Leona Helmsley’s attention to detail was unheard of and unparalleled in the hotel industry.

“She was really into being into everything,” recalled a New York Helmsley insider. “She would walk into the kitchen and make sure everything was perfect and everything was very clean.”

Unlike competing hotels, she was a corporate head who really was involved with the day-to-day activities – much to both the staff’s chagrin and admiration. “At these other hotels, the top people weren’t involved with every thing the way Mrs. H was. She really cared. It was very important to her to make sure everything really was beautifully prepared.”