Unlocking Ultra-Luxury with Managing Director Luigi Romaniello on the Grand Reopening of the Waldorf Astoria New York

Set to reopen after a seven-year restoration, the Waldorf Astoria New York is poised to redefine ultra-luxury hospitality. In this episode, Managing Director Luigi Romaniello takes us through the journey of bringing the Waldorf Astoria back to life, from restoring storied frescoes and architectural details to creating highly personalized experiences for today’s sophisticated travelers. He shares his philosophy on ultra-luxury, emphasizing service precision, meaningful guest connections, and the challenge of meeting modern expectations while preserving the hotel’s legendary charm.  

For anyone fascinated by hospitality, architecture or New York’s history, this conversation unveils the layers of passion and detail behind the Waldorf’s remarkable revival. 

The “Distinguished” podcast is produced by Boston University School of Hospitality Administration. 

Host: Arun Upneja, Dean
Producer: Mara Littman, Executive Director of Strategic Operations and Corporate Relations
Research and Content Creation: Lan Lu
Marketing: Anne Dawson
Editing: Isabella Laikin and James Leon

Music: “Airport Lounge" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

Transcript

Welcome & Guest Introduction: Luigi Romaniello and the Waldorf Astoria New York

SPEAKER_01 0:02

Welcome to Distinguished Podcast, brought to you by the School of Hospitality Administration at Boston University, where we delve into the art of luxury, the power of innovation, and the leaders shaping the future of hospitality. I'm your host, Arunupneja, Dean of the School, and today we have a truly special episode lined up. One that will intrigue anyone curious about the future of luxury hotels. We are honored to be joined by Luigi Rominiello, managing director of the legendary Waldorf Historia, New York. After seven years of painstaking restoration, one of the world's most iconic hotels is on the brink of a grand reopening, setting new benchmarks for elegance and guest experience. In this episode, we'll immerse ourselves in the world of luxury about the iconic Waldorf Astoria. We'll explore its ambitious new direction and discuss what it really means to redefine luxury in the modern world. So whether you are a seasoned hospitality expert, a real estate aficionado, or simply captivated by the blend of history and cutting-edge innovation, this conversation promises to be a fascinating journey. So let's get started. Luigi, welcome to the Distinguished Podcast.

The Waldorf's Closure in 2017 and BU's Connection to the Hotel

SPEAKER_00 1:26

Thank you, everyone, and thank you very much for the opportunity to have me in this conversation. And to be here at Boston University is such a treat, so I'm very honored to be here. Fantastic.

SPEAKER_01 1:36

Welcome. And you know, I um vividly remember the day it was announced in 2017 that the Waldorf is closing for many years. And I immediately looked up in my database and I found that I had eight of my alumni working in the Waldorf at that point. So of course I immediately called them up and I said, okay, what help do you need? They said, Hilton has been very kind and generous and very open. So it was great. They all got good positions. But now that the opening is in sight, um, and we are thrilled to reignite this relationship between our school and the Waldorf, which we have built over the many years. Many of our students have found opportunities and they've built the foundations of their careers at your iconic institution. So I'm thrilled to continue that legacy with you, Luigi.

Ushering a New Era: Recruiting the Next Generation of Talent

SPEAKER_00 2:27

Thank you so much, Sharoon. I appreciate that. And I do, I mean, I do see that as a because we're ushering a new era for the Waldover Story in New York, right? And uh and it goes really well with the new spirit of the, you know, of uh the graduates, the seniors, that they're gonna that they're full of ambition and they wanna join an incredible opportunity. And I think uh I'm also here to also see if some of them uh are willing to come to us, you know. So the there is also a little bit of an agenda on my part, you know, to try to get some of your students to to come over and be at the Waldorf.

The $1 Billion Restoration: From 1,400 Rooms to 375

SPEAKER_01 2:57

I'm not I'm sure that I'm sure there's gonna be no such issue. Um okay, so let's dive right in. I know that the Waldorf has undergone a $1 billion uh multi-year renovation since its closure in 2017. And I know that a part of the historic guest rooms were converted into luxury condominiums. So can you walk us through the vision behind this transformation and some of the standout features that blend the hotel's iconic history with modern design?

