The Library Hotel

Originally obtained from a press release. Photos reprinted with permission of the Library Hotel.

Following the theme of this I Love Library's issue around vacations, summer traveling and libraries, this article focuses on a library lover's dream place to stay - a hotel with a library theme!

The Library Hotel, one of New York’s luxury boutique properties, opened on August 7, 2000 after its full conversion from a turn-of-the-century, 12-story office building. 

The intimate 60-room hotel, located on “Library Way” at Madison Avenue and 41st Street just steps from the majestic New York Public Library and the Pierpont Morgan Library, was designed to feel more like a private club than a hotel.

Each of the ten guestroom floors of the Library is dedicated to one of the ten major categories of the Dewey Decimal System* including:

*Dewey®, DDC® and Dewey Decimal Classification® are the proprietary trademarks of OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc. and are used with permission.

Each of the Library's elegantly appointed guest rooms is decorated with framed art and a library of books that relate to the room’s specific Dewey Decimal theme.  Guests can request a room based on personal interests.  For example, guests with a passion for literature can stay on the eighth floor in the Fiction, Fairy Tales or Erotic Literature room.  The Math and Science floor offers such intriguing room themes as Astronomy and Botany.  Law, Money, The Internet and Love are also among the 60 eclectic themes available on the Room Menu.  The hotel is home to over 6,000 books, each title carefully picked at the Strand Bookstore, which carries the largest collection of used and rare books in NYC.   

Rooms, elegantly simple and comfortable, are decorated in rich cream tones with mahogany doors and cabinetry (over one million dollars of mahogany throughout the hotel), polished granite-topped desks and orchid plants.  In-room amenities and services include daily turndown service with bottled spring water and Belgian Chocolate; plush bathrobes, and multiple phone lines with voice mail, data ports and complimentary high-speed & wireless Internet access also highlight the room.

The hotel’s lobby is wrapped in book-filled mahogany shelves, and the wall behind the reception desk is a floor-to-ceiling faux library card catalog.  The booked-lined second-floor Reading Room is where guests enjoy complimentary refreshments -- deluxe continental breakfast; cappuccino, coffee, teas, cookies and fruits throughout the day; wine and cheese reception from 5-8 p.m. Monday through Sunday evenings.  Patrons are welcome to invite one visitor to join them here at no additional charge.  The Poetry Garden, a rooftop greenhouse sitting room with a terrace, and the cozy Writer’s Den, a mahogany-paneled sitting room featuring overstuffed seating with a working fireplace and its own terrace, are located on the 14th Floor. Spectacular events in this unique space can be customized for any occasion.  An Executive Inspiration Board Room with oversized windows occupies the Penthouse Floor (15th floor).  The hotel also provides a Business Center with computer stations and privileges at a nearby New York Sports Club. 

Madison & Vine, the hotel’s first floor American Bistro and International Wine Bar serves lunch & dinner.  Casually elegant, it’s has become one of the neighborhood’s most popular spots to enjoy a quick bite and a glass of wine or an exquisite meal.

The 14th Floor transforms into Bookmarks Lounge at 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday. It features cocktails to carry on the literary theme such as the Great Gatsby and the Capote. Bookmarks Lounge is operated by Hospitality Holdings, one of the most high quality hospitality groups in New York.

Henry Kallan, one of New York’s leading “indie” boutique hoteliers, created the Library Hotel. Henry Kallan also operates Hotel Elysée, home of the renowned Monkey Bar, the jewel-like Casablanca Hotel, the chic art-deco Hotel Giraffe. The Library Hotel was designed by The Stephen B. Jacobs Group, P.C., architects, and Andi Pepper Interior Design.  The author of the Library concept is Jordan Jacobs, Stephen and Andi’s son.

For pricing and reservations call  (212) 983-4500 or (877) 793-7323, email reservations@libraryhotel.com or visit their web site at www.libraryhotel.com.