The Best 10 Hotels for Book Lovers

The 23rd of April is not another day in Catalonia. It is Sant Jordi’s Day (Saint George), a regional festivity where everybody gives a book to their loved ones. As it is also International Book Day, we usually recommend different hospitality-related readings. This time, though, we have selected some of the best hotel spaces where you can enjoy a good book. These ten hotels, scattered around the world, offer more than just a comfortable stay; they also have extraordinary libraries that turn any stay into an unforgettable experience for literature lovers. Keep reading to find them out!

Hotel Emma, San Antonio

Built over a former 19^th century brewery in San Antonio, the building has now become a beautiful boutique hotel. Its name pays homage to Emma Koehler, known for her resilient leadership during the prohibition era. Its facilities combine industrial with modern elements: as a visitor you can still spot steel beams, beer tanks, and the old machinery of the brewery, now harmoniously blended with elegant and modern furniture, creating an environment that is both cozy and surprisingly sophisticated. But what makes us put the Hotel Emma on our list is its impressive two-story library, entirely clad in wood, housing more than 3,700 books. The space is not only inviting for a good reading, but also it serves as a casual meeting place for guests to share a drink or two.

B2 Hotel, Zürich

None other than 33,000 books fill up the walls of this centric hotel in Zurich. It’s not your common library; it’s a multifunctional space where guests can enjoy a peaceful breakfast in the morning, hold business meetings during the day, or simply relax with a coffee or a glass of wine in a welcoming and culturally enriching environment. The books cover a wide range of topics, and the space’s design combines traditional and modern elements, creating a cozy atmosphere, with a fireplace that adds a touch of warmth and romance. Events and literary meetings are regularly organized, along with presentations of new publications and discussions with writers.

The Cadogan – A Belmond Hotel, London

Room No. 118 is undoubtedly the most remarkable room in this Victorian hotel in central London. In 1895, Oscar Wilde was arrested there for his love affair with Lord Alfred Douglas, whose father accused him of committing “serious indecency and homosexual acts.” This room is now known as the Royal Suite and has been carefully preserved to reflect the Victorian era. In addition to its history, the hotel houses a collection of 600 books cast in bronze in its lobby and offers private libraries in each room, individually curated by the local independent bookstore John Sandoe Books.

Chelsea Hotel, New York

Located at 222 West 23rd Street, between the Seventh and Eighth Avenues in Manhattan, it has been an inspiration for artists, writers, musicians, and bohemians since it opened its doors in 1884. The Chelsea Hotel is not just a place to stay; it’s a living piece of the pop culture history of New York’s bohemian life. Within its walls with Victorian decor have walked writers like Mark Twain, Arthur Miller, and Tennessee Williams; singer-songwriters like Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, and Leonard Cohen; and artists like Andy Warhol and his Factory superstars. Leonard Cohen immortalized the hotel in his song “Chelsea Hotel No. 2,” which speaks of his brief relationship with Janis Joplin. In addition to its rich cultural history, the Chelsea Hotel is known for its ghost stories and somewhat decadent atmosphere, which has attracted visitors and New Yorkers alike.

Book and Bed, Tokyo

“Sleeping with books” is the concept of Book and Bed, a unique accommodation located in Tokyo that combines the comforts of a hostel with the charm of a library. As a guest, you can spend the night surrounded by shelves full of books. Its interior is meticulously designed to maximize space and comfort, with beds ingeniously integrated into the shelves, creating private and sheltered corners. You can find copies in both Japanese and English, from classic literature to contemporary novels, travel books, and non-fiction works. Additionally, during the day, the hostel is open to the public, allowing visitors not only to browse the books but also to meet other travelers and locals in a relaxed atmosphere, also suitable for work.

The Library, Thailand

Koh Samui, one of Thailand’s most charming islands, is home to The Library, a boutique hotel located on the beachfront that combines luxury, design, and culture in the midst of natural surroundings. And its name leaves no doubt about the quiet and thoughtful experience you will find there. The hotel’s design is innovative and bold, with primary colors, extensive use of open spaces and glass windows to integrate nature into its interior, and installations by local artists. Its library contains a collection of 1,400 books, magazines, and movies, in various languages.

The Literary Man, Portugal

Óbidos, declared a Literary Village by UNESCO, is surely the unbeatable place to open one of the world’s best literary hotels. This 19th-century convent was converted into a themed hotel that houses more than 50,000 books, scattered everywhere, from the lobby to the rooms. Shelves filled with books create the atmosphere of a classic library, while vintage furniture and rustic details reinforce the feeling of being in a bygone era. Guests can choose books to read during their stay in multiple common areas that invite relaxation and reading, such as the wine bar, which also serves as a reading room. Additionally, some titles are also for sale.

Ambassade Hotel, Amsterdam

The peculiarity of this hotel is not so much the quantity of books in its collection, which reaches 4,000 titles, but that they are all signed by authors who have stayed at the hotel. These books are on display in the “Authors’ Library,” creating a unique cultural space that is both a library and a literary gallery. The collection includes works by famous international writers such as Salman Rushdie, Toni Morrison, and José Saramago, among others. Each hotel room also features selected books that guests can enjoy during their stay. Located among the canals of Amsterdam, the hotel maintains a close relationship with the publishing and literary world, organizing events and collaborating with literary festivals, making it a meeting point for intellectuals and literature enthusiasts from around the world.

Hotel Monteleone, New Orleans

Can you imagine a hotel with rooms dedicated to different authors? That’s the Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans, which has its “Author Suites,” dedicated and decorated rooms in honor of famous writers who have passed through its doors like Ernest Hemingway, William Faulkner, Truman Capote, or Tennessee Williams, who used to say it was his favorite hotel, and in fact, it is mentioned in several of his works. For this reason, in 1999, it was recognized as a literary landmark by the Friends of the Library Association of the United States. In addition to being especially famous for its literary history, it is known for its luxury, and another of its most distinctive features is its famous Carousel Bar, a revolving bar that is an attraction in itself.

Cotton House Hotel, Barcelona

The Cotton House Hotel is an establishment standing in the former Cotton Textile Association of Barcelona headquarters. The transformation of this emblematic building into a luxury hotel has preserved its historical essence, combining it with a sophisticated and contemporary style. One of the jewels of the Cotton House Hotel is its library, located in a room that was previously used as a meeting place for the guild of cotton producers. Today, this area serves as a tranquil refuge where guests can relax and enjoy reading. The atmosphere here is one of tranquility and refinement, with carefully selected books available to visitors.