Surprising facts about New York’s iconic Waldorf Astoria hotel

HERE are 13 surprising facts about the towering New York City hotel, which will shut its doors in March for a $1.3 billion renovation.

PART history lesson, part dreamlike fantasy, part luxurious indulgence, the Waldorf Astoria is an iconic New York institution.

But in a city where the only constant is change, we can’t expect hotels — even legendary ones — to be an exception, reports the New York Post.

This goliath shuts down March 1 for at least two years for a renovation reported to total $A1.3 billion so, to celebrate its past and with a nod to its future, we present its most impressive (and quirkiest) stats.

14

US commanders-in-chief who have stayed in its 208 square metre Presidential Suite, from Herbert Hoover and FDR to George W. Bush and Barack Obama.

2400

Red velvet cupcakes, which the hotel allegedly created, baked weekly in the massive subterranean kitchens.

The popular dessert’s signature recipe includes beetroot and vegetable oil instead of butter to keep the cake dense and moist; the sweet icing contains cream cheese and mascarpone.

Available at lunch ($A18 for four) at the hotel’s Peacock Alley eatery.

The iconic accommodation is among the tallest in the world.

190

The Waldorf’s height in metres when it moved from Fifth Avenue (where it was built in 1893) to its current location. That altitude made it the tallest hotel in the world when it opened at 301 Park Avenue, between 49th and 50th streets, in 1931.

1413

Rooms and suites. It’s unclear how many there will be after the revamp.

4850

Magic shows that sleight-of-hand whiz Steve Cohen has performed in a 35th-floor suite over the course of his 16 years in residence. There are still tickets left for performances at the Waldorf on February 9, 11 and 26. Cohen will relocate his intimate act to the Lotte New York Palace hotel starting March 3 (from $A111 a ticket).

12

Types of caviar (four) and smoked fish (eight) served at the decadent Sunday brunch in the hotel’s Peacock Alley restaurant ($A190 per adult, includes a cocktail, and $A111 for kids. Runs from 10am to 2pm).

8

Full-time silver polishers the hotel employs.

50

Years worked by the hotel’s longest-serving employee, bellman Jimmy Elidrissi.

4500

Guests at the biggest party the hotel has ever hosted. The Waldorf’s Grand Ballroom couldn’t contain the magnitude of this corporate holiday bash — the identity of the company is confidential — so the fete was spread to other spaces.

1.20

Price, in US dollars, of a Waldorf salad in 1959. (Today? That will cost you US$19/$A24). Lore says that the dish, made of apples, celery, grapes and walnuts was created at the hotel in the early 1890s.

The opulent Royal Suite, has hosted guests from British royalty to Britney Spears.

21

Amount Theresa and Genaro Salzano paid for a room in the Waldorf’s Towers — in 2015. The childhood sweethearts, who got married in 1955, spent a honeymoon staycation at the Waldorf and kept the receipt. The hotel honoured their original rate for their 60th anniversary; the list price two years ago was $A641 or more.

20

Movies in which the hotel has been featured, from Coming to America to Scent of a Woman. The world’s first-ever on-location movie, 1945 rom-com Weekend at the Waldorf was filmed there.

110

Square metres of the opulent Royal Suite. The second-biggest guest accommodation after the Presidential Suite, it is the former NYC residence of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor and has also served as a hideaway for stars from Elizabeth Taylor to Britney Spears. The price is available upon request.

This article originally appeared on the New York Post and was republished with permission.