The Plaza Hotel, one of only two New York City hotels to be awarded landmark status, is located in one of the most exclusive areas of Manhattan at 59th Street and Central Park. The hotel has hosted many well known celebrities including Cary Grant, Marilyn Monroe, Richard Burton & Elizabeth Taylor, the Beatles, Mark Twain and also appears in a scene from The Great Gatsby.

The Palm Court …

Palm Court at The Plaza Hotel in New York for Afternoon Tea

After a recently completed multi-million dollar renovation, afternoon tea is again served in the large and airy Palm Court with its mirrored walls, marble columns and dramatic leaded glass lay light overhead allowing natural light into the room. If you’re interested in an elegant venue for afternoon tea in New York City, you’d be hard pressed to find anything more classic or stylish than the Palm Court at the Plaza Hotel.

The Plaza Hotel’s main entrance …

The Plaza Hotel New York Entrance – Image by Tony Hisgett (CC by 2.0)

Fine porcelaine teapot by Bernardaud / France …

Bernardaud Porcelaine Teapot at The Plaza Hotel

Exquisitely prepared tea sandwiches – the smoked salmon on brown-grain bread was exceptional.

Tea sandwiches at The Plaza Hotel in New York

Silver tea service …

Silver tea service for afternoon tea at The Plaza

The table setting for afternoon tea in The Palm Court of The Plaza Hotel …

Table Setting for Afternoon Tea at Plaza Hotel New York in The Palm Court

Notice how the scones are wrapped – to keep them warm.

Scones served at The Plaza Hotel New York for afternoon tea

Condiments for your warm scones …

Double Devonshire clotted cream, lemon curd, preserves for scones at Plaza Hotel afternoon tea

The last course or tier consists of sweets, pastries and cakes.  The Napoleon or mille-feuille is always a favorite.

The “sweets” course at The Plaza

As you might expect, the loose leaf tea selections at The Plaza Hotel are wide and varied and include black, green, red, oolong, pu-erh, white and infusions – sourced from Le Palais des The’s.

Bernardaud Porcelaine Teacup at The Plaza Hotel

Finally, an evening view of the laylight in the ceiling of the newly restored Palm Court at The Plaza. What is a laylight exactly?  It’s a glazed panel usually set flush with the ceiling that admits natural or artificial light.

Laylight in The Palm Court