In the heart of downtown El Paso stands a masterpiece of Art Deco architecture and old Hollywood glamour – The Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park. This Forbes Four Diamond hotel, once home to screen legend Elizabeth Taylor, has been meticulously restored to blend its rich 1930s heritage with contemporary luxury, creating an unforgettable destination for discerning travelers.
A Legacy of Luxury and Old Hollywood Glamour: From Conrad Hilton to a Young Elizabeth Taylor
Originally opened in 1930 as one of Conrad Hilton’s first high-rise hotels, The Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park quickly became a beacon of sophistication in the Southwest. Perhaps most intriguingly, the hotel’s top penthouse once served as a residence for young Elizabeth Taylor, adding to its mystique and old Hollywood connection. The 19-story architectural marvel, with its distinctive Spanish-tiled pyramidal crown, remains one of El Paso’s most recognizable landmarks.
Architectural Beauty Meets Modern Sophistication
The hotel’s preservation of its historic brick-and-concrete facade, designed by the renowned architectural firm Trost & Trost, speaks to its commitment to authenticity. Inside, guests discover a thoughtfully reimagined interior that marries modern luxury with West Texas Surrealist art. The private art collection features works by prominent contemporary Mexican and Texas artists, including Victoria Villasana and Tom Lea, creating an atmosphere that’s both sophisticated and culturally rich.
Luxury Accommodations and Amenities
Every room and amenity of The Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park speaks to thoughtful luxury.
Guest Rooms
Drawing inspiration from Pueblo Revival Art Deco architecture and West Texas’s dramatic landscape, the hotel’s 130 rooms and suites offer sophisticated comfort with views of the Franklin Mountains and endless Texas skies.
Starting at 334 square feet, the Classic Guest Rooms offer executive workstations and comfortable seating areas, available with king, queen, or double bed configurations, each featuring custom millwork and marble bathrooms. The Pioneer Guest Rooms, spanning 335-550 square feet and positioned between floors 10-16, provide similar amenities with king or two queen options, including ADA-accessible accommodations. For the ultimate in luxury, the 775-square-foot Landmark Suites occupy the 11th floor, featuring premium views, a king bed, living room with minibar, and a separate sitting room with desk. These suites also boast dual-vanity bathrooms, a powder room, Le Labo amenities, and Tivolo sound systems, with accessible options available. All rooms come equipped with convenient automatic curtains, and the hotel warmly welcomes four-legged friends with pet-friendly accommodations, making it a true desert oasis for all guests.
Amenities
The property features eight unique meeting and event venues, a 24-hour fitness center equipped with premium Precor equipment, the interactive MIRROR app, and Peloton bikes, and La Perla – El Paso’s highest rooftop lounge offering breathtaking mountain views.
Adding to the hotel’s allure, the highly anticipated new spa opening across the street promises to be a sanctuary of opulence and relaxation, creating a perfect complement to the hotel’s refined offerings.
An Unparalleled Culinary Journey
The culinary program across all venues consistently delivers extraordinary flavors and presentations that would satisfy the most discerning palates. Under the guidance of Executive Chef Lawrence Acosta, each dish emerges from the kitchen as a carefully orchestrated symphony of textures and tastes, demonstrating the chefs’ remarkable expertise and unwavering commitment to culinary excellence.
Ámbar Restaurante
The Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park offers an extraordinary culinary journey through its signature dining venues. The hotel’s crown jewel, Ámbar Restaurante, presents an elegant open-kitchen concept on the lobby level, masterfully designed by Johnson Studio. Here, the culinary team creates an exquisite fusion of Mexican traditions and Texas heritage, perfectly reflecting the borderland’s rich gastronomic culture. The kitchen produces exceptional churrasco-grilled meats and refined interpretations of regional classics like carnitas, enchiladas suizas, and ceviche – each dish a masterpiece of smoke, spice, and flame. The adjacent Bar at Ámbar, distinguished by its stunning two-story backlit amber backdrop, houses the world’s most extensive agave spirits collection, featuring over 800 carefully curated bottles of mezcals, tequilas, sotols, bacanoras, and raicillas, including the coveted Patron En Lalique: Serie 3. For intimate gatherings, the 468-square-foot Ámbar Private Dining Room offers a sophisticated subterranean setting for up to 14 guests.
La Perla
Crowning the hotel on the 17th floor, La Perla rooftop bar pays homage to its storied past as the penthouse residence for a young Elizabeth Taylor. Named after the legendary La Peregrina pearl, once owned by both Spanish royalty and Taylor herself, this contemporary space offers breathtaking panoramic views of El Paso and the Franklin Mountains. Here, guests can savor innovative cocktails and expertly crafted small plates, while the La Perla South Terrace provides an enchanting 1,650-square-foot venue for private events of up to 80 guests.
Anson 11
Just steps away, sister restaurant Anson 11, housed in the historic Anson Mills building, complements the hotel’s dining portfolio with refined modern American cuisine in an atmosphere that masterfully balances sophistication with warmth. Remember, you’re in Texas, so make sure to order the Shishito Peppers and Queso Fundido Skillet. Your taste buds will thank you.
The Agave Room: A Spirits Sanctuary
But no culinary experience would be complete without libations, and the Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park offers exclusive spirits-tasting experiences that rival any in the world.
Welcome to the hotel’s new Agave Room. Designed by In*Situ Architecture and bathed in custom mesquite wood cabinetry, the intimate 14-seat Agave Room houses North America’s largest collection of agave spirits – an impressive 800 rare bottles including tequilas, mezcals, sotols, bacanoras, and raicillas.
