Although we spend more time than ever staring into light bulbs on our laptops, tablets and cells, old fashioned books made with trees and ink are still cool.
In response, Stephanie Olenik and her partners have merged books and the lodging business, with an interesting twist.
Olenik co-owns two hotels, the Bookhouse Hotel, in Kennett Square, and the Bookhouse at Faunbrook, in West Chester.
There are four rooms perfect for literary overnight stays in the Mushroom Capital of the World and seven rooms in the county seat. And there are books, books and more books everywhere.
Many who lit up social media with well-wishes for Faunbrook when it was auctioned off will be happy to hear that come this fall you will be able to again stay in a room at the popular spot for weddings.
Olenik partnered with her husband, Matt, Bill Rookstool and Stephen Tallon, to renovate the former legendary get-a-way in West Chester.
Lauren Eyer, of Collegeville, celebrated a birthday during a staycation earlier this week, at the Book House Hotel in Kennett.
“We wanted to do something amazing,” she said. “Bibliophiles love it here.”
Eyer’s room was packed with book shelves containing hundreds of books and the lobby could be considered a small library.
Eyer visited Longwood Gardens, where a combo deal is available. Brandywine Museum, with all those wonderful Wyeths, and Winterthur also are not far away.
“This has always been on the vision board for years,” Olenik said, this weekend during an interview about the Kennett business purchased in October of 2022, that had been a bookstore in a previous life.
“This feels like a dream to do something like this,” she said. “I feel very lucky.”
Why books?
“You can hold them,” Olenik said. “They are tangible, rather than a Kindle.
“There is something magical about having a collection of books–escaping.”
Olenik said she reads a little bit of everything, but especially mysteries, fiction, fantasy and romance. Although busy, she makes time to read.
The book House Hotel is located in the downtown, at 130 S. Union St.
“Everybody loves it,” Olenik said, about the town. “It’s a hidden gem.
“It’s such a fine town to explore, especially for people who have never been here. We want to put it on the map.”
A map, indeed. A large rendering of many Kennett businesses within easy walking distance–prepared by artist Kaitlin Herrschaft–is posted on the front wall of the hotel.
Olenik enjoys hosting guests and said that most want to chat, but when they don’t that’s fine too.
“It doesn’t feel like work at all,” the Media resident said.
There is a ton more going on at the hotel in Kennett than reading and sleeping.
Olenik hops into bed and interviews authors for podcasts—some well-known–some first timers.
The first thing said in a youtube interview with New York Times Best Selling author Lisa Unger is, “Let’s go to bed.”
As a newlywed, author Unger, resigned from her job and gave herself a year to write. Tune in to see how it turned out. Search the youtube site for “The Bedside Bookworm.”
“It’s so cool that authors want to come here and it’s great for aspiring authors,” Olenik said. “Authors get into bed and then they can promote their books.”
Another separate podcast shows three women with a goal to read for 24-hours straight. They all read the same book and laughed a lot. Before long a woman says, “It’s getting a little bit crazy.”
Oh my, those wacky books!
The Local Author Wall features books for sale by someone you might know. Young authors can pick up tips on how to get started and how to get a book published.
Don’t miss the quarterly Hotel Book Club. Two groups meet every three months. Participants receive a package of book gifts and a book to help build their library.
Readers get together with friends and the community and then might start their own book club.
At Faunbrook, there will be book launches, book signings and readings.
What about those who almost, kinda, sorta finished a borrowed book on an overnight stay and want to read it to the end at home?
All the books stay at the hotels, but they are easily available online at bookshop.org
A book house on wheels will soon appear at pop-up events. It looks like a little house and is a book store on wheels.
“I have to bring bookstores back to life somehow,” she said.
A photo booth is planned for Faunbrook, along with something whimsical and special–a great chess set on the grounds for Alice in Wonderland readers.
“Faunbrook is such a beautiful property where people can get inspired,” she said.
Curious visitors are always peeking into the windows in Kennett. They are often invited in and given a tour.
I’ll soon be getting off the laptop and maybe cracking open a good book. I was inspired during my visit to the Book House Hotel. You likely will, too. Joyful reading!
For more information, go to thebookhousehotel.com or send an email to [email protected]
Bill Rettew is a weekly columnist and Chester County resident. He enjoys getting his fingers black. The best way to contact him is at [email protected]
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