Manhattan House
845 West End Ave
The Aldyn
15 Union Square West
The Rushmore Riverside
515 East 72
Walking towards the newly opened hotel from 61st Street. All the windows above are for the condos. The hotel windows are neatly tucked in the back facing south into 9 West 57th and over 5th Avenue.
I remember the old hotel like it was yesterday. I hosted my 21st birthday in a two-bedroom park-view suite and invited 30 of my friends to join me. The suite had a circular breakfast nook in the corner which faced northwest over Central Park. It’s incredible to me that three years has passed since Elad Properties shut the place down to monetize it once and for all. The Plaza opened its doors finally on Saturday, March 1st and I finally had a chance to walk inside and take a look around. Glitzy, glamorous, spacious–everything looked good at a glance and I even felt for a moment like I was in the old place. But upon some further investigation, it’s really not the same at all.It should be noted that the legendary Palm Court has already re-opened for breakfast, lunch, and dinner but many new additions to the Plaza are not ready yet. That includes the full retail collection (most likely opening in May) and the spa, salon, and fitness center. The Oak Room and Bar is also planning to re-open in the next few months.
The Palm Court is looking great. Always a classic New York spot.
If you turn the corner past the Palm Court. This will lead to the new retail portion.
If you enter the front of the hotel (5th Avenue side) and walk to the left, you will encounter the new hotel lobby. It’s wide open, elegant, and has a small bar right in front. When I asked for a rate sheet, the receptionist informed me that they are not available yet. She did tell me that Plaza King rooms–the smallest–will start at around $750/night. The price didn’t surprise me so much, but the swiftness of her answer and the overall European flavor of the staff inside were a tad awkward for me. I liked the older staff, both porters and receptionists who filled the place during the 90’s and earlier this decade. It felt a little more New York and a little less Europe. Maybe that’s a selfish criticism but I will always remember the Plaza as a true New York hotel. Upon some further investigation, I’ve decided the hotel portion, all 282 rooms, are overpriced. By ‘walking to the left’ when you enter, you’re walking away from the park and closer to 58th street, which is the view for nearly all of the hotel rooms. Elad was smart to put the hotel portion in the less desirable space within the Plaza but all the rooms? The rate for a 1,000 square foot 1-bedroom suite on an off-peak night is about $1,300. It’s about $900 for a deluxe room. This is about 40% above the pricing from when the Plaza closed roughly 3 years ago. And while the rooms are newer and all dressed up now, the views are inferior. The obvious reason for doing so is that Elad sold off the residences at a staggering average price of $4,000/foot, and cashed out on those picturesque park views.
Looking into the new hotel lobby. The reception desk is at the top right side of the photo just beyond what you can see. Against the windows are comfy lounging areas.
The last I checked there were only three residences left. The 4-bedroom with a partial park view was listed at $15M, the 3-bedroom maisonette was listed at $12.3M, and an 887-foot studio was listed at $2.2M. The Plaza is now a showcase of fine homes for some of the world’s richest.
My overall reaction remains upbeat. I’m glad I can still go to the Plaza to enjoy some tea or lounge around in one of the bars. I’m also glad some form of a hotel still exists, even if it’s dramatically different from the old one. My readers know how much I advocate new condos in the city, but this one will always feel a little weird for me.
