Incredible Churches That Are Now Beautiful Hotels

There's something so uplifting about stepping inside a church and finding yourself surrounded by amazing architecture and art. Religious sites are often designed to impress, or at the very least, to bring about a sense of serenity. ​​It makes sense then that several savvy hoteliers have taken holy spaces like churches, monasteries, and convents and transformed them into stunning accommodations for travelers. From cliffside cathedrals to reconstructed rectories, there are numerous former places of prayer worldwide that are now holiday havens.

These unique hotels are so much more than just heavenly places to rest your head. Many are located in historically significant buildings. Some have been beautifully restored to their former glory, while others mix modern design elements with original features to create reinvented spaces. All of them provide tranquil places for rest and reflection, as well as public spaces like pools, lounges, and restaurants where you can commune with others. If you're looking for an enlightening place to stay on your next holiday, these are some awe-inspiring places of worship that have been converted into beautiful hotels.

The design team at Ash NYC did an incredible job transforming a 19th-century New Orleans church, schoolhouse, rectory, and convent into the stylish Hotel Peter and Paul. Antique furnishings and religious artworks pay homage to the past, and modern amenities make for a luxurious stay. Each room has its own distinct layout and character. For example, the Rector's Repose is atop the rectory and has a freestanding limestone bathtub under a chandelier. The Mother Superior room is done up in deep blues and has a grand canopied king bed with tassels.

Even if you're not staying at the hotel, the Elysian Bar is worth a visit. Its bohemian vibes make it the perfect fit for the eclectic Marigny neighborhood. Enjoy divine bites and libations at the polished wood bar, in the atrium, or on cushioned seats in one of the two parlors. If you're planning a private party, the historic church has been restored into a spectacular event space. The grand hall features soaring ceilings, mahogany chairs, and 150-year-old stained glass windows.

Wake up to sunlight streaming through stained-glass windows at Martin's Patershof. The hotel is located in the heart of Mechelen, Belgium, in a former Friars Minor convent built in 1863. The neo-Gothic architecture has been preserved, so you'll find ecclesiastical elements throughout, like vaulted ceilings and ornately carved pillars. Modern touches include whirlpool tubs, Salus beds, and Nespresso machines.

The most affordable rooms at Martin's Patershof occupy the old cloister and are cozy with practical, modern furnishings. For those who want a bit more atmosphere, the suites in the former alcoves of the church feature original elements like stone columns, pointed arches, and stained-glass windows. Breakfast is not included in the room rate, but for a fee, you can enjoy the buffet breakfast served in the former church sanctuary under the altar. The hotel also has a small lobby bar that serves Belgian beer and cocktails.

Situated within the walls of Cartagena's Old Town, Sofitel Legend Santa Clara is steeped in history. Initially built in 1621 as a convent, the building has taken on many incarnations over the centuries, including a hospital, prison, and medical school. Today, it is a chic luxury hotel that celebrates its rich heritage. Explore the grounds, and you'll find remnants of the past, like stone archways, confessional boxes, cannonballs, and the original well.

You can stay in the grand colonial building or the more modern Republican wings. The airy rooms and suites have wooden floors and ceiling beams, artworks by Colombian artists, and balconies that overlook the pool. Speaking of the pool, it's the biggest in the Old Town and is serviced by a pool bar. Dining options at the hotel include the swanky 1621 Restaurant and Jardín Santa Clara in the leafy courtyard. Botika Bar is popular for cocktails and Caribbean Sea views, and El Coro Lounge Bar is a happening live music spot.

Step back in time at the Stanbrook Abbey Hotel in Worcester, England. This gorgeous hotel is set in a former 16th-century abbey and features much of the original architecture. As you walk through the hallowed halls, you can take in Gothic arches, stained-glass windows, and stone cloisters. When you're not exploring hidden corners of the hotel, you can roam the expansive gardens spread across 26 acres. For sweeping countryside views, climb the 140 steps to the top of the bell tower.

The nuns at Stanbrook Abbey may have lived in austere spaces, but the current rooms are anything but. The suites have been thoughtfully designed with luxurious furnishings and textiles like ornate wallpaper and carpets. The feature rooms are especially charming. One has a hand-carved wooden bed frame and a fireplace in the bathroom. The other has a sloped roof that frames a circular stained-glass window. For larger groups looking for a private escape, the Manor House is a five-bedroom country manor with a kitchen and a walled garden.

