The Best Books Set In Hotels
Nita Prose’s recently published hit debut, The Maid, takes places almost entirely within the confines of the glorious Regency Grand Hotel. It’s in these hotel corridors and rooms that Molly does her work, mostly uneventfully, as a chambermaid every day. However one day, Molly finds herself at the centre of a murder investigation after she finds a wealthy guest, Mr Black, dead in his room.
So many brilliant books have been set in a hotel, which often provides the perfect setting to explore various interesting interactions between guests and staff. Sometimes they find love, other times – like in The Maid – the hotel provides the perfect backdrop for a murder mystery!
Here are a few of my favourites:
A Gentleman In Moscow by Amor Towles
I adored this 1920s historical novel which follows the story of Count Alexander Rostov who finds himself exiled to the luxurious Hotel Metropol in Moscow by the Communist Party.
Ordered to remain under house arrest for the rest of his life, it’s not long before the charming Count has made friends within the hotel.
Beautifully written and full of heart, this rich and satisfying novel will leave you sorry to be checking out of the Hotel Metropol as you reach the final page.
One Enchanted Evening by Anton Du Beke
The first in a series of four books set in the 1930s, One Enchanted Evening follows the ups and downs of the staff and guests who pass through the doors of the glamorous Buckingham Hotel in London.
As Raymond de Guise and his troop of dancers command the dance floor in the Grand Ballroom, his new colleague Nancy Nettleton, a chambermaid at the Buckingham, struggles to adapt to life in the city after leaving her small hometown.
Scandal, secrets, love and friendship all feature in this wonderful book from Strictly star, Anton Du Beke – and book number five is due out later this year!
Evil Under The Sun by Agatha Christie
Quite a few Agatha Christie novels are set in hotels – after all, they do provide the perfect setting for mystery and intrigue!
In this one, poor old Poirot misses out on a long-overdue holiday in sunny Devon when he finds a fellow guest, Arlene Stuart, dead on the beach.
Read Nita Prose’s fabulous short story in this week’s issue of My Weekly and see ‘Evil Under The Sun’ make a guest appearance!
The Lemon Tree Hotel by Rosanna Ley
I love a book that transports me to somewhere fabulous and this book certainly does that as it whisks the reader all the way to the stunning Italian Riviera where we meet three generations of the a family running The Lemon Tree Hotel, a converted convent.
The arrival of two guests prompts stories from the past to be uncovered and soon family secrets are spilling out.
A sumptuous read and so beautifully immersive that you will almost feel like you can smell the lemon trees!
The Staycation by Cressida McLaughlin
Hester may be a travel agent extrordinaire but the truth is she hasn’t been on a plane in years, thanks to her fear of flying.
When new client, Jake Oakenfield, finds himself laid up in the luxurious Duval Hotel in London during his recovery from an accident, he tasks Hester with recreating magical trips around the world from the confines of his hotel room.
The ultimate in armchair travel!
