My son and I just returned from The Plaza.The Location is terrific but the hotel has certainly gone down hill. I would never have thought of entertaining bedbugs at $300. a night. also only one elevator had working air conditioning. Our room was not exactly spotless - stains on the bedspread(I kept thinking of the TV detective Monk and was glad I didn't bring a black-light)I had requested two beds but it was ignored and I had to order a roll away at $35. extra a night. The service - other than the front desk and housekeeping - was good, room service on time, food good, but I will stay somewhere else next time.

When staying at the Plaza, unless you are booking a suite at upwards of $1,500 per night, you are just as likely to end up in a small dirty room facing a brick wall as you are a decent room. I would call Fairmont and complain. $300 per night for a gross room is a gross injustice.

We originally booked at the Plaza because we were told it was the best hotel in NYC. However after reading this site we cancelled and have booked the Penninsula.

GG

Good choice. The Plaza is definitely resting on its laurels (and location), IMHO.

Sources tell me that the company who manages the property has tried to buy it from the owners and they won't sell at this time. In the meantime, the owners aren't putting any money back into the property - stuff breaks and doesn't get replaced - management is contracted only to run it - they can't be expected to pump money into a property they don't own . Stories of what it's like behind the scenes are enough to discourage me from staying there even if it was a "bargain" rate. It's a shame, given the great location , the history and the potential of that property.

My experience with the Plaza mirrors MrsG1717 as well. I've had better luck up the street at the Essex (love their breakfast room). Anyone try the new Ritz Central Park?

oh one thing: the restaurant at The Plaza was GREAT though. The name is CPS1 or something like that. They have a signature dessert that was charming. A chocolate layered cake with two sculpted or molded silhouettes of hansom carriages with horses that are pressed to the side of the cake - sort of edible 3D sculpture. Then the waiter drizzles powdered sugar over it ("snowing"). Very cute. I think that was my favorite part - oh and seeing Meryl Streep there was nice too!