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15 Amazing Hotels for Book Lovers (#8 Has a Private Library)

If your idea of a good time is to be surrounded by books, these hotels are for you.

reading a vintage novel book
Updated Oct. 1, 2024
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Books are magical. They sweep us off to faraway places and tap the full power of our imaginations.

If you're a book lover with some vacation time on your hands, there are some incredible hotels that cater to your passion.

Step up your travel game by getting lost in libraries, embracing the ghosts of literary history, and reading to your heart’s content at these fabulous hotels.

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Belmond Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Courtesy of Belmond orient express

Bring “Murder on the Orient Express” to life with a stay at this luxe hotel on wheels. You’ll feel like you are a character in an Agatha Christie novel.

Also, enjoy world-class dining and cocktails as you zoom through Europe. There’s plenty of time to read your favorite mystery novels, too.

Brighton Wonderland House

Courtesy of Wonderland House brighton wonderland house

Step into a Lewis Carroll story at this eclectic seaside hotel in Brighton, England. Each room is themed after characters such as the Tweedles, the Queen of Hearts, and Alice herself.

There is also a Madhatter Banqueting Room straight out of the rabbit hole that offers a gorgeous sea view.

Gladstone's Library

Courtesy of Gladstone's Library gladstones library

Want to live at a library? Head to this destination in Wales, which has 26 bedrooms, a lounge, and even a restaurant. Spend your days surrounded by 150,000 items and elegant architecture.

Curl up solo in your room or join fellow literary nerds in Gladstone’s Reading Rooms.

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Inn at BoonsBoro

Courtesy of Boonsboro inn at boonsboro

Nora Roberts fans rejoice: The author and her husband own an inn in Maryland with rooms themed after romantic couples from famous literary works.

If you need a new book to enjoy, pop across the street to the Turn the Page Bookstore and Cafe, which Roberts’ husband owns.

Lake Austin Spa Resort

Courtesy of Lake Austin Spa Resort lake austin

This wellness-oriented resort in Texas is great for book lovers. Relax in the Garden Library, where you can curl up with a novel and enjoy lake views.

The library features a fireplace and crystal gondola chandelier that dates back to the 18th century.

L’Hotel

Courtesy of L’Hotel l’hotel

If Oscar Wilde is your favorite writer — and your tastes are equally posh — a vacation at this hotel in Paris is for you.

“The Picture of Dorian Gray” author was staying in the building when he died in 1900. You can even book Wilde’s suite, which has its own private terrace.

Pacific Inn

Courtesy of Pacific Inn pacific inn

Many fans of the “Twilight” series have made the pilgrimage to Forks, Washington, to see where it all began. The perfect hotel for this journey is the Pacific Inn, which is the ideal setting for your selfie.

Be sure to book the “Twilight”-themed room so you can fully immerse yourself in the magic.

Pulitzer Amsterdam

Courtesy of Pulitzer Amsterdam pulitzer amsterdam

Few names in modern literature are bigger than Pulitzer, the namesake of this elegant, canal-side hotel in idyllic Amsterdam. The hotel has 25 classic Dutch canal houses that look like they came straight out of a novel.

Naturally, you have to stay in the Book Collector’s Suite, which has a private library.

Saxon Hotel, Villas & Spa

Courtesy of Saxon Hotel saxon hotel

One of the most important autobiographies ever written was Nelson Mandela’s “The Long Walk to Freedom.” The beloved late president of South Africa completed it at this residence-turned-hotel.

This mindfulness-centered South African retreat boasts a premium Nelson Mandela suite if you want to soak in Mandela’s spirit.

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Sylvia Beach Hotel

Courtesy of Sylvia Beach Hotel sylvia beach hotel

This Oregon hotel is all about literature — from the author- and book-themed rooms to the James Joyce Library, complete with a roaring fireplace.

There’s no Wi-Fi at this hotel, nor are there televisions or telephones. So, you can truly unplug with that epic 700-page novel you brought.

The Algonquin Hotel

Courtesy of The Algonquin Hotel algonquin hotel

This chic Manhattan mainstay was once a hub of literary geniuses such as Dorothy Parker and Harold Ross. That group of writers was known as the Algonquin Round Table. They would gather, dine, drink, and share ideas during the Roaring ‘20s.

The New Yorker was founded at this landmark hotel, which honors its legacy and traditions.

The Heathman Hotel

Courtesy of The Heathman Hotel the heathman hotel

The gem of this Portland, Oregon, hotel is its elegant two-story library, complete with mahogany walls. There are more than 2,700 titles to peruse, each signed by its prestigious author.

When you are done reading or taking in a cultural event, enjoy cocktails and bites at The Library restaurant.

The Library Hotel

Courtesy of The Library Hotel the library hotel

Book lovers can’t miss this iconic Manhattan hotel, which is library-themed. Rooms are organized via the Dewey Decimal Classification system, with corresponding room decor. Their book collection has more than 6,000 titles.

The rooms have their own private libraries as well. Naturally, there are ample reading spaces to enjoy.

The Plaza

Courtesy of The Plaza the plaza

One of the most famous hotels in New York City is known for being the birthplace of the “Eloise” series of books. Fans can have a truly immersive experience in Eloise’s “pink, pink, pink” room.

Head to The Palm Court for afternoon tea and drop a letter in Eloise’s special mailbox.

For added literary appeal, both Truman Capote and F. Scott Fitzgerald were Plaza regulars.

The Study at Yale

Courtesy of The Study at Yale the study at yale

A hotel designed with scholarly pursuits in mind? Yes, please! This New Haven, Connecticut, retreat has the Living Room, which hosts exciting cultural happenings and is filled with books and art.

All rooms have leather reading chairs where you can relax and read the day away. Book a King Study suite for the full bookworm experience.

Bottom line

Syda Productions/Adobe woman in sweater reading book

Whether you want a themed experience or just to be surrounded by spines, these hotels are sure to enchant your senses.

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