Travel

16 Enchanting Hotels Housed in Former Churches, Monasteries, and Abbeys

From a 15th-century monastery on a Croatian island to a 17th-century Roman Catholic convent in the heart of San Juan, these are the most spectacular religious sites turned luxury lodgings

By Katie Lockhart and Katherine McLaughlin

October 20, 2022

Historically, religious architecture has always been among the most impressive, and these hotels housed in former churches, monasteries, and abbeys harness the best of exquisite design. All over the world hoteliers are turning religious sites into luxury hotels and properties, all with stunning interiors and views to match. And if there’s anything more peaceful than roaming the hallowed halls of a former monastery or abbey, it’s sleeping in one. These reimagined relics become tranquil oases for travelers looking for a reprieve after a day of roaming cobblestone streets and exploring ancient cities.

Book a massage under original vaulted stone ceilings, admire religious antiquities, or wander through centuries-old medicinal gardens while waves crash in the distance. From a 15th-century monastery on a Croatian island to a 17th-century Roman Catholic convent in the heart of San Juan, here are 16 of the most spectacular luxury hotels housed in former churches, covenants, and monasteries around the world.

Photo: Belmond
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Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel (Florence, Italy)
The glory of the Italian Renaissance can be found in every corner of this former 15th-century Franciscan monastery. The School of Michelangelo designed its stone façade, and Nicodemo Ferrucci’s Last Supper fresco has been hanging since 1642. The boutique hotel’s 45 rooms and suites have terra-cotta tiles, custom furniture, stone fireplaces, and astounding views of Florence from above. According to the accommodations, Leonardo Da Vinci first attempted to fly in the woodlands surrounding the property.
Photo: Courtesy of Hotel Peter & Paul
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Hotel Peter & Paul (New Orleans, Louisiana)
With a name like Hotel Peter and Paul, it’s not necessarily surprising that the New Orleans property takes up residence in a former church. However, you might not know that parts of the hotel are also a former school house, rectory, and convent. The 71 rooms and suites are unique in design and include religious antiques, checkerboard fabrics, and claw-foot tubs. Religious paintings hang in the old schoolhouse, while the rectory contains the Elysian Bar, crafting sinfully delicious cocktails and bites.

Photo: Courtesy of Lopud 1483
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Lopud 1483 (Lopud Island, Croatia)
Though not a traditional hotel, this 15th-century Franciscan monastery is an exclusive-use property inside an ancient fortress just a short boat ride away from Dubrovnik. Each of the five suites features Renaissance furniture from the owner’s family collection. Lopud 1483 has been carefully restored over 20 years using historic plaster techniques to highlight the medieval stonework throughout.
Photo: Scott Dunn
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Cirqa (Arequipa, Peru)
A southern Peruvian monastery dating back to 1540, this Relais & Chateaux hotel is also available for exclusive use with 11 rooms centered around two stone patios with fire pits for cold nights and a plunge pool for hot days. Each room melds its original vaulted ceilings with modern touches like hanging matte pendant lights and handcrafted wood furniture.

Photo: Courtesy of Monastero Santa Rosa
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Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel & Spa (Amalfi Coast, Conca dei Marini, Italy)
This cliffside boutique hotel is delicately perched on the edge of the Amalfi Coast. Its 20 suites are named after the herbs used in medicines made by the nuns who lived in the rooms. The 17th-century Dominican monastery has sweeping views of the Gulf of Salerno from its sprawling infinity pool and its Michelin-starred restaurant, Il Refettorio. The Jane Goff–designed spa features stone-clad treatment rooms with vaulted ceilings, and the grounds have four levels of lush gardens.
Photo: Getty Images
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Hotel El Convento (San Juan)
The oldest member of Official Historic Hotels of America is in the heart of Old San Juan. Starting in 1646, this Carmelite Convent was the first in the Americas and home to nuns for 252 years. Today, it’s a charming 58-room Spanish Colonial hotel. Its chandelier-clad ballroom with marble flooring across from the San Juan Cathedral makes it perfect for a destination wedding.

