Hotel Elysee
Midtown East, Manhattan, New York CityBuilt in 1926, and named after the finest French restaurant at the time, the Elysee lobby still evokes its Francophile roots. The hotel became a long-term residence for movie stars, authors, and musicians. Marlon Brando had a suite, now named "Sayonara" after his role in Teahouse of the August Moon'.' In 1983, writer Tennessee Williams died in the Sunset suite, after having written much of his late material while living in the hotel. World-renowned pianist Vladimir Horowitz moved a Steinway baby grand piano into the hotel when he took up temporary residence. Upon checkout, he famously shrugged at the hotel's manager and said, "Keep it." (The piano remains in the Presidential suite to this day.)
