The Plaza

One of the world’s most famous and luxurious hotels, The Plaza is a New York legend, sitting at perhaps the city’s most prestigious corner – where Fifth Avenue meets Central Park.

This giant, castle-like Beaux Arts edifice underwent a $500 million renovation in 2005 which restored its fading grandeur to its original 1907 splendour. There’s an ever-present old-school sense of occasion and fine tradition, and rooms to make you feel like royalty.

The hotel’s Palm Court for afternoon tea, basement-level Todd English Food Court, and Rose Club champagne bar, are all superb places to eat, drink and people-watch.

The location in unrivalled for New York’s top attractions – Central Park is across the road, and the big art museums, Broadway and the Museum of Natural History are all close by. It’s also on 5th Avenue opposite famous department stores for a spot of upscale shopping.

It’s ridiculously expensive and grand, but an institution traditionalists will be proud to splash out on.