Warwick Hotel
Hotel Information: Now protected by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Warwick New York Hotel opened in 1926 with apartments for visiting Hollywood and theatrical friends of William Randolph Hearst and his paramour, Marion Davis. Davis had a floor to herself. A gallery off the marble/crystal-chandelier lobby displays photos of past guests such as Cary Grant, Elvis Presley, Audrey Hepburn, and the Beatles.
Amenity highlights: Murals on 54 restaurant features innovative Continental cuisine, and contains six historical murals painted by the then-"dean of American illustrators" Dean Cornwell in 1937–1938 at the behest of William Randolph Hearst. The murals depict Sir Walter Raleigh receiving his charter from Queen Elizabeth I in 1584 and Raleigh landing in America. For light meals, there's the intimate mahogany-paneled Randolph's Bar & Lounge.
Insider tip: Because of a compensation dispute, painter Dean Cornwell included images in his murals that were considered obscene at the time. When the dispute was settled, Cornwell painted out one of the images. The others remain. The controversy resulted in one mural being covered for more than 40 years.
The 33-story Warwick New York Hotel offers 359 guestrooms and 67 suites. Décor includes mahogany furniture and botanical/landscape prints.
All accommodations have white comforters, large desks, two multi-line speakerphones, and wireless Internet access (surcharge). Other amenities include minibars, umbrellas, and TVs with pay movies and video games (surcharge).
Marble bathrooms contain pedestal sinks, shower/tub combinations, makeup mirrors, and English Gilchrist & Soames toiletries.
