Featured blog posts

I’ll see you at the bookshop!

Hotels Near Southampton Cruise Terminal
Travel, Hotel Reviews, Cruising Julia Mitchell Travel, Hotel Reviews, Cruising Julia Mitchell

Hotels Near Southampton Cruise Terminal

Southampton is a great place to start any cruise holiday, with plenty of amenities and a range of hotels to suit all budgets.

In this blog post I have selected the very best hotels in Southampton, broken down by price. While doing so, I only chose hotels that were within a 15 minute taxi ride from the cruise terminal - with so many to choose from, you really don’t have to stay further away.

One main point of advice is to ensure that you book your hotel room early, as Southampton is a busy city and this will ensure that you get the best price possible.

Read More
Hotel Wedina Review - Hamburg’s Literary Hotel
Travel, Hotel Reviews Julia Mitchell Travel, Hotel Reviews Julia Mitchell

Hotel Wedina Review - Hamburg’s Literary Hotel

When I planned to sail on Cunard’s newest cruise ship, Queen Anne, during her first voyage into Hamburg, I was delighted to discover that the city has its very own literary hotel.

Based in the St Georg district of central Hamburg, the hotel itself is very easy to find with its striking red exterior. We arrived after a short drive from the cruise port, which we booked on Uber, and were greeted by their friendly reception staff in their flawless English.

Read More
Sheraton Grand London Park Lane Review
Travel, Hotel Reviews Julia Mitchell Travel, Hotel Reviews Julia Mitchell

Sheraton Grand London Park Lane Review

Located between two of central London’s iconic parks, the Sheraton Grand London Park Lane is a luxurious five star hotel just a short walk away from Buckingham Palace. Boasting stunning art deco interiors and in a premier location, this is one hotel that you won’t want to check out from.

I visited the Sheraton as part of their 2024 World Book Day Celebrations. Partnering with Reece’s Book Club, the Sheraton opened a pop up library in the lobby which played host to a number of book talks and book clubs. Stocked with titles from Reece’s Book Club, it was a fantastic way for the community to come together and celebrate literature in a unique location.

Read More
The University Arms Hotel, Cambridge - Review
Travel, Hotel Reviews Julia Mitchell Travel, Hotel Reviews Julia Mitchell

The University Arms Hotel, Cambridge - Review

The University Arms Hotel has been high on my bookish to-visit list for a very long time, and for good reason! This literary hotel has a long history, having been in service in a variety of forms since the 1800s. Now owned by Marriott Bonvoy aspart of their Autograph Collection, the property boasts stunning Edwardian interiors and offers a truly luxurious experience in the heart of Cambridge.

I stayed at the hotel for two nights in one of their stunning terrace suites, and also had the chance to dine in their onsite restaurant the Parkers Tavern. The hotel underwent a thorough renovation in 2016, and it’s clear that Marriott invested a significant amount of time and money in the refit. I particularly loved the little details, and loved the signs that were shaped like books.

Read More
B2 Boutique Hotel + Spa Review
Travel, Hotel Reviews Julia Mitchell Travel, Hotel Reviews Julia Mitchell

B2 Boutique Hotel + Spa Review

Welcome to Zürich’s designated literary hotel, the B2 Boutique. This is somewhere that’s been on my literary travel bucket list for a very long time, and visiting was an absolute dream come true. I’m excited to show you around!

Upon entering the hotel lobby you’ll snatch your first glance of the B2 Boutique’s coveted library. The lobby area has lots of comfy seating options and doubles up as a large coworking space, making it a great place to grab an armchair and a coffee and get some work done, or just relax with a book.

Read More
The Academy Hotel Review, London
Travel, Hotel Reviews Julia Mitchell Travel, Hotel Reviews Julia Mitchell

The Academy Hotel Review, London

As someone who’s been a Londoner for nearly 3 years, this city has become my playground, workplace and above all, my home. Something that it hasn’t been for me yet is a holiday spot - so I jumped at the chance to stay at one of Bloomsbury’s gorgeous boutique hotels, The Academy, for a night away with my boyfriend Tom.

Read More
Sleeping in a library! | A Stay at Gladstone's Library, Wales
Travel, Hotel Reviews Julia Mitchell Travel, Hotel Reviews Julia Mitchell

Sleeping in a library! | A Stay at Gladstone's Library, Wales

Arriving in the little Welsh village of Hawarden for the first time, my friend Christy and I stumbled upon a grand looking building while looking for our bookish B&B, Gladstone’s Library. I blinked, and looked down at the map on my phone: ‘that is the library!’

Nestled on the border between northern Wales and Cheshire, Hawarden houses the UK’s only residential library, filled with books collected by the former Prime Minister William Gladstone.

Read More