Historic Buildings Reborn as Luxury Hotels

The Silo Hotel, one of Cape Town’s most iconic converted hotels, occupies the top six floors of a former grain silo, perched above the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art (MOCAA). Each of the hotel’s 28 suites is uniquely decorated and adorned with contemporary African art, and they all feature panoramic windows. Enjoy sweeping views over the city stretching from Table Mountain to the Atlantic Ocean.

Deep in Thailand’s Khao Yai mountain range is InterContinental Khao Yai Resort, a one-of-a-kind Bill Bensley-designed resort built from upcycled railroad carriages. The resort’s railcar guestrooms are all individual, each transformed into distinct suites inspired by the golden age of train travel. Outside, you can explore Khao Yai, Thailand’s first national park and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Riggs Washington DC, one of the city’s standout converted hotels, occupies a landmark building that once housed the Riggs National Bank, famously known as the Bank of Presidents. Now a luxury boutique hotel, many of the building’s legacy features can still be seen, offering guests a glimpse into its stately past. Dine at Café Riggs to admire the original Corinthian columns or visit the Silver Lyan Bar to relax inside the former bank vault.

Borgo San Felice Resort is more than a converted hotel; it’s an entire village. This small hamlet in Italy’s Chianti countryside was once a medieval town of meandering streets overlooking vineyards. Now a luxury retreat, guests can stay inside the former village houses, enjoy a botanic spa set within the old olive oil press and taste Michelin-starred cuisine seasoned from centuries-old herb gardens.

Soldiers once marched within the grounds of Cap Menorca, the former Llucarli military base, abandoned for years before being repurposed. French businessman Laurent Morel-Ruymen later acquired the property, spending over a decade transforming it into a luxury retreat welcoming romance and leisure seekers alike. Guests vacationing here—basking in the Mediterranean sun, savoring Menorcan haute cuisine and sailing the coast—can still glimpse the original canons pointing towards the sea.

A 1450s fairytale castle standing proudly on the banks of alpine Lake Fuschl, Rosewood Schloss Fuschl was once a favored destination for royalty and cinematic stars. Now, this centuries-old retreat has been reimagined for a new generation of visitors. Soak in the serene views from the spa, dine in a historic alpine hut post-hike or enjoy the sounds of music in nearby Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart.

Once home to 15th-century Prince George Castriot, or Scanderbeg, Palazzo Scanderbeg is now a luxurious gem among converted hotels. This residential-style retreat has been meticulously transformed, preserving heritage charms where modern comforts blend seamlessly with Renaissance architecture, including original vaulted ceilings and wooden floors.

The Rebello, named after the “little tail” wooden boats that transported barrels of local wine down the River Douro, is housed within the 19th-century stonework of a former port warehouse. Now reimagined as a waterfront hotel, it combines heritage charm with modern design. Discover a rooftop bar, indoor pool and residential-style suites outfitted with full kitchens.

Formerly a ghost town, Dunton Hot Springs offers the unique chance to experience living in an authentic 1800s mining town. Restored with modern luxuries, the town’s hand-hewn cabins now serve as a romantic getaway in the Colorado Rockies. Soak in hot springs inside the 19th-century bathhouse, dine in the old saloon and enjoy access to endless outdoor activities.

Once the Charles Street Jail, The Liberty in Boston is now a luxury destination and one of the city’s most fascinating converted hotels. Retaining much of its original architecture, it offers guests a glimpse into its storied past. Rooms now lock from the inside, but visitors can still stroll the original central atrium and catwalks and see the former ‘drunk tank’ cells at Alibi Bar & Lounge.