Plaza hotel new york city
Designated as a U.S. National Historic Landmark, the Plaza Hotel in New York City is presently undergoing renovation. It is scheduled to make a grand reopening in the fall season of 2007, hopefully in time for celebrating its 100th Anniversary.
Historical Footprints
The credit for its architectural design goes to Henry J. Hardenbergh, who styled it along the lines of a French Renaissance chateau.
The Plaza Hotel first took in guests on October 1st, 1907.
It is only one of two hotels in New York City (the other is the Waldorf-Astoria) that has been declared to be a National Historic Landmark. It proudly achieved this status in 1969.
The Plaza Hotel changed hands when Donald Trump bought it in 1988.
In 1995 Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and his partners, the Millennium & Copthorne Hotels group, bought it.
The present owners are El Ad Properties group, which became its proud owners in 2004. Since April 2005, they have undertaken the task of a complete renovation of the entire Hotel.
Fairmont Hotels and Resorts will manage the Plaza Hotel when it reopens, most likely in October 2007.
Location of Plaza Hotel
The 19-story Plaza Hotel is located at 768, Fifth Avenue (59th Street). In its expansive shadow is the Grand Army Plaza. From the southern section of the Plaza, guests step into the grand portals of the hotel.
Fifth Avenue is the well-known shopping district of New York City. So when you book a room at the Plaza Hotel, rest assured you will be within a few steps from elegant boutiques and shops, including Tiffany, and Saks.
The sprawling Central Park is just a few footsteps away. Enjoy a carriage ride, row in the lake, visit the garden, explore the waterways, enjoy a picnic,and lots more fun-filled activities.
To the Doorstep
Arriving at the Hotel is a breeze, since it takes less than an hour from the John F. Kennedy International Airport as well as the Newark International Airport, and even less time from the LaGuardia International airport. Of course, you should factor in the possibility that your cab or rental car is likely to get stuck in the notorious city traffic snarls! Old hands who have "been there, done that" recommend taking only the yellow cabs and not the gypsy cabs at the airport. Also, before even hailing a cab, make enquiries about flat fare rates to the city, at which tunnels tolls have to be paid and how much, and (very important!) how much is reasonable to give as a tip to the driver.
The Exterior
Imagine a multi-storied castle comprising of yellow bricks and marble foundations, and you get a vivid picture of the Plaza Hotel. It was apparently earlier merely eight stories high when it first opened as a hotel about a dozen years prior to its present form, in the late 1800s. At night, lighted up, the towering Plaza Hotel took on a fairy-tale-like aura.
The Interiors
When the present Plaza Hotel first opened its doors to guests in 1907, there were about 800 rooms and a few spacious suites. Exquisite furnishings and thick carpets graced the interiors. Cozy conversations took place beside the beautiful fireplaces. A grand ballroom was an added elegance. The most popular place was what is now the charming Palm Court, where tea was served beneath a majestic glass ceiling. This ceiling unfortunately vanished sometime during the 1940s. Another dining area frequented by famous and well-known personalities was the Oak Room. Both these areas have been included in the areas considered to be of great significance and, together with the Hotel itself, have been included under the status of national landmarks.
The Rooms
About two years earlier, the Plaza Hotel had more than 800 rooms as well as suites. Amongst the most sought after rooms were those that had direct views of the nearby Central Park. Equally popular were rooms with views of the shopping district of Fifth Avenue. Beautifully upholstered King-sized and Queen-sized beds provided comfortable and restful nights. Exquisite chandeliers and elaborately carved fireplaces (of marble, no less!) graced the rooms. Deep, cozy sofas, chairs with carved backing, and beautiful side tables with drawers can be seen in photographs of the guest rooms at some websites. The well-draped large windows give a homely touch, with a dash of green foliage in every room. The Executive Suite had its own work desk.
Dining at the Plaza Hotel
As mentioned earlier, the famous tearoom was converted into a fine dining area named The Palm Court. You could enjoy your drinks at the Oyster Bar or at the magnificent Oak Room that retained its mosaic flooring through the years. It was especially wonderful to dine on fine cuisine beneath the grandiose ceilings.
Special Facilities
The Plaza Hotel had its own in-house health club and spa. It was operated along the same lines as top spas to be found in Europe. For those with a large budget, the hotel offered a couple their own spa in a suite, complete with a whirlpool, and special massages.
The new Plaza Hotel
Past patrons, future guests, and the citizens of New York City are eagerly looking forward to the grand re-opening of the Plaza Hotel. After all, it is the pride of the city! The Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Inc., which has been given the reins of management by its present owners, has stated that it is likely to complete the renovation of the hotel by fall 2007. Their website states: ?The Plaza will feature 282 spacious, fully renovated luxury hotel rooms including 152 condo hotel units. The restoration, intended to exceed five diamond standards, will also introduce elegant residential condominiums and high-end retail space.
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