World: Hotels where great writers lived and great books were written, and where you can stay today

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Traveling through countries, many do not realize that once famous writers walked these very streets. Saint Petersburg, London, Venice, Paris, Istanbul – in these and many other cities, renowned writers found their inspiration and stayed in hotels. These hotels have not only preserved the charm of the place but also attract visitors with the opportunity to connect with and get closer to any authors and books. Would you like to stay in Dostoevsky’s room and look out the window through which he watched passersby while working on his book? To go to Cuba to Hemingway’s favorite hotel? Or to rent a room in a cheap Moroccan hotel where Burroughs lived?

Grand Hotel Europe, Saint Petersburg (Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky)

Mikhailovskaya St., 1/7, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 191186

Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky was a frequent guest of the hotel. In the archives, a quote from Fyodor Mikhailovich regarding the unprecedented scale of the hotel's construction has been preserved: "... this is the architecture of a modern, huge hotel – this is already businesslike, Americanism, hundreds of rooms, a huge industrial enterprise."

Raffles Hotel, Singapore (Somerset Maugham, Rudyard Kipling, Joseph Conrad, Pablo Neruda, and others)

Raffles Hotel, Singapore 189768

The grand hotel in the center of Singapore has always been loved by members of royal families and other celebrities — 12 suites here are named in their honor.

L'Hotel, Paris. (Oscar Wilde)

13 Rue des Beaux Arts, 75006 Paris, France

“Oscar Wilde, poet and playwright… Died in this building on November 30, 1900,” reads the memorial plaque on the wall of the hotel, intriguingly named simply "Hotel."

First Hotel Reisen, Stockholm (Joseph Brodsky)

Skeppsbron 12, 111 30 Stockholm, Sweden

Joseph Brodsky often visited Sweden, even calling it his ecological niche. For six years, from 1988 to 1994, he spent several months almost every summer living at the First Hotel Reisen in Stockholm.

Hotel Elysee, New York (Tennessee Williams)

60 E 54th St, New York, NY 10022, USA

Tennessee Williams, the author of the play *A Streetcar Named Desire*, which earned him the Pulitzer Prize, lived for fifteen years in a room at the historic New York hotel Elysee.

Hotel Angleterre, Saint Petersburg (Chekhov, Kuprin, Yesenin, Bely, Mandelstam, and others)

Malaya Morskaya St., 24, Saint Petersburg, Russia, 190000

The Angleterre Hotel is located on St. Isaac's Square, in the very center of Saint Petersburg. The history of the hotel began more than two centuries ago and is connected with the names of many famous people. In 1886, the writer A.P. Chekhov stayed at the Angleterre Hotel, and later another writer, A. Kuprin, also lived here. The famous Silver Age poets Andrei Bely and Osip Mandelstam also stayed here.

Hotel Ambos Mundos, Havana. (Ernest Hemingway)

153 Obispo, Havana, Cuba

Hotel Ambos Mundos ("Both Worlds") is a five-story, square-shaped hotel in the eclectic style of the 20th century. It was built in 1924 on the site of a former family home at the intersection of Obispo and Mercaderes streets in the Old Havana district (Cuba). In the 1930s, this hotel was owned by the Asper family. It attracted writers, actors and actresses, as well as many Americans. The hotel served as the residence of the famous writer Ernest Hemingway in the 1930s. The windows offer views of the streets of Old Havana and the ocean — it was for this reason that the writer fell in love with Ambos Mundos.

The Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh (J.K. Rowling)

1 Princes St, Edinburgh EH2 2EQ, United Kingdom

The luxurious five-star hotel The Balmoral, built in Victorian style, opened more than 100 years ago. Originally constructed as the North British Hotel (station). It is located in the very center of the city at the eastern end of Princes Street, the main shopping street beneath the rock of Edinburgh Castle, and on the southern edge of the New Town.

