These 6 Hotels Beloved by Famous Writers Could Be Your Ticket to a Best-Selling Novel
New York’s iconic Chelsea Hotel was known as a sanctuary for bohemians and creatives. In its heyday, the hotel was home to musicians, artists, and dozens of now-famous writers, including Dylan Thomas, Jack Kerouac, William S. Burroughs, Gore Vidal, and Arthur Miller. While the legendary literary haunt closed its doors in 2011, there are still many properties across the globe that were once frequented by renowned authors. Voracious readers and aspiring writers alike should plan a stay at one of these six historic hotels.
Photo: Courtesy of Starwood Hotels1/6The Gritti Palace (Venice)
Ernest Hemingway stayed at this historic Venetian hideaway on multiple occasions in the 1940s and early '50s and wrote many passages of his novel Across the River and Into the Trees on the property. From $440/night; starwoodhotels.com
Photo: Courtesy of the Algonquin Hotel2/6Algonquin Hotel (New York)
This New York landmark first opened its doors in 1902, offering $2-a-night single rooms. Writers began convening at the hotel in 1919. Among the most notable writers to frequent the Algonquin’s famous Round Table were Dorothy Parker, Robert Benchley, Franklin Adams, and Edna Ferber. From $223/night; algonquinhotel.com/
Photo: Courtesy of Rocco Forte Hotels3/6Brown’s (London)
Rudyard Kipling penned his most famous novel, The Jungle Book, during one of his stays at Brown’s. Last year the hotel unveiled the newly renovated Kipling Suite, inspired by both the book and the author. The room features jungle-theme wallpaper and furnishings, as well as a framed handwritten letter by Kipling on hotel stationery. From $437/night; roccofortehotels.com/
Photo: Courtesy of Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah4/6Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah (Istanbul)
Murder-mystery buffs checking into the ornate Pera Palace Hotel should request room 411, where Agatha Christie is rumored to have written Murder on the Orient Express. The hotel’s Orient Bar has also beckoned renowned authors, including Ernest Hemingway. From $120/night; jumeirah.com/en
Photo: Courtesy of The Balmoral5/6The Balmoral (Edinburgh, Scotland)
J. K. Rowling called the Grand Suite of this five-star Edinburgh hotel home as she wrote the last chapter of the Harry Potter series. She then signed the room’s marble bust of Hermes with the following inscription: “J. K. Rowling finished writing Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows in this room (652) on 11th Jan. 2007.” A brass door knocker in the shape of an owl was later added to the room in Rowling’s honor. From $182/night; balmoral.edinburgh-hotel.org
Photo: Courtesy of Hotel Elysée6/6Hotel Elysée (New York)
Playwright Tennessee Williams lived in this European-style midtown hotel for 15 years until his death in 1983. It is rumored that Williams would keep his neighboring guests awake at night with the incessant clattering of his typewriter. The hotel’s presidential suite now bears the author’s name. From $212/night; elyseehotel.com/