The five-star Plaza hotel, standing at the southwest entrance to Central Park, Grand army Plaza, is not simply one of the most famous in the world and one of the best American hotels. It is a recognizable symbol of new York, the memory of many famous people and events, the story itself. No wonder Donald trump, bought in 1988, this hotel, wrote in an open letter published in the new York times": "I acquired not building, I have purchased a masterpiece – the Mona Lisa. For the first time in my life I made a deal that definitely wasn't economic, " because I can never justify the amount spent..."

When the hotel with great fanfare opened in 1907, it was called the greatest in the world. Its construction was spent astronomical in those years the amount is $ 12 million. The money famous architect Henry Hardenberg has built a twenty building (at the time a skyscraper) in the style of a French Chateau with its ornate interior: marble, gilding, mirrors, mosaic... Some crystal chandeliers there were 1650 Grand.

Now national historic landmarks recognized and the hotel itself, and eight separate facilities, including a cafe "palm Court" with a glass dome, columns in the shape of palm trees and caryatids, Edwardian bathroom with large Windows overlooking the Pulitzer fountain and Central Park, the Oak room, a Grand ballroom.

The hotel's history is inextricably linked with the names of many celebrities: here drew inspiration Scott Fitzgerald, during the first visit to the United States stayed the Beatles, played his legendary Black and white ball Truman Capote... "Plaza" sung in the literature and shown in the famous movie: "Crocodile Dundee", "Sleepless in Seattle", "Scent of a woman", "bride wars", "the Great Gatsby", "home Alone 2". In the last film hero – boy Kevin, who settled in the Plaza on the credit card of his father, runs away from staff, sliding on his stomach on the floor of the lobby. Tell that to the filming of this scene had to clean carpets laying there – and he was uncovered a beautiful mosaic tiles. Then owner of the Plaza Donald trump, seeing this, ordered the carpets removed at all.

Another name associated with "the Plaza" and is known throughout America – Eloise. This is the heroine of the books written by actress and singer Kay Thompson in 1955-59. "I Am Eloise. I'm six. I am a city child. I live at the Plaza" – so begins a book about a girl from the penthouse, enliven the life of an expensive hotel. It is believed that the prototype Eloise was goddaughter Thompson – Liza Minelli, the child does while living at the Plaza. In the hotel there is a portrait of Eloise, above the entrance, among other flapping in the wind flag with her name, there is a store for her fans, a special menu, garage tricycles, and the staff is always willing to answer the children's questions and explain that Eloise really lives here, but now she's in Paris.