When the UN General Assembly kicks off in New York, hotels will be on high alert, crawling with security and defending their high-profile diplomatic guests.
But only one hotel will be full-up with exclusively UN-credentialed guests.
The newly reflagged ONE UN -- until recently the Millennium UN Plaza -- is fully booked by diplomatic delegations in part due to its enviable location inside the security cordon that usually envelops the proceedings. That means big wigs have easy access to meetings -- and don't have to deal with perimeter security once they've been cleared.
While the newly renovated West Tower of the hotel has a new, fresh, contemporary look, the hotel has a long history of hosting diplomats and the stories to go along with them.
Secretary of State George Shultz stayed at the ONE UN (then the Millennium) during every General Assembly he attended as part of his official duties. A tennis player, he'd schedule court time with then-General Manager Ivan Chadima and tennis pro Ivan Lendl when not on the clock. Security wasn't an issue: the hotel is the only one in the city with an indoor tennis court.
President Jimmy Carter is the only U.S. President to stay at the hotel; presidents usually stay at the Waldorf-Astoria when overnighting in New York City.
British Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher, Tony Blair and John Major have all stayed at the hotel, as have Jacques Chirac, Helmut Kohl and Daniel Ortega. (The Nicaraguan president was once seen jogging nearby, with security officers alongside him carrying automatic weapons.)
In 2011 alone, the ONE UN hosted 29 delegations, including visitors from North Korea.
While the hotel's all booked up for the UNGA, the newly renovated rooms will be open to the public after this year's session closes on October 1.
All photos: Paul Brady/The Huffington Post
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