In the brisk embrace of winter, as snowflakes descend gently and soundlessly from the sky, and as the air turns crisp and fragrant, there's something truly magical about settling into a cozy reading retreat. A break from the workaday life to spend some quality time with the written word might be just what avid readers need to help them recharge.
As the holiday season unfolds, creating a warm and inviting haven for book lovers and other readers can transform your property into a haven of staycation enchantment. Let's embark on a journey to make your hotel into a dreamy reading retreat that beckons guests into a world of rest and relaxation.
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The snowballing allure of staycations
Staycations have gained immense popularity in recent years, offering an opportunity to leave behind the everyday hustle and bustle without ever venturing too far from home. For some staycationers, this might mean literally staying at home, but for many it means booking a room at a hotel in their own city or region.
The art of hospitality lies in creating a memorable guest experience, enabling your customers to unwind, rejuvenate and immerse themselves in the simpler pleasures of life, all within the comfort of your property.
For those who can afford neither the time nor the price tag of, say, a week-long retreat on a private island in rural Italy, a hometown staycation could very well be the ideal solution. Because they don't require the guest to book a flight anywhere, a staycation can be a more affordable and sustainable option.
Google data from a decade ago provides some very interesting insights. More than 55% of millennials and just over 50% of Gen-Xers searched for the term and sought further information, with search volumes peaking in the months of June and July.
Cut to the present, and the trend still seems to be on the rise. According to researchers at the University of Rovira i Virgili in Spain, once the pandemic-induced lockdowns and travel restrictions started dissipating, it “prompted the re-emergence of staycations.”
The homey reading retreat: a winter oasis
A reading retreat is more than merely a space filled with books; it's a sanctuary designed to evoke feelings of warmth, serenity and a hint of escape from reality.
As the world outside gets busier during the holiday season, your property can offer a haven where guests can rediscover the simple pleasures of reading.
As you prepare to weave the magic of a cozy reading retreat into your property, remember that you're engineering an experience that’s intended to invite guests to immerse themselves in a world of reading and relaxation — possibly the perfect combination.
Staycation ideas: designing your reading retreat
Select the perfect space
The beating heart of any reading retreat is its physical location within your property. Choose a spot that exudes snugness and tranquillity. Use your imagination, for such a space can be found — or created — almost anywhere. A quiet corner near a crackling fireplace. A window nook that overlooks a snow-covered courtyard.
The key is to create an atmosphere where time seems to slow down, the oh-so-busy present outside fades away and guests can focus on their own enjoyment instead of their worries.
Furnish for comfort
For reading retreats, comfort is key. Invest in plush seating options like overstuffed armchairs or a chaise longue. Adorn these with soft, inviting throws and an array of plump cushions — festive hues optional. The furniture should be comfortable and visually inviting, beckoning the guest to curl up with a good read and a cup of freshly brewed coffee.
A few relatively simple but thoughtful touches can make a room truly special, and this is also an excellent way to provide travel influencers with a cozy backdrop for their next Instagram post.
Bookshelves galore
The raison d'être of any reading retreat is, of course, the opportunity to dive into a good book. While a growing number of readers are turning to eReaders like the Kindle and Kobo or using digital reading platforms on their phones or tablets, there are still many who prefer the tactile experience offered by the printed page.
Curate a collection that spans various genres and themes, ensuring there's something for every palate. Fiction, nonfiction, classics and contemporary works should all find a place.
Consider displaying a few books selected for their beautifully designed or seasonally appropriate covers; they evoke a sense of anticipation and adventure.
Warm and uplifting lighting
Lighting plays a pivotal role in creating a cozy ambiance. Opt for warm, soft lighting through table lamps, floor lamps and wall sconces. The gentle glow should envelop the room like a comforting embrace, inviting bibliophiles to come and lose themselves in a new favorite book.
Add a few personal touches
It's the little details that transform a reading retreat into a truly magical place. Decorate with blankets featuring holiday patterns or cushions embroidered with famous literary quotes.
Reserve some space for a hot beverage station stocked with cocoa, spiced tea, and perhaps a dash of cinnamon or peppermint syrup, inviting guests to keep the winter at bay.
If you ask about their reading interests during the booking process, you can even offer each guest a personally tailored reading list.
Focus on wellness
Reading retreats can be about more than what's on the page (or the screen). This type of staycation could be considered a form of wellness tourism, in which travelers seek out opportunities to rejuvenate, recharge and achieve a sense of balance in their lives.
Offer activities and experiences that focus on such aspects of well-being as physical fitness, relaxation, mindfulness, stress reduction, nutrition and personal growth.
Where one book lover might choose solitude, another might enjoy the social aspects of yoga classes or even wintertime outdoor activities like skiing or snowshoeing.
Beyond the printed page
Because no two readers are alike, it's important that hotels planning reading retreats keep variety in mind. While some guests might be looking strictly for classic novels or a great collection of short stories, others might prefer a selection of publications from all over the globe.
While it would be impossible for any hotel to keep on hand the latest editions of every periodical that a guest might wish to read, hotels that offer PressReader as an amenity have a distinct advantage.
PressReader gives users access to over 7,000 magazines and newspapers from around the world, all on one easy-to-navigate digital platform.
There are titles geared specifically for those of a literary bent — Writer's Digest and The New York Review of Books, to name just two — PressReader also features top publications catering to every possible interest, from Rolling Stone and USA Today to Esquire and Elle Decor.
A literary escape to remember
This holiday season, let your property be the destination where guests can indulge in the joy of reading, wrapped in the warmth of your hospitality.
By embracing the concept of staycations, incorporating the unmatched variety of PressReader's digital library, and injecting your hotel's own unique brand of storytelling into the experience, you can ensure that your property stands out as a literary getaway.