The highlight of the Agave Room’s offerings has to be their meticulously curated tasting experiences which has two offerings:
- For those seeking a more focused spirits experience, the $50 agave spirits tastings offer an accessible entry point into the world of premium agave distillates.
- At $175 per person, the agave tasting dinners are certainly an investment in culinary excellence, and one that serious food and spirits aficionados won’t want to miss.
We had the full agave tasting dinner, and let me tell you, it was a 7-course masterclass in agaves and epicurean splendor. Led by General Manager Adrian Gonzalez, we embarked on a robust journey learning about the agave plant, the differences in mezcals, and the proper way to drink each spirit. Chef Lawrence Acosta and Pastry Chef Rojo carefully curated dishes that perfectly complemented the unique smokiness of the corresponding agaves.
Our meal began with a flavorful Botana (Citrus Corn Flan) before moving on to the savory Scallop Aguachile. Next was the most flavorful Camarón Sopa (Shrimp Soup) my lips have ever tasted, followed by a delightful Garnachas seafood corn dish. To prepare for the entrée, we cleansed our palates with a refreshing Lemon Sorbette, before diving into a mouthwatering Mezcal Marinated Salmon. Our meal concluded with a delicious Strawberry and Lemon Mousse. Simply put, this agave tasting dinner was phenomenal.
For spirits enthusiasts and culture seekers alike, the agave tasting experiences must be atop your list of things to do in El Paso.
A New Chapter in Hospitality
As the hotel celebrates its latest evolution with the addition of the Agave Room, it continues to honor its storied past while embracing modern luxury. The property’s commitment to exceptional service, coupled with its unique blend of historic charm and contemporary amenities, makes it one of the most compelling destinations in Texas.
Whether you’re a spirits connoisseur, an old Hollywood glamour aficionado, or simply seeking a luxurious desert retreat, The Plaza Hotel Pioneer Park offers an unparalleled experience that captures the essence of El Paso’s past while celebrating its vibrant present. From a young Elizabeth Taylor’s former penthouse to North America’s most impressive agave spirits collection, every detail tells a story of excellence, innovation, and timeless elegance.
Things to Do in El Paso
Situated at the intersection of North Oregon Street and West Mills Avenue, the hotel serves as the perfect base for exploring El Paso’s vibrant culture. Within walking distance, guests can discover San Jacinto Plaza, admire the city’s stunning Latino and Native American murals, visit The Plaza Theatre, or explore El Paso’s museums. The proximity to Franklin Mountains State Park offers outdoor enthusiasts endless adventure opportunities.
Here’s a List of Things to Do in El Paso
Rocketbuster Handmade Custom Boots
When in Texas, one must buy a pair of cowboy boots….
Tucked away in El Paso’s historic district, Rocketbuster Handmade Custom Boots stands as a legendary cornerstone of authentic Texas craftsmanship, creating wearable art that’s caught the eye of Hollywood A-listers and music royalty alike. During my visit to this iconic bootmaker’s workshop, I witnessed firsthand the meticulous artistry that has drawn celebrities like Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Julia Roberts, and Kendrick Lamar to commission their own pairs of these extraordinary boots. What sets Rocketbuster apart is their unwavering commitment to traditional bootmaking methods – each pair is painstakingly designed, cut, carved, stitched, and assembled entirely by hand, resulting in boots that are more museum-worthy masterpieces than mere footwear. Forget plain black, brown, or white cowboy boots, their showroom is filled with wild, whimsical, and wonderfully detailed designs. It’s clear why these boots have become the holy grail of custom Western footwear.
El Paso Museum of Art
Located in downtown, the El Paso Museum of Art (EPMA), houses an extraordinary collection of over 7,000 works and world-class exhibitions. It features one of the largest collections of Mexican retablos globally, alongside European, American, and Spanish Colonial art in its stunning 6,500-square-foot space. Art enthusiasts can enhance their visit through the museum’s unique Art School, which offers hands-on classes for all ages in ceramics, printmaking, and painting, allowing visitors to create their own masterpieces while studying original works in the museum’s galleries.
La Nube Steam Discovery Center
Looking for things to do in El Paso? The groundbreaking La Nube Children’s Museum, a stunning cloud-shaped architectural marvel in Downtown El Paso, delivers one of the Southwest’s most innovative STEAM-focused experiences where I discovered a truly immersive world of curiosity, compassion, and endless possibilities. This bilingual learning wonderland, whose name means ‘the cloud’ in Spanish, features four stories of hands-on exhibits designed by world-renowned firm Snøhetta, offering visitors of all ages and abilities the freedom to explore, create, and innovate without boundaries or instructions. During my visit, I was captivated by how this unique public-private partnership perfectly captures El Paso’s bicultural spirit while setting a new standard for interactive museums – it’s genuinely one of the most engaging and enlightening experiences I’ve encountered in my travels, making it an absolute must-visit destination for families and curious minds alike.
Cross the Border to Juárez, Mexico
For the adventurous traveler, immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Juarez, Mexico, one of the world’s largest binational metropolitan areas. Only a 30-minute walk from the hotel, you can cross the border and indulge in mouthwatering street food, shop for unique souvenirs in the markets, and have a drink at the World Famous Kentucky Bar & Grill, the home of the world’s first Margarita! Cheers! ***Make sure you bring your U.S. Driver’s License!***
