Airbnb's hidden library inside St Paul's Cathedral is a bookworm's dream
Airbnb has created the ultimate literary escape for bookworms this month: a secret library in London's icon St Paul's Cathedral.
The unique Airbnb, part of the rental website's one-off stays, which have included Barbie's Malibu Dreamhouse, Winnie the Pooh's house at Hundred Acre Wood and Gwyneth Paltrow's California guesthouse, is designed to celebrate World Book Day on 7th March.
It will be the first time anyone has officially slept inside the London landmark since the St Paul’s Watch protected the building during World War II.
With a specially curated collection of over 22,000 books – ranging from classics to Penguin Random House US' upcoming releases from Holly Jackson, Kevin Kwan and John Grisham – the one-of-a-kind Airbnb is a magical space for bibliophiles to be transported to another realm.
We took a tour of the Hidden Library Airbnb before the guests are welcomed later this month and were blown away by the enchanting space. Among the thousands of books were two sliding library ladders and quirky features, such as a mini Hidden Library Airbnb inside one of the books, and ornaments inspired by the likes of Alice in Wonderland and Moby Dick.
During the 15th March stay, guests will enter St Paul’s Cathedral through the Dean’s door, climbing the famous Geometric Staircase, designed by architect Sir Christopher Wren over 300 years ago.
Once at the top of the staircase, guests will enter the doors to the captivating library space, before enjoying the literary paradise. And to make the escape extra special, they'll be greeted by the Dean of St Paul’s and receive a tour of the Cathedral.
Excitingly, they'll be able to lose track of time in the pages of Holly Jackson’s The Reappearance of Rachel Price, John Grisham’s Camino Ghosts, and Kevin Kwan’s Lies and Weddings before they hit the shelves.
The stay costs £7 (a nod to World Book Day on 7th March) and includes dinner at a nearby restaurant and breakfast. Before checking out, guests will be gifted signed and stamped copies of the upcoming unreleased books from Penguin Random House US.
Airbnb's exclusive Hidden Library listing opens for a booking on 12th March at 10am.
If you can't wait until then, here are some literary-inspired rentals and Airbnbs with impressive libraries you can book now...
Charles Dickens' former home in London
You can live out your literary dreams with a stay in novelist Charles Dickens' former Fitzrovia pad, with its sash windows and exposed brick wall setting the scene for your reading adventures.
Apartment in the centre of Athens
Head to Greece's capital city, where this elegant abode awaits, with its own library and wooden desk for inspired bookworms to start writing their own novel.
Parisian loft near Canal Saint-Martin
Take your trendy stay in Paris' Canal Saint-Martin district to the next level by checking in to this industrial-style loft with its cosy corners to curl up with a book.
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