The luxurious New York getaway featured in the 1992 film Home Alone 2: Lost in New York — where the main character, Kevin McCallister, ends up alone in New York and checks into the opulent The Plaza Hotel — would set a visitor back much more today than it did back then. According to a 2025 analysis by a travel insurance comparison firm, Kevin’s original 1992 bill of $2,109 would translate to around $8,511 today.
In 1992, Kevin reserved a suite for roughly $1,100 per night; now that same kind of suite at The Plaza runs about $6,244 per night. Meanwhile, his lavish in-room meal — which came to about $967 back then — would now cost around $2,233, reflecting rising prices on dining and hotel services over three decades. Even a simple treat like a three-scoop ice cream sundae — innocuous in 1992 at around $18 — would now cost around $24.
In short: a night in New York like Kevin’s would now cost more than four times what it cost in the film.
What’s Included — And What’s Not
The updated cost estimate accounts for far more than just inflation. It reflects modern rates at The Plaza, updated menu prices, and current hotel-service standards. However, these numbers do not include any additional expenses such as taxi rides, sightseeing, or other incidental costs (like gifts, souvenirs, or extras). Moreover, it’s worth noting that under present-day travel insurance rules, the kind of bill a solo minor racked up in the story — a luxurious hotel stay with room service, fancy desserts, and unrestricted spending — would likely be considered ineligible for coverage.
Why The Cost Has Risen So Much
Several factors contribute to the steep increase: over 30 years of inflation, increases in hotel operational costs, higher demand for luxury accommodations in a global travel hub, and the rising cost of food and services in New York City. Hotels like The Plaza have rebranded themselves as ultra-luxury destinations. Their suites and services aim for high-end clientele willing to pay premium prices. That translates into higher nightly rates, pricier menu offerings, and elevated service fees — all of which drive up the cost of replicating Kevin’s fictional stay today.
What That Means for Fans and Holiday Dreamers
For fans of the film hoping to recreate Kevin’s iconic escape, the jump in price serves as a stark reminder how much costs have changed. A nostalgic return to New York during holidays — with a stay at The Plaza — is no small budget. Even if you skip some extras (like extravagant room service), expect hotel, food, and extras to be much more expensive today. What was once a relatively modest fantasy — a solo kid’s whimsical Christmas adventure — becomes a lavish, premium-priced holiday in 2025. Finally, it highlights how cinematic magic sometimes masks real-world economics: what looks like carefree fun on screen can come with a steep real-world price tag.
Conclusion
Recreating Kevin McCallister’s iconic New York adventure from Home Alone 2 reveals just how dramatically travel and luxury-hotel costs have risen over the past three decades. What was presented in the film as a fun, spontaneous holiday escape has become a premium experience accessible mostly to high-budget travelers. From soaring suite prices at The Plaza to the inflated cost of room-service indulgences, the modern price of Kevin’s stay highlights broader trends in tourism, hospitality, and urban living. While the charm of the movie remains timeless, duplicating its fantasy in today’s world requires a level of spending far beyond what audiences might expect. As such, Kevin’s adventure now serves as a nostalgic reminder of a different economic era — and a playful example of how movie magic often diverges from reality.
