Hidden Details of The Plaza Hotel, From Lobby to Penthouse | Architectural Digest

Take a tour of New York City's most famous and luxurious hotel The Plaza led by architectural historian and author Francis Morrone and journalist and author Julie Satow. The Plaza has almost become synonymous with New York City, made famous by beloved children's book character Eloise, famous weddings like Donald Trump's and Macaulay Culkin in 'Home Alone 2.' Learn the secrets behind its grandeur, from its ornate lobbies and ballrooms to its lavish penthouse hotel rooms.


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Hidden Details of The Plaza Hotel, From Lobby to Penthouse | Architectural Digest

[pitti-sing]

What a gorgeous building! My in-laws honeymooned there for two weeks in 1941, right before he shipped off to WWII. He bid her farewell at the hotel, and asked that she not accompany him to the train station. Fortunately, he returned home safely. They spent 40+ years together!

[Housewarmin]

I feel like these people are so underdressed. If I stayed at the Plaza, you best believe im clutching my pearls the whole time..

[carowells]

I was curious as to why Alfred Gwynn Vanderbilt wanted to stay at the Plaza, so I looked it up. His parents lived right across from the Plaza in the largest house ever built in New York. Even though his parents' home had 154 rooms, Alfred liked the idea that he could see his parents whenever he wanted, but he could also get away from them when he'd had enough of them.

[lsamoa]

It's a shame that they've only done 3 of these videos, it's a very cool concept. I'd love to see more of such detailed visits of iconic buildings.

[sibujafta]

I love how YouTube believes in me and thought I needed to see this as well as the Prada advert that played just before.

[Tscharlieh]

Besides the great building, I really enjoyed that the video was shot in one take. I can only imagine the work and planning which must have went into creating this!

[buffedtrainer]

The shops render the classic vibe of the Plaza into a "Mall" type atmosphere. they cheapen the whole "Plaza Experience".

[Earth]

These are the. type of videos I expect from Architectural Digest. Not celebrity home tours

[FreedomLovingLoyalist]

i wish architectural digest does more of these architectural video's but sadly they don't do it any more and i don't know why if any one from Architectural Digest is looking at this comment please do a continuation of this really good series.

[carmaela]

I absolutely love the feel of this hotel. I love the mixing of old ornate architectural bits with clean modern furnishings and art. Absolutely gorgeous. I love mixing of old and new.

[norton]

Love the Plaza. The shops are kind of tacky, though. I would expect Cartier or Christian Dior, not a 50% discount store.

[nougatbitz]

Makes modernism look so lifeless and boring — variations of squares is mostly what we get today. No roofs, no details, no grand entrances, beautiful stairs ...

[Mossad]

nice hotel but all the guests look like the belong at motel 6.

[annademo]

The year that "Home Alone II" was released, I took my little boy for a weekend stay at the Plaza. He still remembers it, decades later.

[lorik.]

Glorious! Such memories!
In the summer of 1996 we walked into the Plaza lobby off Central Park pushing our just one year old daughter in a stroller. Such an overwhelming sense of history. She freaked out passersby because she hadn't any hair yet, but she was able to talk to people as we went by.
In May of 1999 we toured Versailles with our now ~4yr old and 14 month children and saw the some of the architectural inspirations for the Plaza
I believe some of the opening scenes from North by Northwest with Cary Grant take place in the Plaza Hotel and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade passes right by the Plaza entrance.
Iconic indeed!
Thanks for the history of the Plaza Hotel.

[maracayaban]

KEVIN! YOU SPENT $967 ON ROOM SERVICE??

[kendavid]

This is why I love my NYC. History everywhere. Every weekend I would go see different landmarks. Miss it terribly

[kavyaawasthi]

I wanted this video since the tour of Tommy Hilfiger's Plaza apartment. Absolutely loved this content.

[thomascefalo]

I stayed there for 2 nights in 1997. yes we felt compelled to dress at least nice casual. The staff could not have been more accommodating. Anything we wanted, they provided. Including a chauffeured limousine to take us to a Broadway show.

[raymondwoo]

Thank you, AD, for making this excellent video. Thank you for sharing the architectural history and development of the hotel, and its cultural impacts for NYC! Well done!