Five of my favourite hotel libraries (and three at the top of my bucket list)

Featuring an Ibizan finca, and a family-owned boutique hotel in the heart of Europe's prettiest city...

I’m convinced hotel libraries are one of life’s greatest pleasures—right up there with iced coffee, a glass of cold prosecco, and a night home alone with a book, while a storm brews outside (and there’s no chance of my boyfriend coming home early).

They each have their own unique charm—and there’s something about being surrounded by well-curated books in an unfamiliar place, the promise of a quiet escape, and a bit of anonymity. Over the years, I’ve done my fair share of literary travel—seeking out hotels with cosy reading nooks and dimly-lit libraries everywhere from Los Angeles to Lake Atitlan, so I thought I’d share five of my favourites.

Cas Gasi, Ibiza

Cas Gasi, one of Ibiza’s best-kept secrets, is a family-owned finca that exudes rustic charm. This beautiful boutique hotel, set in a 19th-century farmhouse, offers guests an idyllic escape from the island’s usual hedonism. Five years ago, I stayed in the library suite, which featured an antique writing desk (perfect for would-be writers), floral furnishings, and more books than even the most dedicated reader could finish in a decade. From F. Scott Fitzgerald classics to Patti Smith’s memoirs and modern tomes by AJ Pearce and more, I could have happily spent an entire week within the library’s four walls, with nary a want to leave.

B2 Boutique Hotel, Zurich

A true haven for bookworms, B2 Boutique Hotel has been made Instagram-famous thanks to its beautiful library. Housed in a former brewery, its library lounge is lined with over 33,000 books, offering an enchanting atmosphere in which to read. With its soaring ceilings and comfortable leather seating, it’s the perfect place to get lost in a novel or peruse the shelves for hidden gems (which I most certainly did during my two-night stay there in September). Thoughtful details like a wine bar and excellent coffee make it all the more inviting. A perfect blend of literary charm and Swiss sophistication, it’s a must visit for anyone with a penchant for a good book.

Altstadt, Vienna

Vienna has got to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world. When I visited two years ago, the sky was clear, and a crisp autumn chill filled the air. Burnt orange leaves lined the streets, and early Christmas decorations were beginning to appear in shop windows. We pulled up to the Altstadt Hotel, nestled on a lively street in Vienna's 7th District among bric-a-brac shops and cozy, wood-panelled restaurants. Housed in a former early 20th-century townhouse—still partly occupied by residents—the Altstadt blends rich heritage with artistic flair. A true paradise for book lovers, the hotel library comes complete with plush seating and a grand piano (it is Vienna, after all), and makes an ideal spot to savour a book with a glass of red wine from the bar.

The Chelsea Townhouse

Everyone has a fantasy place they’d like to live one day: at The Chelsea Townhouse, I found myself in the unlikely position of my dream having come true, if only for one night. Nestled in the heart of one of south London’s prettiest enclaves, this charming, country-style retreat is a former townhouse with an elegant library, stocked with vibrant Penguin classics and London-centric novels (just as my fantasy home library would be). An Edwardian fireplace with intricate woodwork and plush pink-hued sofas complete the space, creating the perfect setting to while away an afternoon with a good book.

Aro Ha

While Aro Ha isn’t strictly a hotel, I couldn’t not include it on this list. A wellness retreat set against a backdrop of New Zealand’s ethereal Southern Alps, the views from the retreat’s on-site library are staggering. I went on a week-long retreat at the beginning of last year, and had to leave a day early to attend one of my best friend’s wedding, though—if I’m honest—I was tempted to miss it for an extra night at what is, in my opinion, actual heaven on earth. The view from the library is like something from a film, with sweeping vistas of the Southern Alps and the crystal-clear Lake Wakatipu. Surrounded by dramatic mountains and lush valleys, come for the other-worldly scenery, stay for the comfy sofas and the books.

And the three at the top of my bucket list…

Beaverbrook Townhouse

A beloved and bustling destination for theatre lovers, art aficionados, and anglophiles in search of a well-crafted cocktail, Beaverbrook’s Sloane Street setting offers a unique take on British elegance. The sister hotel to the original Beaverbrook—a luxury country house hotel and spa in the Surrey Hills—brings its signature je ne sais quoi to this picturesque setting. A formal reception area is eschewed in favour of a snug library—complete with bookshelves, cozy chairs, and a whiskey decanter. As for me? I’ll be perched by the bar with a book in hand.

Estelle Manor

The ravishing Cotswolds members' club said to leave Soho Farmhouse in the shade, Estelle Manor is home to a library of layered textures, opulent lounging, and curated trinkets, perfect for a moment of peaceful indulgence. Alas, you have to be a member to visit, and—given I live in Bondi—the yearly membership fee might be a step too far, even for someone who firmly believes in treating oneself.

Broadwick Soho

London’s newest maximalist townhouse Broadwick Soho is nestled in the city’s most storied neighbourhood, and channels the grit, glamour, and wild energy of its surroundings. I’ve got a festive brunch planned here with two of my best friends in a couple of weeks, chosen purely with the intention of checking out its colourful library.