The Tamesis
Reading is a way to escape reality. As children, the pages of storybooks allowed us to leave our bedrooms and travel to fantastical lands beyond our youthful imagination. As adults, books help us escape the stresses of real life and reconnect to the wonder of life. 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 live and the places we visit, celebrating the beauty of our hometowns and the energy of faraway cities.
Reading retreats are growing in popularity, but what about the more casual literary pilgrims? Would you stay at a hotel because your favorite author wrote a book in one of the suites, or the eccentric owners drew inspiration for a character? Landmarks such as the Hôtel Belles Rives on the French Riviera and the Hotel Chelsea in New York City have hosted celebrities over the years. In many cases, the place where the author picks up his ballpoint pen becomes the backdrop for the adventure or even the characters themselves.
From London to San Diego’s Coronado Island, if travelers want a bookish base where famous authors create masterpieces and there are plenty of cozy corners to slip into a good book, there are some page-turning prospects.
Hotel Photography Ltd.
The historical significance of the Brown Hotel cannot be overstated. The city’s oldest luxury hotel in London’s upscale Mayfair district, now owned by Rocco Forte, has long been a haven for literary giants such as Agatha Christie, Mark Twain and Joseph Conrad. Rudyard Kipling considered this exquisite property a second home, having been a regular visitor for decades and dedicated jungle book during his stay. Guests will notice many nods to his literary imprint, from tropical plant wallpaper in Charlie’s Bookstore to silk-bound editions of beloved books to the elegant Kipling Suite.
Photo: Courtesy of Hôtel Belles Rives
