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The Waldorf-Astoria kindly requests that you dress up for a trip to their Starbucks

by Scott Carmichael (RSS feed) on Aug 27th 2009 at 5:00PM

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.

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Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)

Jennifer Aug 28th 2009 8:06PM

I can see that there is a dress code for the restaurant but a dress code for the lobby and the Starbucks is a bit too much. When I arrive at a hotel I've been traveling all day and sometimes it may be days. When I traveled to Africa, it took over 48 hours to be at a hotel. I will arrive in comfortable clothing and not in my Sunday best. I have enough money to stay wherever I wish but I certainly would not stay at that hotel if they can have a dress code for the lobby.

Raquel Aug 28th 2009 10:03PM

I've been there and they do take it a bit far. As a very expensive hotel, they have a right to ask people not to dress trashy, but in Starbucks? Being from the West Coast, where everything is casual, I was a little taken aback when they deemed my "nice dinner dress" to be casual. They are a bit snobby.

Richard Aug 28th 2009 8:54PM

Good for them! I get damned tired of going into places where it looks like a bunch of fugitives from the work camp or trailer park are hanging out. There are places where there should be a dress code and it is appreciated. Ever dine in a very nice restaurant and see some guy come in with a ragged T shirt on and wearing a ball cap he never takes off....and then you wonder why the hell you are paying out the nose when you could have gone down the street and had the same atmosphere for half price.

Rita Aug 29th 2009 12:14AM

I would think you would pay through the nose for the quality of food, not for atmosphere of the restaurant. I believe that most of the people who are saying this policy is wrong have been inaccurately labeled. I also believe that most of those are for this policy are a bunch of wannabes who live in debt up to their ears trying to present themselves as something they'll never be. I HAVE been to this lovely hotel. It is wonderful. No one was overdressed or underdressed. There were tourists in shorts and sneakers and others in dressy casual. This article was written to stir the pot. Great publicity for the hotel!

Jeremy Aug 28th 2009 8:55PM

Dress Codes are fine, but I am sure that if the President, Royalty, Celebrity, Rich men or woman should step into the Waldorf in jeans and a t-shirt with crocks on (First Lady) they would be welcomed with-out a seconds thought! It all depends on who you're not what you're wearing!

badboyxyz Aug 28th 2009 9:02PM

gee, i never realized that putting on the "right" clothes is what gave someone class

Richard Aug 28th 2009 9:15PM

Badboy----It's called 'first impression'. Like the MIT graduate who showed up for his job interview after he got his Masters, and he was wearing shaggy jean shorts, a wrinkled green t shirt, and moccasins with no socks. We took his resume, gave him a fifteen minute courtesy interview, showed him the door, and I forgot what we did with his resume. Not the kind of employee we wanted to meet with reps from other countries or corporations.

badboyxyz Aug 29th 2009 4:50AM

well i got a job at probably the most famous hospital in the world and i went in for my interview wearing black leather jeans and a black tee shirt and red snake skin cowboy boots ( this is in NYC ) and no i'm not an orderly, its a professional position in patient care . i think they were more impressed by my qualifications than by the way i was dressed. good for them , they got a very conscientious and dedicated employee . i guess thats why they are the best they judge potential employees on their merits.

kMessinger Aug 28th 2009 11:08PM

Pretty sad when people have no more dignity than to go out in public in almost their underwear. If people took more pride in their appearance maybe then this type of thing wouldn't be necessary. It's actually pretty embarrassing when you think about it, being told dress decently by a hotel. I think they are just tired of seeing people looking like they just hopped out of bed and it's ok to go anywhere like that. They probably don't even brush their teeth.

Brian Aug 29th 2009 12:32AM

So....if someone is battling cancer and has to wear a ballcap, then they can't go to this Starbucks?What if they are battling folliculitis or some other embarrassing or unpleasant looking disorder that makes them feel insecure about their appearance and they feel more comfortable in a hat,then they are turned away at the door?Give me a break.Just like the Pharisees were in the time of Jesus,so continues the snobbery of the ages.It is alive and well today,just as it was in the time of Christ.Where is the compassion anymore?

Skye Aug 29th 2009 1:00AM

Roxanna, I couldn't agree more. There are no standards for appearance anymore

amen and amen again

Stephanie Aug 29th 2009 4:31AM

The first time I visited New York (15 years ago) I was turned down by a hotel that I had a reservation at for a room that cost over $200/night because I was wearing shorts and sneakers. I am from California where there is almost never a dress code and flip flops are the norm. After that experience I went back to New York dressed right and with a sharper attitude. I got along just fine and even enjoyed the visit much more. The Waldorf can require any dress code they want. If you don't want to adhere, there are many more casual places you can stay at. People treat each other differently when they are dressed nicer. People tend to be more polite when they dress up. I imagine it is more than just the clothes but the whole attitude that goes along with it. Good for the Waldorf for setting a standard of higher expectations.

Derrick Aug 29th 2009 5:13AM

It is refreshing to request their guest to dress appropriately. It is appauling to go out to dine and see someone enter the place as if they just finished working underneath a car. They wear jeans that has seen it last good day years ago, no belt therefore seeing the crack of their ass, a t-shirt that does not fit, nasty disgusting flip flops and on top of that want to be seen while being loud. That is totally nasty. If you want to dress how you want, go to the motel 6 and they will keep the light on for you. When a hotel has a dress code, you have either two choices, abide by the rules or leave. It took years for the Waldorf to build up their reputation as a one of the kind place. I would not let someone turn it into a truck stop because they choose not to wear the appropriate attire. Either dress the part or stay somewhere else. The Waldorf is not Burger King and you can't have it your way if you want to stay there. For the people who do not like it. Get over it.

Dana Aug 29th 2009 5:09AM

I recently stayed at the Halekulani Hotel in Waikiki, they have a dress code. You are asked to wear your bathrobe (a robe is provided to each guest) when walking on hotel grounds on your way to the pool or the beach. After 5pm no shorts, jeans, tee shirts, or tank tops are allowed if your walking on hotel grounds or anywhere in the hotel besides your room (I packed sundresses, kakis, and capris so no problem with me). It was the fanciest hotel I ever stayed at and I have to say the dress code made things feel nicer. I also noticed they host a lot of outdoor weddings and I could understand a bride being upset if someone in a bathing suit with a fat roll hanging out appeared in the background of her photos. I enjoyed my stay very much and I like a hotel that has standards and to see guests with some class.