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The Plaza Has Possibly the Pinkest Christmas Tree Ever

Where: 5th Avenue and 59th Street, New York, United States

First there was the Betsey Johnson-designed Eloise suite, then came the Betsey Johnson pop-up shop and now The Plaza in New York has a whole Betsey Johnson Christmas tree as well.

Just completed and lit during a tea service yesterday, the Betsey Johnson/Eloise tree is perhaps the hottest pink tree you'll ever see; it's 18 feet high and some of the ornaments are stuffed with Betsey goodies (like jewelry and underwear).

It's free to stop in and see the tree, which is not in the lobby but nearer the Palm Court, but it'll only be shining that fuchsia glow through January 4. Meanwhile if you'd like to buy a few things off the tree, the pop-up in The Plaza's downstairs shops will be open longer—until January 9.

For a whole slew of photos of the tree's decorating and Betsey striking poses, hit up the Facebook gallery.

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When Caribbean Week Hits NYC, A Flip-Flop Ball Will Hit The Plaza

Where: 5th Avenue at 59th St [map], New York, NY, United States, 10014

Visiting New York's famous Plaza Hotel is a dream for many people, but what about mixing The Plaza's upper-class hoighty-toightiness with some good ol' casual fun? Now that's something we could get into, and it looks like we won't have to wait too long. A Flip-Flop Ball will go down at The Plaza on June 10, in celebration of "Caribbean Week" in NYC.

The event is open to the public, so long as you cough up $350 for a ticket (most proceeds go to scholarships "for Caribbean nationals pursuing careers in tourism").

From the ankle-up, you should dress as if you're attending a regular floofy ball at The Plaza. However, from the ankle down, feel free to bust out the plastic flower-bedecked thongs, your favorite pair of cozy $2.50 Old Navy flops, or—our personal favorites—the Reef sandals with bottle-opener soles. That little extra gadget surely helps cut some of the time waiting for your beer at the bar.

Oh, wait—did we mention there'll be Caribbean rum tastings all night? Stay tune to their Facebook page for when they release the tickets for the ball.

[Photo: minimalistphotography]

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Kelsey and Kayte's Plaza Wedding Reception Starred a Masterpiece Cake

Just days after his 56th birthday, actor Kelsey Grammer took to the Plaza Hotel to celebrate his marriage to 29-year-old Kayte Walsh—a former Virgin Atlantic flight attendant who may now count herself as Grammer bride No. 4.

The mismatched couple—known for shameless public displays of affection—were reported to have booked the hotel back in early February, and—thanks to a TMZ-released five-page banquet order—details of the lavish wedding reception soon became public knowledge. A $400 per head cost of the event guaranteed a "Premium" open bar, champagne toast (unfortunately, the speech itself remained un-published), and mouthwatering hors d'oeuvres like goat cheese truffles, butterflied ginger prawns, and handmade arepas. After reading through the five-star menu, even we would be willing to tolerate a poolside groping session with the Gramms himself.

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Afternoon Tea At The Plaza Isn't All It's Cracked Up To Be

We went to afternoon tea at The Plaza last Sunday. Whoopdee do. It was perhaps the worst and most expensive tea service we've ever had, and yet this was The Plaza, for Pete's sake. We were excited, we were going with two friends, and we knew the hotel would be in full holiday regalia so that we'd get the full, heartwarming experience. But so many things went wrong that our tea, and the over $100 check, left nothing but a bitter taste in our mouth.

First, we understand that the hotel may have been busier than normal, seeing as how it's a holiday season Sunday. Second, the hotel used to have tea in the opulent adjoining Palm Court, but when that idea failed to make a profit despite costing $60 per person, they moved it to where we had the $35 version: in the lobby, in the area they call the Champagne Bar.

Perhaps the first sign of trouble was when we noticed everyone drinking bottles of Dom Perignon around us, at noon on a Sunday...

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The Plaza's Fancy Santa Claus Says 'Happy Holidays'

How much is that Santa in the window? No really, how much did New York's Plaza Hotel pay to get this guy, who has a full real beard and the perfect joviality for this gig? We're guessing big bucks, considering the custom Santa suit complete with The Plaza's crest on the hat.

On December Sundays, you'll be able to take your kids down into The Plaza's Retail Collection shops on the lower level and have them pose with not just any mall Santa, but The Plaza Santa. He's just down around the corner from the Eloise Shop, which was our original reason for venturing into The Plaza's bowels in the first place. If you stop by, tell him we say "hi" back.

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The Plaza's New Eloise Shop Has Plaza Pricetags

If you think that little girls go gaga over American Girl, then you haven't realized that little girls will love anything pink and pint-size. This past weekend, we hit up The Plaza Hotel to check out how the holiday tourist season was treating it, and also to wander down into their shops for a peek at the newly-opened Eloise Shop.

