Thursday, August 26, 2010

Top 5 Famous Literary Hotels

Which literary residences have outlived the authors they inspired? And who keeps track of things of importance such as this?
It has been reported that the Grand Hôtel des Bains — Thomas Mann’s residence on the Lido and the backdrop for his novella Death in Venice — will close its doors to be converted into luxury apartments.
Coming to you from the world wide web's inexhaustible supply of 'lists', a writer by the name of Chelsea Bauch nominates five famous hotels that have earned their place in literary history. You can check out her list here.
Take a look at two of her top five:


New York's Hotel Chelsea: 'A go-to residence for artists, writers, musicians, and filmmakers for more than a century — many of whose non-monetary payments still decorate the walls — this infamous landmark has inspired as many scandals as it has stories. Dylan Thomas lived and died on the premises, poets Allen Ginsberg and Gregory Corso matched intellectual wits within its walls, Arthur C. Clarke wrote 2001: A Space Odyssey there, and other literary guests (both short and long-term) have included Thomas Wolfe, Eugene O’Neil, and William Burroughs.'


The Stanley Hotel, Colorado: 'Although accounts vary regarding the basis for the Overlook Hotel — the isolated and endlessly creepy setting of Stephen King’s The Shining — it’s widely reported that King conceived the basic novel idea while staying at this out-of-the-way Colorado hotel with his wife. The Stanley Hotel’s Georgian style is just one of several accommodations that King reportedly drew from for his chilling house of horrors, but this is apparently where it all started.'


Can you add to the list?

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