The Algonquin Hotel has an amazing heritage and is one of New York City’s oldest hotels. This famous American historic hotel is located at 59 West 44th Street in Midtown Manhattan. More importantly, The Algonquin is immensely popular because of a tradition of keeping a cat that has the run of the hotel. It has been so for almost a century. Enjoy the incredible story of a cat celebrity. Just be careful, Hamlet is submerged in luxury, and it’s never been easier to be envious of a pet.

The whisker’s got his own Chief Cat Officer, he receives fan mail from all over the world, and everyone at the hotel loves him. Imagine having nine lives, and spending them all so fabulously.

Built in 1902, the Algonquin Hotel staff took in the first cat during the 1920s

You have probably heard of the Algonquin Round Table, a group of New York City’s writers, critics, and actors.

They used to meet for a lunch every day at the hotel. Algonquin hotel offers quite typical services: the food is included, it’s got 181 rooms, the view is interesting, and fancy pet treehouses all over the place. Wait, what?! That’ right, Algonquin employees love cats. The hotel’s symbol is a cat, and it has been so since the first stray kitten walked in the hotel like a boss.

That was Rusty, and the rest is history. Apparently, John Barrymore who was a frequent guest at the hotel didn’t like that name and suggested changing it to Hamlet. Since then, the hotel’s male cats were all named Hamlet, and female kitties were all Mathilda.

The current resident feline is Hamlet VIII, and he came after the reign of three Mathildas

One thing you’ll love about the whole concept. Mathilda who ruled the hotel before Hamlet came is still alive, but it’s the hotel policy to retire a cat when it gets older so that it can enjoy the old days in peace.

In 2017, now 4-year-old orange tabby was found in a feral colony near Hempstead, Long Island. Little did he know that he was about to become the most famous cat in Manhattan. Hamlet is the 12th Algonquin cat.

Apart from chasing toys all over the place, and enjoying being spoiled to the bone, Hamlet has to take part in the hotel’s annual Cat Fashion Show. The goal is to raise money for the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals.

Alice De Almeida, executive assistant, and Chief Cat Officer has been working with Algonquin cats for almost two decades

Before you ask, yes – Chief Cat Officer is an actual job. It is reserved for those who love cats, and Alice just knows her way to a feline’s heart. She’s been helping Hamlet to get used to his new home, and all his responsibilities.

If you think that the life of a celebrity is easy, think twice. Hamlet has to welcome all his fans, play with them, let them cuddle with him, and accept all that love that’s been coming from everywhere across the globe.

Some fans have recently sent him mice toys from Australia, and he doesn’t stop chasing them around.

“Dogs have owners, cats have staff”

You’ll likely be hearing that one a lot if you decide to stay at the Algonquin Hotel. The truth is, cats are more likely to have it their way, we all know that dogs and cats are completely different. Hamlet is also active on social media, and Alice helps him maintain the content.

Maybe you can try and email Hamlet, he’ll probably respond. Such a responsible kitty. We’re glad to see that people take such good care of animals, the world is a better place with our pets in it.

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Source: DailyMail; UntappedCities; NyPost; Wikipedia; Instagram