The Algonquin Hotel in New York City has personified sophistication and elegance for more than a century. The Algonquin was a hangout for the witty New York literary set in the 1920’s. The Round Table Room was home to the famous “Vicious Circle” of the 1920’s, with Dorothy Parker. This was a favorite spot for pre and post theatre dinners. The hotel continues to pay homage to its literary connections, with copies of New Yorker Magazine in every guest room.
The hotel was home to the “vicious Circle” a group of celebrated New York wits. The clique met at the hotel daily for lunch. The group, who called themselves “The Vicious Circle” included Dorothy Parker, Franklin Pierce, Robert Benchley, Robert Sherwood, Alexander Woolcott, Harpo Marx, Harold Ross, Heywood Broun, George S. Kaufman, Marc Connelly, Franklin Pierce Adams, and Edna Ferber. There were also associates who joined the group occasionally.
Even though the Vicious Circle disbanded during the Great Depression of the 1930’s, Guests at the Algonquin Hotel have claimed to spot members of The Round Table at the hotel..
The Algonquin recently renovated an attic space on the 13th floor into a small room. This change seemed to make the hotel’s spirits unhappy. Many strange noises emanated from the room on the night the work was completed. At around 3 am a picture of Dorothy Parker fell off the wall and shattered.
History of the Algonquin Hotel
The stylish Algonquin Hotel opened its doors in 1902. The hotel quickly became a favorite spot for theater-goers and actors. The Algonquin was located near the most popular New York restaurants of the day, Delmonico’s and Sherrys. The Ziegfield Follies performed across the street at the Hippodrome. Several new theatres opened soon afterward.
Algonquin became a gathering spot for literary and theatrical figures. Famous people who frequented the hotel included Booth Tarkington, John Barrymore, Douglas Fairbanks, Sr, H. L. Mencken Gertrude Stein, and Helen Hayes. After World War I ,Vanity Fair writers Dorothy Parker, Robert E. Sherwood and Robert Benchley began meeting at the hotel for lunch. This tradition continued for a decade, enriching American literature. Writers F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway were influenced by these literary meetings.
The members of the Round Table were writers and critics. The group would freely gossip and exchange ideas during their luncheons. The group influenced each other, literature, media and entertainment of the day and of modern times.
Frank Case, the legendary Algonquin manager (1907) and owner (1927) , enjoyed the company of actors and writers and he positioned the hotel in the center of New York’s literary and theatrical life. When Mr. Case passed away in 1946 the hotel was acquired by Ben Bodne. Mr. Bodne refurbished the hotel,with attention to the preservation of the Edwardian lustre that the hotel was treasured for. The Algonquin was the first hotel in New York to introduce smoke detectors, electronic key cards and air conditioning in all rooms. A new multi million dollar historical restoration was completed in 1998.
The Algonquin enjoys a location in the heart of Manhattan, near the Theatre District and Time Square. The hotel is within walking distance to the Empire State Building, Fifth Avenue, Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall.
The Algonquin in New York was named on the “America’s Ten Great Historic Hotels by Historic Traveler Magazine. The Algonquin is a Historic Hotel of America.
The members of the Round Table were comfortable at the Algonquin Hotel in life. Some people claim they continue to make themselves comfortable at the historic hotel.
