The Plaza
Iconic 19th-century lodging offering fine dining & afternoon tea, plus a champagne bar & a spa.
The Plaza is rated 4.5 / 5 from 6,760 Google reviews and sits about 1.4 km (18 min walk) from Grand Central–42 St station.
General overview
About The Plaza
The Plaza is a landmark luxury hotel at the southeast corner of Central Park, known for its Beaux-Arts architecture, grand lobby, Palm Court afternoon tea, restaurants, boutiques, and associations with New York literary and film history. Visitors may enter public areas, but hotel guest areas and some facilities are restricted to registered guests or paying patrons. None of the information below is live-verified; confirm current details with The Plaza before relying on it.
- Historic luxury hotel overlooking Central Park and Fifth Avenue.
- Grand public interiors, including the lobby and Palm Court.
- Palm Court afternoon tea is the best-known visitor experience.
- On-site dining, bars, boutiques, spa services, and event spaces.
- Located beside Central Park, Fifth Avenue shopping, and the Pulitzer Fountain.
Things to do here
Palm Court Afternoon Tea
The Plaza's signature tea service, traditionally offered with tea, finger sandwiches, pastries, and scones in the Palm Court. Reservations are generally advisable and dress expectations may apply.
Explore the public hotel interiors
Visitors can generally view the grand lobby and selected public spaces, subject to hotel operations, private events, security, and crowd controls.
The Plaza Food Hall
A collection of food and beverage counters in the lower level, historically including a variety of casual dining options. Availability and vendor lineup can change.
Hotel dining and cocktails
The property has historically offered restaurants, lounges, and bars in addition to Palm Court. Some venues may require reservations or have age restrictions at night.
Shopping and spa services
The hotel has historically included luxury retail and wellness services. Individual businesses may operate separate hours and booking systems.
Central Park and Fifth Avenue sightseeing
The hotel is an excellent base for visiting Central Park, Fifth Avenue, Rockefeller Center, Carnegie Hall, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and Museum Mile.
Use the Fifth Avenue entrance near Central Park and allow extra time for security, coat checks, elevator queues, and reservations. Check accessibility and entrance arrangements with the hotel if needed.
Book Palm Court, dining, spa appointments, and special events ahead of time. A reservation does not necessarily provide access to all hotel areas.
This overview is general knowledge, not confirmed against an official source — verify hours, prices and entry rules before you go.
Photo gallery
See it before you go
Watch first
Video
I Stay In A 5 Star Hotel In New York - I Was Shocked! · Walk With Me Tim (YouTube)
Most asked
How to reach
The Plaza is about 1.4 km (~18 min walk) from Grand Central–42 St station on the New York City Subway.
Before you go
Good to know
Verify tickets, seasonal hours, entry rules, and special events on the official website before visiting.
Pair it up
Also near this station
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Rockefeller Center
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Joe's Pizza Broadway
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Hotel Riu Plaza Manhattan Times Square
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Times Square
Places to visit · 12 min walk
★ 4.7
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to The Plaza from Grand Central–42 St station?
The Plaza is about 1408 m (roughly 18 min walk) from Grand Central–42 St station on the New York City Subway. Use the directions link on this page for turn-by-turn walking directions.
What is The Plaza rated?
The Plaza has a Google rating of 4.5 out of 5 from 6,760 reviews.
What's near The Plaza?
Also within a short walk of the same station: Bryant Park, Rockefeller Center, Empire State Building.
Is The Plaza wheelchair accessible?
Yes — Google lists the following accessibility features for The Plaza: wheelchair-accessible entrance, wheelchair-accessible parking.
Is The Plaza good for children?
Yes — Google lists The Plaza as good for children.
Can I visit The Plaza without staying there?
Generally, yes. Visitors can usually enter publicly accessible areas and patronize restaurants or shops, but guest floors and private facilities are restricted and access can change.
Do I need a ticket to enter?
There is generally no general admission ticket for the hotel. Dining, afternoon tea, spa services, shopping, and events cost extra and may require reservations.
Is afternoon tea served every day?
Palm Court has historically offered tea on a regular schedule, but days, sittings, menus, and prices can change. Confirm the current schedule before visiting.
How far is The Plaza from Central Park?
The hotel directly borders the southeast corner of Central Park, near Grand Army Plaza and the Pulitzer Fountain.
Is The Plaza connected with Home Alone 2?
Yes. The hotel is famously featured in the film Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, although film-related access and displays are not guaranteed.
What subway stations are nearby?
Nearby subway access has historically included stations serving the N, Q, R, W, 4, 5, 6, A, B, C, and D lines, depending on the entrance and current service patterns.
Can I take professional photographs there?
Professional or commercial photography normally requires prior approval. Casual photography may be limited by hotel operations and privacy considerations.
Data and photos from Google Places, generated August 9, 2026. Ratings, hours and prices can change — confirm anything time-sensitive before you go.