Hotel Guests Are Pretty Predictable
The Plazas guest relations team researches everyone staying at the hotel on an individual basis, using a variety of social media tools. Butlers, on the other hand, often use past trends to size people up on the spot. They send electric kettles to the rooms of arriving Asian guests, who often bring noodles from home to cook in their suite. They keep an eye on the minibar when tending to Americans in their thirties and fortiestheyre considered the partiers of the hotel, likeliest to plow through the booze. Middle Eastern VIPs get what is called an Arabic Amenitya tray of dates, dried fruit, and nuts they tend to prefer these to chocolates, cakes, or other sweet desserts. And the butler staff knows to immediately ask Western businessmen if they have shirts or suits that needs servicing upon checking in theyre always the ones who treble the quantity of laundry in the basement.
This Historic Renovated Luxury Property Has Classically Elegant Decor Residences And Hotel Rooms And Eloise
It could be said that no other New York hotel is as synonymous with luxury as the century-old Plaza, or has carved out such a place in 20th-century culture. Truman Capote threw his famous Black and White Ball here in North by Northwest, Cary Grant was captured by spies in the hotel’s famous Oak Room F. Scott Fitzgerald staged part of The Great Gatsby here on their first visit to the States, The Beatles took up an entire wing on the 15th floor. And last but not least, Crocodile Dundee pitched a tent on those 400-thread-count bed sheets.
It’s also a favorite for lovers of the book Eloise, as the namesake character lived at the hotel. Today, Eloise acts as the mascot for the hotel, with cute Eloise-themed afternoon tea parties, room-service menus, and a fun, pink-and-black suite with lots of Eloise decor.
The hotel closed temporarily in 2005 to complete a $400 million renovation. The 282-room Plaza reopened its doors in May 2008. But whether the renovation was an improvement is open for debate. Post-renovation, none of the guest rooms and only some of the suites look out onto Central Park or Fifth Avenue — most of those views have been claimed by the 181 private Plaza condos. Separated by a private entrance and lobby, the $2.5 million-and-up apartments are a return to the Plaza’s original function as a residence for the extremely wealthy.
At $30000 The Plaza Is Home To One Of Nyc’s Most Expensive Rooms
New York City is home to the most expensive hotel rooms in the country.
Inside New York City’s Most Expensive Hotel Rooms
There’s the Royal Suite at the Palace Hotel: Currently between $15,000 and $18,000 depending on the season, but going up to between $25,000 and $35,000 once the hotel completes its $135 million property-wide renovation.
Then there’s the Ty Warner Penthouse Suite at the Four Seasons. That’s $45,000 per night. No, that is not a typo.
But perhaps the most iconic, over-the-top, high-priced suite is at New York’s famed hotel landmark: The Plaza.
I got a rare look inside the hotel’s $30,000 per night Royal Plaza Suite. And apparently, I was lucky to do so: The hotel tells me the 4,400 square foot, three-bedroom suite is almost always booked. Did I mention it’s $30,000 a night?
What can you possibly get to justify paying tens of thousands of dollars a night for a place to sleep?
First, guests can only access the suite through a private elevator. No rising the normal elevator with the commoners. Although the people who book rooms at The Plaza can hardly be called riffraff.
There’s a dining room that seats 12. And of course the suite comes with a private chef. For those who prefer to do their own cooking there’s a state-of-the-art kitchen with Viking appliances.
The powder rooms have Cheryl Wagner gold-plated fixtures and the sinks are lined with The Plaza insignia. The floor is hand-laid mosaic Italian tile.
Recommended Reading: How To Become A Kindergarten Teacher In New York
Bookingcom Guest Review Guidelines
To keep the rating score and review content relevant for your upcoming trip, we archive reviews older than 36 months.
Only a customer who has booked through Booking.com and stayed at the property in question can write a review. This allows us to verify that our reviews come from real guests like you. Who better to tell others about the free breakfast, friendly staff, or their comfortable room than someone whos stayed at the property?
We want you to share your story, with both the good and the not-so-good. All we ask is that you follow a few simple guidelines.
