Forgive the pun, but by the time Hilton International, signed their management contract for the property in January 2004, the Waldorf's salad days must have seemed well and truly behind it.
From the glory years following its launch as a celebrated architectural landmark in 1908, numerous changes of ownership in the latter part of the 20th century, as the hotel was tossed from Forte to Granada, from Compass to Nomura, with an attempt to dress the property as a Meridien thrown in for good measure, had left the property looking a little limp.
But with assistance from Royal Bank of Scotland, whose rescue package brought Vision into the mix as asset managers, Hilton have invested some £35m on a root and branch refurbishment, the results of which are evident as soon as guests walk though the doors.
The renovations of the public areas, by Jane Johnson at Aukett Associates with additional work by EPR Architects and BID, have been extensive. The new lobby, blends old and new, with monochrome photographs of London in the 30s and 40s (not coincidentally, the hotel's heyday) set against carrara marble flooring, and traditional damask rugs in duck egg blue and chocolate provide a backdrop for Arne Jacobsen 'Egg' chairs in red leather. The three existing meeting rooms with period features have been refurbished with an additional meeting room added.
A new addition in the lobby area is a Patisserie where the original Waring & Gillow wall panelling has been retained and restored back to its original state offering a rich and sumptuous setting. Amongst the rich fabrics and antique furniture, the main focal point of the space is a 'jewel box' counter displaying patisseries during the day and cocktails at night.
The legendary Palm Court has been restored and enhanced to its rightful status as one of London's finest function rooms. Seen by English Heritage as an important existing example of design of the era, they required various investigations, paint analysis and studies to be carried out to establish the original features.
All 300 bedrooms, including six suites, have been completely revamped in one of two themes - 'Contemporary' and 'Design', adapted from the ill-fated Art + Tech concept instigated by Le Meridien.
But the piece de resistance is the £4m Homage Bar, Patisserie and Grand Salon. Paying tribute to the grand cafes of Europe, the space formerly occupied by he Louis XVI style Minstral room has been refurbished with a new design which takes on a sympathetic approach to the existing fabric whilst introducing contemporary elements, fusing new with old.
Oozing fin de siecle charm, it carries off that rare trick of being relaxed yet glamorous, grand yet intimate depending on the occasion and the time of day. But for all the cosmetic amendments, it is perhaps the back of house enhancements, and structural changes, carried out by contractors Cornhill Interiors, that have enhanced the guest experience most of all.
The re-planning of the ground floor has focussed on the relationship and flow of the areas adjacent to the Palm Court and the opening up of the lobby area. By removing the retail units that previously occupied the space, the lobby has been opened up into a large, high ceilinged space with marble floors and tall, carved windows. Walking through the doors of the Waldorf has once again become an experience with a sense of arrival, giving some idea of what it must have been like for guests first arriving back in 1908.
