The Library at The St. Regis

A murrain on the flashy new motel! One melancholy phenomenon of our era is the decay of great elegant hotels. A half dozen such have vanished from New York in the past year or two. Their architecture and décor will not be seen again.

Like great ocean vessels, these magnificent hotels of the St. Regis’ period supplied every want of their guests, as if all were on a lengthy voyage. In those days, people stayed for a week or more, often while waiting for a ship to Europe. In this time of alleged “leisure,” the overnight guest predominates. For my part, I could browse happily in the St. Regis’ library for a week. Thanks to the Sheraton people, the hotel and its books are guaranteed at least another 25 years’ existence.

RK

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Russell Kirk

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A murrain on the flashy new motel! One melancholy phenomenon of our era is the decay of great elegant hotels. A half dozen such have vanished from New York in the past year or two. Their architecture and décor will not be seen again.

Like great ocean vessels, these magnificent hotels of the St. Regis’ period supplied every want of their guests, as if all were on a lengthy voyage. In those days, people stayed for a week or more, often while waiting for a ship to Europe. In this time of alleged “leisure,” the overnight guest predominates. For my part, I could browse happily in the St. Regis’ library for a week. Thanks to the Sheraton people, the hotel and its books are guaranteed at least another 25 years’ existence.