The Plaza Hotel — a New York icon on Central Park
Ever stayed somewhere that's practically a movie character itself? That's The Plaza. Open since 1907, standing at the corner of Central Park across from Fifth Avenue, staying here isn't just sleeping — it's staying inside the New York history you've seen in dozens of films.
The Plaza sits at the southeast corner of Central Park — Grand Army Plaza with the Pulitzer Fountain is right out front, and you can step straight into the park. Fifth Avenue's luxury shopping (Bergdorf Goodman, Tiffany, the Apple Store) is right next door, and the 5 Av/59 St station with N/R/W trains is a 2-minute walk, so the whole city is easy to reach.
"Walk into the lobby and it's like stepping back 100 years — crystal chandeliers, high ceilings, red carpet. This is everyone's imagined New York."
Rooms are classic and lavish in cream-and-gold tones with Louis-style furniture and marble bathrooms with premium amenities. What sets The Plaza apart is its legend — it's a setting in Home Alone 2, The Great Gatsby, and the home of Eloise from the famous children's books. Many guests come specifically to soak up that atmosphere.
Service is full 5-star with butler service in higher room categories, and The Palm Court under the glass dome is the spot for the legendary afternoon tea (book ahead). The Plaza Food Hall in the basement gathers lots of great vendors, so eating is easy without going far.
Honestly, the note on The Plaza is that its age comes with limits — some rooms vary in size and layout (old building), elevators can be slow when busy, and the all-in price with fees rivals newer luxury hotels with more modern rooms. If you want sleek high-tech rooms, this may not be it.
Also, The Plaza is part hotel and part residence, so the lobby can get crowded with tourists photographing it and shopping the Food Hall. If you want quiet privacy, that's something to accept.
Bottom line: The Plaza suits travellers who value classic character and history over modernity. If this trip is a special occasion and you want to check into a true New York legend, go for it — but if you're after new, high-tech, view-loaded rooms, the Mandarin Oriental or The Standard may suit better.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Legendary location at Central Park + Fifth Avenue
- ✓ Classic luxury atmosphere you won't find elsewhere
- ✓ Memorable Palm Court afternoon tea
- ✓ Professional 5-star service
- ! Some rooms are dated and uneven in size
- ! Lobby crowded with tourists taking photos
- ✓ Stay inside real New York history
- ✓ Beside Central Park and luxury shopping
- ✓ Easy eating at the basement Food Hall
- ✓ Classic luxe marble bathrooms
- ! Very high all-in price with fees
- ! Slow elevators when busy
- 💡If you want modern high-tech rooms — this is classic, old building · Fix → see Mandarin Oriental or The Standard with more modern rooms
- 💡If you want quiet privacy — the lobby gets touristy · Fix → request a high floor on the park side, away from the Food Hall
- 💡If room size worries you — old building, uneven rooms · Honestly, request a renovated room at booking
Heading to New York for the World Cup?
New York is a 2026 host city — see our full World Cup guide (matches, where to stay, tickets, visa) plus how to reach MetLife Stadium on match day.