The Gritti Palace Hotel, Venice, Italy (Ernest Hemingway and Somerset Maugham)

Campiello Traghetto, 2467, 30124 Venice VE, Italy

In Venice, there is a place celebrated by writers and artists, where the beauty of a 15th-century Gothic palace, the sparkle of the Grand Canal, and the grandeur of the Basilica della Salute magically combine: it is the terrace of the Gritti Palace, a privileged setting for exquisite rendezvous.

The Stanley Hotel, Colorado, USA (Stephen King)

333 E Wonderview Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517, USA

There are eerie legends about The Stanley Hotel, located on the border of Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, USA. It is said that you can encounter ghosts there or at least feel a supernatural presence. The Stanley is the prototype for the "Overlook" hotel in Stephen King's novel *The Shining*, and it also inspired the writer for other storylines.

GoldenEye Hotel & Resort, Oracabessa, Jamaica (Ian Fleming)

C364+9G5, Oracabessa, Jamaica

"Goldeneye" is a mansion, now a hotel, of the famous novelist Ian Fleming in Oracabessa, Jamaica, on the northern coast. Fleming purchased the land adjacent to another well-known mansion, Golden Clouds, in 1946 and built his home on the edge of a cliff overlooking a private beach. Designed according to Fleming's sketches, the house has a modest layout — three bedrooms with wooden shutters on the windows. Fleming's guests included artists, musicians, and filmmakers. Today, the mansion operates as a hotel and resort, which, in addition to Fleming's house, includes several cottages.

Pera Palace Hotel, Istanbul (Agatha Christie)

Meşrutiyet Street, Evliya Çelebi, Tepebaşı St. No:52, 34430 Beyoğlu/Istanbul, Turkey

Set against the shimmering beauties of Art Nouveau, Pera Palace Hotel, Istanbul is a historic luxury hotel in the very heart of Turkey’s most beautiful city. This stylish hotel with over a century of history is perfectly located to explore all kinds of attractions. The hotel was built to captivate with its exquisite proportions, facade, and Art Nouveau architecture, as well as an Orientalist approach to the "Kubbeli" lounge. It has amazed generations of visitors and has become the setting for some of the most remarkable stories in history. The hotel has endured through the reigns of three Ottoman sultans, the fall of the Ottoman Empire, and the rise of the New Turkish Republic.

Grand Hotel et de Milan (Giuseppe Verdi, Gabriele D'Annunzio, and others)

Via Alessandro Manzoni, 29, 20121 Milan MI, Italy

The Grand Hotel et de Milan has been woven into the cultural history of Milan since its opening on May 23, 1863. Since La Scala is only 674 steps from the hotel, it has become home to many of the greatest artists who have ever performed on this famous stage. Verdi, Caruso, Callas, and Nureyev returned here again and again. As the first hotel in Milan with postal and telegraph services, it also served as a meeting center for diplomats and businessmen.

Langham Hotel, London (Oscar Wilde, Charles Dickens, Conan Doyle, Mark Twain, and others)

1C Portland Pl, London W1B 1JA, United Kingdom

One of the oldest hotels in London, it opened its doors in 1865 and has since, for over 150 years, continued to welcome members of royal families, politicians, artists, and writers. The hotel's guests have included writers Charles Dickens and Mark Twain, Arthur Conan Doyle and Oscar Wilde, composers Antonín Dvořák and Arturo Toscanini, politicians Winston Churchill and Charles de Gaulle, as well as many princes, kings, and presidents.

The Plaza Hotel, New York (F. Scott Fitzgerald, Truman Capote, and others)

1 Central Park S, New York, NY 10019, USA

The Plaza building was constructed 101 years ago in the very center of New York. The thing is, the best American city doesn’t really have a center: it can be considered both Wall Street and Times Square, even though these places are an hour’s walk apart. Or, quite justifiably, it can be considered the square where Fifth Avenue—groaning under the weight of tourists and city dwellers suddenly struck by a shopping spree—suddenly meets the quiet and somehow existing Central Park within the metropolis.