SPEAKER_00 3:26

No, it has been an incredible journey and an incredible commitment, of course. You know, and uh yes, it has been seven years in the making, but I would have to tell you we went from uh 1,400 room, imagine a 1400-room hotel to basically 375 rooms and 375 residences. So basically half of the inventory, meaning that, you know, uh attention about, you know, uh the detail, the size of the rooms as they're much bigger right now. And uh so all of that are gonna make it for a real, real special, special reopening. One thing that people don't realize though is that it's not just a reopening as if uh like a normal renovation. This is a complete restoration project. I mean, it is uh and coming from the old world, you know, coming from Rome myself, I have a certain appreciation to see, you know, uh w when you have all these uh people coming through in the the artists that do the trade very well, you know, whether they are uh working with plaster or metal and looking at all the detail of reliving all the frescoes that we had. And we have fresco from the 1894, when the original world of Astoria used to be, you know, where the Empire State Building is now, you know, at the Intoridor Street and uh Fifth Avenue. Well those frescoes were moved into the world of today and now they've been completely renovated. So it's just an it's been just an incredible, meticulous attention to a restoration project. So very, very exciting.

Blending Historic Design With Contemporary Touches

SPEAKER_01 4:51

I guess the detail is part of the luxury experience that you have, all of these historic frescoes that now you have, you know, you're displaying them in the hotel. So how do the architectural and the design teams navigate this old blend of old and and the new?

Navigating Landmark Protections and Preserving the 1931 Grandeur

SPEAKER_00 5:08

You know, the how how do you kind of cater to the tastes of today's travelers while continuing to preserve at least some aspects of the No, actually uh that's a very good question because uh you don't just restore the Wallover storage just, you know, casually, you know, you have to really keep the integrity of uh you know of the past. And uh and actually we are very much uh landmark protected. You know, there is a landmark commission in New York City that guide us into really following all the details of the original Waldorf, which uh which was in 1931, you know, in the particular location. Uh and with that, you know, there are there has been an incredible commitment from our two designers, been uh uh Jean-Louis de Denois that did uh the residences, and of course, you know, Pierre Yves Rochon that did all our hotel in the public areas. Uh two of them are uh uh you know they're epic uh designers, and uh and the way they uh they narrated and the way their vision was, you know, it was to respect the of course, you know, the glory of the past and the grandeur and the opulence of the past. So you're gonna walk in, you're gonna see all of these details coming back to life, but very original the way it was to be in 1931, and yet infuse and blend in a lot of these sophisticated modern torches, contemporary torches, you know, that they are done through the furnishing, you know, accessories and things like that. But at the end, everything has been uh, even the wood and all of that, has been used, uh they use a lot of reclaimed uh uh uh materials uh because they purposely didn't reuse new man uh new material, so that when you walk in the world, you almost don't know w what's new, what's old. It kind of blends so well together that you feel like you're uh you're getting back all of that experience, but in a much more you know fresh and uh uh you know contemporary way.

Defining Ultra-Luxury: Personalization as the New Standard

SPEAKER_00 6:52

Yes.

SPEAKER_01 6:52

That that's amazing. So um that is one so this on one side is this construction, the renovation, which you are now using all the old, some of the old materials, but new looking old materials. Absolutely. So now let's pivot to the service. Um so luxury hospitality means different things to different people in different regions, uh different age groups across generations and cultures. Um and all the hotels, they kind of look at what their customer base is and they operationalize it differently. So tell us what does luxury mean to Wald of Astoria?

SPEAKER_00 7:27

You know, you're right, Arun. I mean, it's like a luxury, uh as you know, there are so many levels of luxury these days, right? And uh but uh I like to believe that luxury uh at our level, you know, uh with Waldof Astoria coming back. Um we are certainly on the ultra-luxury space, I would say, meaning that you know, we are no longer focused on the obvious, on the things that you are um expecting from a luxury experience, you know, the coming into the hotel, you have wonderful uh high pressure, great air conditioning, wonderful service, food is incredible. Yes, I get all of that. But at the end, you know, the today's consumer really, uh, especially, you know, the the real affluent travelers, you know, they're looking for a lot of the personalization into the experience. Uh and this is what Wild of Astoria New York will provide. I mean, we are very focused on uh on customizing uh the experience for every guest. So that whether you don't feel like one of many, do you feel very, very individual? We really get you, we understand what you like. Uh, you know, of course, without stalking, we understand a little bit about you, and uh and we're pushing the right buttons so that uh the there is a sense of like, you know, oh, you paid attention to me and uh you know me, and uh and it feels really good that you paid attention, you took the time to do that. So we really insist on that because I think there is tomorrow's uh ultralux. Um, really uh the future of ultralux is gonna be all in personalization and customization and making really the guests feel individual.

