The Plaza Hotel in New York City — the 119-year-old "Castle on Fifth Avenue" that has welcomed presidents, royalty and Hollywood legends since 1907 — will close its doors in January 2027 for a four-year restoration of its landmarked marble façade, the hotel's operators announced on Wednesday, October 14. For travelers, the takeaway is urgent: if a stay at The Plaza has long sat on your bucket list, this is the final stretch to book a room before one of the world's most famous hotels goes dark.
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, which manages the property for Qatar's Katara Hospitality, said the painstaking repair of the 18-story building's ornate exterior has become necessary, and that the scope of the work would cause "significant intrusion" to day-to-day operations — forcing a full shutdown rather than a renovation staged around guests. The announcement rippled across travel and hospitality headlines almost instantly, sparking both nostalgia and a rush of would-be guests hoping to experience the landmark before it temporarily disappears.
Why the Plaza Hotel NYC Is Closing for Four Years
The decision centers on the building's protected exterior. The Plaza's French Renaissance-inspired façade — with its mansard roofs, balconies, dormers and cream-colored glazed terra cotta and marble detailing — is a designated New York City landmark, meaning any restoration must meet strict preservation standards. After more than a century of exposure to Manhattan weather, salt and air pollution, the façade requires a comprehensive repair that operators describe as complex enough to demand closing the hotel entirely.
The closure will affect far more than overnight stays. The property currently operates 282 guest rooms and 102 suites, and it shares its Fifth Avenue footprint with roughly 181 private residences. The Hotel & Gaming Trades Council, the union representing many Plaza workers, said its 378 members employed at the hotel will have the right to return to their jobs at the same pay when the property reopens — a notable safeguard for the staff who keep the landmark running.
Timeline: From 1907 Grand Opening to the 2027 Closure
The Plaza's story began well over a century ago. An earlier hotel of the same name stood on the site from 1883 to 1890 before being replaced by the current structure, built between 1905 and 1907. On October 1, 1907, the new Plaza opened at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Central Park South, instantly becoming one of the most prestigious addresses in America.
Over the decades it cemented its place in popular culture. Kay Thompson set her 1955 children's classic "Eloise" in the hotel, and the property still offers a whimsical Eloise Suite inspired by the character. F. Scott Fitzgerald featured the Plaza in "The Great Gatsby," and the hotel has appeared on screen in "North by Northwest," "Scent of a Woman" and, most famously, "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York." In 2008, a sweeping conversion reduced the hotel from roughly 800 rooms to 282 while adding private residences, and in 2018 Katara Hospitality took full ownership. The property closed for more than a year during the pandemic before reopening in May 2021.
What the Closure Means for Travelers and New York
For visitors, the implications are immediate and practical. The Plaza is not merely a hotel but a destination in itself — a place where travelers linger over afternoon tea beneath the stained-glass ceiling of the Palm Court, sip a cocktail at the storied Oak Bar, or book whimsical suites themed after Eloise and Gatsby. Once the hotel closes in January 2027, those experiences will be off the table for at least four years, with the property not expected to return until around 2031.
The closure is also likely to ripple through New York's luxury lodging market. With one of Manhattan's most recognizable five-star addresses temporarily offline, competitors along Central Park South and across the Midtown luxury segment could absorb displaced demand — and some industry observers have already floated the possibility of higher room rates across the category once the Plaza eventually reopens. For now, though, the story is less about rates than about access: a limited number of nights remain before the doors close.
Where Things Stand Now: One More Holiday Season to Book
As of mid-October 2026, The Plaza is still welcoming guests, and the property has signaled it will operate through the upcoming holiday season before beginning its shutdown in January. That means travelers have a narrow window — roughly the next few months — to experience the hotel in its current form, from the festive Fifth Avenue holiday lights to a final afternoon tea in the Palm Court or a stay in the Eloise Suite.
For those planning a visit, the guidance is straightforward: book directly and book early, because availability during the final holiday stretch is expected to tighten quickly as nostalgic repeat guests and first-time visitors alike rush to check in one last time. The hotel's own website and reservations line remain the most reliable sources for current room availability and any farewell programming that may still be announced.
What Happens Next: The Road to a 2031 Reopening
The restoration itself is expected to unfold in careful, preservation-led phases. Because the exterior is a protected landmark, every repair — from replacing deteriorating terra cotta to cleaning and restoring marble and masonry — must win the approval of New York City's Landmarks Preservation Commission. That meticulous, scaffold-heavy work is precisely why the hotel is bracing for a closure of "at least" four years rather than a quicker facelift.
When the Plaza reopens, operators and preservationists alike hope it will emerge looking closer to its 1907 splendor while retaining the modern comforts today's luxury travelers expect. Until then, its absence will be felt as one of those rare moments when a living piece of New York history steps offstage — making the coming months a last call for travelers who want to say they stayed there.
The Bottom Line: Key Takeaways for Travelers
- The Plaza Hotel in New York City will close in January 2027 for at least four years to restore its landmarked marble façade.
- The 119-year-old hotel, owned by Katara Hospitality and managed by Fairmont, has 282 rooms and 102 suites plus roughly 181 private residences.
- Its 378 union workers will have the right to return to their jobs at the same pay when the hotel reopens.
- Travelers have one final holiday season — through the end of 2026 — to book a stay, dine at the Palm Court or visit the Eloise and Gatsby suites.
- The property is not expected to reopen until around 2031.
