The Plaza Archives - There Goes Connie

5 Things I Loved about The Plaza

01/14/2019 By: CCPearson2 Comments

When you’re 68 years old and you have a Travel Bucket List, it’s high time to start marking items off that list. Or, at least, that’s my reason, and I’m sticking to it. On three previous trips to New York City, I stayed in very nice hotels, but this time, if it was at all possible, I wanted to stay at the most iconic address in the city. It was worth every penny (ahem, dollar). I absolutely loved it, and here are 5 reasons why.

STORIED HISTORY

When The Plaza opened for business at 9:00 a.m. on October 1, 1907, Alfred G. Vanderbilt was the first to sign the guest list. He died in 1915 on board the Lusitania, when the Germans hit it with a torpedo.

Famous guests who have stayed (some even lived) there include: The Duke and Duchess of Windsor in 1946, Frank Lloyd Wright, Truman Capote, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Marilyn Monroe, John Lennon and Yoko Ono and hundreds of others.

Julie Nixon married David Eisenhower there on December 22, 1968.

The New York Yankees had their celebration party there a few hours after winning the World Series in 2000.

Donald Trump owned The Plaza for a few years starting in 1988, calling it “a masterpiece.”

Glimpses of the hotel’s lobby and guestrooms can be found in numerous movies, with Home Alone 2: Lost in New York being the most recent, where it was featured in many scenes.

The Plaza was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1986, for its lavish architecture. And I can assure you, the building deserves that recognition.

SINGULAR VIBE

From the crisply-uniformed doormen, reception clerks and discreetly-placed security guards to the gold-plated entrance doors, spectacular chandeliers, floral arrangements and even the aroma, you know you’ve walked into a special place.

Several times we got on the elevator with tall, chiseled-cheekboned models wearing exquisite fashions and speaking to their companions in Italian, Portuguese or French (or so it seemed). It would have been easy to feel like hayseeds from Alabama, as in “the Pearsons, i.e. Clampetts, go to New York,” but we didn’t. I’m sure there were famous people at the hotel while we were there, but we were treated just as exceptionally as all the guests.

The level of service is a source of pride instilled in the staff, and they take their roles seriously. Each guest is assigned a butler, for example. You don’t go traipsing down the hall to an ice machine with your plastic bucket. You alert the staff, and the ice is brought to your room — silver bucket, silver tongs and all.

When we were escorted to our room, a personalized note of greeting was waiting, along with a tray of colorful macarons. Nice touch. Very nice.

Doorman awaits guests at the ornate entrance.

LUXURIOUS AMENITIES

The gold theme, along with crystal chandeliers, ornate tilework, elegant furniture and plushness carries over into even the most basic guest rooms. (In other words, we did NOT reserve a suite. There has to be a limit, you know).

Plush bathrobes and slippers, deluxe toiletries, a fully-stocked snack bar, a safe for your valuables (who, pray tell, travels with valuables?), huge bathroom with soaking tub, separate shower, separate toilet room, amazing linens on the bed. Wow.

And there was an iPad on the desk. Hmmm. An iPad. As it turns out, iPads were introduced by Apple in 2010, and The Plaza was the first hotel in the world to install these iPads in their guest rooms. With this iPad, guests can control the lights or the room temperature, order room service, request ice, a newspaper or a shoeshine from the butler, find out information about the area, and on and on. Another wow.

When the hotel first opened, it had 805 rooms. But, in 2008, it was renovated and now houses 282 guest rooms and suites, 152 condos, and an underground mall with retail shops and a fabulous food hall with specialities of many kinds. We loved strolling through, eyeing the various options for a casual dinner. We decided on crepes, made to order right in front of us.

Breakfast and Afternoon Tea in the Palm Court were both fabulous. Wonderful food. Impeccable service.

When I looked out our windows, I noticed several rooms on other floors with Christmas trees in them. I learned later that “for a small fee” you could order a fully-decorated Christmas tree to be in your room upon your arrival. Triple wow.

OUTSTANDING LOCATION

If you want to have the iconic NYC experience, it would be hard to beat the location of Central Park South at 5th Avenue and Grand Army Plaza. Just cross the street and you can enter Central Park, a wonderful place for a stroll or jog. Three blocks away you’ll find Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle. It’s an upscale shopping mall with a Whole Foods on the bottom floor, great for picking up a quick, inexpensive lunch. By the way, Columbus Circle is the location for one of the best outdoor holiday markets in New York City, most of them open from Thanksgiving weekend until Christmas Eve. A very convenient subway station is also located at Columbus Circle.

