Curtis Gathje, The Plaza's official historian since 1994, covers the hotel's history including:

• the demolition of the original eight-story Plaza (deemed outmoded after 15 years)

• the new and improved Plaza's first guest (Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt)

• the various interior designs (including the Christian Dior and Frank Lloyd Wright Suites)

• Kay Thompson's Eloise (a book about a fictitious six-year-old girl who lives in The Plaza)

• celebrity visits (The Beatles, Greta Garbo, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor and others)

• the Tricycle Garage

• movies filmed in the hotel (Home Alone 2, North by Northwest and Plaza Suite (to name just a few)

• the illumination of the hotel in violet light for a lingerie show

This book also includes a time line, filmography and bibliography.

Formerly owned by Conrad Hilton, Donald Trump and others, The Plaza is now a Fairmont Hotel.