8 Extraordinary Bookstores and Libraries Where You Can Sleep Overnight

For a book lover, there’s no place quite as comforting as a bookstore, library, or any spot brimming with books from floor to ceiling. And when traveling far from home, you might find yourself wishing you could rest surrounded by books rather than in some unfamiliar hotel room.

If you're in the right place, you might just be able to make that dream come true. Across the world, several bookstores and libraries offer the unique experience of overnight stays. From Gladstone’s Library in Wales to the Tsutaya Book Apartment in Tokyo, here are eight spots that should be on your list.

1. Gladstone’s Library // Hawarden, Wales

In the late 1800s, former UK Prime Minister William Gladstone began relocating books from his private library at Hawarden Castle in Wales to a more public space, so that anyone could enjoy them. He also left a significant endowment to ensure the project continued after his death, and in 1902, a library dedicated to him opened its doors. A few years later, his family added a residential wing, which still welcomes book enthusiasts today.

Along with gaining access to over 150,000 books and other literary works in Gladstone’s vast collection, visitors can relax in the grand Reading Rooms and enjoy a meal at the charmingly named bistro, Food for Thought. True to Gladstone’s vision of making knowledge accessible, the Library offers a range of discounts and even scholarships to make it easier for scholars to visit.

2. Shakespeare and Company // Paris, France

In 1951, George Whitman opened his Paris bookstore, Shakespeare and Company, with a motto that perfectly captured his free-spirited nature: “Be not inhospitable to strangers lest they be angels in disguise.” Anyone could stay at the shop for free, as long as they read a book daily, helped out in the store for a few hours, and left behind a one-page autobiography. These so-called 'Tumbleweeds' became a tradition, and over the last 70 years, the shop has hosted more than 30,000 of them.

The accommodations are cozy and highly communal, offering a truly authentic bohemian vibe. As the website puts it, “Privacy is not really an option!” If you’re curious about becoming a Tumbleweed, simply send an email to [email protected] with “Tumbleweed” in the subject line to find out more.

3. Sylvia Beach Hotel // Newport, Oregon

George Whitman drew his inspiration from Sylvia Beach, who opened the original Shakespeare and Company bookstore in Paris in 1919. The shop quickly became a gathering spot for the most influential American writers in Paris, including Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, T.S. Eliot, and others, until the Nazis took over in 1941. Beach's legacy lives on in Oregon's Sylvia Beach Hotel, a charming seaside inn that fully embraces its literary theme. Each room is named after a famous writer, from Emily Dickinson and Shakespeare to Ken Kesey and Amy Tan, as well as many of Beach's 20th-century contemporaries.

On the third floor, overlooking the ocean, is the hotel’s cozy library, filled with books, puzzles, armchairs, and sofas, plus a strict no-phones policy. In fact, the Sylvia Beach Hotel doesn’t provide Wi-Fi anywhere, and there are no TVs or telephones in the rooms. What it does offer is the perfect place to unplug, along with a free breakfast served in its literary-themed restaurant, “Tables of Content.”

4. Tsutaya Book Apartment // Tokyo, Japan

The Tsutaya Book Apartment offers visitors a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo’s Shinjuku district, and you can stay for as long as you like. Open 24 hours a day, the space operates on an hourly rate. Find a comfy bench nestled among the bookshelves or splurge on a private booth; there’s also a women-only floor, showers, and luggage storage available. While you can’t currently book online, you can request a reservation via email. Just scroll to “If you do not know how to book, click here” on the website to access a template for your email request.

5. The Literary Man Óbidos Hotel // Óbidos, Portugal

Nestled near a castle in the historic town of Óbidos, Portugal, The Literary Man is a hotel that features a vast collection of over 70,000 books. These literary treasures are displayed on shelves that cover nearly every wall, and the inviting furniture makes it easy to curl up with a good book no matter where you are. To reinforce the literary ambiance, the cocktail menu includes drinks inspired by famous authors and their works, from F. Scott Fitzgerald to Moby-Dick.

6. The Open Book // Wigtown, Scotland

Wigtown truly lives up to its title as Scotland’s National Book Town, but perhaps its crowning jewel is The Open Book—a bookshop where you can experience the life of a bookseller without making a permanent commitment. Guests stay in the apartment above the store, which they are free to open and run at their leisure. One guest even kept it open until midnight, simply “because we can!” The reviews speak volumes, with one visitor calling it “a wonderful, magical experience in a wonderful, magical town.” Another shared, “The magic grows on you as you become, albeit briefly, part of the town’s fabric. We truly felt embraced and cared about.”

The Open Book requires a six-night minimum stay and currently has no available slots on Airbnb. However, you can join their email waiting list to receive updates if a spot opens up.

7. La Librairie // Paris, France

Once home to literary greats like Honoré de Balzac, Victor Hugo, and Colette, Paris’s trendy Marais district is the perfect backdrop for bookish accommodations. La Librairie is a spacious suite that captures the charm of an old-fashioned Parisian bookshop, with modern amenities like a Nespresso machine, a Bose sound system, free Wi-Fi, and soundproofed walls to ensure your reading time remains undisturbed. Bookshelves adorn every room—yes, even the bathroom—so you might find little need for the sleek flat-screen TV in the living room.

8. Book and Bed // Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo’s Book and Bed offers a simple yet perfect formula for a hostel: a comfy bed and a good book to unwind with after a hectic day. Inside, minimalist sleeping pods are nestled between wooden shelves stocked with thousands of books in both Japanese and English. Guests also have access to a shower and café. Traveling elsewhere in Japan? You might find a Book and Bed waiting for you—there’s a location in Osaka and a third one soon to open in Kyoto.