Tennessee Williams. Vladimir Horowitz. Václav Havel. Beyond their fame, what links these figures is that each stayed at the Hotel Elysée during their lifetime. The hotel has honored them by naming three of its suites after these distinguished guests.
Hotel Elysée General Manager John Avina says the dedications reflect the property’s literary and cultural roots as part of the Library Hotel Collection. A Tennessee Williams suite naturally celebrates the playwright’s long association with the hotel, while the Vladimir Horowitz suite fits perfectly because it includes a piano once owned by the legendary pianist. The Vaclav Havel suite highlights the former Czech president’s career as an author and dissident intellectual.
The Tennessee Williams Suite (Suite 151) commemorates the Pulitzer Prize–winning dramatist who lived and worked at the hotel until his death in 1983. The suite’s decor incorporates authentic items tied to Williams’s career: an original Playbill from Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, a photograph from a scene in A Streetcar Named Desire, and a portrait of Williams with Bette Davis—touches that reflect his theatrical legacy and long-standing connection to the property.
The Vladimir Horowitz Suite (Suite 124) honors the American-born pianist and composer widely regarded as one of the greatest interpreters of 20th-century piano repertoire. In addition to housing one of Horowitz’s pianos, the suite displays a photograph of him receiving the President’s Special Merit Award at Radio City Music Hall, creating an atmosphere steeped in musical history.
The Vaclav Havel Suite (Suite 134) celebrates the Czech playwright, essayist, poet and statesman by showcasing personal mementos and literary works associated with him. The suite features three of Havel’s books—Open Letters, To the Castle and The Garden Party—providing guests with a tangible connection to his writing and civic contributions.
By dedicating these suites to Williams, Horowitz and Havel, Hotel Elysée preserves and shares the stories of cultural figures who shaped literature, music and politics. Each suite blends period-appropriate design and carefully selected artifacts to give visitors an immersive experience that honors the personalities who once called the hotel home.