Why Fewer Rooms Enable a Higher Level of Service

SPEAKER_01 8:55

So um so in in a way, when you went from 1,400 rooms to 375, you must be happy because it's so difficult to provide that kind of customization and personalization for 1400 guest rooms. I mean, where is the ultra luxury in that many rooms?

SPEAKER_00 9:12

1400 rooms, you know, and back in the days they used to have these opulent palaces, you know, and it was a different level of luxury. I mean, of course, grandeur and all of that, centered around the big ballroom, you know, and uh and and yes, you know, and uh in the opulence itself, you know, made it for that. But you know, but the the hotel industry evolved in time, and now we are getting more and more into the attention to detail more than ever. And you arrive with 375 rooms, we're gonna be able to certainly provide, you know, the you know, the high sense of touch, you know, even the touch points when too surprising to delight our guests when they come in, and uh the operators that really pay attention to the guests and make them feel special, are the ones that they're really gonna rise to the top.

Hiring 600 Team Members: What Waldorf Looks For

SPEAKER_01 9:52

So, to provide that kind of service, you really need to have the right kind of staff, and then you need to give them the right kind of training. So, what is your thinking behind how do you train that staff? How do you recruit them and and you know, so that they can deliver the kind of service that you are envisioning?

SPEAKER_00 10:10

You know, um critical, absolutely critical that we have uh our team members, the way we interview right now, and by the way, we need to interview, we are right now having to hire up to 600 uh team members, if you can imagine. Right now we already hired at the security committee level, some department heads, sales team. But as we get closer to the opening, we're gonna have uh some uh some uh some great hiring. And uh, you know, with that we're looking for the natural ability, the natural talent. Um for us it's like really the ability to um to really conversate, to engage. When I when I interview someone, I like to see the level of engagement, that you finish your sentences, the uh when you talk, you know, you're having uh you tell me a little bit of a story. Uh sometimes I don't even ask technical questions, I just want to get to know you, you know, an interview. And we'll let the person that really knows that has this affinity of uh of connecting, you know, and uh uh get a smile on their face, you know, also with the body language, you know, the way they present themselves, the way they talk. Those are very, very important qualities that we're looking for, especially the land staff level, you know, because they have the direct contact with the guest. So I get a lot into this into this engagement. And then of course, you know, when it comes down to the exego de management, you know, we like to see a minimum of experience, you know, in ultra-luxury environment because uh you have to understand, you know, uh when you set the tone to be the leader in ultraluxury, uh you have to also be very innovative and very creative. And uh you cannot be a copycat and copy whatever other brands are doing. So we like to really lead the way into creating new experiential, you know, uh experiences that the guests you know really like. And so for that, you know, uh some of the interview will include like uh, you know, what are you passionate about? Tell me, even individually, are you a good consumer? I mean, you know, if it's food and beverage, I like to ask, you know, what is your favorite restaurant you like to go to? And uh uh tell me about something about uh your favorite drink or your, you know, because to me, what makes a grid hotelier is uh is really a great consumer to start with. You have to be really passionate about what you like. And uh because we have to teach a forward, right? We have to uh make other the guests feel like, oh my gosh, this is the expert. I'm walking into a place where the food and beverage director is an expert, and it's surprising me everywhere, you know, with the mixology, you know, with the with the breakfast, with this, you know, because it's special, something different. So so you know, uh talent to us is super important, natural talent and also some technical and also experienced luxury talent.

Selectivity in Hiring: Sometimes 20-30 Candidates Per Role

SPEAKER_01 12:43

So I'm I'm assuming you're being very, very so, like you said, you're being very careful and very selective in terms of your hiring.

SPEAKER_00 12:49

Yes, we are interviewed like just for one position. Sometimes we find ourselves interviewing like 20, 30 different candidates. No, also because uh, you know, they they they coined us as the greatest of them all, right? And this was Conrad Hilton and all of that. Uh and we have uh you know certainly this ambition, you know, to uh to really uh reset you know the you know also the tone for New York City. And uh a lot of people are waiting for this, so we cannot just open it casually, as

Reinventing In-Room Dining: The Story Behind Room Service at Waldorf

SPEAKER_00 13:16

you can imagine. We have to have all the talent that really um inspires and presents something a little bit different. Uh like for example in Romani, we cannot just do in Rom Dani. World of Astoria uh in Rom Dani was invented in the world of Astoria, you know, because we were the first hotel that we had uh ensuite bathrooms and uh telephones, full electricity. Believe it or not, back in the days those were uh were not given. And uh and the combination of all of that, you know, made it for the GM back in the days. By the way, it's my muse. His name is Oskar Cheski. And this gentleman did so much for the world of DNA, I have to say. And uh and he said, why don't we deliver food into the room? You know, uh and back then he delivered with a tray. And uh and that's how in-room dining and uh room service was born. And now we're reopening the hotel. They say, Do I want to do just some normal in-room dining? I don't know. You know, it requires a lot of thoughts, you know. And uh so we are again to surprise and delight and bring back something different when we reopen.

