As do a few anointed people, some hotels have that indefinable IT factor. The Plaza Hotel in New York City has IT in spades.
Like an enduring centenarian, the 114-year-old French chateau-inspired Plaza has lived a storied history on the coveted corner at Fifth Avenue and 58th Street. In 1986, the New York City Preservation Commission recognized it as a National Historic Landmark, sharing that honor with, among others, the Brooklyn Bridge, Carnegie Hall, the Chrysler Building, the Empire State Building and Central Park, which by chance or design is literally across the street.
On Thursday, the five-star hotel is reopening after more than a year since COVID-19’s devastating assault. Abiding by the current state rules set by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, The Plaza can welcome guests up to 50% occupancy and 75% in its restaurants.
The Palm Court for afternoon tea is a must. Rattan furniture, ceiling-high palm trees, the signature stained-glass dome and a crystal chandelier rivaling that in "The Phantom of the Opera" provide a cinematic setting and superb people-watching perches. The new menu offers a selection of sandwiches (house cured salmon with beet coriander, Yuzu basil curd, egg salad with hints of apple smoked bacon), warm scones with their attendant clotted cream and gem-colored jams, chased with pastries from smooth cream confections to dense chocolate.
Or, if tea is not your cup of, well, tea, the Oak Bar’s mixologists will create curated cocktails to your heart’s delight. The room was featured in Alfred Hitchcock’s 1959 film classic "North by Northwest." Cary Grant becomes a victim of mistaken identity while merely trying to get the attention of an employee. I’ve viewed that film so many times that I feel as if I, too, were in that room and wanting to warn Grant, but then again I would have ruined a perfect story. With or without that handsome actor in the perfect gray suit, I’d be perfectly happy to sit there and sip away.
The Plaza has its own stories that don’t have to be imagined, just remembered: The Beatles stayed at the Plaza during their first U.S. tour in 1964, and the song “Michelle” was born there. Then two years later, Truman Capote invited 540 of his stellar friends to his legendary Black and White Ball to celebrate the launch of his book "In Cold Blood." The Plaza’s Grand Ballroom twinkled with the A-list guests hiding in plain sight behind designer masks. Ironically, a cold-blooded murder was executed at the Plaza, in 1906, when a watchman was whacked by a wrench-wielding assailant and plummeted several floors to his death.
In 1955, along came the indelible fictional character Eloise, who just may be the Plaza’s most famous "resident." The irrepressibly mischievous 6-year-old of Kay Thompson’s beloved book "Eloise" has a pink and white, one-bedroom, 625-square-foot suite named after her. The starting price: $1,935. But wait, that includes the Eloise books, dolls and clothing for use, tea for two at the Palm Court, a tote bag with Eloise robe, welcome sweets and pink lemonade — and the list goes on.
If pink and white are not to your taste, the $450 million renovation in 2008 has 281 other accommodations to choose from. As a special offer for reopening week, Legacy Suite Escape package pampers you with The Plaza’s signature white glove butler service. There are several to choose from including the 1,500-square-foot Penthouse one-bedroom duplex with two floors of living space and a private outdoor terrace. The bathroom features mosaic floors and walls with a gilded floral motif. Fixtures are 24-carat gold-plated.
At the other end of the price spectrum, a one-bedroom is available for $725 per night.
Every accommodation exudes quiet elegance.
Even your favorite pet would be welcome at The Plaza. The Canine Companions Package is allowing dogs of all sizes to share your room. For the pleasure of sleeping with woman’s best friend, the hotel is charging $250 a night.
The Guerlain Spa is available for rejuvenating treatments.
Unfortunately, the Plaza Food Hall featuring a dizzying display of gourmet food is temporarily closed.
In this time of COVID-19, it’s significant to note that every precaution is being taken for the health and safety of all guests and employees of this Fairmont managed hotel: temperature checks for potential virus symptoms, appropriate masks where mandated, increased cleaning and disinfecting and wellness kits for each guest.
Moving from reality to fantasy once again, I’ll leave you with a bit of cinema nostalgia that captured the charismatic appeal of the Plaza. Who that has seen the film "The Way We Were" can ever forget the last scene, in which Katie (Barbra Streisand) and Hubbell (Robert Redford) bump into each other in front of the legendary entrance years after their divorce. You know that they still love each other, but life has moved on for both. In my romantic imagination, I’d have them renew their relationship, even though they had both remarried, in the plush two tiered Penthouse Suite.
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For more information, visit www.theplazany.com. For reservations, email plazareservation@fairmont.com.
