Passalacqua Lake Como, Italy Soneva Fushi & Jani Maldives Aman Venice Venice, Italy Gleneagles Hotel Auchterarder, Scotland Eden Rock St. Barths, Caribbean The Savoy London, England A Selection of Books Featured in the World's Best Hotels Audrey Hepburn: Portraits of an Icon Shinrin-Yoku: The Art and Science of Forest Bathing 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in this Strange World Sex in the Sea By Her Hand : Artemisia Gentileschi and Women Artists in Italy Girl, Woman, Other Why do book collections matter? Book a consultation with a ~personal curator Contact Quick Links Follow us @ultimatelibrary Join our community
Explore our Libraries at the World’s Best Hotels
11 Oct 2023
At the end of September,
The World’s 50 Best Hotels
announced their list for 2023. Amongst the many luxurious hotels and resorts listed from around the world, we were thrilled to find familiar names with whom we had collaborated closely to curate bespoke book collections for their guests. Every hotel chosen for the list has a strong sense of identity, place and purpose; these elements are reflected and enhanced through specially chosen books that further connect guests to the property’s location, history and culture. So, let’s explore how we curated the book collections for some of the world's best hotels.
Once owned by Pope Innocent XI and designed by 18th Century Milanese architect Carlo Felice Soave,
Passalacqua
is an opulent hotel on the shores of Lake Como that encompasses the beauty and Neoclassical elegance of Italian craftsmanship, set amongst enchanting terraced gardens. Former visitors of the Villa include Winston Churchill and Vincenzo Bellini, who penned two of his most famous works on the property. Dedicated to bringing the spirit of ‘meraviglia’ back to travel, The World’s Best Hotel of 2023 includes bespoke book collections for the
library and suites
that connect international guests to the property’s rich heritage, beautiful garden and natural lake surroundings.
‘No news, no shoes’ is the philosophy of
Soneva
, the award-winning luxurious and sustainable resorts in the Maldives' most breathtaking destinations. Soneva is dedicated to providing pure relaxation and escapism for guests, with facilities and experiences including an overwater cinema, sandbank picnics, dolphin cruises, a tree-top spa and stargazing spots that create an environment of total detachment from the worries of everyday life. In 2018, Ultimate Library partnered with Soneva to introduce their first
pop-up bookshop.
The
Barefoot Bookshops
offer guests the chance to reconnect with their love of literature through specially curated collections, personalised ‘shelf discovery’ sessions and events with world-renowned authors.
Located under the Rialto Bridge and inside a 16th Century grand palace,
Aman Venice
is an intimate property draped in opulence; frescoes of 18th Century painter and previous resident Tiepolo adorn the walls, Murano chandeliers hang elegantly and Rubelli silk wall coverings are seamlessly matched with Aman’s iconic minimalistic style. Ultimate Library designed book collections for Aman Venice’s
lobby and salon spaces
, reflecting the property’s rich artistic heritage with illustrated titles on Venetian art, architecture and design interspersed with classic and contemporary literature.
Gleneagles
is set amongst a sprawling landscape of natural beauty in Scotland’s Southern Highlands. After a five year renovation by owners Ennismore, a luxurious country house hotel has emerged, offering country pursuits ranging from fishing and falconry to off-road driving and fantastical woodland adventures. In collaboration with Ennismore, Ultimate Library curated book collections for Gleaneagles’
rooms and suites
that explore the hotel’s Scottish heritage and culture, while creating a sense of homeliness with the warmth and texture of vintage books. Luxury illustrated titles on golf and pursuits, 19th and 20th Century art, photography and sculpture were included, as well as contemporary reading books.
Easily identifiable by the signature red roofs,
Eden Rock
sits atop a rocky promontory overlooking the crystal clear water of Baie de St Jean. The resort includes an array of luxurious facilities, including the Sand Bar restaurant, a quaint library, an extensive boutique and fitness centre. Ultimate Library designed book collections that connect guests with the resort's Caribbean location and distinct brand identity, rooted in relaxation, art and family. They can find over 1,000 illustrated and reading books on topics ranging from local history and island living to the arts, as well as a small children’s collection. Books for the
themed suites
paid tribute to Hollywood stars and previous well-known visitors, including Greta Garbo and Howard Hughes.
The Savoy
is the epitome of luxury, and has been since it opened in 1889. Set on the site of a one-time hospital and inspired by the hotel boom of America’s Gilded Age, it is a hotel with many memories and stories to tell. From César Ritz to Auguste Escoffier, Anna Pavlova and Laurence Olivier, many luminaries in the world of entertainment and hospitality have passed through The Savoy’s hallowed halls. As part of their refurbishment in 2010, Ultimate Library worked to curate a book collection to add a sense of homeliness to the
Riverside suites
. The books also help to connect guests with all that London has to offer and include titles on world-class art, design and architecture, biographies of famous figures like Winston Churchill, literature of iconic English authors such as Charles Dickens, and of course various cocktail guides for good measure.
by Terence Pepper & Helen Trompeteler
by Dr Qing Li
by Elif Shafak
by Marah j. Hardt
by Babette Bohn
by Bernardine Evaristo
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We believe in the power of books to create a sense of place and new perspectives. Our bespoke book collections have a great impact on a guest’s overall experience of a hotel or resort. It’s small extras like books in rooms and library spaces that make a guest’s stay extra special, and many of our clients receive high praise for their book collections. For private clients they make a house their home.
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