With a growing awareness of the benefits of digital desaturation and an appetite for travelers to switch off from the digital world (LSN Study, January 2019), four IHG® Hotels & Resorts properties will be providing guests with a library service in the hotel lobby to encourage guests to put down their phone and instead indulge in a book by a local author.
Launching in time for the May half term break, 27th May, books will be available at four properties across the UK; Holiday Inn Express® Edinburgh, voco™ St. David’s Cardiff, Staybridge Suites® London – Vauxhall and Hotel Indigo® Stratford upon Avon. Located in the lobby of each hotel, the library will feature a selection of books written by local authors, poets and playwrights which guests can borrow for free when they stay at one of the participating properties. In addition to the books, information about the local authors will be on display to provide guests with more information about the writers.
With IHG’s global sale this summer where bookers can save at least 20%* at thousands of hotels when you book between now and July 31st – there isn’t a better time to venture to these well loved literary destinations.
Locations and local authors featured:
- Holiday Inn Express® Edinburgh:K Rowling, Robert Louis Stevenson, Kate Atkinson, Muriel Spark and Robert Burns
- voco™ St. David’s Cardiff: Roald Dahl, Ken Follett, Rosie Harrison, Jon Ronson and Dylan Thomas
- Staybridge Suites London- Vauxhall: Charles Dickens, Agatha Christie, George Orwell, Sir Arther Conan Doyle and Zadie Smith
- Hotel Indigo® Stratford upon Avon: William Shakespeare
Karan Khanna, IHG’s Managing Director for UK&I said: “ Our guests are our main priority and we are committed to ensuring they get the best experience when they stay with us. In a world where, technology and staying connected is key, it is also important for guests to feel they can fully unwind and relax. This offer will enable guests to escape the digital world and truly immerse themselves in the literary world of some of the UK’s best loved writers.”
Participating IHG Properties:
Holiday Inn Express® Edinburgh City Centre
Located right in the city centre and in the heart of Edinburgh’s culture. The hotel featuresthe latest design including beds with higher padded noise reducing headboards, and flexible work/rest areas. Holiday Inn Express is perfect choice for a quick weekend getaway, from speedy check-in to power showers, complimentary Wi-Fi and breakfast included.
Authors: J.K Rowling, Robert Louis Stevenson, Irvine Welsh, Muriel Spark
Rates from: £96.03 including breakfast
IHG welcomes one of its newest hotel brands, voco™, to Cardiff Bay with its glass-fronted façade, private balconies, floor-to-ceiling windows and coastal setting. voco St David’s Cardiff hotel offers a luxurious retreat from which to explore Wales. Guests can enjoy some ‘me time’ and relax and unwind at the recently renovated hotel by enjoying some Roald Dahl classics from the library – a theme woven into the hotel’s design.
Authors: Roald Dahl, Ken Follett, Rosie Harrison, Jon Ronson and Dylan Thomas
Rates from: Dinner, bed and breakfast from £150.00
Staybridge Suites® – London Vauxhall
A comfortable central London hotel offering suites with fully equipped kitchens, free Wi-Fi, a daily complementary buffet breakfast, and an onsite pantry filled with everyday items. In a quiet street but close to the corners of the city that inspired Charles Dickens and others, Staybridge Suites® London – Vauxhall hotel offers apartment-style accommodation for families and friends to escape this half term.
Authors: Charles Dickens, Agatha Christie, George Orwell, Sir Arther Conan Doyle and Zadie Smith
Rates from: £80.00 including breakfast
Hotel Indigo® Stratford upon Avon
In the heart of this Shakespearean market town is the newly opened Hotel Indigo® Stratford-upon-Avon. Taking inspiration for the local neighbourhood, the hotel brings to life its historical surrounding through design with nods to Shakepeare throughout.
Author: Shakespeare
Rates from: £163.50 for Explore and Snore package with breakfast included
The service these four hotels are putting in place will reinforce the disconnected break that travellers crave while offering a unique way to experience popular UK holiday destinations. All are welcome to donate books to the hotels as well to help others disconnect too.
* Book direct at https://www.ihg.com/globalsale.