People wait to enter The Plaza hotel during its reopening Saturday, March 1, 2008, in New York. After a $400 million, three-year, lobby-to-roof renovation, The Plaza has been restored to its legendary status.
A view of the Champagne Bar and reception area are seen through the Plaza's logo on a railing during The Plaza hotel's reopening Friday, Feb. 29, 2008, in New York. The restored features also include gleaming mosaic floors, sparkling chandeliers and gold-trimmed ceilings.
Ruthann Picerno, center, of Lyndhurst, N.J., and her friends, who are among the first guests to check into The Plaza hotel during its reopening Saturday, March 1, 2008, in New York. The New York City landmark is now a mix of hotel rooms starting at $1,000 a night and multi-million-dollar residences.
Butler Bruno Soubirous shows off The Plazas white-glove service in a new guest room at The Plaza hotel's reopening Friday, Feb. 29, 2008, in New York. The Plaza's current owners initially planned to convert all guest rooms into condominiums, but ran up against protest from preservationists and the hotel workers' union. Mayor Michael Bloomberg helped negotiate the hotel room-condo mix.
The Palm Court and a re-creation of the original stained glass dome are seen as The Plaza hotel reopens Saturday, March 1, 2008, in New York. All but one residential unit has been sold, including one that went for $50 million.
Harpist Sylvia Kowalczuk plays in the Palm Court during The Plaza hotel's reopening Saturday, March 1, 2008, in New York.
An afternoon tea service in the Palm Court during The Plaza hotel's reopening Saturday, March 1, 2008, in New York. The palm trees and harpist are back, and after a $400 million, three-year renovation to restore the hotel's grandeur, tea at The Plaza is now all about the food.
An afternoon tea service in the Palm Court during The Plaza hotel's reopening Saturday, March 1, 2008, in New York.