5 Charming Bookstores You Can Rent For A Romantic Stay

Anyone who has seen You've Got Mail and Notting Hill would know that bookstores have oodles of romantic vibes. For bibliophiles, these places are the ultimate destinations to go on a date or pop the question

The Shakespeare and Company bookstore in Paris Salvador Maniquiz/Shutterstock

Updated on:

14 Feb 2024, 10:15 am

3 min read

Love being surrounded by books, even when you travel? And got plans for a romantic holiday? Why not combine the two? Sounds hopelessly and unbelievably romantic, right! Here's a rundown of bookstores and libraries across the world that couples can rent for dates or stay-ins.

Sylvia Beach Hotel, Newport, Oregon

The hotel is named after renowned author Sylvia BeachPicasa

You will find no connections to the modern world in this hotel - television sets, WiFi, or even telephones in the room. The hotel was originally known as the New Cliff House Hotel and was renamed in honour of American author Sylvia Beach. It is listed on the US National Register of Historic Places. The oceanfront library is a peaceful haven where guests may read while admiring the view. And their Tables of Content Restaurant is a cosy place, perfect for long conversations.

Address: 267 NW Cliff St, Newport, OR 97365, United States

The Open Book, Wigtown, Scotland

You can book a stay, run the bookstore and live in the apartment just above itAirbnb

Ever dreamt of owning a bookstore with your partner? Well, The Open Book in Wigtown is where your dreams come true. You can book a stay, run the bookstore and live in the apartment just above it. An Airbnb, you have the leverage to organise and set your own prices for the books while enjoying romantic nights with your date. Since Wigtown is Scotland's National Book Town, you can expect many other book-cafes in the vicinity. Since the place is unique, it is booked well in advance. So if you are looking for a bookish romance, we advise you to make reservations months before.

Address: 2 High St, Wigtown, Newton Stewart DG8 9DS, United Kingdom

Shakespeare and Company, Paris, France

Everyone is welcome to stay at the place for free provided they read a book every day and help with the work of the bookstoreWikimedia Commons

If privacy is something that does not bother you as a couple and all that you want is to stay surrounded by books, then Shakespeare and Company is just right for you. In the 1950s, the founder, George Whitman, came up with the idea of "Tumbleweeds", which essentially refers to the idea that everyone is welcome to stay at the place for free provided they read a book every day and help with the work of the bookstore. All "tumbleweeds" are also encouraged to write an autobiography so that the bookstore has a record of them - the perfect way to immortalise your love for each other.

Address: 37 rue de la Bûcherie, 75005 Paris, France

Prairie Lights Books & Cafe, Iowa City, USA

This small, cosy bookstore has hosted many writersPrairie Lights Cafe/Facebook

This small, cosy bookstore has hosted many writers including Carl Sandburg, Robert Frost, Sherwood Anderson, and Langston Hughes in the past. With the help of staff and clients who meticulously tend to the books, much like a garden, the bookshop has prospered and become a hub for Pulitzer Prize-winning writers. The location is lovely and it has a café where you may go on a date with your loved one.

Address: 15 S Dubuque St, Iowa City, IA 52240, United States

The Head And The Hand Bookstore, Philadelphia

This store lets couples book a space for themselves in flameless candle-lit date spaceFacebook

This one lets couples book a space for themselves in flameless candle-lit date space. And serves you a bottle of wine too. You can either bring your own food or get it delivered. What's a date without a gift? You can gift a book to your partner from the in-house publication section. You can rent the store out by appointment for Date Night at 5 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday.

Address: 2230 Frankford Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19125

Scotland