The Plaza Hotel is a luxury hotel located near the southeast corner of Central Park in Midtown Manhattan area of New York City. Built in 1907, it is among the most well-known hotel in the world as it symbolizes luxury and opulence and it has been featured in countless literatures, movies, and TV shows set in New York City. After a five-year, $450 million restoration between 2002-2007, the Plaza Hotel now houses 282 hotel rooms and 152 private condo suites. There are also luxury stores and gourmet food hall to check out, even if you’re not staying at the hotel. It is also the only hotel in New York City that has a National Historic Landmark designation.

Like most visitors to New York, I’ve walked past the hotel and went into the lobby just to peek in, but I had never stayed at this hotel. I do remember watching movies like Crocodile Dundee 2 and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York that were set in this hotel. A few years ago, I came to New York City with my cousin and his family. His two young daughters (around 10 years old at the time) immediately recognized the hotel as “the place where Kevin stayed” referring to the Home Alone 2 movie.

The photo below was outside the hotel few years ago when I went to New York City around Christmas time. I thought it’s a fitting post for today given it’s Christmas Eve tonight.