleep; they were immense, self-contained palaces designed to offer unparalleled opulence, service, and modern convenience. This era saw a boom in hotel construction, with each new establishment trying to outdo the last in splendor and scale.
The center of this new hotel world was Fifth Avenue and the area surrounding the new Pennsylvania Station and Grand Central Terminal. The undisputed king of this era was the original Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, which occupied the entire block on Fifth Avenue where the Empire State Building now stands. The Waldorf-Astoria, a combination of two hotels built by the feuding Astor family, set the standard for luxury. It featured a famous, 300-foot-long corridor nicknamed “Peacock Alley,” where the city’s wealthy and fashionable would stroll to see and be seen.
Other grand hotels quickly rose to compete. The St. Regis, which opened on Fifth Avenue in 1904, offered a new level of technological luxury. Each of its rooms had a private telephone, a feature that was still a novelty for most homes. The Plaza Hotel, which opened its doors on Grand Army Plaza in 1907, was built to be one of the most elegant hotels in the world. Its lavish Palm Court, with its high, stained-glass ceiling and abundant greenery, immediately became a premier destination for afternoon tea. In Times Square, The Knickerbocker Hotel, which opened in 1906, was famous for its glamorous bar and restaurant, where, according to legend, the martini was first created.
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These hotels were built in the ornate Beaux-Arts architectural style. Their exteriors featured limestone facades, decorative carvings, and grand entrances. Inside, the public spaces were a spectacle of wealth. Lobbies were vast, two-story halls with marble floors, soaring columns, crystal chandeliers, and plush oriental rugs. These spaces were designed to impress visitors the moment they walked through the door. They contained telegraph offices, flower shops, ticket agencies, and restaurants, functioning like small, exclusive cities.
The guest rooms themselves introduced a new concept of private luxury. While older hotels often had shared bathrooms down the hall, these new palaces offered a private bathroom for nearly every room. This was a major innovation and a key selling point. Rooms were equipped with electric lighting, replacing gas lamps, and were furnished with heavy, dark wood furniture and rich fabrics. A large staff of maids, bellhops, and concierges provided constant, attentive service.
These grand hotels became the primary setting for New York high society. Their magnificent ballrooms hosted debutante balls, charity galas, and extravagant wedding receptions. Famous restaurants within the hotels, like the one at the Waldorf-Astoria, were the preferred dining spots for financiers, politicians, and celebrities like the opera singer Enrico Caruso, who made the Knickerbocker his home.
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