HotelsMag June 2016 | Page 38

The Restoration ' s Culture Library in Charleston , South Carolina , offers an eclectic collection of books , magazines and art journals , as well as a bar with local spirits .

The library at Carlisle Bay in Antigua uses fiber-optic lighting that changes color throughout the evening .

With the popularity of e-books and tablets , the idea of a hotel library may seem counterintuitive , but the feature is increasingly being installed to keep guests engaged in the hotel .

The Restoration in Charleston , South Carolina , re-opened in 2015 after a year-long “ transformation ” that included

the Culture Library . The space contains an eclectic collection of books , magazines and art journals , as well as a bar stocked with local spirits . “ Restoration librarians ,” a twist on a traditional concierge , provide guests reading recommendations .

“ Our core inspiration was the history of cultural libraries in the

South ,” explains Cory Ingram , chief creative officer and principal at Identity Atélier , the designer of renovation . “ These libraries were created for intellectuals , artists and diplomats to discuss culture . We created our version of this classic southern library to reflect this historical moment .”

On the not-so-traditional

spectrum , the library at Carlisle Bay in Antigua uses fiber-optic lighting that changes color . Designed to attract guests of all ages , the collection includes “ beach reads ” of top travel journalists . The library opened alongside the hotel in 2004 but was refurbished in 2015 with the funky lighting and vibrant paint that

includes pops of purple , lime and sunny yellow . “ The library was designed as a cool , hip space where guests could find the best beach reads and kick back after a day at the beach ,” says Michael Frasner , Carlisle Bay ’ s marketing manager . “ The library ’ s design matches Carlisle Bay ’ s modern Caribbean feel .”

Suites at Level Furnished Living Downtown Los

Angeles feature high-end kitchen appliances .

More hotels are upping their game on giving guests not just the home-away-fromhome experience , but the home-you-wishyou-had experience . At the recently opened Marmara Park Avenue in New York City , apartment-style suites offer fully equipped kitchens , expansive living rooms and private terraces . Included in the

accommodations is a three-bedroom duplex with hardwood floors and stainless steel appliances .

“ We wanted to create the kind of hotel where guests wouldn ’ t

just feel at home , but they ’ d experience the closest thing to everyone ’ s dream of a New York apartment ,” says Nur Ercan-Magden , general manager of Marmara Park Avenue .

On the West Coast , Level Furnished Living Downtown Los Angeles combines the style and service of a boutique hotel with the space and comfort of an apartment . The suites

feature contemporary living spaces , luxury bath and home amenities , floor-to-ceiling windows , flat-screen televisions , in-suite laundry and high-end kitchen appliances .

34 hotelsmag . com June 2016