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The Waldorf-Astoria kindly requests that you dress up for a trip to their Starbucks
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The Waldorf-Astoria may be one of the few remaining hotels with a bit of class. Even a stroll through their lobby requires guests to leave the tank top, faded jeans, cut-offs and casual hats at home. This is after all the hotel where the rich, famous and royal often spend their time in New York.
But what about popping downstairs for a tall caramel latte at Starbucks? Forget it - even patrons of Starbucks need to show some class. Coffee at the Waldorf-Astoria requires you to adhere to a "smart casual" dress code.
Oyster hotel reviews points out that the dress code for Starbucks is stricter than the award winning Oscar's Brasserie, where you can dine on Eggs Benedict and a Waldorf Salad (both invented at the Waldorf-Astoria).
Thankfully, the staff at the Starbucks were never briefed on the dress code they are expected to enforce, so until they get that memo, feel free to pop in for your caffeine fix wearing your slippers and tacky t-shirt.
Filed under: Food and Drink, North America, United States, Hotels and Accommodations
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
GBROB Aug 28th 2009 3:46PM
I don't understand how a hotel can basicaly dictate a dress code. It's a freakn' hotel for god's sake, you go there to relax and feel comfortable. I feel that they should be bowing down and kissing my feet for booking a room. This is not the time for rules and regulations ---WS-- get over the idea that people want to wear formal clothing to go to the bathroom or for that matter get a freakn' cup of coffee.
mike Aug 28th 2009 10:04PM
then drink your coffee in your room i shouldnt have to smell you in the coffee shop
robbie Aug 28th 2009 3:48PM
thank you for telling me where not to plan my next stay in ny. i guess i am just not classy enough, but i refuse to be told what to wear when i'm on vacation. that includes, resorts, hotels, and cruise lines. i'm so glad that i don't feel a need to bother with such guidelines.
Michelle Aug 28th 2009 3:58PM
I have to agree with both of you, and besides, I wouldn't waste the time and energy for a cup of Starbucks, pretend coffee. I want a real cup of coffee, not something that has everything but the bathroom stool contents in it. I can drink waste water cheaper at home!
G.K. Aug 28th 2009 4:09PM
A tad too snotty and uptight for my taste . No thanks !!
Roxanna Aug 28th 2009 4:09PM
Thank God someone has some standards left. Americans dress and act like they are in their own bedrooms in public places. Looking like a slob shows a lack of self respect! I applaud the Waldorf Astoria's efforts.
Joe Aug 28th 2009 11:20PM
What is it with people these days? You are paying them to tell YOU what to do or wear? I'm sorry, but if I'm forking over some bucks, the only dress code should be "No Shirt, No Shoes (Sneakers), No Service". I should be able to wear a Metallica T-shirt. Hell, I would not move into a house that has a homeowners' association attached to it.
badboyxyz Aug 28th 2009 4:26PM
if i was paying the kind of prices that they get for a room at the waldorf, i'd dress ANYWAY i please and they would just have to deal with it. what are they going to do , throw out a paying customer ?
Reality Check Aug 28th 2009 4:30PM
Roxanna, I couldn't agree more. There are no standards for appearance anymore! I get tired of Americans thinking it's acceptable to look as though they have just fallen out of bed! There is a simple truth... when you look good, you feel good. This has no bearing on size, gender, socio-economic status or age. Dress how you wish to be treated. And, here's a hint... if you do not wish to subscribe to dress code standards at ANY establishment, don't go there! But, for those of us who like a little class with our latte... it's nice to know I won't have to look at your p.j. bottoms while I drink my coffee!
Harvey Sanchez Aug 28th 2009 4:51PM
I applaud the Waldorf-Astoria for their efforts at maintaining some degree of formal attire. I do not believe that people in general respect themselves enough to dress well or at least maintain a civility in these modern times. Those who don't like it (which will be alot) need not show up and embarrass themselves. If you want to be a slob or fail to see the need to dress up, don't bother. Those of us who do see a sense of style and civility will that much better off anyway.
sphm4494 Aug 28th 2009 4:51PM
Keep up the dress code, Waldorf! Thank you!
