Five-star hotel "Plaza", which stands at the south-east entrance of Central Park, Grand Army Plaza - not just one of the most famous in the world and one of the top US hotels. This recognizable symbol of New York, the memory of the many famous people and events, the story itself. No wonder Donald Trump, bought in 1988, this hotel, so wrote in an open letter published in the "New York Times": "I have not bought the building, I bought a masterpiece -" Mona Lisa. " For the first time in my life I made a deal that certainly was not the economic - because I can never justify the amount spent ... "

When the hotel opened with great fanfare in 1907, it was called the greatest in the world. Its construction has been spent astronomical sum in those days - $ 12 million. With this money, the famous architect Henry Hardenberg built a twenty building (skyscraper at the time) in the style of French chateau with richly decorated interior: marble, gilding, mirrors, mosaic ... Some are crystal chandeliers there were 1650 pieces.

Now a National Historic Landmark recognized and the hotel itself, and eight of its individual buildings, including cafes "Palm Court" with a glass dome, the columns in the form of palm trees and caryatids, Edwardian room with huge windows on the fountain Pulitzer and Central Park, the Oak Room, Grand Ballroom.

The history of the hotel is inextricably linked with the names of many celebrities: here was inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerald, during his first visit to the United States stayed "The Beatles", spent his legendary "Black and White Ball" Truman Capote ... "Plaza" sung in literature and featured in famous films "Crocodile Dundee," "Sleepless in Seattle," "Scent of a Woman," "Bride Wars," "The Great Gatsby", "Home Alone 2". The latest film character - a boy, Kevin, who settled in the "Plaza" for the credit of his father - running away from the staff, sliding on his stomach on the floor of the lobby. It is said that for the filming of this scene had to remove the carpets were lying there - and uncover a beautiful mosaic tiles. The then owner of the "Plaza" Donald Trump, seeing this, ordered to clean carpets at all.

Another name associated with the "Plaza" and well-known all over America - Eloise. This heroine of the books written by actress and singer Kay Thompson in 1955-59 years. "I am Eloise. I am six years old. I'm a city kid. I live in a "Plaza" - so begins the book is about a girl from the penthouse, enliven the life of an expensive hotel for its games. It is believed that the prototype was Eloise goddaughter Thompson - Liza Minnelli, baby really lived for some time in the "Plaza". It features a portrait of Eloise, above the entrance, among others flapping in the wind flag with her name, there is a store for her fans, a special menu, a garage tricycle, and the staff is always willing to answer questions from children and explain what Eloise really lives here, but it is now in Paris.