6 Accommodations That Used to Be Homes of Worship

From Buddhist temples to Catholic convents, the world is stuffed with motels that was once homes of worship. Some are plain, modest buildings that replicate piety. Others had been designed with lavish structure and ornate ornament to manifest the glory of their faith.

It doesn’t matter what type of keep that you just’re hoping to have, you are able to do one thing uncommon along with your travels if you guide a room in a transformed church. Listed here are only a few motels that was once church buildings around the globe to place in your shortlist!

The Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel & Spa was initially a monastery in Seventeenth-century Italy earlier than it was transformed to the luxurious haven it’s at present. The glittering infinity swimming pools overlook the Gulf of Salerno. And resident Michelin-star cooks can whip up every part from tender cuts of veal to fresh-caught scallops served with a foie gras cream. Other than the structure, you’d by no means guess that this resort was as soon as house to nuns. It’ll be an important selection in lodgings if you happen to take pleasure in historic settings however don’t need to sacrifice trendy facilities.

The L’Iglesia Hotel is a gem amongst gems on our record of motels that was once homes of worship. The now-hotel was initially constructed as a church within the nineteenth century, but it surely underwent a makeover in later years to embody the glamor of Nineteen Forties Morocco. This included baroque rugs, clawfoot tubs, wi-fi radios, and artwork sourced from sellers throughout northern Africa. The tip result’s each trendy and classic, stylish and kitschy; the mix of aesthetics is simply as compelling because the facilities provided by the entrance desk. It’s a UNESCO website that might double as a classy, Instagram-worthy resort. How distinctive is that?

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Guatemala is not any stranger to church buildings, however the Hotel Casa Santo Domingo stands out from the remainder. For starters, it overlooks the pure surprise of three separate volcanoes, together with the still-active Fuego. It additionally has grandiose structure that mixes the outdated weathered brick of the convent with the creature comforts of softly-lit saunas and Jacuzzis. Final however not least, there’s a Guatemalan museum proper on website, so you possibly can discover every part from scrolls to sculptures to study extra about Guatemalan historical past throughout your keep.

Looming over the streets of Hanoi with a cathedral-style tower, the Church Boutiqe Lodge is positioned only a stone’s throw away from the true deal: St. Joseph’s Cathedral. It was once a spot of residency for the clergy. They didn’t have spa remedies and dangling chandelier again within the Eighteen Eighties, in fact, however these upgrades have been welcomed by friends. Some of us even hire out the resort for weddings and different main occasions. It has that lofty, sprawling type of class that’s excellent for dwelling luxuriously within the coronary heart of Hanoi.

[Above image “The Augustine Hotel Prague (1)” by Gary Bembridge on Flickr – licensed under CC by 2.0]

How would you want to speak with actual monks throughout your keep at a monastery? At Augustine, it’s simply one of many experiences which you could cross off your bucket record. Others embody sipping champagne on a terrace, touring historic chapels and libraries on website, and sleeping in a former astronomical tower. Augustine is such a spot of wealthy cultural heritage that it took years to open; there have been issues about archaeological preservation. Finally, nonetheless, the correct offers had been made, and the resort has blossomed as a mirrored image of Prague’s magnificence, historical past, and character.

Nothing says “home of worship” just like the stained glass home windows of a historic chapel, and you may marvel at them firsthand on the Sozo Hotel. Situated inside France’s fast-growing Loire-Atlantique district, it’s a boutique resort based mostly out of a nineteenth century church, and it has a delightfully austere décor even because it presents every part {that a} weary traveler may need. The rooms may need plain gray partitions, however there’s additionally quick Wi-Fi, waterfall showers, complementary slippers, and 24-hour room service. You don’t should reside like a monk though you’re staying in a priestly place!

Have you ever ever been to a resort that was once one thing else? Inform us about it under!