Right On Fifth Avenue Across From Central Park
Located across from Central Park on Fifth Avenue, the Plaza is on the border of Midtown West and Midtown East. It’s an excellent base for exploring the shopping along Fifth Avenue — from the famous Tiffany & Co. to high-end flagships like Gucci and Versace. To the right on Fifth Avenue lies luxury department store Bergdorf Goodman, and across the avenue, past the famous Pulitzer Fountain, sits the splashy Midtown Apple flagship. Plenty of delis and Starbucks cafes feed the cubicle occupants — Midtown East is where many New Yorkers come to work. Nightlife is scarce, but excellent, and typically pricy cuisine is always within walking distance.
The area lacks the residential quaintness of the Upper West Side, and most insider haunts are found farther downtown. But subway access is ample, making it easy to venture anywhere in the city. All major subway lines — N, Q, R, W, F, 1, 2, A, C, and D — are all within a one- to eight-minute walk away. It’s also a fairly safe neighborhood, although it empties out at night.
You May Like: Pay New York Speeding Tickets Online
Replacement And Early 20th Century
The first Plaza Hotel had been relatively remote when it was completed, but by the first decade of the 20th century, was part of a rapidly growing commercial district on Fifth Avenue. Furthermore, several upscale hotels in Manhattan were also being rebuilt during that time. In May 1902, a syndicate purchased the Plaza and three adjacent lots on Central Park South for $3 million. The sale was the largest-ever cash-only purchase for a Manhattan property at the time. The purchase was headed by Harry S. Blackwho headed the George A. Fuller Company, one of the syndicate’s membersas well as German financier Bernhard Beinecke. Shortly after the purchase, Black and Beinecke formed the Plaza Realty Company to redevelop the hotel. Black also formed the United States Realty and Construction Company, a trust whose subsidiaries included the Fuller Company and the Plaza Realty Company. To acquire sufficient funding for the redevelopment, Black and Beinecke approached barbed-wire entrepreneur John Warne Gates, who agreed to fund the project on the condition that Frederic Sterry be named the managing director of the Plaza Hotel.
Construction
Opening and expansion
Great Depression
Hilton operation
Sonnabend operation
All Things Holiday At The Plaza
Meet Me at The Plaza Tree LightingJoin us Monday, November 29th to kick off the holiday season! Book your table in The Palm Court or Champagne Bar to earn a spot at the annual Plaza Tree Lighting complete with musical performances and a photo opportunity with Santa.
Champagne & CaviarToast to the holidays at Champagne Bar! Sample the finest bubbles, caviars, and handcrafted cocktails. Savor the extraordinary pairing of Special Reserve Ossetra caviar and 2007 Roederer Cristal.
Holiday Afternoon TeaDuring the months of November and December, join us for special holiday tea offerings at The Palm Court. A selection of our teas will be available for purchase in the Plaza Boutique Pop Up Shop.
Plaza Boutique & Eloise Pop Up Shop Holiday GiftingCross off your holiday shopping list here at The Plaza. Stop by the Plaza Boutique and Eloise Pop Up for amazing holiday gifts your friends & family will love such as books, hand-printed ornaments, Michael Storrings prints, Plaza-branded items like robes and blankets, as well as Eloise-themed merchandise.
Read Also: Register Vehicle In Ny
Afternoon Tea Leftovers Dont Go To Waste
Hidden within the Plazas secret back-of-house corridors and tunnels is a cafeteria reserved for the staff. Open during lunch, dinner, and late-night hours for hot meal service, the canteen offers bagels and drinks for the peckish throughout the entirety of the day. But the savviest snackers know to visit the cafeteria at exactly 5:30 p.m., because thats when the leftovers from high tea at the Palm Court upstairs are put out for the staff. Emma said she practically lives off mini cucumber sandwiches. I liked the tiny blueberry cheesecakes.