Elevating the In-Room Dining Experience Beyond the Basics

SPEAKER_01 14:16

You know, so um at the when I used to work at the Taj in Mumbai, I there was a time when I worked in the room service. So I'm sad to see the room service in most hotels has disappeared. People just, you know, send stuff up in you know disposable containers and it's just sad to see. So I'm so happy that you're gonna be so focused on in-room dining as well.

SPEAKER_00 14:38

Absolutely. You know, think about it. I mean, you know, um why do we need to restrict, you know, our our our guests who are in there in the room? You know, sometimes you go into this uh uh into some of the hotels and you have uh, you know, after 11 p.m. it becomes a smaller menu, and usually you have uh kind of unhealthy things, burger, klepson, you know, whatever that might be. Uh is that really what you want to eat at 11 o'clock at night or 12 o'clock in the morning? Uh sometimes you can, but you also have to be intuitive enough to know that clientele is also changing, we are becoming healthier, you know, and especially especially business travelers, they come in, they're always on the move. So they they would appreciate more if you give a more of a sense of uh give me a restaurant experience within the room. And that's and that's what we try to achieve at the world of.

What Sets Waldorf Apart in New York's Ultra-Luxury Market

SPEAKER_01 15:21

So just a few minutes ago, you mentioned that you want to be the leader in ultra-luxury segment. Now that's a tall statement. New York is full of absolutely fantastic hotels that all want to be the leaders in ultra. So, what do you think is gonna set you apart in terms of taking leadership role in that in that space?

SPEAKER_00 15:42

Uh you know, I 100% respect uh the brands that we have in New York City. I mean, we have some wonderful hotels, uh, and that's what makes you know the city so dynamic, and uh uh and everybody's got a real uh the different flavor and style and all of that. Waldorf is a the reason why uh I I feel that Waldorf sits in a in a place on its own is because uh it really grew up in New York City, right? And it's one of those hotels that uh is very uncomparable in many ways. And uh um it just uh the just walking in and just looking at the at the legacy and all of that. It is a real New York. People sometimes say we wanna build a hotel and the San Hotel is very sense of place, right? Well, we are immediately a sense of place in New York. It's like a really New York hotel, you know. Uh and with that, we went the way we are gonna deliver the service is to pay a homage to the New York, you know, vibe and really get a sense uh of the local vendors of uh everything that we can do that is very within, you know, a certain provenance uh that is nearby, that really really is our strategy so we can stay really truly authentic. For example, our team uh the people, the team members in New York are super friendly and they're super you know and they're super welcoming. We're gonna take advantage of that, you know, really get the those qualities out during the engagement process. So you're gonna you're gonna see that our engagement is gonna be at a different level, perhaps than other, than other hotels. We're gonna insist about how to properly deliver the communication and then also offer something above and beyond, you know, because uh like I said, you know, people expect more than just receiving a service, they expect you to be intuitive enough to give you the next thing that you're not even thinking about, right? So you're gonna see that a lot, you know, the way we deliver that level of service like that. Keep it fresh, keep it moving, keep it uh keep her active. And hotels that do that very well are the hotels that they're gonna really make a presence in the city. That's when the community comes in into your hotel and starts saying, you know what, if you're gonna be in New York City, you need to go to Wild of Asuna in New York City because there's always something going, you know, the delivery of the service is impeccable. So that's kind of my vision, is to if I have to say, if I have a a court of public or luxury public opinions, there is one, I think, in the world, or the travelers, they travel, they are very nomadic and they go to the beautiful hotels, the best hotels in best brands, uh Wall of Asoria will sit probably at the very, very top just because of this uh uh element of surprise that we're gonna give and this very curated engagement, all of that you know is something that are really, really passionate about.

