T
he Waldorf-Astoria Hotel's long-awaited reopening is finally here, five years after its initial planned date. The meticulously restored hotel brings back the grandeur of New York City's iconic "grand hotels," with stunning public spaces that are a testament to its legendary status.

    Unlike other great hotel lobbies in NYC, which have fallen into disrepair over the decades, the Waldorf-Astoria has been reborn with glorious public areas open to everyone. The hotel's massive ground floor has been reconfigured to improve sightlines, and the check-in counter has been relocated to free up space for Peacock Alley revelers.

    The famous "Wheel of Life" mosaic near the Park Avenue entrance is a stunning example of the hotel's meticulous restoration. Gone are old lounges like Sir Harry's Bar, replaced by a beautifully restored Peacock Alley lounge with dark maple walls and black marble columns. The Waldorf clock, commissioned by Queen Victoria in 1893, has been cleaned and polished to look new.

    The hotel's restaurants are a highlight of the reopening, led by managing director Luigi Romaniello. Lex Yard, a plush two-level affair helmed by Gramercy chef Michael Anthony, opens tonight for dinner, while Japanese cafe Yoshoku will open in stages. The Peacock Alley bar features a cocktail menu devised by Jeff Bell of Please Don't Tell fame.

    The new Waldorf-Astoria is an Art Deco icon that has been beautifully burnished since its 1931 opening. Its landmarked lobby and Peacock Alley lounge are now more stunning than ever, with two gorgeous new restaurants, a magnificent marble floor, and a welcoming porte-cochere entrance on East 49th Street. The hotel's interior details, including 19th-century murals, have been meticulously restored to their former glory.