Christmastime: Not So Merry
Party season, which spans October to December, feels like a constant carousel of functions, banquets, and events at the Plaza. Every evening, there are four or five requests for assistance at looping bow ties and zipping up cocktail dresses. And in the last few years, requests for holiday-themed decorations in the rooms have become so commonplace that the hotel now offers a standard Christmas package that includes a fresh, fully decorated tree, assembled by the butlers pre-check-in for $500.
You May Like: New Yorker Magazine Poetry Submissions
Experience Broadway From Our Times Square Hotel
Crowne Plaza Times Square is perfectly located in the heart of midtown Manhattan, directly on Broadway between 48th and 49th Streets at the doorstep to Times Square. Just beyond our front doors are Fortune 500 companies, and the best shopping, theater and historical attractions in the city. Times Square, Central Park, Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall and the greatest musical theater anywhere in the world are mere steps away.
Join us in Brasserie 1605 and Broadway 49 Bar and lounge for a fun dining experience featuring specialty cocktails and light bites in a lively atmosphere overlooking the Broadway Theater district and Times Square. Take time to get in a work out at our 29,000 sq. ft. New York Sports Club, located on the 15th floor complete with Spin classes and one of Manhattans largest indoor adult lap pool, a sauna, and two full floors of health club.
Let us host your next meeting or event at our Times Square Hotel. Crowne Plaza Times Square has over 25,000 square feet of private event space onsite, with 28 meeting rooms, and two Ballrooms, including our 6,750 square feet Broadway Ballroom with 20-feet ceilings. Our dedicated Crowne Meeting Directors and banquets team will cater to your every need and ensure your event is a success.
Crowne Plaza Times Square defines itself as New Yorks friendliest hotel. Enjoy yourself and leave the details to us!
- Treadmill
Recreation
Broadway 49 Bar and Lounge
- Hours: 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM
- Phone: 1-212-3156188
Is The Plaza Suitable For Families
An Eloise-themed kids menu, huge, 475-square-foot standard rooms, and central location make this is stellar pick for vacationing families.
Fairly sizable standard rooms and proximity to Central Park make the Plaza a good choice for families, but don’t count on any free Wiis or PlayStations like at the Gansevoort or Four Seasons. Deluxe rooms come with two double beds, and the Edwardian Suite has a separate living room. Cribs and playpens are free, and rollaways can be requested for a nightly fee.
Eloise — the character from Kay Thompson’s books who lived at the hotel — is the mascot for kids at the Plaza. Cute Eloise room-service menus are available. Eloise-themed afternoon tea at The Palm Court and a pink-and-black Eloise Suite is fun, flamboyant, and done in lots of Eloise decorations. Babysitters can be arranged through the concierge for an additional charge.
Midtown East is by and large a pretty safe area. The Plaza is very well-lit at night, with doormen right outside the door.
Also Check: Where Is The Wax Museum In New York
Bath Time Can Be Awkward
Another common request for the butler team is to draw baths with a signature blend of salt, oil, and rosesespecially during the colder months of the year. But the butlers duties arent necessarily complete once the tub is full. Bal, the Plazas resident bath-time specialist, said that 95 percent of the time, hes asked to remain within arms reach as bathers suds-up. Most of them, he said, want more hot water or scented oil, and are happy to keep him on hand while they relax in the nude. He is often left to pull the plug from the drain, elbow-deep in leftover water.
It gets weirder. One of my butler colleagues at a previous job in London was asked to ship in and set up a guests order of fresh oysters in the bathtub. He diligently filled the tub with ice and laid the oysters out, only to discover that the guest wanted the oysters placed in the tub around his soaking body. Eventually, the client seemed satisfied: He purchased the room next door for his butler so hed always be near.
Experience New York’s Iconic Luxury Hotel On Central Park South
Since its debut on October 1, 1907, The Plaza Hotel has remained a New York icon hosting world leaders, dignitaries, captains of industry, Broadway legends, and Hollywood royalty. As an established staple for lavish society affairs and blockbuster films, The Plaza has welcomed guests from around the world to enjoy its magic at the castle on Central Park South for more than 100 years. Ideally situated on Fifth Avenue, The Plazas prestigious address continues to define elegance with unmatched service and an ever-evolving modern sensibility.
