"A century-old landmark that opened in October 1923, I pop up to the 11th floor of the Stoneleigh Hotel to see rooms that recreate Dorothy Draper’s original 1920s decor—recreated in 2008—including spaces designed in an English manor home style with art deco flair; the 12th-floor penthouse purchased in 1934 is still a rentable suite. Over the years many celebrities have stayed here, including Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Audrey Hepburn, LeAnn Rimes, Oliver Stone, Judy Garland, Frank Lloyd Wright, Lauren Bacall, Tom Cruise, Carol Channing, Yoko Ono, and Dan Aykroyd. After touring the historic rooms I head down to the ground-floor dining room to try chef Esayas Estifanos’s baby back ribs, which use a rub with spices from South Asia and Africa and deliver a noticeable kick. The hotel also hosts exclusive speakeasy events (tickets required) on July 18 and August 15 featuring bites, cocktails, and live entertainment." - Courtney E. Smith