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The Plaza Hotel in NYC: Location, Its Bars and What Is Nearby

The Plaza Hotel in NYC is the one most people picture when they imagine a grand New York stay. It sits where Fifth Avenue meets Central Park, and it has been open since 1907.

By Matthew Stuart Crawford Β· Published October 9, 2026

Quick answer

The Plaza is a French Renaissance-style landmark at 768 Fifth Ave on Central Park South. It suits couples, families and anyone who wants a classic address next to Central Park.

Where The Plaza Hotel is

The Plaza is at 768 Fifth Ave, on Central Park South. Hotels along Central Park South look over the trees and horse carriages. Columbus Circle, with the A, B, C, D and 1 trains, is a walk west along the park.

The Plaza Hotel's French Renaissance roofline and green copper gables on Fifth Avenue, New York
Photo: Epicgenius, CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons

Fifth Avenue shopping and Rockefeller Center are within reach on foot, so the hotel works as a base for Midtown as well as for the park.

The Palm Court and The Champagne Bar

The Plaza’s famous Oak Bar is closed. It shut in 2005, and the Oak Room followed in 2011. Today the places to go are The Palm Court, for afternoon tea and evening cocktails, and The Champagne Bar, which looks out over Fifth Avenue and the Pulitzer Fountain.

Hotel bars like these can be pricey but are famous for their settings. Arrive early for a seat, and ask about dress codes and minimums.

See our guide to the famous hotel bars of NYC for more.

Steps from Central Park

Start at the southern end of Central Park, right near The Plaza. The Pond, Gapstow Bridge and Wollman Rink are close. Walk on to Bethesda Terrace and Bow Bridge, and rent a rowboat at the Central Park Boathouse (formerly the Loeb Boathouse) in warm months. Check current hours.

Central Park seen from high above, framed by Midtown and the Upper East and West Sides of Manhattan
Photo: Carol M. Highsmith, Library of Congress, public domain

Our Central Park guide has the full route.

Who it suits

  • Couples who like carriage rides, rowboats on the lake and old-world hotels.
  • Families who want playgrounds, the zoo and the Natural History Museum nearby.
  • Classic-luxury fans, since The Plaza is one of the classic choices, with The St. Regis.

Compare it with other nearby stays in our best hotels near Central Park guide, or read our St. Regis New York guide.

How to Plan The Plaza Hotel in NYC: Rates, Subway Access, and Seasonal Timing

When researching plaza hotel new york and planning around The Plaza Hotel in NYC, comparing block-by-block walkability, express subway connections, and seasonal rate shifts helps you get the most out of every day in New York City. Across Central Park & Columbus Circle and neighboring Manhattan and Brooklyn corridors, nightly hotel prices and ticket demand fluctuate with Broadway schedules, midweek corporate conventions at the Javits Center, and holiday travel peaks. Reviewing our NYC hotel prices by month guide alongside our where to stay in NYC neighborhood breakdown makes it easy to spot high-value travel weeks before you lock in your itinerary.

Comparing Neighborhood Walkability and Express Transit Around The Plaza Hotel in NYC

Transit proximity matters just as much as the nightly room rate when moving between Midtown landmarks, museum mornings near Central Park, and evening dinner reservations in Downtown Manhattan. Choosing a hotel within a five-to-eight-minute walk of an express subway stationβ€”such as the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, A, C, E, B, D, F, M, or N, Q, R, W linesβ€”saves both commute time and taxi fares. Travelers arriving via JFK Airport, LaGuardia Airport, or Newark Liberty International Airport should also check how directly their route connects to New York Penn Station, Moynihan Train Hall, or Grand Central Terminal when carrying luggage.

Booking Windows, Refundable Room Rates, and Total Stay Value in New York City

Before finalizing any reservation in New York, always inspect the all-in nightly price including New York City hotel occupancy taxes and any mandatory property or destination fees. Booking a flexible, refundable rate 30 to 45 days ahead lets you secure a proven room in a prime location and re-check live inventory two weeks before check-in if unsold Manhattan rooms drop in price. Pairing smart neighborhood selection with early morning arrival times ensures a smooth, stress-free New York City experience in every season.

Travelers who compare weekday corporate rates against weekend leisure pricing across Midtown Manhattan, Chelsea, SoHo, and the Upper West Side routinely save fifteen to twenty-five percent on comparable four-star rooms.

If your flight or train arrives hours before standard three o-clock check-in, nearly every full-service New York hotel bell desk will store your bags free of charge so you can start exploring Central Park, Fifth Avenue, or the High Line right away.

For families and small groups sharing a room, requesting a higher floor away from street-facing elevators and confirming whether two queen beds or a sofa sleeper are guaranteed in writing prevents surprises at the front desk.

Using contactless OMNY tap-to-pay at subway turnstiles and crosstown buses also caps your weekly transit spend automatically, making it simple to ride between Uptown museums, Broadway theaters, and Brooklyn waterfront parks without buying paper farecards.

Whether you are visiting New York City for a quick forty-eight-hour weekend getaway or a full week of sightseeing, balancing iconic observation decks and Broadway shows with unhurried neighborhood walks through Greenwich Village, the West Village, and DUMBO creates a memorable trip.

During peak autumn foliage weeks in October and the December holiday season around Rockefeller Center, reserving timed-entry observation deck tickets and pre-theater dinner tables ten to fourteen days in advance saves hours of.

Common questions

Where is The Plaza hotel in NYC?

The Plaza is at 768 Fifth Ave on Central Park South, where Fifth Avenue meets Central Park.

When did The Plaza open?

The Plaza opened in 1907.

Is The Plaza’s Oak Bar still open?

No. The Oak Bar closed in 2005 and the Oak Room closed in 2011. For a drink, go to The Palm Court or The Champagne Bar.

What subway is near The Plaza?

Columbus Circle station, served by the A, B, C, D and 1 trains, is a walk west along Central Park South.

Keep reading

Luxury hotels in NYC Β· Romantic hotels in NYC Β· Central Park guide Β· Hotels near Central Park Β· The St. Regis New York

About the author. Matthew Stuart Crawford grew up on Long Island, in Massapequa and then Deer Park. He runs NYCHotelss, an independent NYC hotel guide. Details change. Check rates, hours and policies before you book.