As its hospitality client roster continues to grow, Ultimate Library‘s founder Philip Blackwell talks landmark hotel projects, curating the perfect collection, and what’s next for the company.
How did the idea to launch a unique company like Ultimate Library come about?
As a fourth-generation bookseller and publisher guided by wanderlust, I founded Ultimate Library in 2008 to unite my love for travel and literature. At that time, I found that while five-star hotels excelled in luxury – offering personalised services and indulgent amenities – their book collections often consisted of forgotten, tattered airport reads. Recognising the transformative power of books to elevate travel experiences and bring destinations to life, I wanted to curate bespoke libraries and collections that reveal the heart and soul of each place through the written word. From an informal start, I have now built a team of fellow bibliophiles with a combined 100 years of experience.
What services do you offer to hotels?
For the last 15 years we’ve been working with hotels and resorts around the world to design immersive literary experiences that entertain, engage and inspire their guests. Our service is completely bespoke, and covers everything from book curation and design consultation, to expert sourcing and styling. More recently we have renewed our focus on supporting partners to keep their collections fresh with regular maintenance, and to enhance guest engagement through literary activations.
What kind of spaces are the selected books typically integrated into?
We are lucky to work with partners who share our belief that a room is incomplete without books. No project is too big or too small, and ours range from dedicated library spaces, to tightly curated bedside reading and lobby coffee table browsing. We’ve found that collections in spas, kids clubs, bars and workspaces work well to connect guests with the unique programme that each space offers.
What kind of hotels do you partner with?
All kinds! We collaborate with both boutique gems, like the highly acclaimed Passalacqua in Lake Como, and global brands including Aman, Accor, IHG and Hilton. Properties range from luxury yachts to ski chalets, country retreats to urban long-stay apartments, beachside resorts, to safari lodges, and our projects span over 50 countries.
What kind of research do you do to curate the perfect collection?
Each project begins with a conversation to explore how books will be integrated into the property and the experience they will create for guests. We talk through the guest demographic, the hotel’s brand pillars, and what makes the property unique. We look for books that might highlight the property’s architecture, art collections or available guest experiences. A key focus for us is evoking a sense of place, so location and the history of a property is always an important part of our research. Perhaps a great artist or writer has stayed there, such as Vincenzo Bellini in the case of Passalacqua, Lake Como or Ian Fleming at The OWO, London. We’re always on the lookout for those perfect titles that will surprise and delight guests, subtly telling the story of the property, as only books can do.
What can a curated book collection bring to the guest experience?
One of the best ways to truly understand a place is by connecting with its local community, and literature offers an unparalleled window into the perspectives and experiences of others. Whilst we hope our book collections are more than wallpaper, there is no denying that books add warmth to a room and contribute to the feeling of a home away from home. Beyond aesthetics, reading is a powerful wellness tool that complements the rise of digital detoxing and the growing focus on holistic wellbeing in hospitality. From reducing stress and improving sleep to fostering empathy and boosting self-esteem, the simple act of turning a page offers countless benefits, making books an essential part of any restorative retreat.
What was the first hotel project you worked on?
Early on I had a chance meeting with Sonu Shivdasani, co-founder of Soneva (as well as Six Senses) in Oxford. It was clear this was a meeting of minds and over time, we’ve learned valuable lessons together and continue to collaborate in inspiring ways. We started out with libraries and villa collections that connect guests with the brand’s barefoot luxury ethos, before developing our most celebrated initiative, the highly publicised Barefoot Booksellers programme – unique desert island book shops at Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani, where book experts advise guests on their next great read through personalised consultations.
Tell us about a recent hotel project that you worked on?
We’ve been collaborating over the past year with various stakeholders within the much-anticipated luxury development, The Whiteley in London, to curate collections for various spaces, each with its own distinct brief. For the Designer Collection residence by Joyce Wang, we were asked to source orange-spined books to complement the space’s detailing. In the Residents Lounge, the collection takes on a thematic and geographical focus, featuring titles on London’s rich history. Meanwhile, for the Spa Reception at Six Senses London, we’ve chosen books on herbalism, blending ancient wellness practices with modern approaches to align seamlessly with the brand’s pioneering wellness philosophy.
Ultimate Library also works to curate various guest experiences like talks and pop-ups – tell us about those?
We are seeing growing demand from our partners to curate literary programmes that bring their collection to life and build community – thoughtful welcome gifts, author talks, informal book clubs and digital content. This year we launched Surrenne Reads in partnership with Maybourne, a quarterly book club for members offering access to leading wellness experts in an intimate breakfast setting. Further afield we’ve partnered with Karma to curate a series of literary weekends with some of our favourite authors, whose books have been inspired by breathtaking locations. We’ve got some exciting projects in the pipeline, in New York, London and globally so watch this space.
What’s next for Ultimate Library?
The hospitality sector is evolving in exciting ways, including the hotelification of workspaces – such as our current project curating a library of 8,000 books for 40 Leadenhall in London – along with innovations in later living and branded residences. We’re thrilled to contribute to these forward-thinking trends shaping the future of hospitality in all its forms.
