How Much Kevin McCallister’s 1992 Plaza Hotel Stay Would Cost Today
Kevin McCallister’s stay at the Plaza Hotel in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York has become one of the most memorable luxury moments in a holiday movie. In the 1992 film, Kevin charges an extravagant New York City hotel experience to his father’s credit card, complete with a suite, an elaborate room service order, and a towering ice cream sundae. More than three decades later, multiple pricing analyses show just how dramatically that same stay would add up today.
Kevin McCallister’s Plaza Hotel Charges in 1992
The film briefly shows an itemized receipt that outlines Kevin’s expenses during his stay. Based on what appears on screen, the charges in 1992 break down as follows:
– Plaza Hotel suite: $1,100
– Room service meal: $967
– Ice cream sundae: $18
The total comes to $2,109. At the time, this was a substantial amount for a single night, particularly for a child traveling alone.
Updated Costs for the Same Stay in 2025
Using current Plaza Hotel rates, updated menu prices, and inflation data, analysts have recalculated what Kevin’s stay would cost if it were booked today. The revised figures show a significant increase:
– Plaza Hotel suite: $6,244
– Room service meal: $2,233
– Ice cream sundae: $24
Together, these charges bring the total to $8,511 in 2025. Compared with the original $2,109 bill, this represents an increase of over 300 percent.
The Biggest Culprit for the Increase
Image via Canva/kppwc25
The largest change comes from the cost of the hotel room itself. Kevin’s suite was priced at $1,100 per night in 1992. Today, an equivalent suite at the Plaza averages $6,244 per night, depending on availability and season. This single line item explains most of the difference between the two totals.
Room service prices have also risen noticeably, increasing from just under $1,000 to more than $2,200 for a comparable order. Dessert prices, by contrast, show a smaller increase, with the ice cream sundae rising by $6 over the same period.
A Clear Look at Rising Luxury Travel Costs
The $8,511 estimate reflects only the charges shown on Kevin McCallister’s hotel receipt. It does not include transportation around New York City, such as taxi or limousine rides depicted in the film. It also does not account for modern hotel policies, which would typically prevent a minor from checking in alone or charging expenses without parental authorization.
That said, Kevin McCallister’s Plaza Hotel was already expensive in 1992 and would be far more costly today, even without adding transportation or other incidental expenses.