The Spa also includes some staples such as men’s and women’s relaxation areas, fitness center, movement studio and a glass-enclosed pool with panoramic city views. Naturally Peninsula Cuisine is available for light dining. ESPA designed the offerings specifically for the Peninsula Spa, which combine innovative treatments with all-natural ingredients.

The theme of well-rounded and well-being at the ESPA spa is part of the Peninsula Wellness program, “ a lifestyle program that touches every aspect of a guest’s lifestyle, both during their stay and beyond, and which focuses on providing a sanctuary for the five senses.”

ESPA partnered with well-renowned Designer Alexandra Champalimaud who was involved in the restoration of Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu and many more high end projects.

Prices are in the same range as the competitors in New York, for instance a 60 minute aromatherapy massage is $195 USD which is the same as The Caudalie Spa at The Plaza.

I am adding The Peninsula Spa by ESPA to my list for my next trip to New York!

March 1st: Re-opening of The Plaza, a Fairmont managed hotel
After a two-year, $400 million restoration, the world’s most renowned landmark made its return in majestic style. The Plaza is a must see while in New York. If you are thinking about going to the Big Apple this winter, you can get a third night free until April 1st when booking 2 nights at the regular rate of $595 US  (or more).

June 26th: Demolition Party at The Royal Monceau in Paris
The Hotel first auctioned off all of its furnishings and then held a VIP destruction event where guests were encouraged to smash anything leftover. Stars were invited to this unique party with the best DJs! The Royal Monceau is now under the creative eye of owner Alexandre Allard and renowned French designer Philippe Starck for a 16-month refurbishment. The French Masterpiece will be transformed into an ‘’art deco revisited’’ hotel with the main goal to attract a younger clientele under the Raffles banner.

September 20th : Bomb attack at The Marriott Islamabad, Pakistan
This was a very sad event that claimed the lives of too many people. The hotel reopened on December 28th. Let’s hope this won’t happen again.

November 27th : Taj Mahal Hotel and Oberoi complex’s Trident hotel attacks
Unfortunately and once again, India was the target of terrorism. This time, two major hotels and guests were involved with many casualties. The hotels recently reopened but it will take many months to bring every back to the way it was.

Dec 22nd: Steve Wynn’s Encore Hotel opens in Vegas
Despite the recession, 2.3 billion Encore Hotel opened with 2,034 suites. Encore is a casino-resort that was designed to grab up the wealthiest, most sophisticated visitors in town and charge them top dollar. Through the end of October, tourism for the year was down 3.2%, room rates were down 9.7%, and gaming revenue was down 8.5%. And even though some rival projects around town have been stalled or killed, other competitors are still rising. Only the future will tell us if Las Vegas is overbuilt or not…

My wishes for 2009
Obviously I hope for fewer acts of terrorism in 2009 and for a better economy so our colleagues in hotels won’t loose their jobs. I am confident hoteliers will continue to be creative and bring the hotel business to a different level. Happy New Year to all and continue to book hotel stays!

The Plaza is owned by Elad Properties. The hotel was bought for $675 million in 2004 and $400 million were injected to return The Legend to its original glory. Some details I was able to find on the net: 30 million dollars were spent for the roof and 4.5 million for the Grand Ballroom restored to its 1929 opulence.

Since opening in 1907, the Plaza has been bought and sold eight times, once by the Hilton family in 1943 and once by Trump in his Ivana- infuenced ’80s.

The Plaza hotel will offer 282 distinctive Louis XV style guestrooms (including of 152 pied-à-terres) and is the first hotel in the world to have 24-carat gold plated Sherle Wagner designed sinks and fixtures in every guest room and suite. I guess only the megawealthy community can really appreciate 24-carat gold plated sinks, I’d be happy with a regular marble sink and brushed nickel faucet…

Another interesting part of this project is the conversion of guestrooms to private residences. Sales for the 19-story Beaux Arts building went better than expected. From floor plans alone, 75% of the 182 residences were sold. Twothirds of the buyers were American, with 66% of those from the metropolitan area. The biggest buyer, real estate developer Harry Macklowe, bought an entire floor of the Plaza for around $60 million. New England Patriots owner Bob Kraft also purchased in the building, as did several international billionaires.

The restoration of The Plaza, Henry Janeway Hardenbergh’s Beaux Arts masterpiece, has been overseen by an award-winning design team including Gal Nauer Architects, Costas Kondylis and Partners, Walter B. Melvin Architects and Rani Ziss Architects.

Square-foot prices started in the $5,000 range and increased to an apex of $6,500. A one-bedroom with a view of Central Park costs around $7 million. A three-bedroom is on the market for $20 million.

You must go on the Elad page and and click on the video and dream you were a guest of The Plaza for a few minutes…