gives a preview of the refurnished and refurbished tea room (no more "silly" throne chairs, brighter lighting, live piano and violin), as well as some historical context for the iconic but under-appreciated landmark. Of course, it wasn't too long ago when Cuozzo gave his damning take-down of the last incarnation of the Palm, when it reopened in 2008: "After a gazillion-dollar reopening...the Palm Court is goofier, gloomier and only slightly more appetizing than it was before. Even the harp sounds depressing." (That downer harp will not return.) more ›

It's beginning to look like the glitzy, upscale Plaza Hotel may go the way of Tavern on the Green. After a century in the business, the landmark hotel and playground to Eloise is losing its cache, and its profits too. Where the Plaza's gilded halls are concerned, do New Yorkers want in with the new, out with the gold? more ›

The NY Times' Styles section describes the lonely existence of new residents of the Plaza Hotel condos. Why lonely? Well, if you can afford the pricey digs ($6,400 per square foot!; an owner interviewed paid $5.8 million for a two bedroom), your neighbors are also rich people who probably have other residences and don't live there very often. more ›