NEW YORK — Hundreds of New Yorkers and tourists flocked to The Plaza Hotel earlier this month for the landmark's reopening after a three-year, $400 million renovation.

"They say this place is the world's most famous hotel," said doorman Freddy Davila, who worked for the hotel for 15 years until it closed in 2005. "It's wonderful to be back," he said as he welcomed visitors up the red-carpeted steps.

"We just had to see inside," said Owen Mathieu, visiting from Marblehead, Mass. "We've seen it in the movies. Everybody's heard of it."

The Plaza, a National Historic Landmark overlooking Central Park, first opened in 1907. Marilyn Monroe was photographed here, and guests included the Beatles and Frank Lloyd Wright. Its ballroom was the setting of Truman Capote's "Black and White Ball" and the wedding of Richard Nixon's daughter Julie. Scenes were shot at the hotel for movies including "North by Northwest," "Barefoot in the Park," "Crocodile Dundee" and "Home Alone 2." Past owners include Conrad Hilton and Donald Trump.

The Plaza's current owners, Elad Properties, initially planned to convert all guest rooms into condominiums, but the plan was opposed by preservationists and the hotel workers' union. Negotiations with Mayor Michael Bloomberg led to a deal that resulted in 282 hotel rooms, down from the original 805, and 181 apartments.

OLD AND NEW: The restored features include gleaming mosaic floors, sparkling chandeliers and gold-trimmed ceilings.