Original Waldorf-Astoria, circa early 1900s

That year, their room cost at the hotel was $23.10, their restaurant bill was a whopping $3.47 and they made a phone call which racked up an additional 15 cents. These days, the same night would cost around $600 to $800! (The above photos were mostly taken around that time.)

The Waldorf-Astoria has been housed in two historic landmark buildings—the first on the Fifth Avenue site of the Empire State Building, and the current one at 301 Park Avenue. Perhaps the most intriguing bit of history is that secret railway, known as Track 61, which would cater to VIPs (the elevator was even large enough to fit Franklin D. Roosevelt's car on it). It might be time to revisit the story about Andy Warhol having a party down there.