With just 14 rooms, Hotel L'Iglesia is an intimate oasis in the ancient port town of El Jadida, Morocco. The rooms are divided between two buildings: a restored Spanish Catholic church and a newer annex, once home to the American consulate. The decor is eclectic, with antique items salvaged from shops all over Morocco. Think wrought iron bed frames, vintage radios, and colorful rugs. No two rooms are alike, ensuring a different experience every time you stay.

The lounge is a blissful spot to sip cocktails or tea. It's located in the old nave of the church and decorated with mirrors, clocks, and chandeliers. If you get hungry, you can dine at the hotel restaurant, La Capitainerie. There are seats inside for those who prefer air conditioning and al fresco seating outside on a lovely terrace shaded by palm and olive trees. The kitchen serves traditional North African dishes like fish soup and beef tagine. After your meal, you can stroll along the oceanfront ramparts directly in front of the hotel.

Staying at the Belmond Hotel Monasterio in Cusco, Peru, can be a spiritual experience. The sacred grounds were once home to an Inca palace and later a 16th-century Spanish seminary. For nearly four centuries, Jesuit priests trained clergy here and expressed their devotion to God through art and architecture. Stroll through the stone hallways adorned with Baroque pieces or sit in the courtyard with its bubbling fountain and 300-year-old tree, and you can almost feel the presence of the priests.

Today, the Belmond Hotel Monasterio is both a luxury hotel and a national historic landmark. It's almost like a living museum with original stones from the first construction, 17th-century religious paintings, and a gilded chapel. The rooms hint at the past but have all the modern conveniences you could ask for, including king-sized beds, marble bathrooms, and iPod docks. They can even be oxygen-enriched for those feeling light-headed from the high altitude. Book one of the suites, and you'll also have your own private balcony, terrace, or patio.

The Fontevraud L'Hôtel in Anjou, France, has a lengthy history that dates back to the year 1101. However, you wouldn't know it from the sleek interiors. The hotel is located within the grounds of the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of France's most underrated tourist destinations. Once a flourishing monastic community, the site has undergone many transitions over the centuries, including a stint as a notorious prison. The French Ministry of Culture took over in 1963, and since then, it has undergone major restorations. In 2013, the former priory was reinvented as a modern hotel.

From the outside, the hotel looks very much like the rest of the abbey complex, with solid white stone walls and columns. Step inside, however, and you find yourself in a modern, minimalist space with clean lines, warm wood accents, and soft lighting. The 54 guest rooms are small but cozy, with windows that look out to the grounds. On-site, a Michelin-starred restaurant that utilizes ingredients from the abbey's gardens and a chic wine bar serving regional wines. 

You don't have to be a believer to see that The LINE DC is a pretty special spot. The dramatic neoclassical building was built in 1912 as the Church of Christ, Scientist. Now, it's a hip hotel that adds to the diversity of Washington's trendy Adams Morgan neighborhood. Within the walls, you'll find 220 contemporary, pet-friendly rooms, an independent radio station that broadcasts from the lobby, and the happening No Goodbyes restaurant. There is also a rooftop yoga space, a 24-hour gym, and a community center that artists and non-profit organizations can use for events and exhibits.

Each room is unique at The LINE DC. Bespoke furniture includes vintage nightstands and brass bed frames. Original paintings and photographs line the walls, and the desks are topped with micro libraries. In the bathrooms, there are handmade bath products and fluffy bathrobes. Large windows offer views over the city. If you need extra space, the Monument View Suite is palatial, with its own living room, dining area that can be converted to a boardroom, and a 1,300 square-foot terrace that offers panoramic views of Washington's skyline.

The pious who prayed at the Baptist church headquarters on Southampton Row in London would barely recognize the space today. Everything about L'Oscar London screams decadence, from the velvet sofas and silk cushions to the gilded panels and hummingbird light fixtures. Some original elements do remain, like stained glass windows, terracotta wall panels, and carved fireplaces that have been carefully restored.

Architect and designer Jacques Garcia was the driving force behind the revival of this iconic building that was built at the turn of the 20th century. Garcia took influences from the original design and threw in some theatrical elements to give a nod to the hotel's location near the Theatre District. The guest rooms are pure luxury with rich textiles and gold accents. The restaurant has a striking onyx bar, mirrored ceiling, and plush booths. Even the hallways are lavish, with marble floors and dramatic arches. If it's opulence you're after, L'Oscar London is your spot.