But, speaking of upscale, step outside the door and you’re practically at the entrance to Bergdorf-Goodman, then cross the street and make your way down 5th Avenue, probably the most recognizable retail hub in the world. Take your pick of Gucci, Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Saks Fifth Avenue or Tiffany’s, to name a few. By continuing only a few blocks, you’ll reach Rockefeller Center with all of its attractions, including the newly-opened F.A.O. Schwartz Toy Store. Radio City Music Hall is within sight of the toy store.

For a visit to NYC at Christmastime, it would be hard to find a better location. But, actually, with the subway so near, you can reach pretty much anywhere from The Plaza.

THE INFLUENCE OF “ELOISE”

The children’s book Eloise at the Plaza by Kay Thompson was published in 1955. It tells the story of a very rich, but also very mischievous little girl who actually LIVES at the Plaza, is well-known to the staff, and who causes all kinds of “situations.”

Many Eloise-themed souvenirs, clothes and decor items have sprung from the book, and there is a popular store in the underground mall which sells this merchandise.

The very popular Afternoon Tea at the Plaza includes a menu specifically for little girls. In fact, there is a full schedule of activities wrapped around the character of Eloise that girls and their mothers can enjoy year-round. See the link here. There is even an Eloise Suite which can be reserved for an overnight stay. Be sure you like pink. A lot of pink. In a few months, we will welcome our EIGHTH granddaughter into the family. Wouldn’t it be fun to take them all to NYC for a tea party? . . . . If I didn’t have to PAY for it. 🙂

THOUGHTS

It’s not cheap, but I’m so glad we got to stay there for a couple of nights. To me, it was definitely worth the splurge, and I would eagerly anticipate a return visit — once I get more items marked off my Bucket List.

For a few more details, click here to see this article I wrote for Trip101.com.

Looking Back at my 2018 Travels and Recommendations

01/07/2019 By: CCPearsoncomment

I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t just looked back at my calendar and all of the photos I took. During 2018, I visited 23 destinations, finished construction/decisions/moving involved with our new house and hosted the 11th Annual Cousins Camp. You might think I’d be ready to stay home for awhile, and yes. I truly do savor days for writing, thinking and “just being.” But, those of you who know me best, know that I always LOVE planning. So, happily my calendar is filling up with more amazing places to explore in 2019.

A few of the trips I made in 2018 were purely for fun, but 100% have or will end up as blog posts or articles in other publications. And, 100% of the places I visited can be wholeheartedly recommended for you. The vast majority were in my heartland, a.k.a. The Deep South, but I also got on a few airplanes along the way.

I began the year with Steve on Captiva Island, near Fort Myers, FL, and we ended our travel year seeing New York City at Christmas time. In between, there were fabulous restaurants, hotels, museums, attractions of all kinds and stunning displays of nature. Here are some highlights, pretty much in order as I saw them through the year. Maybe one or more of them will capture your attention and draw you in for a closer look. Please stick with me as we explore more hidden, and not-so-hidden, gems in 2019.

Shellhunting with the shorebirds on tranquil Captiva Island, near Fort Myers, FL in January of 2018.

The iconic tree in Rockefeller Center, New York City, December 2018.

February is a wonderful time to visit the Alabama Gulf Coast. There are many activities and advantage for snowbirds, and of course, the seafood is always fresh and delicious.

A search for the many painted mules in Jasper, AL is a fun pursuit. While there, the shopping and dining options are plentiful.

The Birmingham Civil Rights Museum is an important destination. While in town, try some of the great restaurants — Highlands Bar and Grill, Galley and Garden, Chez Fonfon, etc. — and take the elevator to the top of the Vulcan.

It was so much fun to share a “Gone with the Girls” tour with my daughter and granddaughter. Clay and Henry Counties and their towns of Jonesboro, Locust Grove and McDonough (just a few miles south of Atlanta) are full of great eateries. shops and attractions, among them is the Road to Tara Museum.

Oxford, Mississippi is home to the University of Mississippi, 4 restaurants owned by John Currence and Rowan Oak, home of novelist William Faulkner. What a great town!

In addition to famous recording studios, boutique hotels, the University of North Alabama and good Southern eats, be sure to visit the store and workshop of Natalie Chanin and get a close look at her fabulous textile artistry.