Reclaiming Social Relevance: Making New York Fall in Love Again

SPEAKER_01 18:18

I am so excited about hearing, and I know that there are other tricks up your sleeve that you're not disclosing here. So people will just have to wait until you open to actually experience the new Waldorf. Okay. So I want to um and to follow up on my previous question about New York being the home to some of the most um uh a lot of the luxury brands, ultra-luxy brands. But Waldorf, like you said, holds a special place. It has held some of the most iconic social events in in the history of New York. It has hosted world leaders and celebrities and influencers, and in if that that was such a thing, and royalty as well. Now you've been out of the game f since 2017. So what kind of high-profile experiences will you host? And also do you think Waldorf can reclaim his status as the center of social attraction in the city of New

Welcoming a New Generation: Gen Z and Millennials at the Waldorf

SPEAKER_01 19:17

York?

SPEAKER_00 19:17

Oh, you know, that the I you know, everyone is waiting for this hotel to reopen. I have to say, we like to say they all eyes are on us. I mean, uh it seems to and especially the fact that it's taking a little bit longer, you know, the seven years, you know. Uh and by the way, i everything that we have done has been very meticulous. You know, it's not a delay for any negative reason. It was really always with a sense of like, we're gonna open when we're gonna open, but we're gonna open very well. You know, and uh and so what sometimes you hear, you know, why you're not open yet, but in reality, lots of attention to detail. And we are insisting that, and even now that we're gonna open with uh an incredible amount of training and incredible uh amount of role-playing and making sure all the details are delivered. So after waiting, you know, this time, if the guests will come in and will have a complete appreciation for what we have done. No, but with that, you know, yes, there is uh all of this uh expectation that comes from the past, of course. How do you bring it into the present, you know? And um uh and I must say that uh there is uh we are good we are also gonna speak to a different audience as well. As you know, the world has changed, we have new generational uh and especially people are getting younger and more successful. And uh so I can see also Generation Z, you know, and uh millennials coming into the hotel and joining the hotel. So we're also gonna talk to them as well. So a lot of the programming, you'll be surprised. We're gonna you're gonna see a new uh a new sharp and fresh feel about Waldorf as well. So it's not just about people that loved Marlene Moreau and back in the past. Yes, we respect all of that. But when you come in, you also see a lot of uh, you know, whether it's the mixology, the versos that we use, the story that we tell through the drinks, the way we present the drinks, you know, the which the bar is a big component for us, right? Sound, uh fragrance, you know, the look, uh all of that you're gonna feel like you're a you are transported into the into this environment that there is a these people really paid attention to all the details, you know. And uh New York, the trick for us and the and really the the aspiration is that we want New York to fall back in love with us,

Chef Michael Anthony of Gramercy Tavern as Culinary Partner

SPEAKER_00 21:21

you know, because we feel that uh the auto really belongs to New York City, really does. I mean uh I the owners have been there, you know, through the history and uh they can borrow it for a little while, but at the end, really truly uh it really belongs to New York. I cannot I cannot begin to tell you many times uh, you know, I I meet people and they know that I that I defendora I'm the managing director, they say, Oh Luigi, I know my my you know my parents, you know, got engaged over there, or uh or someone at a Bam Mitzvah over there, or you know, there is always a story uh with the New Yorkers and Waldo. There's a love affair for that. To the point that it that it be almost becomes like a gravitational pull. You know, when people come to New York City. There is a gravitational pull toward Park Avenue and the world of Astoria because they are so they want to be there just to be seen and see people, first of all. So you get kind of that level of like, let me go to some place really special and see who's gonna be in the lobby. And uh so we get a lot of that as well. And then once they get there, we have an incredible food and beverage that we are planning. Uh I know there was a press release that was done on this, so I can tell you about this one. I can tell you about. But yes, but we have a wonderful restaurant that is that's been created by Michael Anthony, Chef Michael Anthony from Gramercy Tavern. And he's also so he's gonna be our chef partner, so he's gonna retain his responsibility at Gramercy Tavern, but also have a partnership with us and do all the culinary programming for us, and uh and he's gonna deliver, you know, uh wonderful dinner, mixology, incredible, uh, and of course uh uh a great lunch and also breakfast. So we're gonna imagine a very beautiful breakfast also from Michael Anton, you know. And I'll and uh the reason why I love, love, love that is because uh he's a very New York homegrown uh chef, you know, that loves New York, knows the community, knows all the local vendors, and he and he has he has this uh great uh feel for ingredients, you know, and uh and he insists to he designs the menu around the ingredients really other than do it the other way around. And uh and I really love that passion and it really fits in because uh it's it's an American New York you know uh and it just matches with what we are doing. We're a very timeless, you know, American New York hotel, you know. So it's gonna go really, really well. So I have a feeling that the community is gonna come in and they're gonna look around and they're gonna taste, they're gonna drink, they're gonna get the engagement, they're gonna all fall in love with the with Waldorf again.

