Dream of sleeping among books? From Paris to Tokyo, these unforgettable bookstores and libraries let book lovers spend the night surrounded by stories.
Certain people love wandering through libraries or bookstores, hunting for their next great read. Others take it a step further and wish they could spend the night there. If you’re one of the latter, you’re in luck! Here are eight incredible bookstores and libraries that offer overnight stays.
Gladstone’s Library – Hawarden, Wales
A true bookish retreat in Hawarden, Wales, Gladstone’s Library delivers on all fronts. Whether you’re a literary enthusiast or a researcher, they provide the perfect escape for lovers of the written word. Rather than just spending a few hours at this historic library, visitors are invited to stay longer to explore a collection of more than 150,000 written works.
Gladstone’s Library was built with some of the funds left in the will of former British Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone, and you’ll be able to see some of his belongings during your stay. Some of the key spaces you can enjoy here include beautifully designed reading rooms with wooden detailing, inviting couches, and desks for those who need to catch up on work.
Address: Church Lane, Hawarden, Flintshire CH5 3DF, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Check-in time: 2PM
– Check-out time: 10AM
Shakespeare and Company – Paris, France
Shakespeare and Company in Paris is a name every reader has heard of, but did you know you can also spend the night at this famous English-language bookstore on the Seine? Literary greats such as Hemingway and James Baldwin have all stepped foot inside this store, with some even staying over, and now you can do the same.
Known as ‘the Tumbleweed program,’ anyone interested in sleeping over must apply through Shakespeare and Company’s website, with successful candidates being offered a studio space for a minimum of one week. This way, you’ll have your own little refuge as you get lost in the store’s wide-ranging selection, which covers a variety of fiction and nonfiction topics.
Address: 37 Rue de la Bûcherie, 75005 Paris, France
Opening hours:
– Monday to Saturday: 10AM – 8PM
– Sunday: 12PM – 7PM
Sylvia Beach Hotel – Newport, Oregon
Nestled along the Oregon shoreline, the Sylvia Beach Hotel was built in honor of Sylvia Beach, the woman who opened Shakespeare & Company in Paris. Her legacy lives on through this fabulous accommodation centered around literature. Guests can choose from 22 uniquely designed rooms inspired by their favorite authors.
Storytelling influences every aspect of the Sylvia Beach Hotel, from the library dedicated to James Joyce to the oceanfront lobby lounge. There, you can grab a book from the neatly laid-out shelves and curl up on the couch beside the fireplace while soaking up spectacular views of the Pacific.
Address: 267 NW Cliff St, Newport, OR 97365, United States
Opening hours:
– Check-in time: 4PM
– Check-out time: 11AM
The Literary Man óBidos Hotel – Óbidos, Portugal
Staying in an old convent might seem eerie at first, but add some books into the mix, and it becomes a dream for readers. The Literary Man Óbidos Hotel in Óbidos, Portugal, is the ideal getaway for bibliophiles, with 27 well-appointed guest suites on offer. Rather than just one room style, they offer a few, including contemporary and eco-friendly options.
The owners have somehow managed to impressively blend the interiors of what was once a convent into the design of their library. Throughout the center of the space, ornate pillars divide the area into zones, while floor-to-ceiling shelving spans the walls, with ladders carefully resting against them. Additionally, there’s also a minibar tucked away in the corner for whenever you get a bit thirsty in the evenings.
Address: d’Ornelas Edifício The Literary Man Óbidos Hotel, R. Dom João de Ornelas, 2510-074 Óbidos, Portugal
Opening hours:
– Check-in time: 3PM
– Check-out time: 12PM
The Open Book – Wigtown, Scotland
Have you ever dreamed of running your own bookstore but never got around to it? The Open Book in Wigtown, Scotland, gives guests the opportunity to do just that. You’ll stay overnight in their snug apartment upstairs, and by day, you’ll have the chance to operate your very own bookshop downstairs.
A fully immersive experience like no other, the owners allow guests to do all the jobs of a typical shop owner, like pricing items and tailoring exhibits to your liking, to encourage customers to make a purchase. Unlike many of these properties, the Open Book’s operations are fully handled through Airbnb, with bookings required well in advance due to its popularity.
Address: 2 High St, Wigtown, Newton Stewart DG8 9HQ, United Kingdom
Opening hours:
– Check-in time: 3PM
– Check-out time: 10AM
La Librairie Suite – Paris, France
Sometimes we just want to get away from all of life’s stresses, read alone, and not be disturbed by anyone. La Librairie Suite in Paris’s gorgeous, trendy Marais district opens the door to these sorts of getaways. Their expansive guest spaces provide visitors with their own tiny literary home for their time in the French capital. It comes with all the amenities you need, like a kitchen, king-sized beds, a coffee machine, and free Wi-Fi, so you never have to set foot outside the door.
The layout of their rooms is truly easy on the eye. Tidy bookcases stand at the back of the beds, meaning some printed material is always in reach. There’s also a living area filled with a comfy couch, a table, and a lamp in case you need some breathing space.
Address: 12 Rue Caffarelli, 75003 Paris, France
Opening hours:
– Please check the official website for the schedule of check-in and check-out hours.
Book and Bed – Tokyo, Japan
Hostels aren’t for everyone, but once you see Book and Bed in Tokyo’s Shinjuku district, you won’t be able to resist. Come and spend the night in a bookstore-hostel concept property, with thousands of texts available to read throughout the space as you snuggle up for the night.
There are lots of cool touches that bring the whole vibe of this place together, including the wooden ceiling design with book pages hanging from above. Additionally, the accommodation has many cocoon-like capsule beds, so you’ll feel as if you’re totally cut off from the world, even though you’re sharing a dorm.
Address: Japan, 〒160-0021 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Kabukicho, 1 Chome−27−5 8F
Opening hours:
– Check-in time: 4PM
– Check-out time: 11PM
The Heathman Hotel – Portland, Oregon
The Heathman Hotel in Portland, Oregon, is a must-stay if you’re in any way interested in books. With endless room options like Penthouse Suites and Double Deluxe Guestrooms, and a state-of-the-art library that will take your breath away, you’re in for a memorable night away.
Their library houses more than 2,700 volumes, with endless contemporary and classic titles available. Apart from the fantastic inventory of books, the design is what really makes it shine, thanks to the dazzling chandeliers and a spacious balcony.
There’s a noticeable vibe shift here as the day goes on. In the morning, readers fill the space, but as night falls, the property often puts on events and readings to keep guests entertained throughout their stay.
Address: 1001 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205, United States
Opening hours:
– Check-in time: 4PM
– Check-out time: 12PM
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Adam Ryan
Adam is a distinguished content writer, bookworm, and full-time adventurer with a constant craving for coffee. When he's not working, he loves exploring remote corners of the world, immersing himself in different cultures, and writing about his experiences.
