The Plaza Hotel New York City _ An In Depth Look Inside

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. 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 bedsheets. 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. The plaza's Grand Ballroom, host to Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas' wedding, continues to welcome some of the city's most extravagant nuptials. 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, Midtown East is where many New Yorkers come to work. Nightlife is scarce but excellent, and typically pricey cuisine is always within walking distance. But subway access is ample, making it easy to venture anywhere in the city. All major subway lines are within a one-to-eight-minute walk away. It's also a fairly safe neighborhood. The plaza's rooms embrace the gilded, extravagant style of Louis XIV. At 475 square feet, the standard plaza rooms are some of the largest of all the luxury options in the city. The plaza's deluxe rooms move up to 550 square feet. The equal-sized signature room features a private terrace, and the nine different suites offer both additional space and extra features like powder rooms. Sadly, since the hotel's 2008 renovation, none of the guest rooms and some of the suites look out onto Central Park or Fifth Avenue. Most of the views have been claimed by the 181 new private plaza residences. Huge bathrooms are the highlight here, with separate showers and tubs in most, and fixtures plated in 24-karat gold, gold-plated sinks, and a partitioned-off toilet. And shower boasts intricate stone mosaic walls. There are iPads that control the room and allow guests to request services. Champagne Bar serves breakfast, champagne, caviar, and pastries. The Rose Club opens in the early afternoon and hosts Live Jazz weekly. Palm Court is a gorgeous space with indoor palms, a stained-glass dome, and a menu for breakfast, brunch, and afternoon tea. Todd English's Food Hall, a glorified food court, offers a more low-key atmosphere, where patrons can opt for sushi, dumplings, flatbread, pizza, tapas and wine, charcuterie, bakery, or a grill. 24-hour room service menu with a strong French influence, and some Heloise-themed items. 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 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. Shops at the plaza include high-end jewelry, clothing, specialty foods, and health and beauty. The plaza accepts small pets and service dogs. A hefty charge is added to the room rate, and owners must sign a waiver accepting financial responsibility for any damage their pet incurs. The hotel's proximity to Central Park is a definite plus. The beautiful Grand Ballroom and Terrace Room are most popular for weddings and events. Plus, there are other suites and meeting spaces available for smaller gatherings. CPS Events at the plaza attends to every detail of the wedding. This makes planning a little easier, but it also means that you're stuck paying a premium for just about everything. Of course, the plaza is not ideal for couples who need to keep a careful eye on their budget. At Details and Luxury, we curate the finest and most luxurious hotel rooms, suites, restaurants, and things to do from around the world. We hope you enjoyed our video. Feel free to check out other hotels and resort videos in the channel. We would appreciate it if you could leave us a like, subscribe, and turn on notifications. Thank you for watching, and we'll see you on the next video.