From feast to fete, The Plazas extraordinary portfolio of refined experiences is enjoyed by all who pass through the iconic revolving door. Revel in the magic of Afternoon Tea in The Palm Court, savor the sites in the elegant Champagne Bar, transport in time through the magic of The Rose Club, and embark on a culinary journey throughout The Plaza Food Hall.
Offering 282 distinctive guestrooms including 102 luxurious suites, The Plaza continues to strike the balance between its storied past and limitless future with the launch of the Legacy Suite collection. Classic crown molding is juxtaposed against contemporary works of art and lavish fabrics, adding vibrant textural elements to The Plazas guestrooms complete with dramatic lighting and beautifully finished woodwork to amplify the impeccable motif.
Recommended Reading: How Do I Cancel My New York Life Insurance Policy
Welcome To Broadway Plaza Hotel
The Broadway Plaza Hotel welcomes guests to New York Citys Flatiron District with a beautifully refreshed entryway, featuring Seth Parks’ colorful glass sconces and chandeliers adorning the lobby. Overlooking the corner of 27th and Broadway, our 69-room boutique hotel puts visitors within easy reach of New Yorks most beloved attractions, restaurants, and retailersall while providing the travel essentials necessary for a perfect stay.
-
Discounted Off-Site Parking
The Plaza Hotel Is Located In Midtown Manhattan At The Southeast End Of Central Park Near Grand Army Plaza The Location Is Unbeatable For That Classic Ritzy Uptown Feel
Recommended Reading: Can I Register A Car Online In New York
One Vip List You Dont Want To Be On
Hundreds of butler requests roll in each shiftmostly to fill ice buckets, handle laundry, and shine shoes. Complimentary packing and unpacking requests are also common, though they can turn into day-long affairs. A surprising number of international guests will purchase adjoining suites: one to sleep in and one for their luggage.
A Stellar Spa Modern Gym A Celebrity
The on-site Guerlain Spa is lovely and elegant, situated on the fourth floor. A variety of massage and beauty treatments, as well as packages, are available. Hairstyling needs are handled by the Warren-Tricomi Salon, the 6,100-square-foot flagship of celebrity hairstylist Edward Tricomi. A modern, windowless gym is open 24/7 and stocked with a variety of cardio and strength-training machines, yoga mats, and free weights. Guests can also sign up for the Fairmont Fit program, which includes Reebok apparel and footwear, an MP3 player, and a yoga mat with a stretch band.
Shops at the Plaza include high-end jewelry, clothing, specialty foods, and health and beauty.
Read Also: Toll Calculator Baltimore To Nyc
Afternoon Tea At The Plaza Hotel New York City
Palm Court at The Plaza Hotel in New York for Afternoon Tea
The Plaza Hotel in New York City is a landmark and a Beaux-arts masterpiece, built in 1907 and occupying a prime piece of New York City real estate near the fabled corner of Fifth Avenue and Central Park South. While it normally offers a superb and elegant afternoon tea in its dramatic Palm Court with stained glass ceiling, that room is temporarily closed for refurbishment. Update: The Palm Court is now open, for updated pictures. Afternoon Tea is now being offered in The Champagne Bar, but it is not the featured event that one would expect to find in the Palm Court.
That being said, I still couldnt resist visiting this grande dame of all New York hotels to sample their afternoon tea service . On the Champagne Rooms menu are caviar, oysters, cocktails, light food, afternoon tea and, of course, champagne. It is an elegant two-story space that is carved out of the Hotels main lobby area and has Fifth Avenue views overlooking the Pulitzer Fountain. Seating options are varied and include free standing tables and chairs, sofas, and high-backed upholstered chairs arranged two by two near the windows.
The Champagne Bar at The Plaza Hotel
I chose the afternoon tea and while the available teas are not extensive , I selected The Plaza Afternoon Tea Signature Blend. The tea is brought to your table in a Bernardaud china teapot, already brewed.
Table Setting
Plaza Hotel Exterior