Entering the thoroughly pink space at the end of the lower-level Plaza Retail Collection, we realized that American Girl (and the buying frenzy it generates) is exactly what The Plaza is going for with this space. Perhaps they finally paid attention to how many bright red American Girl shopping bags come in with their guests during this season.

So in the Eloise shop, you'll find a tea room with mini tables and chairs, a boudoir-type space where the moms sit, a powder room, a "closet" with little stage and mirrors, and an activity room with bean bag chairs—also pink. But in each nook and cranny is stuffed stuff for sale, at prices that would make an American Girl weep.

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Double the Tesla Car Fun at The Plaza

Where: 5th Avenue at 59th Street [map], New York, ny, United States, 10019

Weren't kidding about the Tesla electric car taking up brief residence at The Plaza Hotel, and today it arrived to a gaggle of delighted tourists and confused hotel guests.

Granted that it's a day late in showing up, which leads us to think that this might be a one-day only deal because of the weather. Light rain now falls on both the Tesla Model S (the white one) and the Tesla Roadster (the hot little red number), and yet the curious continue to approach for cell phone snaps and quick chats with the Tesla representatives. Luckily we snapped our pictures before the Tesla reps surrounded the cars with stanchions.

Says a Tesla rep of their decision to park in front of The Plaza, of all places: "Well, this Model S is just our push car, so the interior is filled with foam. The working model took publicity pictures yesterday in front of MoMA, and we've been all around New York. Here is great exposure." You heard it here first, folks: The Plaza Hotel is now doing double-duty as an eco-auto showroom. Get there today, just in case they split before the weekend!

Check out all of our pictures from the Tesla's visit to The Plaza at the Flickr Set.

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Tesla Electric Car Will Park at The Plaza This Week

Where: 5th Avenue at 59th Street [map], New York, ny, United States, 10019

It may be auto show time in the more car-centric cities of the United States, but New York City, as usual, has other plans. Instead of packing a convention center with the newest gas-guzzlers, the city will have one of the Tesla Model S electric cars on display for two days in the lobby of The Plaza Hotel. Although we definitely don't equate eco-friendly innovation with The Plaza, the fact that they're allowing Tesla to squat in their opulent digs raises our opinion of the place a tad.

Just a tad, though, as the car will only be on display on April 30 and May 1, reports Treehugger, who also notes that Tesla representatives will be on hand to answer questions and even take orders for the Model S. If you're not in New York, you can catch the Tesla car on the David Letterman show the night before its Plaza debut, April 29.

Expect us to totally be checking this out, and we think that the lobby will be packed with other curious urbanites, green advocates and car fans during its brief Plaza stint. If one can no longer drop $60 on a single tea service in The Palm Court, then at least the hotel has given people something else at which to gawk and snap pictures.

[Photo: PSFK]

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NY Fashion Week Spills Over Into Big Name Hotels

Today is the day that stilettos and mascara wands invade the area around Bryant Park in New York City as Fashion Week winds up for weeks-worth of designer runway shows. With over 200 shows and presentations planned, not all can be held in the temporary tents at the official Bryant Park space, and this means that the city's trendy hotels end up with a healthy chunk of the action.

In case you happen to be in the Big Apple right now and are wondering why black town cars are whisking away fashionistas from your hotel stoop, we've compiled a list of the top hotel fashion destinations for events this week:

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Eloise is Back at the Plaza Again; Grand Opening Party However is On Hold

Where: 5th Ave. at 59th St. [map], New York, ny, United States, 10019

After a few years of living elsewhere, Eloise has returned to The Plaza again. A portrait of the six-year-old children's book heroine was returned to its original resting place on the near the famous Palm Court dining room. The child actress Jordana Beatty, who will play Eloise in an upcoming movie, was on hand for the unveiling too.

The portrait was returned to its original spot on a wall outside the sumptuous restaurant, whose stained-glass ceiling, covered with plaster in the 1940s, was uncovered and restored during the two-year renovation.

Children staying at the Plaza who love Eloise can order an Eloise bubble bath with milk and cookies (pet turtle not included) and can choose goodies and eats from a children's menu with Eloise's picture on the front.

Hmmm...we think if these parental units are shelling out $1,000 a night at the Plaza, the hotel can do better than a bubble bath and a menu with a picture of Eloise on it. But that's just us.

The Plaza officially opened to the public on Sunday but there will be no grand opening party for at least a year. Page Six reports:

The Plaza's grand opening party set for last Saturday was canceled at the last minute due to a death in the owner's family. A spy said, "They had to send out like 2,000 e-mails to people telling them not to come." A rep for the event, Harriet Weintraub, said, "Itzhak Tshuva's mother died, and in the [Jewish] Orthodox tradition, you can't have a celebration for a year. It will be rescheduled."

[Photo: NYTimes]