Plaza sweet

Built in 1907 and renowned for its sprawling baroque splendor, New York’s most famous grande dame, the Plaza Hotel, reopened in March 2008 after a two-year, $400 million nip and tuck. Although many of the rooms have been converted into luxury condos, those with fond childhood memories of Eloise will be reassured that the French Renaissance-style property’s legendary public spaces—the Oak Room and Oak Bar (which reopened in November 2008), Palm Court and Grand Ballroom (the setting of Truman Capote’s famed Black and White Ball in 1966)—have been designated as landmarks and preserved for general enjoyment.

Next: High society >>