Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., March 03, 2008 Adar1 26, 5768 | | Israel Time: 03:49 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

The Plaza Hotel in New York. (Reuters) Last update - 22:40 01/03/2008 N.Y. Plaza Hotel, co-owned by Israeli and Saudi groups, reopens doors By Reuters Tags: Plaza Hotel, Elad group  Two years after shutting its gilded doors for a $400 million renovation, Manhattan's famed Plaza Hotel on Saturday began welcoming back guests. "The Plaza is back," Shane Krige, the hotel's general manager, said as he cut a giant red ribbon that spanned the entrance near the southeast corner of Central Park. "The legend is definitely going to continue." The hotel, co-owned by Israel's Elad Group and the Saudi-based Kingdom Holding Co. and managed by Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, will have a formal reopening on May 10. Advertisement The hotel's grandeur and attentive service inspired writers ranging from Kay Thompson, author of the "Eloise" stories, to Neil Simon, who wrote Broadway play and hit film "Plaza Suite." While hotel guests began checking into the 282 guest rooms, most of which were booked for opening night, much of the storied hotel has been converted to luxury condominiums. Officials said all but one of 181 units had been sold. They refused to confirm selling prices, which have reportedly run as high as $7,000 per square foot. Guest rooms, which start at an average $1,000 a night, feature 24-karat gold-plated bathroom fixtures, flat screen televisions, electronic personal concierges, crystal chandeliers and gold gilt headboards and mirrors in keeping with the Plaza's traditional Louis XV style. White-gloved butlers are stationed on every floor. The Plaza's top-priced Royal Suite goes for a cool $20,000, a far cry from the $2.50 per night ($4 with bath) the hotel charged when it opened in 1907. The roof restoration alone cost $30 million, as the owners sought out the original Italian manufacturer of its famous green tiles. Another major undertaking was restoring the Palm Court restaurant's laylight, a colored glass ceiling lit from above with changing hues of rose and violet. It had been plastered over since the 1940s, when Conrad Hilton owned the Plaza, and cost more than $2 million to repair. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Born to bear arms Many children of expatriates return to Israel to serve in the IDF Doctored death? An Independent expert says IDF bullets didn't kill Mohammed al-Dura.   1.   JOKE ON PAL 23:02  |  tobia 01/03/08   2.   Coexistence and co-operation is the future 00:07  |  fiona 02/03/08   3.   true: "Joke on Pal" 00:09  |  nobodysacred 02/03/08   4.   The Plaza 04:51  |  B.T.A. 02/03/08   5.   I guess Israel isn`t the only mid-east country 08:53  |  Nechama 02/03/08   6.   My company has business with many Arabs. 02:22  |  Stephen. 03/03/08

Today Online U.S. calls for end to violence, return to peace talks Responses: 471 10 Gazans killed, 4 troops hurt in ongoing IDF operation Responses: 252 Barak: IDF has no choice but to continue Gaza offensive Responses: 185 Independent expert: IDF bullets didn't kill Mohammed al-Dura Responses: 168 Harel and Issacharoff: Hamas will now try to avenge Gaza deaths Responses: 103 Rosner's Domain Battle of Ohio: Will Tzipi meet Hillary? No "statement of interest" against terror victims (WTR) McCain, Obama gear up for face off over Iraq Poll: Your solution for the situation in Gaza Prosecutor in AIPAC case to leave before trial? (WTR) More Headlines 03:28 IDF chief recommends keeping pressure on Hamas 02:20 PM to tell Rice: Israel reserves right to act freely in Gaza 02:39 10 Palestinians killed, 4 troops hurt in ongoing Gaza offensive 02:18 Gov't, IDF: Hamas wants lull in Gaza but only on its own terms 23:26 Hebron teen dies, 4 Israelis hurt as violence spreads to W. Bank 22:47 Barak to hold meeting on legality of striking civilian areas in Gaza 00:40 Long-silenced Iranian Jews find their political voice in America 22:07 Iran leader calls on Muslims to hit Israel 'in face' over Gaza op 22:03 U.S. calls for end to continued violence, return to peace talks 00:50 Israeli airlines worry that Gaza war will ruin Pesach travel 01:30 Rabbi Ovadia Yosef: Pray for soldiers' well-being in synagogue 20:49 Police halt Israeli Arab rally against Gaza op, arrest 2 at T.A. protest 22:32 Israel buys supply of pills to protect against nuclear radiation 23:05 Medvedev secures lead in Russian vote, vows to pursue Putin goals Previous Editions Select Day 02 mar 29 feb 28 feb 27 feb 26 feb 25 feb 24 feb 22 feb 21 feb 20 feb 19 feb 18 feb

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