Pictures of NYC's Plaza Hotel

Designated a National Historic Landmark, the Plaza Hotel has been synonymous with the best of everything since it opened in 1907. Occupying one of the most desirable locations in the city, across from Central Park, the Beaux-Arts style Plaza Hotel is a picture of life at the top: Opulent, elegant, classic, with service to match the surroundings.

After going through several ownership changes, however, the century-old Plaza Hotel was in need of a makeover. Under the Fairmont Hotels flag, The Plaza Hotel was closed for three years in order for a massive $400-million-dollar renovation to restore its original Gilded Age splendor, add a few new treasures, and modernize all the facilities.

Today this elegant dowager has reclaimed her rightful spot as one of the city's top hotels. Until you can visit The Plaza in person, experience her renaissance through this series of pictures.

Five flags hang outside the front entrance of The Plaza Hotel: United States, Canada, the Union Jack, Fairmont, and the Plaza's own.

In all kinds of weather, a Plaza Hotel doorman stands outside the front entrance of the hotel to welcome arriving guests and secure cabs for departing ones.

The Bergdorf Goodman department store, one of New York City's finest, is located to the right of the hotel. Wreaths decorate the windows during the holiday season.

Every detail at The Plaza Hotel, including the base of this lamp post, has been burnished to a rich shine.

For the holidays, The Plaza Hotel decorates its windows with oversize wreaths.

Marble floors, an oversize table bursting with flowers, and a Baccarat crystal chandelier greet guests inside the hotel lobby.

Right off of the lobby, the Champagne Bar is a new addition to the hotel and offers patrons a large selection of bubbly spirits.

This exquisite chandelier is one of many that illuminate public rooms in The Plaza Hotel.

During the renovation, this domed, stained-glass ceiling was revealed above the Palm Court.

Tea and scones, sweets and sandwiches were part of the afternoon tea service at The Plaza Hotel.

The portrait of Eloise, the fictitious little girl who lived at The Plaza Hotel, hangs outside the Palm Court.

There are 282 guest rooms and suites inside The Plaza Hotel.

Decor was inspired by Louis XV style. Bathrooms feature 24-karat gold plated sinks and fixtures.

One of the two major venues for weddings at The Plaza Hotel, the Terrace Room has a corridor with an arched ceiling and a terrace overlooking the main floor.

The Terrace Room is the smaller of two ballrooms at The Plaza Hotel. It can accommodate 350 to 500 people, depending on how it is configured for an event.

Part of the renovation of The Plaza Hotel involved conservation and restoration of its priceless treasures, such as the Terrace Room's painted ceiling.

Reserved for the largest and most elaborate weddings, the Grand Ballroom at The Plaza Hotel can easily seat 500 guests for dinner and accommodates up to 1000.

The golden-hued Grand Ballroom has been meticulously restored to its 1929 opulence.

Throughout its 100-year history, The Plaza’s ballroom has been the setting for hundreds of lavish events, weddings, and parties, including Truman Capote’s 1966 “Black and White Ball.”

Original murals in the Oak Bar depicting scenes of fin-de-siècle New York were cleaned and re-installed.

The Oak Room restaurant adjoins the Oak Bar. The wood-paneled, chandelier-lit eatery serves Continental cuisine.

A new area of The Plaza Hotel, the posh Rose Club overlooks the Champagne Bar. It has its own bar, softly lit by rose-colored fixtures overhead.

This upscale indoor mall is attached to The Plaza Hotel and also has a private entrance from 58th Street.

Shops and services inside The Plaza Hotel Boutique include Assouline, Couture Kids, Krigler and the Leather Spa.

Kenneth Jay Lane is known for making and selling distinctive costume jewelry favored by prominent and wealthy women.

The Pulitzer Fountain is directly across from The Plaza Hotel and has appeared in such movies as The Way We Were.

The sky-scraping General Motors Building on Fifth Avenue stands directly across from The Plaza Hotel.

One of the first Apple Stores in Manhattan is located inside the General Motors Building.

The prices are unbelievable -- and so is the provenance of these "pashmina" shawls sold on the sidewalk outside of The Plaza Hotel.

If you come to The Plaza Hotel for a honeymoon or romantic getaway, consider taking a horse carriage ride through Central Park.

As night falls over NYC, the Plaza Hotel stands as a beacon for romantics and lovers of the good life.