American Hotel - The Plaza, New York

BEST AMERICAS HOTEL
The Plaza, New York

Certainly the most famous hotel in America, The Plaza was, throughout the 20th century, the hotel of choice for American presidents, European aristocracy, The Beatles and anyone who was anyone. In 2004, it was sold to a Manhattan developer, and there were fears that it would never regain its status as a quality hotel. Last March it re-opened, under the management umbrella of Fairmont. Although there has been raging controversy surrounding the property’s private apartments, the 282-room hotel has been successful enough to make Ultratravel readers vote it their favourite American hotel.
The Plaza’s location, on the corner of Fifth Avenue and 59th Street , overlooking Central Park and only a few paces from Tiffany, Bergdorf Goodman and the other top Manhattan emporiums, is probably its major selling point. However, under general manager Shane Krige, the hotel has recaptured some of its former glory. The refurbished rooms are luxurious, the butler service is good and the doormen are among the snappiest in New York. The less popular changes in the hotel – the Central Park South entrance being given to owners of the 150 private apartments, the Oak Room being turned into a franchise operation, and the famous Palm Court closing while the owners decide what to do with it – make the hotel feel slightly disconnected. However, you are living in one of the most historic buildings in the centre of a historic city – and that can’t be bad.