The Algonquin Hotel in Manhattan was Sir Noel Coward's favourite hotel in New York. He stayed there many times. It was the first stop after he had landed by ship in the USA. It has been called the British hotel in New York because of the number of British theatre stars who have stayed there."Waiting for Coward" takes place there and the action is before and after a dinner with Coward.

The contents of the book also include descriptions of Coward's favourite hotels in Europe.