The Royal Lineage of the Algonquin Hotel Cat

Hamlet the 8th isn't your average hotel cat. He's feline royalty with twelve generations of history behind him. This important resident of the Algonquin Hotel in New York City even has his own full-time personal assistant to manage his busy schedule.

From Stray to Star

Before his rise to fame, Hamlet was just another rescue cat. He was found in a stray cat colony on Long Island. Now, he walks the halls of one of New York's most famous hotels as the 12th in a long line of resident cats.

This special tradition started back in the 1920s. A stray orange cat named Rusty wandered into the Algonquin and decided to make it home. John Barrymore, a famous actor who stayed at the hotel often, thought Rusty needed a more fancy name. He suggested "Hamlet," and that's how the legacy began.

A Hotel Designed for Cats

The Algonquin Hotel takes their feline resident very seriously. Last year, they completely redid their lobby with cats in mind. The new design includes bookshelves with special nooks and ladders just for Hamlet to enjoy.

The hotel doesn't just care about their own cat, though. They host yearly fundraisers to collect money for animal rescue groups. Their commitment to animal welfare shows in everything they do.

The Chief Cat Officer

Being a hotel cat is hard work. There are guests to greet, naps to take, and a reputation to maintain. That's why Hamlet has his very own Chief Cat Officer.

This dedicated staff member has many important duties. She answers Hamlet's emails, runs his social media accounts, and makes sure he's comfortable at all times. With someone taking care of all these details, Hamlet can focus on his main job - being an adorable hotel cat.

Since the 1920s, the hotel has always had a resident cat named either Hamlet or Matilda. Each one has been a rescue, continuing the tradition that started with a stray looking for a warm place to stay. Now, almost a hundred years later, Hamlet the 8th carries on this special hotel legacy.