Is The Plaza Hotel, New York City’s Iconic Grand Dame, Becoming Part of Legendary Raffles Hotel & Resorts?
WRITTEN BY 5 REASONS TO VISIT® EDITORIAL STAFF
PUBLISHED SEPTEMBER 2023 • 3 min read
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Raffles Hotels & Resorts is expected to prevail as the new management company of The Plaza Hotel in New York, New York. Raffles Hotels and Resorts, which operates luxury hotels in cities like Paris, Singapore, and London, is in competition to manage The Plaza Hotel, which reopened in 2021 after closing for the first time in its history at the start of the pandemic. For over 100 years, The Palm Court at The Plaza has been New York City’s iconic destination for Afternoon Tea. Discover the spirit of generosity that makes Raffles the place to be.
Source: Accor
Currently managed by Fairmont Hotels, The Plaza Hotel is owned by Katara Hospitality, which owns and operates hotels for the Qatar government and acquired The Plaza Hotel in 2018. The property is poised to capitalize on the powerful rebound in New York City’s luxury hotel business. After struggling during the earlier part of the pandemic, room rates and occupancy levels at these high-end properties have soared as tourists start to return and business travel shows signs of recovery. Katara Hospitality is planning to spend hundreds of millions of dollars renovating The Plaza Hotel.
Why should Raffles Hotels & Resorts become the new management of The Plaza Hotel in New York City? Since 1887, the philosophy of delivering emotional luxury, thoughtful, welcoming and graceful service has put Raffles in the spotlight time and time again—tracing its roots to 1887 with the opening of the flagship Raffles Hotel in Singapore. If any hotel group knows how to preserve and operate a historic, world-renowned luxury hotel, that would be Raffles Hotels & Resorts.
Source: Accor
From the one-of-a-kind Eloise Suite, to the ultra-luxurious Penthouse Suites, The Plaza Hotel’s unparalleled accommodations are as unique as they are elegant. Spacious guest rooms offer classic appointments and furnishings as can only be expected from New York’s most legendary address.
Contemporary Legacy Suites offer beauty in every detail, some suites with striking partial views of Central Park, outdoor terraces, and connecting rooms and suites to transform your suite into a full-family home at New York’s castle on Central Park South. Among many splendid details are 24-carat gold-plated Sherle Wagner fixtures, as well as hand-crafted solid white marble vanities.
Source: Accor
A Paris-based hotel giant is setting itself up for a luxury takeover in North America. Accor, the owner of 40 hotel brands that range from the affordable Ibis all the way up to the ultra-luxurious Raffles, isn't as well-known a commodity as the likes of Hilton and Marriott International in the United States. Accor's best-known brands in the U.S. currently center on Fairmont and Sofitel.
Accor has talked about having a bigger footprint in the United States for years, now there are several signs Accor means business. As an example, Accor's headquarters for Raffles Hotels & Resorts, as well as the Orient Express brand, is moving from Paris to Manhattan. The company's first North American Raffles hotel and condo project just opened in Boston, Massachusetts.
Source: Accor
Accor is a world leading hospitality group offering experiences across more than 110 countries in 5,400 properties, 10,000 food & beverage venues, wellness facilities, and flexible workspaces. The hospitality group has one of the industry’s most diverse hospitality ecosystems, encompassing more than 40 hotel brands from luxury to economy, as well as Lifestyle with Ennismore.
Note: This information was accurate when this article was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
