Opened in 1893 by millionaire William Waldorf Astor, this grande dame of New York luxury hotels moved to its present location from a little further south on Fifth Avenue in 1931 and still retains some of the original hotel's Art Deco interior. The lobby has the decadent feel of a ballroom with its sweeping marble staircases, and glamour and sophistication seem to pour from every crevice of the hotel, which sits on a full city block. As you would suspect from such a historic hotel, every room located in the Waldorf Astoria and Waldorf Towers (which has a separate lobby, concierge, long-term leases and roomier suites) is adorned with plush draperies and ornately carved furniture. The hotel's Bull and Bear Steakhouse & Bar, Inagiku Japanese restaurant, and cocktail terrace overlooking the Park Avenue lobby are always bustling in that old New York way. A new Guerlain spa opened in September 2008 and offers complimentary valet parking and relaxing foot baths upon arrival.

The Waldorf Astoria Amenities:

• 1,415 rooms. Wireless Internet access. Restaurant, bar. Airport transportation available. Fitness center. Spa. Business center. Pets accepted.