Check Into A Story
Radisson Hotel's Literary Escapes invites guests into a world of books and storytelling.
By SOH Edit Team
Leisure travel once meant checking into a nice hotel and relaxing by the pool or bar. Today's traveller, however, wants more—experiences that spark the mind and feed the soul, a stay beyond just a comfortable bed. They seek stories, culture, and moments that linger.
Enter Radisson Hotel Group’s Literary Escapes, an initiative that transforms a hotel stay into a celebration of literature. In partnership with Simon & Schuster India, Radisson integrates books, authors, and literary experiences into the guest journey. “Literary Escapes is our initiative to elevate the hotel stay into a cultural and intellectual journey,” says Nikhil Sharma, Managing Director and Area Senior Vice President, Radisson Hotel Group South Asia. “In partnership with Simon & Schuster India, we have created immersive experiences that go beyond traditional hospitality: book lounges, pop-up libraries, author meet-and-greets, and book signings allow guests to explore literature in thoughtful settings. The goal is to foster meaningful engagement with our guests within our hotels and offer them curated cultural experiences."
Simon & Schuster India brings serious literary cred to the table. With a catalog spanning fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books, they ensure the program feels authentic and engaging. Their involvement means guests get to rub shoulders with celebrated authors, from Vikas Swarup of Slumdog Millionaire fame to Advaita Kala. “Their involvement ensures authentic, inspiring literary content and author interactions that enrich the experience for guests. Simon & Schuster India’s literary credibility, cross-generational appeal, and strong alignment with RHG’s storytelling and cultural positioning make them a perfect fit for an asset like Literary Escapes,” says Sharma.
Nikhil Sharma, Managing Director and Area Senior Vice President, Radisson Hotel Group South Asia.
The events themselves are as varied as the books on the shelves. Picture this: an intimate book reading where Vikas Swarup shares an excerpt from his latest novel, The Girl with Seven Lives, offering guests a peek into his creative process. Or a literary evening where storytelling meets art, like the one with Advaita Kala that was hosted at the Kiran Nadar Museum, and with Benyamin in Kochi, where guests soaked in a mix of narrative and culture. Sharma adds, “We have curated a diverse range of experiences under our Literary Escapes initiative, from intimate book readings and interactive discussions to author signings and specially designed literary evenings that blend storytelling with art and culture.
Radisson has gone all-in on creating spaces for this literary magic. Select hotels across their massive India portfolio feature book lounges and pop-up libraries. These aren’t your average hotel lobbies with a dusty bookshelf. They’re thoughtfully designed nooks where you can sink into a good book, surrounded by a curated selection of Simon & Schuster titles. For Radisson, Literary Escapes is a way to connect with experiential travelers who value creativity and connection.
