The Plaza Hotel New York: Luxury Icon Review
Hotel: The Plaza Hotel
Location: Fifth Avenue, Central Park, Manhattan, New York
Reviewer: Luxury hotel reviewer/critic
Stay Duration: 2 nights
Total Cost: $3,939 ($2,983 base + $956 upgrade)
Room Type: Edwardian Suite (upgraded from standard room)
Historical Overview
Timeline & Significance
First Plaza Hotel:
- Opened: 1890
- Demolished: 1905 (after just 15 years)
- Reason: Too small and old-fashioned
Current Plaza Hotel:
- Opened: 1907
- Age: 118 years old (as of recording)
- Construction time: 27 months
- Original cost: Over $12.5 million
- Instantly became "the Place" in New York
Cultural Impact
Era Influence:
- Inspired the world of "The Great Gatsby"
- Became stage for high society after the Roaring '20s
- Hosted world leaders, musicians, movie stars
- Venue for grand galas, weddings, cultural milestones
- By 1950s-60s: "Not just a hotel, but a stage for New York itself"
Famous Guests:
- Marilyn Monroe
- The Beatles
- Frank Sinatra
- Michael Jackson
- Countless other celebrities and dignitaries
Pop Culture:
- Featured in countless movies and novels
- Famous "Home Alone" scene location
- 102 suites mentioned in 1988 reference
Current Status
After more than a century, still stands as a timeless icon of New York history
Arrival & First Impressions
Location ⭐ EXCEPTIONAL
- Fifth Avenue beside Central Park
- One of most prestigious areas of Manhattan
- "Possibly the most famous urban park in the world" location
Filming Restrictions
- Filming forbidden in most areas
- Reviewer had to work around restrictions
- Missed recreating famous "Home Alone" scene
Lobby
- Enormous and impressive
- Chandeliers throughout
- Marble floors
- Gold details everywhere
- "This is an icon for a reason"
Check-In Experience ✓ POSITIVE
- Very kind service
- Professional staff
- Made nice impression immediately
- Met Russell (who becomes important to the story)
The Edwardian Suite: Detailed Review
Booking Details
- Original booking: Standard room for 2 nights at $2,983
- Upgrade offer: $956 per night for Edwardian Suite
- Photos showed classic style, nicely renovated
Layout
- Bedroom
- Living room
- Bathroom
- Separate toilet
- Wide spaces with relatively big rooms
View ⭐ EXCELLENT
- Direct view of Central Park
- "Not bad. Not bad at all."
What Worked: The Positives
Strong Points ✓
- View: Great Central Park views
- Minibar: Fine quality
- Bathroom Appearance: Looks good
- Water Pressure: Solid performance
- Faucet: Beautiful design (despite noise)
- Toiletries: Good quality brands
- Shower Gel Brand: Reviewer really liked it (uses same brand for pocket squares)
- Bathroom Space: Highlight of the room
Reviewer's Note: "I think that's the end of the list. Not exactly a long one."
What Didn't Work: The Problems
Major Issues ⚠️
Room Condition & Maintenance
Worn Appearance:
- Some elements looked scratched and worn
- Furniture "was once beautiful, but not anymore"
- Room needs refreshment/renovation
Quote: "If you pay for luxury, you expect luxury, both in service and room quality."
Small but Telling Details
Attention to Detail Issues:
- Clock running wrong
- Curtain rod loose
- Towels not folded to same size
- Strange smell in the room
Reviewer's Philosophy: "I'm a huge fan of perfection... Sounds minor and insignificant, I know, but it indicates how seriously they take this business."
Critical Cleanliness Issues 🚨
Hair Found:
- Multiple hairs discovered in room
- "This little flaw should never happen anywhere, especially not in this price category"
- "Not a single one, let alone this many"
Quote: "Obviously, it's super difficult to be perfect and to be precise, especially in this huge building like this one. But, man, I can forgive the towels, obviously, because this is just, you know, but that's the difference between places and places. But the hair, there's no excuse."
Unusual Design Choices
- Phone located in the toilet
- Reception called to ask about room satisfaction while reviewer was using toilet
Laundry Concerns
- Wanted to get suit cleaned
- Changed mind (implied concerns about service quality)
Emotional Impact: "Normally this is the time when I just wanted to leave."
Champagne Bar Experience
Atmosphere ⭐ BEAUTIFUL
- Absolutely breathtaking space
- Beautiful design
Layout Concerns
- Shares space with reception (unusual for luxury hotel)
- Not necessarily a "big deal" but noticeable
Service & Presentation
Champagne Service:
- Served in flutes (reviewer's preference is different glassware)
- Selection is good (not extraordinary)
- Will be fine overall
Visible Wear:
- "You can see the years on them"
The Seafood Tower Incident 🚨 MAJOR PROBLEM
What Was Ordered
- Maine Lobster Roll: $48
- Plaza Seafood Tower: $180
Lobster Roll ✓ POSITIVE
- Fresh meat
- Creamy
- Tasty
- Reviewer "really liked" it
King Crab Crisis ⚠️ CRITICAL ISSUE
The Problem:
- Strong ammonia scent from king crab
- "Not a good sign"
- Indicates spoiled seafood
"And this is where all hell breaks loose"
Service Response (First Attempt):
- Reviewer told waiter about problem
- Waiter was chewing gum while listening
- Waiter called manager
- Manager smelled it and confirmed: "Yes, it's not listing"
- Promised to bring another one
Second Attempt:
- Replacement had same problem
- Told waiter again
- Waiter returned to manager
Third Interaction:
- Manager suggested reviewer talk to chef
- Reviewer's response: "But come on, I am not here to talk to anyone. I am here to have nice quality seafood."
