Waldorf Hotel Halloween grand opening party

The Waldorf Hotel on East Hastings and Victoria is getting ready to take the wraps off a major transformation.

The hotel is throwing a free grand-opening/Halloween party on Saturday, October 30, with performances by some of the city’s most interesting artists. For more info, RSVP on Facebook

As for the “new” Waldorf, the hotel’s original tiki theme has been brought back to life after being diluted by previous owners. The new concept is a 30-room boutique hotel, bar and nightclub. There’s also two restaurants, a gift shop, recording studio and stage. Barbarella Salon has also moved into the hotel.

The hotel originally opened in 1947. Eight years later, in 1955, itl was re-made in the Tiki theme, to capitalize on the popularity of Polynesian culture, which was all the rage.

The Waldorf was considered one of the best “tiki” hotels in North America in 50s and 60s. The new operators, musician Thomas Anselmi, restauranteur Ernesto Gomez (Nuba), and architect Scott Cohen (Gastropod, Les Faux Bourgeois), hope the new Waldorf will become one of East Hastings’ hottest spots.

• For more information, visit the Waldorf’s official website
• View some amazing Flickr photos of the renovation here