Balancing Celebrities Who Want Attention vs. Those Who Want Privacy

SPEAKER_01 23:47

I absolutely love that. You want New York City to fall in love with Waldorf again. That's fantastic. Yes. But you have many celebrities who crave exposure, who crave attention, and they want the world's eyes on them. Yet there are many others who are very reticent about exposure. They would just want to quietly stay in the sideline. So how do you balance these two conflicting desires of your guests?

SPEAKER_00 24:12

You have a lot of great questions to that. That's a good one, too. No, I and I'm actually tuned into that because, you know, as you know, New York is also there's a lot of attention to hotels like ours, you know, these palace hotels, and they do bring a lot of people from uh, you know, from the community to come in. And some of them just want to come in and take a picture and uh, you know, and it becomes kind of like, you know, uh like that. But but in reality, you know, we need to uh uh strike the right balance of making everybody feel welcome. Uh uh to me uh as an operator it's very important for me that the community feels very comfortable with us. They don't feel like you come in and all of a sudden you feel like you're a burden to the hotel. At the same time, we do want to also protect, you know, the experience for our hotel guests, stay over there and they committed to us stay. And especially, like you say, you know, the the more distinguished, you know, they were perhaps more public figures, you know, they don't want to have the table on the corner, right? And and they don't want to necessarily see another people going by them, you know. So we will be very thoughtful in uh in uh in the way we communicate with our with our outside guests. And of course, you know, we're always welcome to to enjoy our facilities and all of that. And and if and if at the time they don't have time or where else to enjoy it, uh, you know, we we will give them a little small little tour or a small little diversion and say, oh, like take a picture of the flower flowers over here, go do this, you know, and we'll give them a little sense of uh world of Astoria without without going all the way inside, you know, the the facilities and all of that. Because uh we do need to create the right balance between uh between the guests that came here to enjoy it and and the people from the outside, of course. And they're rightfully want to come see the hotel. I mean, uh we love them, right? Because next day they can come back and be a patron to us, you know. So so it's all about the balance, but it's the engagement again. You know, I believe in really making feel people feel special, whether you're there or not there, just be respectful and be you know friendly and be cordial.

The Waldorf Astoria Residences: Integrating Hotel and Home

SPEAKER_01 26:05

Okay, so I want to move to uh this new element of the Waldorf, which is the uh Waldorf Historia residences. Uh in the old days before the renovation, there used to be apartments in the towers. And I've stayed in some of them gorgeous places and pretty large for a hotel room. So I'm sure you had some long-term guests there as well. But how do you um so there are permanent residents and they have their lifestyle and you're also catering with amenities to the hotel guests? So how do you balance these two competing demands? And are you gonna have some exclusive amenities for the guests versus the residents, some exclusive for the residents? So how do you kind of balance these two different groups of customers that you have?

SPEAKER_00 26:52

No, no, that's so important because uh and actually I really love the way this was developed, you know, World of a Source, New York, uh, in a way that uh um our ownership and brand really came in together and they wanted to make sure that we didn't have any really a feel of separation between residents and hotels. Because uh, you know, oftentimes, you know, uh you buy into a residence, but you really because it's branded different, because uh it's kind of sometimes kept us uh separate from the hotel. So whenever a resident owner, you feel almost like you know you gotta tiptoe throughout the hotel, or you know, or you don't have the relationship, right? Uh with us, uh uh we wanted to make sure that everything is branded World of Astoria New York, and everything is managed by Waldo Astoria New York, you know, and from Hilton, from us. Uh so with that, it will give me the direct access to the to the residents. So everything that we are designing, everything that we are creating, we're always including the residents uh uh in it, the programming. For example, you know, doormen, concierge, you know, all of the positions that we do, those are all our employees, all our team members, they're all gonna be uniformed the same way we are, with the same beautiful wardrobe, with great engagement. And also the residents will benefit as well from the hotel amenities, but also from their own amenities. I mean, we have two stories of amenities, just two entire floors, two f two floors. Uh and they're uh full of these uh delightful kind of areas, including a private swimming pool, fitness center, bar, even billiard room, you know, massage rooms. So you have all this activation that we can create for the for our residences. So what I love to do uh when a residence comes in and moves in, I like to introduce him to my Isegory Chef, to my head concierge, to my director of foreign beverage, you know, myself, you know, we go out and meet them, we have a little lunch together. So he will have access, this person, he or she will have access to the core team that we can provide the experiences to them. Because I really want to feel like part of the hotel, you know, and uh I'm gonna be nurturing their relationships very, very much. So not only you're binding to an investment when you when you stay at the Wildorf, but you're also binding an incredible lifestyle. Fantastic.