Hotel Le Montreux Palace (Vladimir Nabokov)

Av. Claude-Nobs 2, 1820 Montreux, Switzerland

Отель Fairmont Le Montreux Palace, расположенный среди величественных Альп и на берегу Женевского озера, может похвастаться многовековой традицией исключительного гостеприимства и знаковой архитектурой в стиле Белль Эпок с момента своего основания в 1906 году. Наше выгодное расположение обеспечивает доступ к лучшим достопримечательностям Монтрё, включая знаменитый джазовый фестиваль Монтрё и очаровательный рождественский рынок Монтрё.

Hotel Chelsey, New York (Mark Twain, O. Henry, Diego Rivera with Frida Kahlo, Jean-Paul Sartre, Édith Piaf, William Burroughs, Arthur Clarke, and many others)

204 W 23rd St, New York, NY 10011, USA

In 1905, the Chelsea Hotel opened in the tallest building in Manhattan. In 1912, the hotel housed survivors of the Titanic. Notable guests who stayed in the hotel’s rooms included Mark Twain, O. Henry, Diego Rivera with Frida Kahlo, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Édith Piaf. Due to its proximity to the docks, the hotel’s main clientele after its opening were sailors looking to have fun with girls, and it was here in 1912 that the Titanic survivors were accommodated.

Hotel Ritz, Paris (Oscar Wilde, Marcel Proust, Ernest Hemingway, Theodore Dreiser, Erich Maria Remarque, Agatha Christie, and others)

15 Pl. Vendôme, 75001 Paris, France

Hemingway personally took part in liberating the hotel bar from the Nazis. Proust ordered delivery of his favorite beer from the hotel while already on his deathbed. Sophia Loren called it “the most romantic hotel in the world.” The Paris Ritz is the headquarters and theater for Coco Chanel, Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, Cole Porter, and Ingrid Bergman, among others.

Brown's Hotel, London (Oscar Wilde, Arthur Conan Doyle, Robert Stevenson, George Tolkien, George Orwell, Rudyard Kipling, Stephen King, and others)

33 Albemarle St, London W1S 4BP, United Kingdom

Brown's is the first hotel in London. It was built in 1837 in the Mayfair district. The history of Brown's begins with the infamous romantic poet Lord Byron—or, more precisely, his butler James Brown, who, together with his wife Sarah, Lady Byron's maid, purchased the house at 23 Dover Street in 1837 and expanded it in 1838, creating Brown's Hotel.

Hotel Danieli, Venice (Charles Dickens, Honoré de Balzac, Marcel Proust, George Sand, and Alfred de Musset, among others)

Riva degli Schiavoni, 4195, 30122 Venice VE, Italy

The hotel is a popular destination for wealthy travelers and aristocrats, attracted by its luxurious decor, exceptional service, and prime location in the very heart of Venice. Over the years, the hotel has hosted many famous guests, including Richard Wagner, Charles Dickens, and Henry James.

Hotel Monteleone, New Orleans

214 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA

The Monteleone Hotel is a family-owned hotel located at 214 Royal Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. The hotel occupies the only high-rise building in the inner French Quarter and is well known for its rotating bar, the Carousel Piano Bar & Lounge.

The Roosevelt Hotel, New Orleans (Arthur Hailey)

130 Roosevelt Way, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA

The Roosevelt New Orleans hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana, is a 504-room hotel managed by Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts. The hotel was originally built by Louis Grunewald, a German immigrant, and opened in 1893 as the "Grunewald Hotel."

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Hotel (Graham Greene, Somerset Maugham)

2VG4+5G4, P. Lý Thái Tổ, French Quarter, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi, Vietnam

This is a five-star historic luxury hotel, opened in 1901 as the Grand Métropole Hotel in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. Today, it is one of the most important buildings in Vietnam in the French colonial style. The hotel currently has 364 rooms.