The historic and beautiful Dunhill is a great place to stay in downtown Charlotte. The rooms are comfortable, the location is great, and The Asbury, adjoining restaurant, has award-winning chefs.

Biltmore House and Gardens is a MUST when visiting Asheville, N.C. Also, consider one of the delightful B & Bs in the area.

While visiting the Old 96 District of South Carolina, I highly recommend staying at The Inn on the Square in Greenwood, S.C.

Historic Brattonsville is an informative attraction in the Olde English District of South Carolina, between Charlotte, NC and Columbia, SC.

Canton OH is home to the Pro Football Hall of Fame and SO MUCH MORE!!

Downtown Cleveland is filled with sports venues, hotels and restaurants. A little further out are attractions for history, art and music lovers, and don’t forget the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Columbia, TN has a great historic downtown, the James K. Polk Home and the Blythewood Inn Bed and Breakfast. Be sure to plan a stop when you’re in the Nashville area.

Gadsden, AL has Noccalula Falls within its city limits, plus a wonderful Main Street with shops, restaurants and a very active cultural center.

Corinth, Mississippi is the site of important Civil War history. Here is a poignant fountain outside the Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center.

The Palm Court, ornate restaurant inside the Plaza Hotel in New York City, is where one of America’s most famous Afternoon Tea parties takes place.

Go. See. Eat. Experience. There’s a great, big, fascinating world out there.

(Just scroll back through my blog posts to read about these places in greater detail).

Merry Christmas Eve, Everyone!

12/24/2018 By: CCPearson4 Comments

It’s Christmas Eve. If you haven’t already had all of your holiday parties and family gatherings, then likely today and tomorrow will be packed with food, gifts, excited children, tons of discarded wrapping paper and the inevitable dilemma of storing all the leftovers. Maybe, too, you will take time to attend a Christmas Eve service at your church or read Luke 2 and remember how all of this began, what it meant then and what it continues to mean today.

Before we start to take our own Christmas trees down this year and pack things away until next November, I just wanted to share a few more Christmas trees that we spotted in New York. Maybe you can start hinting to whoever controls the budget at your house that you’d like to see them for yourself in 2019.

A very Merry Christmas to all of you from Steve and me.

Elaborate tree in a store window on 5th Avenue.

A tree comprised of beautiful Louis Vuitton accessories for the fashionable woman.

A tree in the entrance at the Brooklyn Tabernacle, greeting worshippers coming in for Sunday services and the yearly Christmas programs.

A tree beside a Menorah, when Hanukkah and Christmas intersect. These two symbols were in the Food Hall at The Plaza.

Tiny trees and other symbols of Christmas incorporated into the sweets served at Afternoon Tea at The Plaza.

35-foot tree made of Swarovski crystals in the lobby of Radio City Music Hall.

An unintentional self-portrait while photographing scenes in Rockefeller Center. Can you spy my Silver Fox waiting patiently for me to move along? 🙂

Afternoon Tea at The Plaza

12/17/2018 By: CCPearson4 Comments

Before our recent trip to New York City, Steve asked me for suggestions as to what I’d like for my Christmas gift this year. I jokingly said, “Well, what about something from Tiffany’s?” But, in seriousness, I replied that I’d really like to have Afternoon Tea at The Plaza. In spite of the fact that such a frou-frou occasion sounded WAY out of his comfort zone, he agreed and let me make our reservations. The event matched my expectations and anticipation beautifully.

First of all, the setting at the Palm Court is exquisite. The ceiling, the architectural details, the ornately woven rugs, the plants, the music (light jazz a la Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole), the table linens, all of it has been welcoming dignitaries, movie stars, and common folks like us since 1907.

A closer look at the ceiling in the Palm Court.

Our server knew how to put out-of-town, fairly unschooled, formal afternoon tea people at ease. She helped Steve choose a wonderful green tea, and my black tea had a light, but complex flavor. I noticed hints of cinnamon, vanilla, ginger and apples. I liked it with a cube or two of sugar, and lo and behold, I discovered that I really like a touch of milk in my tea. Who knew?

I chose a black tea with hints of apple, cinnamon, vanilla and ginger. Oh my.

Although guests are booked solid every afternoon from noon until 5:00 p.m., especially during the holidays, we felt completely unhurried. Eventually, our tiered tray of sweets, savories and scones arrived and looked amazing. After a morning of browsing holiday markets and walking through Central Park, we were ready to enjoy these special treats.