The Waldorf's Relationship With the Hilton Family

SPEAKER_01 29:02

So I want to just uh last question before then I have some other fun questions. But um for uh the Waldorf Astoria has been part of the Hilton family for a long time. So, what kind of uh benefits do you derive from being part of the Hilton family? And what does Hilton get from the World of Astoria?

SPEAKER_00 29:23

Well, I'll tell you, uh it is a very exciting time for Hilton, very exciting because uh World of Astoria, without the greatest of them all for the last seven years, has also been growing as a brand. Right. So so we have had some incredible destination throughout the world. I mean, uh I was just in the Middle East and I visited four World of Astoria within uh Doha, uh spectacular probably, Kuwait, incredible. I mean, uh Dubai, uh DIFC and the Palm, you know, so four probably within, you know, an hour flight from each other or an hour drive from each other. Uh and it's just incredible, you know, the how the brand is really, really taking off as an ultra-luxury, you know, proposition, you know. And now with the World of Astoria coming back on board in New York, uh, Hilton sees this uh almost as a a a new era not only for uh for New York City, but also for the brand of World of Astoria. And uh so there is this ultra-luxury component that we uh that we're going after and now and we have a lot of interest in new developers and all of that. Uh and this is gonna be a business card for us, you know, uh the location of New York. And uh as you know, everybody's gonna stop by over there and see it and take note of how how detailed-oriented we are. And uh so the future of uh of Hilton in the old in the ultra-luxury space is here and is coming and it's starting right when we open the hotel. You know, uh it's gonna be a new new era uh for Hilton. And uh and Hilton provides a lot of support, I must say, the uh incredibly the infrastructure of Hilton in all the senses, with his food and beverage to Sels and Marketing. We have a really great bandwidth, you know, and I'm having a really uh wonderful relationship with all my corporate people and they all want to come in and help because uh it's such an incredible uh undertake, you know.

Fun Questions: Luigi's Comfort Food and Off-Duty Dining Habits

SPEAKER_01 31:08

Amazing. Okay, so now we wrap up and let's shift gears a little bit and have a little bit of a fun.

SPEAKER_00 31:14

Yes, let's do it.

SPEAKER_01 31:15

Uh we've talked about luxury and leadership, now we get to know you a little bit. So you've had an extraordinary career working with some of the most luxurious hotels in the world, and now you are at the helm of the world of Astoria. You're surrounded by fine dining. And like you said, you're putting so much um uh emphasis on create, really creating world-class cuisine. Um but when you're off duty, what is your comfort food?

SPEAKER_00 31:43

Uh you know, it's funny because I I don't necessarily seek after uh what used to be called fine dining, you know, the odd elevated dining. I mean I appreciate when a new restaurant comes in, I'm one of the first ones to go, but just because I like I want to keep an eye on the culture and uh uh what is the design and all of that. So I do I do that. But I really truly I feel comfortable in real uh rustic, uh very food-oriented establishments, you know. They perhaps focus more on food. Uh, even though the presentation, yes, it's good. It is good, but it's it's true, it's honest. But the ingredients are fantastic, you know. Sometimes uh uh you buy so much into a decor and all of that, but you know, but the food needs to come through. I'm more of a I'm focused on the food and the service as well. Yes.

SPEAKER_01 32:30

I'm gonna push you.

