16 Aug 2023
I had a very good experience on this tour with my wife and another couple. Staff at the company accommodated our minor adjustment in timing to account for the train schedule. Annabel, our tour guide, was excellent. Her enthusiasm for the subject (architecture) came through during the tour and made the tour informative, interesting and energetic.
We met up and chatted a bit about why we wanted to go on the tour and also about her interests.
She also let us know that she mapped out bathroom stops along the her route which is always helpful.
Annabel was very informative during the tour. She could tell us the stories behind the building facades; how one building affected another, why buildings were constructed where and by whom. She had plenty of facts and names that filled out the story of each building.
She was able to get us inside some of the buildings too. We got to see some of the great details and fabulous colors of lobbies, stairways, dining rooms and music rooms.
She also took us to one of the best "POPS" (Privately Owned Public Spaces) in NYC. I recently found out about these and they are fascinating. Annabel took us to one of them that has a waterfall: very fun and interesting to find out all about it.
At he end of the official three hours Annabel gave us her happy smile and said "Do you want to see just a few more buildings? Right around the corner!" However, I was out of energy though I wish I could have stayed for more.
One minor improvement would be to spend a bit less time at the first stop (the Plaza Hotel and the Plaza Fountain) though I'm sure that Annabel just wanted to set the tone for the tour and get things started on the right foot.
I highly recommend this tour.