Reading is escapism. As children, the pages of storybooks allow us to leave our bedrooms and voyage to fanciful lands beyond our youthful imagination. As adults, books help us step away from the stress of real life and reconnect to wonder. But reading is more than just an escape—it can also be a beautiful tether. It can connect us more deeply to the places we reside and to the places we visit, celebrating the beauty of our hometown and also the vibrancy of a far-flung city.
Reading retreats are rising in popularity, but what about more casual literary pilgrims? Would you check into a hotel because your favorite author penned a book in one of its suites or drew inspiration for a character from the eccentric owner? Landmarks like Hôtel Belles Rives in Côte d’Azur and New York City’s Hotel Chelsea have welcomed luminaries over the ages. In many instances, the properties where authors picked up their ballpoints became backdrops for adventure or even characters themselves.
Travelers who want a base with a bookish atmosphere, where renowned writers crafted masterpieces, and with plenty of cozy corners to dive into a good book, have some page-turning prospects, from London to San Diego’s Coronado Island.
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It’s hard to overstate the historical significance of Brown’s Hotel. Located in London’s upmarket Mayfair neighborhood, the city’s oldest luxury hotel, now under the Rocco Forte banner, has long been a haven for literary giants, including Agatha Christie, Mark Twain, and Joseph Conrad. Rudyard Kipling considered the refined property a second home, spending decades as a frequent guest and working on The Jungle Book during his stays. Guests will notice numerous nods to his literary imprint, from tropical botanical wallpaper at Charlie’s to silk-bound editions of the beloved book to the elegant Kipling Suite.
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Photo: Courtesy of Hôtel Belles Rives