The best literary hotels to stay in this World Book Lovers Day

One of life’s greatest pleasures is cosying up in your library or breakfast nook with a good book. Their ability to transport us to any location – fictional or otherwise – and make us feel every emotion through just a few thousand words is truly remarkable. And if you’re a bookworm who wants to immerse yourself in the destinations that inspired your favourite authors, this World Book Lovers Day (9 August), take the opportunity to stay at some of the best literary hotels around the world with a story of their own. From discovering grand libraries to rooms inspired by iconic literary masterpieces, we’ve put together a list of five luxury hotels that bibliophiles are sure to love. An Oscar Wilde-inspired retreat at Flemings Mayfair, London

If you’re looking to immerse yourself into the world of Oscar Wilde, look no further than Flemings Mayfair in London. Located on London’s Half Moon Street, which was once home to the famous Irish writer, poet and playwright Oscar Wilde, the hotel has recently unveiled its newly renovated three-bedroom Townhouse Suite, which is inspired by The Importance of Being Earnest. The space blends 18th century elegance with bold modern touches, literary details and a hint of bohemian flair. Guests are also gifted a copy of Wilde’s iconic play at turndown, connecting them to the suite’s literary past in the very neighbourhood that inspired it. Inside the world of Jane Austen at Lainston House in Bath, Somerset

This year is the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen, and what better way to celebrate than to go to the site where the literary legend’s most influential works were created? At Lainston House, which is just moments away from Winchester, guests can stay at and visit the historic Winchester Cathedral, where Austen is buried. It is also just minutes away from Chawton, where she penned some of her most famous works, and Steventon, where she was born. There are also dedicated reading spots on the grounds, where guests can either borrow or bring their own Jane Austen books and read their favourite stories in picturesque settings.Learn about Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk To Freedom at Saxon Hotel, Johannesburg

Set across 10 acres of landscaped gardens in Johannesburg’s Sandhurst region,  Saxon Hotel has long been a destination of choice for immersive and transformative travel retreats. Recognised as the infamous setting where Nelson Mandela chose to compose his best-selling autobiography Long Walk to Freedom, this powerful legacy is honoured through an underground museum located in the heart of Johannesburg. Named the Nelson Mandela Foundation Archive, here, Saxon guests can exclusively witness the real artefacts of Mandela’s private collection. The archive offers a unique and rare, personal look at Mandela’s life through handwritten notes and mementos, revealing his deep commitment to justice and equality. 

At night, guests can walk in the footsteps of the former president in the Nelson Mandela Platinum Suite, which is a spacious retreat that pays tribute to the hotel’s rich heritage. It blends elegant African design with classic artwork and sculptures, alongside modern finishes like floor-to-ceiling windows that offer panoramic views of the garden and treetop skyline. A royal reading extravaganza at Le Grand Contrôle, Versailles

For a truly regal reading escape, Le Grand Contrôle, the luxurious hotel within the Chateau de Versailles, offers guests exclusive access to the historic Versailles Library. Led by the chief conservator, visitors can explore centuries-old manuscripts, including documents from the first American president George Washington and personal writings of Marie Antoinette. Remarkably, the library, formerly the Hôtel des Affaires Étrangères et de la Marine, was the secret site of the 1783 negotiations for the Treaty of Paris, which officially marked American Independence. This behind-the-scenes experience concludes with a stroll through the magnificent Foreign Affairs Gallery. Pair that with the hotel’s opulent 18th-century interiors, and you have a literary retreat fit for royalty. A My Brilliant Friend Escape to San Montano Resort & Spa, Ischia

Fans of Elena Ferrante’s award-winning novel My Brilliant Friend and the more recent HBO TV series can follow in the footsteps of one of the main female characters, Elena Greco (Lenu) who spends a significant amount of time on Ischia. Travel to significant My Brilliant Friend destinations like Ischia Ponte, the historical village where the Aragonese Castle is located; Maronti Beach, one of the island’s largest beaches; Mount Epomeo, Ischia’s volcanic peak, visible in many scenes; the village of Lacco Ameno and Spiaggia di Citara, a popular beach with thermal baths, including the Poseidon Thermal Gardens. Complete your journey with a stay at San Montano Resort & Spa for its southern Italian charm, fragrant Mediterranean gardens and panoramic coastal views.

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