HotelChatter

The lobby and almost all guest rooms got treated to an upgrade, including all of the suites. Bathrooms were made bigger and given rain showers and lashings of marble (some also got soaking tubs); dark hardwood floors and kitchenettes were added to some suites; and four new suites were added to the mix. Suites do well for the Plaza Athenee, so they take them seriously. They call their entry-level suite, which is 670 sq ft, "the best deal in New York," given its space and luxury. That deal? Around $895 a night.

The Penthouse Suite, which you'll see highlights of in our gallery, goes for a cool $6,600 a night. The price for the Thai Suite, the hotel's cream of the crop, isn't listed—and your mom was right. If you have to ask for the price, you can't afford it.

Still, we can dream ... Technicolor dreams starring Pierce, of course.

P.S. The Plaza Athenee is also getting a brand new spa, with four private treatment suites. It should be open this Spring, and we'll bring you more of the details as the opening gets closer.