- Chef came out anyway
- Reviewer explained crab leg was spoiled
- They offered to bring a third one
- Reviewer declined: "I mean giving the same wrong answer to a question won't solve any problems"
Aftermath
Left to walk in Central Park instead
Quote: "I love the weather here. At least this doesn't disappoint."
Russell's Response: Recovery Attempt
First Apology
Upon return to room:
- Handwritten letter from Russell waiting
- Small bites included
- Apologized for experience
- Assured more attention in future
Reviewer's Assessment: "That's a nice gesture after all. There is still professionalism here."
Evening Plans
Went to Chef's Table at Brooklyn Fair (two Michelin stars) for dinner
Palm Court Breakfast Experience
Palm Court Background
- World famous for afternoon tea
- Tradition going strong for over a century
- Completely renovated in 2010
- Preserved its old glory
Atmosphere ⭐ STUNNING
Design Elements:
- Stunning glass dome
- Palm trees
- Golden details
- Marble columns
Quote: "This is a truly wonderful sight. Honestly, one of the nicest places I have ever been."
Immediate Problem Spotted ⚠️
"Broken Window Effect":
- Ice bucket sitting in guest area
- Other boxes left out in guest area
- Quote: "We are sitting in one of the most beautiful spaces in the world. These mistakes feel really careless."
Service ✓ POSITIVE
Positive Elements:
- Server offered to send someone a postcard (nice touch, unique idea)
- Reviewer loved this and will use in his own restaurant
- Great coffee
- Gentleman server very professional
- Overall breakfast service was great
Mixed Elements:
- Utensils beautiful but "a bit tired" (same issue as champagne bar)
Food Review
What Was Ordered:
- Classics with eggs and bacon
- Baked goods
- Fresh fruits
- Special item: Omelette du fromage with caviar
Omelette du Fromage with Caviar: ✓ GOOD
- Nicely prepared
- Soft, light, tasty
- Cheese dominant (enjoyed)
- Caviar worked well
Croissant: ⭐ OKAY
- "I wouldn't say this is the best croissant I have ever had"
- But it's okay
- Butter perfect
Overall: "A good breakfast after all"
Russell Appearance
- Showed up during breakfast to check if everything okay
- Reviewer calls him "Mr. Hospitality"
Second Apology & Gestures
Upon Return to Room
Russell's second gesture:
- Another handwritten letter
- Bonbons
- Wine
- Few small gifts
Reviewer's Response: "A nice gesture and I honestly appreciate it. Mr. Hospitality again."
Final Assessment & Critique
Renovation History
- Last major renovation: 2008 (almost 20 years ago at time of review)
- Verdict: "I think it's time for another one"
Competitive Position
Current Market:
- NYC luxury hotel competition is "really strong"
- $2,000 rooms are "nothing unusual" in this city
- In current form, cannot truly compete with:
- Aman
- Four Seasons
Quote: "To really stay in the game, history alone just isn't enough anymore."
Long-Term Concerns
- Uncertain about long-term plans for the property
- Current state as a hotel is not competitive enough
Recommendations
Who Should Visit ⭐ STILL WORTH IT
Despite all problems, reviewer recommends visiting:
You DON'T need to stay overnight to experience it:
-
Have a drink at the Champagne Bar
- Beautiful space
- Good champagne selection
- Experience the atmosphere
-
Book afternoon tea at Palm Court
- One of the nicest spaces ever
- Historic tradition
- Stunning design
Quote: "You can still feel a bit of what it was like to be the Great Gatsby."
Summary: Pros & Cons
The Positives ✓
- Incredible history (118 years)
- Iconic location on Fifth Avenue
- Central Park views
- Beautiful spaces (especially Palm Court)
- Professional service from some staff (particularly Russell)
- Attempts to recover from problems
- Good food quality when it works
- Worth visiting for the experience
The Negatives ⚠️
- Needs renovation (nearly 20 years since last major one)
- Room maintenance issues (worn furniture, loose fixtures)
- Cleanliness problems (hair found)
- Strange room smell
- Spoiled seafood served (multiple times)
- Service inconsistencies (gum chewing, visible wear)
- Small details overlooked (towel folding, clock, items left out)
- Cannot compete with top luxury competitors in current state
The Contradiction
A historically significant, beautiful property with moments of genuine hospitality, undermined by maintenance issues and service inconsistencies that fall short of the luxury price point.
Key Quote
"Despite everything that happened here, I still think it's worth visiting if you are in New York."
But perhaps not for an overnight stay at nearly $4,000 for two nights—instead, visit for drinks or afternoon tea to experience the history and beauty without the room disappointments.
Additional Context
- Reviewer has another channel featuring restaurant reviews
- Upcoming review of Chef's Table at Brooklyn Fair
- Series featuring "best hotels in the world"