The Plaza Hotel in New York City has served as a backdrop for royalty, film crews, and business titans since it opened on October 1, 1907. But the questions that come up most in search are the practical ones: who owned it, how much it costs to stay, what makes it a landmark, and whether the lobby is open to anyone. This article answers each of those questions using official property records, independent reviews, and verified historical data.
Last checked: 2026-10-03
Compare the lowest rates and guest reviews. Many options with free cancellation.Check rates
Bundle flight + hotel and compare deals and rewards in one place.Check ratesThis link contains affiliate advertising. Prices and availability may change on the destination site.
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-10-03.
Sources reviewed: official property website, Accor group listing, MICHELIN Guide review, The Times travel review, Historic Hotels of America profile, Expedia listing, Tripadvisor guest reviews, official Plaza blog.
No on-site visit, no staff interview, and no independent price verification with the hotel directly. Rates, fees, and operating hours were current as of the publication date and should be rechecked before booking.
The Plaza at a glance
- Designated a New York City Landmark in 1969 (The Plaza official history)
- Listed as a U.S. National Historic Landmark (Historic Hotels of America)
- 282 guestrooms total, including 102 suites (Fairmont)
- Managed by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, part of Accor (Fairmont official site)
- French Renaissance, completed in 27 months at a cost of $12.5 million (The Plaza official history)
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Year opened | 1907 |
| Number of rooms | 282 |
| Current management | Fairmont Hotels & Resorts |
| Architectural style | French Renaissance |
| Notable former owner | Donald Trump |
Did Trump own the Plaza Hotel in NYC?
Yes. Donald Trump purchased The Plaza Hotel in 1988 for $390 million and financed a subsequent renovation. He sold the property in 1995 for $325 million to a joint venture led by Kingdom Holding and CDL Hotels (The Plaza official history timeline). The sale price reflected a loss on the original acquisition, though Trump had generated revenue from hotel operations during his ownership period.
Key numbers from the Trump era
- Purchase price (1988): $390 million
- Sale price (1995): $325 million
Before Trump, the hotel had changed hands several times. It was built by a consortium led by financier Bernhard Beinecke and opened in 1907. Later owners included Conrad Hilton (who bought it in 1943) and the real estate firm Sonnenblick-Goldman. Today the hotel is managed by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, part of the Accor group, with no remaining involvement from Trump (Historic Hotels of America).
The bottom line: Trump owned The Plaza for seven years and sold at a loss. The hotel has been under institutional management ever since.
Why is the Plaza Hotel so famous?
The Plaza sits at the southeast corner of Central Park, where Fifth Avenue meets Central Park South — one of the most photographed intersections in Manhattan. Its French Renaissance façade, completed in 1907, made it an immediate landmark. The city designated it an official landmark in 1969, and Historic Hotels of America lists it as a U.S. National Historic Landmark (Historic Hotels of America).
“The Plaza continues to strike the balance between its storied past and limitless future.”
— Fairmont, hotel operator
“Most of its 282 rooms and suites remain antique in their inspiration, though there’s nothing faded about them — think timeless rather than ancient.”
— MICHELIN Guide
Film appearances have cemented its pop-culture status. It served as the setting for key scenes in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, The Great Gatsby (1974), and North by Northwest, among dozens of others. The hotel has also hosted heads of state, royalty, and celebrities since its earliest years, including the Beatles during their first U.S. visit in 1964 (The Plaza official history timeline).
Does anyone live at the Plaza Hotel in New York?
Yes. In addition to its 282 hotel guestrooms and 102 suites, the building contains a separate residential condominium component. Owners of the residential units have access to hotel services such as room service, housekeeping, and concierge, while the hotel floors remain reserved for transient guests. The residential conversion was completed in 2007 as part of a broader renovation that preserved the building’s landmark status (The Plaza official history timeline).
What to watch: The split between hotel and residential use means public access areas — the lobby, Palm Court, and restaurants — serve both groups, while upper residential floors are restricted to residents.
How much is one night at the Plaza Hotel, NYC?
Standard room rates at The Plaza typically range from $600 to $1,200 per night depending on season, room category, and booking channel. Entry-level Plaza King rooms — described as approximately 44 square metres — include a king bed, bathtub, and separate shower (The Times review). Suites can exceed $5,000 per night, with top-tier configurations commanding significantly more.
Estimated nightly costs
- Standard room: $600–$1,200
- Suite: $1,200–$5,000+
The hotel charges a mandatory urban experience fee of $65 per night before taxes. That fee includes a $50 daily food-and-beverage credit usable at the Palm Court, Champagne Bar, or through in-room dining, plus a $50 spa credit for treatments of 60 minutes or longer at the 111SKIN Spa/Clinic (The Plaza official guest information).
How much is afternoon tea at the Plaza Hotel New York?
The Palm Court serves afternoon tea at approximately $85 per person, featuring finger sandwiches, macarons, and champagne. The Times review describes the setting as distinctive — the Palm Court operates under a glass roof — but notes that the food and beverage pricing may deter budget-conscious guests (The Times review). Accor lists The Palm Court as open daily from 06:30 to 16:00, while The Champagne Bar operates from 06:30 to 23:00 (Accor).
The catch: The advertised room rate is only part of the total cost. The $65 nightly fee and local taxes add significantly to the base price, and seasonal demand can push standard rooms well above $1,000.
Can anyone walk into The Plaza Hotel?
Yes. The lobby and public areas of The Plaza are open to all visitors without a reservation. You can enter, walk through the Palm Court, browse the Assouline bookshop, and take photographs in the main lobby. The hotel is pet-friendly and non-smoking throughout (Accor).
Can you wear jeans to the Plaza?