I'm so tired of seeing people with holes in their jeans, shirts they outgrew years ago and shoes that should have been thrown away last season.
It is refreshing to know that some places still have high standards!
Fersure Aug 28th 2009 5:15PM
but here's the thing, if you're going to pay for the price of their rooms, wouldn't you be able to afford to dress nice? i don't think a person who's going to spend at least over $300 for one is going to walk in wearing misfit outfits?
rucardinal Aug 28th 2009 5:40PM
I love this article. People need to learn how to dress when you are out there. Not think that they are at the beach at all times or ready to go to bed. I will stay at this hotel. Please people God is with a capital G. We respect the ones that are not christians and we hope they respect us. I hate to see God spelled with a lower case.
sissy Aug 28th 2009 6:10PM
i guess yall can afford all the finer things in life in this economy but i can't! and i work hard for the little i do have and if i choose to spend my hard earned money on a hotel, it sure wont be this one! i want to be comfortable when i am relaxing, not wearing a 3 piece siute when it's 100 degrees outside! so i guess i will stick with the comfort inn because they certainly don't care if i check in in my PJ's, and they have a great breakfast in the morning! woo hoo!! get a life people! you only go around once, be comfortable and be happy!
rainey lady Aug 29th 2009 2:06AM
You don't have to be rich to dress nice. I love to dress up when I go shopping, dinning, to a movie, or whatever. It makes me feel good about myself. I love the old glamour movies where women wore nice dresses, gloves, hats and matching hand bags. I wish that we could go back to that time. I have a friend who lives on a very limited income. She buys all of her clothes at Goodwill, Salvation Army and garage sales. She dresses beautifully all of the time
billie wood Aug 28th 2009 6:50PM
I remember going to a New York restaurant and not being allowed in for Lunch because I was not wearing a jacket. 10 years later I returned to the same restaurent in my Rolls, with a $ 100 shirt and $ 300 shoes, a PhD in my pocket from a Top 10 Ivy League college, and investments with over a million in my portfolio. Strange ... they let me in. I ordered lots of food and drink ... then walked out just as it was served, without paying, pointing out to the Mgr. that his dress code hadn't changed in 10 years ... and it was just as stupid then as it is now. Hence, I could not eat at his restaurant because I still wasn't wearing a jacket.
tfarnon Aug 28th 2009 6:51PM
If I'm going to pay the kind of rates that the Waldorf-Astoria charges, I expect to be able to wear whatever I please in the place. Granted, you would never catch me in shorts or a faded baseball cap, but you might well catch me in a baggy t-shirt and scrub pants dashing into a Starbucks or to a newsstand on a Sunday morning. I don't always want to wait for room service. Maybe I want that little AM stretch.
Ann Aug 28th 2009 6:54PM
Clearly, none of you 'I'll dress as I please' folks have ever been in a place like the Waldorf or have any idea of what it's like. So you reject the idea that there are places and occasions where people are required to dress properly? Would you care for people to show up at your wedding or at the funeral of a loved one in flipflops and daisy dukes? O why not? After all...everyone should dress however they please, whenever they please, right?
The Waldorf owns the property, and they have every right to set the standard they wish. They arent required to accept your money and rent you a room.
chris Aug 28th 2009 7:04PM
I have to agree with some sort of dress standards. My biggest pet peeve is no-one dresses any more. I see people going to Job interviews in T-shirts and jeans. Look at awards shows, jeans -t shirts. Frankly its like they said a long time ago. "I want my celebrities to look like celebrities". This current dressing down by all is frankly really sloppy .
larry Aug 28th 2009 7:57PM
People- calm down. If you don't agree with the dress code, don't stay there. But the Waldorf Astoria is a very upscale place...why bother complaining about somewhere you're not wanted. Live and let live.
I, for one, think the standards are funny but agree with them... If you want to dress like a slob, fine. Do it elsewhere.