SPEAKER_00 32:31

Give me the name of a dish. Oh my god, oh my god. You can't escape by all of these. Give me the name. You know, I better not be. New York is so competitive. Okay, I'll tell you, the Gramercy Taver. It is one of my favorite. You know, I'm not just saying that because uh because Michael Anthony is working with us, but I respect the his vision. And when you especially on the bar area, you walk in there on the bar, again, it's very laid back, you don't feel like it's pretentious. But when a cuisine comes to you, oh my gosh, you know, it's like the best seafood, the best meat, the beast uh the cheeses. He knows exactly where everything comes from, you know. And to me, that that is why I would pay top dollar for if for somebody that took the time to do the research and then offer it to you. I did all the work, I did all the resources, I did it, and I'm gonna give you the best of my knowledge and I'll put it on the plate for you, and that's for you. To me, that's uh rather than just do another recipe and put it together in a fancy restaurant, you know. I also I have to be honest with you. I also respect, you know, Daniel Balud is a wonderful culinarian in the city. I have a great relationship with him. I did a restaurant, you know, when I was at Roswood Bahama, I can say that great culinarian and he is always ahead of himself. I really, really enjoy working with him as well. There's a lot of culinarians, you know, out there that really I respect. Uh but Michael is gonna be my my guy. That is fantastic.

The Sunday Dish: Pasta, Marathon Training, and Keeping It Healthy

SPEAKER_01 33:52

Now, people listening are gonna be very curious if I'm gonna push you any further, and I am. Um, let's just say that this is a Sunday and you're not going to work and you're home and you're hungry, you need to cook one dish. What will that be?

SPEAKER_00 34:10

Oh my goodness.

SPEAKER_01 34:11

Yes.

SPEAKER_00 34:13

Okay. Well, no, I like I like this. You know, I look, you know, uh if you during lunchtime, uh probably make me a nice plate of pasta because uh it's the Italian. Yeah. I'm always looking for that answer. The pasta is the one, you know, uh uh it is one of those things that they are the it's always gonna stay with me. But that should be lunchtime. I don't know if I'm gonna do it at dinner time. Okay. But you know, uh I just signed up for uh well, just stand up. I've been training for the New York Marathon. Oh wow. So so I'm gonna actually be running the marathon on November 3rd, you know, for uh for CD Harvest, which is a great you know uh you know fundraiser. And um uh and with that, you know, I started in a little bit more pasta, so I have a little bit more reason to pasta. So so yes, I'm an aspirin of pasta. Night time probably I would do I'll keep it a little bit healthy. I would do a little fish or a gr or gr grill chicken and things like that. Yes. Excellent.

Dream Leisure Trip: Remote, Adventurous, and Five-Star After

SPEAKER_01 35:06

Okay. So if you could um escape for a leisure trip right now, where would you go for a bit of relaxation? Aaron Ross Powell, Jr.

SPEAKER_00 35:12

I say remote and adventurous. I I have this vision of uh you know literally what I what I've been craving is to do an action adventure trip whereby you you do something that that kind of pushes yourself. Like for example, go to the Kilimanjaro and climate, you know, and then after that uh you check in into a five-star hotel. Okay. And you after you are tired, your muscles are sore, and you and you're like that. Then you have all the five-star uh beautiful space. And you just crazy, enjoy, and uh and it becomes even three times better, right? So you you have a sense of accomplishment and that sense of uh uh relaxation because to be honest, there's so much I can relax uh because I'm always active and all of that. Even uh after two, three days, I'm like, okay, I need to I need to explore, I need to discover, I need to I need to feel alive, and uh uh and I enjoy remote uh remote destination more than uh the predictable destination, I would say.

Closing Remarks & Credits

SPEAKER_01 36:08

Luisi, it has been a pleasure having you on the show, on the podcast. Thank you for giving us a glimpse into your world and sharing exciting insights about the Waldorf. Um I'm sure our listeners can't wait to see the new era of the Waldorf. I know I can't wait to see either. Um so we look forward to the grand reopening and all the best for your marathon, for your Kalimanjaro climb, as well as the grand reopening in the U.S.

SPEAKER_00 36:36

uh, so sweet. Thank you very much. And by the way, when I say New York friendly, I'm also Boston friendly, okay? It's not too far away. Okay, so please come on down. Uh uh and thank you for the nice welcome. And uh I would love to show you in due time uh the splendor of uh, let's call it the new Waldorf or the reimagined Waldorf. Uh it's an it's uh an evolution, I would say, but uh it will be the greatest of them all. Fantastic.

SPEAKER_01 37:02

We look forward to it. Okay. Thank you. And thank you everyone for joining us today. Special thanks to the team who produces this podcast, Bara Littman, Andy Halleck, and the entire team at Boston University School of Hospitality Administration. To keep up with distinguished podcasts, be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to your favorite podcast. You can also learn more about our undergraduate and graduate programs at Boston University School of Hospitality Administration by visiting bu.edu slash hospitality.