The Plaza Hotel: Inside New York City's Iconic Luxury Landmark

The ultimate blend of history and modern elegance at New York’s most iconic hotel.

A stay at The Plaza Hotel is not just a night in New York City; it’s a brush with history, luxury and a touch of cinematic magic. From the moment the doorman ushers me inside, I am transported to a world of timeless elegance. Walking into its marble-clad lobby, I gasp at the Christmas display that draws travellers in from the street. It feels like stepping onto the set of Home Alone 2.

Location

The Plaza Hotel New York City exterior view — The hotel has been an icon in the Big Apple for over a century.

The Plaza Hotel boasts an unbeatable location on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Central Park South, offering stunning views of Central Park. It’s steps away from luxury shopping on Fifth Avenue and only a short walk to cultural landmarks like the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and the Rockefeller Center. Midtown Manhattan’s top attractions are all within easy reach, making it an ideal base for exploring the city.

Style and character

Christmas-themed lobby of The Plaza Hotel New York City — Celebrate an unforgettable Christmas with the hotel’s festive ambience.

Synonymous with opulence, stepping inside The Plaza is like entering a world of Gilded Age grandeur. The lobby features a striking blend of marble, crystal chandeliers and gold accents, giving it an old-world charm with modern touches. This balance makes it an iconic New York experience, attracting celebrities, dignitaries and travellers seeking the utmost sophistication.

Facilities

Pup package at The Plaza Hotel New York City — The Plaza isn’t just pet-friendly, it’s a haven for fur babies.

Guests can indulge in The Plaza’s world-class amenities, which include the renowned Guerlain Spa, a modern fitness centre and luxury boutiques. The Plaza’s concierge provides impeccable service, ensuring guests can access any service or experience they desire.

The hotel also caters to pet owners with its Pampered Pup package, which features matching Plaza bathrobes, a doggie treat tier and luxurious accommodation for four-legged companions.

Home Alone 2 package at The Plaza — Hollywood has plenty of Christmas tales, but nothing beats a classic.

If you’re a Home Alone 2 fan, The Plaza has a special package that includes a limousine ride, a large cheese pizza and a decadent 16-scoop ice cream sundae, recreating iconic scenes from the movie. I didn’t do this package, but I did put Home Alone 2 on the TV and ordered ‘The Kevin Sundae’ off the child’s in-room dining menu (called The Eloise Menu), which was a much more conservative three-scoop serving size.

Rooms

Grand Deluxe Room at The Plaza — The Grand Luxe King Room is lavishly decorated.

Rooms at The Plaza combine classic New York elegance with modern comfort. I stayed in the Grand Luxe King Room which was lavishly decorated with plush fabrics, crystal chandeliers and rich wood finishes. The marble bathroom was incredibly spacious, covered in “earth stone" mosaics, with a separate shower and soaking tub, and 24-carat gold-plated Sherle Wagner fixtures to add a touch of opulence. Suites offer expansive spaces with separate living areas and even private terraces in some cases.

Food and drink

The Palm Court at The Plaza Hotel New York City — The Palm Court is famous for its lavish afternoon tea.

The Palm Court is famous for its lavish afternoon tea, a quintessential New York experience. For casual luxury, The Champagne Bar provides stunning views of Fifth Avenue, perfect for a pre-dinner drink and some caviar. Room service is available 24 hours a day, with a smaller late-night menu available from 11pm to 6am.

Access for guests with disabilities?

The Champagne Bar at The Plaza Hotel New York City — Enjoy Champagne and caviar at The Champagne Bar.

The Plaza Hotel offers excellent accessibility features, including wheelchair-accessible rooms and facilities. Elevators are spacious, and public areas are designed to accommodate guests with mobility issues. Staff members are trained to provide assistance to ensure every guest enjoys a comfortable stay.

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Family-friendly?

Children's check-in program at The Plaza — Little ones are treated to a unique check-in experience and clever programs during their stay.

The Plaza is welcoming to families. Children are treated to a special check-in experience with the Plaza Passport, which sets the stage for a magical adventure within the hotel. The Eloise Suite, inspired by the beloved children’s book character, adds a whimsical touch to family stays. With spacious suites and its prime location near Central Park, The Plaza is an excellent choice for families visiting New York.

Details

Best for: Travellers seeking a luxurious, quintessentially New York experience in the heart of the city
Address: 768 Fifth Avenue, New York
Cost: From $1700 per night

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

The Plaza Hotel: Inside New York City’s iconic luxury landmark