After the first cup of tea, it was time to get started on all of the treats.

The middle tray of sandwiches and savories included a smoked salmon and pumpernickel napoleon, deviled egg salad on white bread, roasted turkey on wheat bread, English cucumber on rye bread, Parisian ham and gruyere cheese on a pretzel ficelle and roasted prime rib on a brioche roll. So much variety, definitely something there for even the finickiest eaters.

Salmon, cucumber, turkey, ham, egg salad and prime rib sandwiches.

I’ve never thought of scones as being extra special, but that’s probably because I haven’t had them with double devonshire cream, lemon curd or fresh preserves. Lemon curd was my favorite. That touch made the scones positively decadent.

Preserves, devonshire cream, and lemon curds for the scones.

The pastries and sweets were tiny (but not too tiny) bites of artfully-presented and intricately-delicious perfection. Listen to these descriptions: chocolate hazelnut nutella turron, chocolate and cherry buche de noel, eggnog tart with cranberry preserve and candied orange, raspberry tart, maple cheesecake with candied pecans, mandarin orange chocolate eclair and green apple and cinnamon macaron. And, yes, I had to look up several of those words. Turron is not in my everyday vocabulary. 🙂

Intricately-prepared pastries and sweets, all with a holiday touch.

I was completely surprised when the server appeared with a chocolate replica of The Plaza for each of us as parting gifts. (And, they both made it home unscathed in my carry-on bag). I can’t imagine actually breaking these apart and eating them, but I’ll enjoy showing them to the grandkids. 🙂

A chocolate replica of The Plaza with my last cup of tea. I can’t believe I didn’t stick out my pinky finger for the sake of this photo.

Apparently, very few people are able to eat everything on those trays in one sitting. Happily, the servers are gracious to offer to box up the leftovers, so Steve and I enjoyed them later than night after more sightseeing.

So, thank you, Silver Fox, for giving me this unforgettable afternoon. I loved making this memory with you.

Christmas Experiences in New York City

12/10/2018 By: CCPearson4 Comments

It has been on my Bucket List for several years to “do New York City at Christmastime.” This was not a foodie trip, although we found some great food. This was not a shopping trip — but time for browsing holiday markets and window shopping did happen. This trip was a collection of experiences.

We flew in on a Friday and flew back home the following Tuesday. We lucked out on great weather. It was cold but not freezing, and it rained only on one day. During our 3 1/2 days in the Big Apple, we managed to fit in these activities:

We strolled through Times Square and Rockefeller Center, including the new F.A.O. Schwartz Toy Store, the big tree, and the astounding music/light display at Sak’s 5th Avenue.
We took in a Broadway play. For this visit, we saw “My Fair Lady,” one of my all-time favorites. I know every song and most of the dialogue. For this one, we took the subway to Lincoln Center and saw it in the Vivian Beaumont Theater. It was done superbly — every note, every set change, all the costumes fabulous.
We visited the new World Trade Center and the 9-11 Memorial. Sobering. Such a testament to the resilience of the citizens of NY to rise from those ashes.
We attended a service at the Brooklyn Tabernacle. (More about that in next Friday’s post).
We browsed the holiday markets at Grand Central Station and at Columbus Circle.
We gazed at the elaborate window displays along 5th Avenue.
We had Afternoon Tea at The Plaza — so delicious and elegant. This was my Christmas gift from Steve. I LOVED it!
We saw the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall featuring the Rockettes. We had seen the Rockettes in Nashville in years past, but I’m so glad we saw them in their home setting. The lighting, staging and special effects were SO MUCH BETTER in NYC.
We survived several taxi rides with Middle Eastern taxi drivers. 🙂 Actually, they were very friendly and did a good job of navigating the traffic.
We figured out which way was Downtown and which was Uptown — very important when using the subway system.
We tried real Manhattan Clam Chowder — and liked it a lot.
We averaged over 10,000 steps a day.
We were there for the first two nights of Hanukkah and saw the World’s Largest Menorah.
We stayed at the Marriott Marquis in the heart of Times Square for 2 nights and then enjoyed our biggest splurge by staying at The Plaza for the last 2 nights. Trust me. The Plaza deserves a blog post all its own. It was everything I had hoped and more.

Now, for a few photos that might tempt you to start planning your Christmas visit to NYC.

Tags