The Cadogan Hotel, A Belmond Hotel, London (Oscar Wilde)

75 Sloane St, London SW1X 9SG, United Kingdom

This majestic hotel is located in one of the most prestigious districts of London – Belgravia. It occupies a beautiful historic mansion dating back to 1887, with a long and rich history. The hotel rooms are designed in a modern style: bright colors, stylish furniture, and an abundance of natural light define their fresh and elegant appearance. The hotel is surrounded by numerous boutiques and shops; nearby is the world-famous Harrod’s department store. In short, staying at The Cadogan, A Belmond Hotel, London, is the perfect choice for those who value comfort and a royal experience. The hotel is situated in the city center, in Chelsea, and over the years has hosted many distinguished guests.

Old Swan Hotel (Agatha Christie)

Old Swan Hotel, Swan Rd, Harrogate HG1 2SR, United Kingdom

In December 1926, British and American newspapers wrote about the mysterious disappearance of the writer Agatha Christie. It was known that the author of detective novels had quarreled with her husband after his infidelity, left the children with the housekeeper, and left late at night in her car in an unknown direction. The next day, her car was found with the headlights on in a neighboring county. Investigators and journalists put forward many theories about the incident: Agatha was killed by her husband, she was kidnapped, or she decided to take her own life.

The House of Francis Scott Fitzgerald is available for rent on Airbnb

919 Felder Ave, Montgomery, AL 36106, USA

The house they lived in was nothing like the luxurious mansions of Gatsby and other Fitzgerald characters. It was a modest two-story brick building built in 1910, standing among magnolias just a mile from the places where Zelda was born. After the Fitzgeralds moved out (the death of the father triggered a new relapse in Zelda, and she had to be placed in a clinic again), the house was divided into four apartments. Today, the writer’s museum is located downstairs, and upstairs there are two-bedroom apartments available for rent through Airbnb to anyone interested.

Jane Austen's House in Bath is available on Airbnb

Jane Austen's House, Alton GU34 1SD, United Kingdom

To the delight of fans of Jane Austen's work, the former family home of the English writer can now be rented through Airbnb. If you are an aspiring writer struggling to finish your first novel, there are many ways to find inspiration. For example, you can attend a writing workshop, go for a walk, or get a good night's sleep.

El Muniria Hotel, Tangier, Morocco

1 Rue Magellan, Tangier 90000, Morocco

In the middle of the last century, Tangier was a refuge for hippies, rock musicians, and Beat writers—largely thanks to accessible drugs and thriving prostitution. They came for inspiration, enjoyed the sunlight, and embodied the Moroccan dream. However, the kingdom's reputation managed to attract other artists and literary figures as well.

The Eastern and Oriental Hotel, Penang, Malaysia (Rudyard Kipling, Somerset Maugham, Hermann Hesse)

10, Lebuh Farquhar, George Town, 10450 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

The Eastern & Oriental Hotel, also known as E&O, is located on Penang Island, the only hotel in the very heart of George Town listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Strand Hotel, Yangon, Burma (George Orwell, Rudyard Kipling, Somerset Maugham)

No.92 Strand Rd, Yangon, Myanmar (Burma)

Built in 1901 by the Sarkies brothers, known for establishments such as the Raffles in Singapore and the E&O in Penang, the Strand Hotel remains one of the longest-standing colonial landmarks in Asia. Chandeliers, charming ceiling fans, and authentic antique furniture, which have long served as the backdrop for meetings of famous explorers and storytellers, have been preserved.

Hotel Cecil, Alexandria, Egypt (in Agatha Christie, Somerset Maugham, Lawrence Durrell)

16 Saad Zaghloul Square, Al Mesallah Gharb WA Sharif Basha, Al Attarin, Alexandria Governorate 5373001, Egypt

The Cecil Hotel has hosted many celebrities and notable figures throughout its history. Each room is named after a famous person who stayed there at some point, including the internationally renowned Egyptian actor Omar Sharif, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, British detective writer Agatha Christie, Somerset Maugham, Josephine Baker, Henry Moore, Sir Montgomery, and even Al Capone.

Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor Hotel (Agatha Christie, Violaine Vanoyeke)

Luxor City, MJWP+MVC, Luxor City, Luxor, Luxor Governorate 1362404, Egypt

Located on the banks of the Nile River, amidst lush tropical gardens and ancient temples, the historic Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor hotel offers unparalleled hospitality in Luxor, Egypt. Combining rich colonial design with the glory of the pharaohs' era, this elegant palace provides unforgettable experiences in a romantic setting. Since 1886, this five-star hotel has been a favorite retreat for luminaries and high-ranking officials and remains a popular choice for the modern political and cultural elite.

Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan Hotel, Aswan, Egypt (Agatha Christie)

3VJQ+W2Q, Abtal El Tahrir Street, First Sheyakhah, Aswan 1, Aswan Governorate 1240836, Egypt

Located on the banks of the Nile River in Aswan, Egypt, the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan hotel is an oasis reminiscent of a legendary dream. The very name of the esteemed Old Cataract Aswan, opened in 1899 in Aswan, Egypt, was inspired by the confluence of the river and the granite wall forming the first Nile cataract. The Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan hotel features 220 luxurious rooms, including 82 stunning suites. One of the greatest architectural features of the hotel is its beautiful Moorish architecture...

Mena House Hotel, Giza, Egypt (Conan)

Kafr Nassar, Al Haram, X4PM+54C, Kafr Nassar, Al Haram, Giza Governorate 3514702, Egypt

A historic hotel, founded in 1886, located outside Cairo, Egypt. It is owned by Legacy Hotels, part of the Talaat Moustafa Group.

Mount Nelson Hotel, Cape Town, South Africa (Agatha Christie, Conan Doyle, and others)

76 Orange St, Gardens, Cape Town, 8001, South Africa

The Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town is located between Table Mountain and the city and first opened its doors to guests in 1899. It was the idea of Sir Donald Currie, a shipping magnate who wanted to provide a place for elite travelers making transcontinental journeys. It was the first hotel in the country to have hot and cold running water, and the first heated swimming pool.

Fairmont Peace Hotel, Shanghai, China (Bernard Shaw, Vicki Baum, Noël Coward)

China, Shanghai City, Huangpu District, No. 330 Beijing East Road Postal Code: 200002

A historic hotel on the waterfront in Shanghai, China, consists of two different buildings. The building originally housed the Cathay Hotel, and today it is the Fairmont Peace Hotel, operated by Fairmont Hotels and Resorts of Canada. The southern building was constructed as the Palace Hotel and today serves as a residence and studio for artists, known as the Swatch Art Peace Hotel. Both buildings face the waterfront but are separated by Nanjing Road.

Grand Hotel Galle Face Hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka (Arthur Conan Doyle, Mark Twain, Anton Chekhov, and Arthur C. Clarke)

WRCW+3CQ, Colombo, Sri Lanka

The grand hotel of South Asia, Galle Face Hotel, stands as a testament to both Sri Lanka's colonial past and its independent present. Over the years, many stories have accumulated about the hotel and its famous guests. The hotel began as a Dutch villa called Galle Face House, which was a meeting place for gentlemen of the colonial era. This continued until four British entrepreneurs decided to use it to start a business, unaware that by the end of the 19th century it would be known as one of the best hotels east of Suez.

Hotel Continental Saigon, Saigon, Vietnam

171 Đồng Khởi Street, Bến Nghé, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

The Continental Hotel is located in District 1, the central area of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The hotel is situated at the corner of Dong Khoi Street and Lam Son Square, near the Saigon Municipal Theatre. It was built in 1880 during the French colonial period and named after the Continental Hotel in Paris. Over the years, the hotel has undergone renovations while preserving the essence of its original architecture and style. The hotel is owned by the state company Saigon Tourist.