The medieval and modern converge at the Kruisherenhotel Maastricht, a unique hotel in the historic district of Maastricht in the Netherlands. After five years of extensive renovations, the former 15th-century Gothic church and monastery reopened in 2005 as a design-forward hotel. The 60 minimalist rooms are spread across the old monastery, gatekeeper's residence, and a new annex. Most are thoroughly modern, with plenty of white and just a few pops of color from the designer furniture. However, some rooms hint at the former monastic space in the wooden ceiling beams and religious-themed artworks.

One of the most striking areas of the hotel is Spencer's, a restaurant and bar located in the nave of the old church. The tables are set against the backdrop of huge stained glass windows, and modern light fixtures shaped like giant saucers hang from the ceiling, contrasting with the stark lines of the stone walls. The bar is a popular spot for tapas-style bites and wine-tasting flights.

Perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Amalfi Coast, the Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel & Spa may be your idea of heaven. Terraced gardens cascade down the side of the cliff and lead to an infinity pool that seems to hover in the air. Every single one of the stylish rooms faces the ocean and has luxurious touches like heated bathroom floors. A serene spa offers soothing massages and stress-relieving sessions in the sauna and steam room. It's hard to believe this magnificent boutique hotel was once a scaled-back monastery.

Built in 1681, Monastero Santa Rosa was created as a spiritual sanctuary for Dominican nuns. For nearly two centuries, the nuns lived simple lives here in tiny quarters. When Bianca Sharma bought the property in 2001, she made it her mission to create a luxury hotel that honored the history of the original convent. The nun's quarters were expanded, but their vaulted ceilings were preserved. Modern furnishings share space with Italian antiques and historical photographs. A fine-dining restaurant was added, and a spa was built within the stone walls. The property still has the aura of a sacred space, but now in a much plusher setting.

Stroll through the leafy courtyards of the Quinta Real Oaxaca, and it's easy to see how the nuns who lived in this former convent experienced beatitude. Graceful stone arches open to verdant gardens, and birds frolic in the fountains. Inside, the corridors are cool and lead to tranquil corners. Now that it's a luxury hotel, the site also has modern amenities like a pool, fitness center, and a gorgeous garden restaurant. It's an idyllic spot for those looking for a peaceful place to stay in the bustling city of Oaxaca and a fascinating place in Mexico for history buffs.

The Quinta Real Oaxaca started life as the Santa Catalina de Siena Monastery. The original structure was built in 1579 and soon expanded into a sprawling convent featuring stunning Spanish Baroque architecture and design. After the nuns were expelled due to Mexico's 19th-century reform laws, parts of the building became a jail, a municipal palace, a Masonic lodge, a school, and, finally, a hotel. The building's rich history can still be seen today in the rustic Cantera stone walls, tiled floors, and faded frescos.

When Peter and Mary Riedel came across the remains of an old church at an auction, they immediately fell in love with its beautiful vaulted ceiling and timber beams. According to the couple, the church was originally erected in Royal Melbourne Park in 1876, then moved to the suburb of Bentleigh, only to be later dismantled to make way for new houses. It now has a new home on the Riedel's 20-acre property in Fish Creek and functions as a boutique gourmet retreat.

The Church House sits on top of a hill in the rolling countryside of South Gippsland. Step through the wooden door, and you find yourself in what would have been the main church hall. Huge lancet-style windows frame the gardens and green hills. Look up, and you'll see the original vaulted ceiling from the church. There are four suites to choose from, each featuring luxury furnishings and eye-catching objets d'art from the owners' travels. Food is a major focus here, and guests can enjoy gourmet meals featuring ingredients from the orchard and garden on-site.

Set in a spectacular landscape of unique rock formations, Argos in Cappadocia is an otherworldly spot. The hotel was built around a medieval monastery originally carved out of the cliffs and featured an underground tunnel network. Inside, you'll find winding staircases, secret passageways, and suites with private pools in caves. The hotel was designed to blend into the landscape, so the suites and common areas are built directly into the rock walls and feature natural wood and stone throughout.

There is so much to see and do within the hotel and beyond its volcanic walls. Grab a seat on the patio at the Nahita Lounge to tuck into Turkish fare and take in views of the "fairy chimneys" of Pigeon Valley. Stop by the Bezirhane event venue to see the site of the ancient monastery. Walk through the resort's vineyards to see how the region's Emir grapes are grown, and, of course, a hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia is an absolute must to see the lunar-like landscape from above.