Not the epitome of service and grandeur
We had high expectations of service from a hotel that we thought would be the epitome of service and grandeur. Our stay started off on a negative service note when we checked in. There are separate check in desks for gold and diamond members. Since both had guests ahead of us, we waited in front of the diamond desk. When the gold desk clerk finished with his guest, he summoned a guest who was waiting in line in the general check in area. While he was helping that guest we asked the other clerk (there were 2 clerks at the desk) if he could help us since we were diamond members and wondered if we could check in at the gold member desk. He said yes but he would help us as soon as he was done. Just thought that it would have been nice for him to have asked us if we needed help since we were waiting in the diamond line right next to his desk. Anyway, epitome of service and grandeur the Waldorf Astoria is not. First the positives: the room was large and the ceilings very high. The bathtub was the largest I have ever seen. I'm 6 feet tall so it was the first time I was able to stretch my legs out in a tub without having my knees stick out of the water. We were given two complimentary coupons for cocktails which we enjoyed in the bar. Would have liked to have been able to order appetizers but all that was available was nuts and olives. Some of the negatives. There were 2 wash clothes in the bathroom that was piled in a heap next to the Kleenex box. Not sure if the maid forgot to shape it into an arrangement or if they were previously used. Was not able to connect to the complimentary wifi service. The first night I called for service and did not receive assistance til after we left for a show. When we got back that night, the service tech left a note that the problem was fixed. I did not try to get online til the next day and found that I still could not connect with my ipad. So I called again and no service tech showed up and we left for a tour. When we got back 6 hours later, we still had no connection so I gave up because we had to leave for another show. 
 The view from the room was the roof of a lower level. It was strewn with litter and some construction debris. We realize that the hotel is under renovation but some effort should have been made in cleaning up some of the litter so the view from the window is not so unsightly. Our contact with the waiter, bellman, concierge and doormen were not remarkable. No one seemed to go out of there way to give extra service or friendliness such as we recieved from the Le Parker Meridien New York City the previous night.