Generally yes, with a caveat. The dress code for most public areas is smart casual — jeans, clean trainers, and collared shirts are fine during the day. Afternoon tea at the Palm Court tends to draw a more dressed-up crowd, and some guests opt for business casual or dressier attire. The hotel does not enforce a formal dress code for the lobby or bars, but guests arriving for dinner at the Champagne Bar may find a jacket-and-slacks style more common in the evening.
Does room 411 exist at the Plaza Hotel?
No. Room 411 is a persistent urban legend tied to ghost stories and old hotel rumours, but the room does not exist in the current building configuration. The Plaza has confirmed publicly that no room 411 is listed in its inventory (The Plaza official blog).
Planning a visit: The lobby is open all day, and the Champagne Bar serves until 23:00. Free in-room Wi-Fi and a 24-hour fitness centre are included with your stay (Expedia).
Specifications: The Plaza, A Fairmont Hotel
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 768 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10019 |
| Year opened | 1907 |
| Total guestrooms | 282 |
| Suites | 102 |
| Operator | Fairmont Hotels & Resorts |
| Owner | Sahara India Pariwar (as of 2025) |
| Landmark status | New York City Landmark (1969); National Historic Landmark |
| Urban experience fee | $65/night (subject to change) |
| Accessible rooms | 16 rooms for guests with reduced mobility |
| Pet policy | Pet-friendly |
| Dining venues | The Palm Court, The Champagne Bar, in-room dining |
| Spa | 111SKIN Spa/Clinic |
| Fitness centre | 24-hour, with sauna and steam rooms |
| Wi-Fi | Free in-room Wi-Fi |
| Check-in / Check-out | 15:00 / 12:00 |
Timeline of The Plaza Hotel
- 1883: Construction of the first Plaza Hotel begins on the former New York Skating Club site (The Plaza blog).
- October 1, 1907: The present Plaza Hotel opens to guests (The Plaza official history timeline).
- 1943: Conrad Hilton purchases the hotel.
- 1969: The Plaza is designated a New York City Landmark (The Plaza official history timeline).
- 1988: Donald Trump buys The Plaza for $390 million.
- 1995: Trump sells the hotel for $325 million to Kingdom Holding and CDL Hotels.
- 2005–2007: Major renovation and residential conversion. The hotel reopens with 282 hotel rooms and 152 residential condominium units.
- 2012: Sahara India Pariwar acquires a majority stake in the hotel.
- 2025: The hotel operates as The Plaza, A Fairmont Hotel, managed by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.
Alternatives to consider
The Plaza sits in a competitive stretch of luxury hotels along Central Park South and Fifth Avenue. These three alternatives share the same neighbourhood but offer different trade-offs in style, price, and atmosphere. For budget-minded travellers, a Hotel Scherman New York review covers a more affordable Midtown option.
| Hotel | Star rating | Price range | Notable features |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Peninsula New York | 5-star | $700–$1,500 | Rooftop bar, full spa, modern luxury |
| The St. Regis New York | 5-star | $800–$1,800 | Butler service, classic Beaux-Arts, Le Bernardin partnership |
| Broadway Plaza Hotel | 4-star | $200–$400 | Midtown West location, lower price point, compact rooms |
| The Plaza, A Fairmont Hotel | 5-star | $600–$1,200 | Landmark status, largest standard rooms, afternoon tea |
Our recommendation
For travellers who prioritise heritage, room size, and the experience of staying in a genuine New York landmark, The Plaza remains a strong choice — especially for:
- History enthusiasts who want to sleep in a building that’s hosted royalty, film crews, and U.S. presidents.
- Luxury seekers who value spacious rooms (Plaza King rooms are roughly 44 sq m — generous by Manhattan standards) and full-service amenities.
- Afternoon tea lovers who consider the Palm Court experience a non-negotiable part of a New York visit.
- First-time NYC visitors who want a Central Park-facing location within walking distance of Rockefeller Center and Grand Central Terminal. Our Parc Hotel New York review covers another Midtown option for comparison.
The trade-off is cost. Between the base room rate and the $65 nightly urban experience fee, a standard night can land well above $700 before taxes. Guests who prioritize value or modern design may find The Peninsula or St. Regis a better fit for similar budgets.
tripadvisor.com, theplazany.com, theplazany.com, tripadvisor.com, tripadvisor.com
Frequently asked questions
How much did Donald Trump sell The Plaza for?
Trump sold The Plaza Hotel in 1995 for $325 million to a joint venture between Kingdom Holding and CDL Hotels. That was $65 million less than his 1988 purchase price of $390 million (The Plaza official history timeline).
How much is breakfast at the Plaza Hotel, NYC?
Breakfast is served at The Palm Court, which opens at 06:30 daily. The hotel’s $65 urban experience fee includes a $50 daily food-and-beverage credit that can be applied toward breakfast, afternoon tea, or in-room dining (The Plaza official guest information).
Can I wear jeans to afternoon tea?
Yes. The Palm Court does not enforce a formal dress code, but most afternoon tea guests wear business casual or smart-casual attire. Jeans are not prohibited, and the hotel describes its general dress code as smart casual (Accor).
Does room 411 exist in the Plaza Hotel?
No. Room 411 is a well-known urban legend associated with ghost stories, but the room does not exist in the current hotel. The Plaza has not confirmed any room with that number in its inventory (The Plaza official blog).
What’s the most expensive room at the Plaza Hotel?
The most expensive accommodation is the Royal Plaza Suite, a multi-bedroom suite with Central Park views, a dining room, and a separate parlour. Rates can exceed $15,000 per night during peak season. The suite is among the largest hotel rooms in New York City (Fairmont official site).