Crowne Plaza Dhaka Gulshan has launched a new initiative called FLOR (For Love of Reading) at The Deli, the hotel's lobby café, creating a dedicated space for guests to engage with books alongside coffee and food, according to a press release from the hotel.

The launch coincided with the unveiling of The Deli's new culinary menu, bringing together literature, food, and culture at the venue. Authors, publishers, media representatives, and members of Dhaka's literary and hospitality communities attended the event.

Sajjad Sharif, executive editor and one of the founding members of Prothom Alo, attended as chief guest and officially unveiled FLOR through a ceremonial curtain drop, alongside Karthi VK, general manager of Crowne Plaza Dhaka Gulshan.

The FLOR collection features curated titles across seven categories, including leadership, fiction, and contemporary Bangladeshi literature. Under the initiative's book-exchange model — described as "Take One, Leave One" — guests can borrow a book while enjoying a coffee and return it once they have finished reading, with a "Book Pick of the Day" feature offering a recommended read.

Karthi VK said the initiative was designed to encourage guests to step away from digital screens and engage with physical books. "With so much of our lives happening on digital screens, FLOR is our invitation to pause, pick up a real book, and enjoy the simple pleasure of reading," he said. "We want this to be a space where people can slow down, discover new ideas, and connect—with a book, with a conversation, or simply with themselves. The book exchange also makes FLOR something that belongs to the community and keeps growing with it."

Sajjad Sharif spoke about the broader role of books in shaping individuals and societies. "It is our misfortune that we have gradually moved away from books, and in doing so, from a significant part of our intellectual and civilized heritage," he said, adding that knowledge-driven societies around the world continue to place books at the centre of their intellectual life.

He described reading as "a process of thought" that "encourages curiosity, strengthens our ability to think critically, and allows our imagination to grow beyond its existing limits," and said initiatives such as FLOR create space for people to reconnect with books and the wider world of ideas.

Alongside FLOR, the hotel introduced a new menu at The Deli featuring artisanal dishes and coffee selections designed to complement the space's relaxed atmosphere. The launch concluded with a high tea at the hotel's Oasis Lounge, where guests discussed literature, culture, and the role of reading in contemporary life.

The hotel said FLOR is part of Crowne Plaza's broader approach to creating experiences that blend business, leisure, and culture, complementing the brand's "Crafted Meetings" concept by giving guests and meeting participants a space to step away from their schedules.

Crowne Plaza Dhaka Gulshan is a premium five-star business hotel located in the heart of Dhaka's upscale Gulshan 2 commercial and diplomatic district. The hotel opened in January 2023.