Photo: Fontevraud/David Darrault
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Fontevraud L’Hôtel (Loire Valley, France)
This four-star property in the Loire Valley of France doesn’t just have a religious history, but a royal one too. Dating back to 1101, the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud, led by preacher Robert d’Arbrissel was designed as an “ideal city,” where people of all backgrounds and social classes could come together. By 1189, the abbey became a royal necropolis and was the final resting place for Henry II, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and Richard the Lionheart. With over 900 years of history, you can now stay in a boutique hotel on the property, which also offers access to the abbey.
Photo: L’oscar/Maud Devaud
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L’oscar (London, England)
For fans of Baroque architecture, a trip to L’oscar in London, which is housed in a former 19th-century church, is a must-visit. French architect Jacques Garcia oversaw the renovation, creating a unique atmosphere that blends luxury decadence with the hotel’s historic roots. In 2018, Conde Nast Traveler included the property on its annual Hot List, which celebrates the best new hotels of the year.

Photo: Belmond
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Monasterio, A Belmond Hotel (Cusco, Peru)
This ancient monastery turned hotel is just minutes from Plaza de Armas, the historic center of the Cusco. With walls tastefully decorated with stunning art and a symmetrical courtyard centered around a 300-year-old cedar tree, the property honors its heritage at every turn. During their stay, visitors can take an art tour, enjoy the on-site spa, or eat at either of two gourmet restaurants.
Photo: Rainer Klostemreier, Axel Kull. Courtesy of Argos Cappadocia
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Argos in Cappadocia (Cappadocia, Turkey)
“Fairy chimneys,” cone-shaped rock formations, dot the land in Cappadocia. Formed from soft volcanic rock, these striking pillars offered the materials that ancient civilizations hand-carved into churches, homes, and other structures. Argos in Cappadocia, originally an ancient monastery, offers one of the best places to take in the stunning Turkish landscape, with incredible views from nearly every room. Suites were designed using local stone and wood and many original architectural details—like arches and vaulted ceilings—remain intact throughout the property.

Photo: Marriott International/Lutz Vorderwuelbecke
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Augustine, a Luxury Collection Hotel (Prague, Czech Republic)
At Augustine Hotel in Prague, 101 contemporary suites directly connect with the 13th century Augustine monastery, where four monks currently live. The property honors the monastery’s rich history through guided tours of the space, which also includes a 13th-century library. Most of the suites in the five-star accommodations were assembled from two to three monks’ cells.
Photo: Robert Rieger
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August, Antwerp (Antwerp, Belgium)
Belgian architect Vincent Van Duysen oversaw the restoration of a former Augustinian convent into August, a luxury hotel with modernist touches. The property is made up of 44 rooms and suites, with no two rooms exactly alike. During their stay guests can also enjoy a seasonal menu at the on-site restaurant curated by chef Nick Bril and relax at the spa.

Photo: Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine
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Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine (Duero Valley, Spain)
Surrounded by 500 acres of vineyards, Abadía Retuerta LeDomaine is located in a restored abbey about two hours from Madrid. With only 30 rooms, the boutique accommodations are both secluded and intimate, offering a true hideaway in the Duero Valley. Designed in the Romanesque style, the abbey’s original dining hall was converted into Refectoria, a Michelin-starred restaurant.
Photo: Etienne C.L. van Sloun fotograaf
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Kruisherenhotel Maastricht (Maastricht, Netherlands)
While modernist decor—take the geometric light fixtures, for example—can be seen throughout the Kruisherenhotel Maastricht, the property doesn’t forget its history as a 15th-century monastery. Many gothic architectural elements, like large stained glass arched windows and rib vaulted ceilings, anchor the space, while modern additions like a glass elevator connecting the church to the monastery area bring it to the current era.

Photo: Evelyn Hockstein/The Washington Post/Getty Images
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The Line DC (Washington, DC)
As you walk into to the Line DC, you’ll likely notice the Ionic columns at the front of the building, the oversized arch window, or a balcony holding a bar overlooking the lobby. These details, though beautiful in their own right, are traces of the 110-year-old church the hotel is housed in. Located in the Adams Morgan neighborhood, the hotel makes it easy to explore one of the capital’s most vibrant areas dotted with brick row houses and full of nightlife, independent shops, and dining options.
Photo: Sozo Hotel/Yann Richard
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Sozo Hotel (Nantes, France)
Built in 1883, this 19th-century chapel in Nantes, France, is now a four-star boutique hotel with 24 individually designed rooms. Many of the guest suites make use of the church’s original stone walls, with some even incorporating the original vaults and stained glass windows. While most of the interior decor is fairly minimal, pops of color add vibrancy to the historic property.