The most amazing design hotels in heritage buildings that you need to stay at

Oh yes, we love us some brand-spanking new hotel openings that ooze good design and trendy nooks, but what’s even sexier, you ask? Design hotels in heritage buildings get us hot under the collar. There’s just something about a repurposed building with a little history–and a lot of soul–done right that makes us happy.

The best design hotels in heritage buildings

1. The Warehouse Hotel | Singapore

If you’re ever in Singapore, you must check-in at The Warehouse Hotel. This former industrial-style godown was originally built in 1895 and had a coloured history as a home to secret societies, liquor distilleries and general shady/questionable business, but in 2017, it opened its doors as a stunning boutique hotel.

Featuring 37 rooms, the hotel embraces its history and the interior design manages to bring modern elements into each space while allowing the architectural form to remain the star. In the lobby, the gorgeous pitched ceiling is contrasted by custom-crafted light fixtures and pulleys that hark back to the hotel’s former life.

Every single guest room is slightly different in layout and form, yet each has a contemporary vibe created through the use of copper fittings and black metal framing. Beds are comfy, robes are fluffy and the swimming pool that looks out onto the river is a stroke of genius.

Read our complete guide to Singapore heritage hotels here or take a look at our guide to the very best boutique hotels in Singapore.

Find out more about The Warehouse Hotel

2. The Plaza Hotel | New York City, USA

Opening its iconic doors in 1907, The Plaza Hotel is a New York City stalwart. Designed to resemble an elegant chateau, the expansive property is home to hundreds of elegant rooms and suites and some of the finest dining and drinks options in town. Go for the exceptional architecture and stay for the Guerlain Spa and exquisite design.

Read our story on the best heritage hotels in New York City and take a look at our picks for the best boutique hotels in New York too.

Learn more about The Plaza Hotel

3. Tai O Heritage Hotel | Hong Kong

Nobody wants to spend the night in the cop-shop, yet Tai O Heritage Hotel is one place we don’t mind resting our heads. The former Tai O Marine Police Station was built in 1902 to help other outlying islands combat pirates who were common in the waterways around Hong Kong.

These days, it’s less pillaging and more relaxing that you’ll find at this little gem tucked away from the madness of Hong Kong Island. In keeping with the heritage element of the hotel, each of the nine rooms is named after a different navy rank, vessel or local attraction (our favourite is Sea Lion) and charmingly decorated in minimal whites with pops of colour.

Heading to HK? Stay at these affordable Hong Kong hotels or go all out at the best design hotels in Hong Kong.

Learn more about Tai O Heritage Hotel

4. Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel | Paris, France

Overlooking Place de la Concorde Square, Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel holds many stories from yesteryear within its walls. Beheadings and momentous political moments aplenty have taken place here, not to mention the countless celebrities who have graced the hallways. Renovated from 2013-2017, the grandiose interiors were completed by grandiose Ange-Jacques Gabriel. If you’re looking for opulence in French capital, then this is where you need to go.

Read our full story on the best Parisian heritage hotels and our picks for the chicest boutique hotels in Paris.

Discover more about Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel

5. Hotel El Convento | Puerto Rico

Dating back to the 17th century, when it was formerly a convent, Hotel El Convento offers guests time for quiet contemplation inside a Spanish colonial building in striking yellow. Home to 58 rooms that feature marble bathrooms, beautifully tiled floors, and Juliet balconies, it’s an exceptional experience when visiting the capital of San Juan.

Don’t be fooled by the property’s past though, as the hotel also hides a plunge pool, 24-hour fitness centre, and Jacuzzi. There are also two restaurants onsite that serve up local delights crafted from the freshest ingredients and a bar for the perfect cocktail.

Read all about our favourite boutique and luxury hotels in Puerto Rico.

Find out more about Hotel El Convento

6. COMO The Treasury | Perth, Australia

One of the most gorgeously repurposed spaces globally of late is COMO The Treasury in Perth. Conceived by world-renowned designer Kerry Hill, the 19th-century State Buildings were found to have a beautiful Victorian-era facade during restoration.

Doing good design and hospitality as only COMO can, inside, you’ll find high ceilings, elegant cornicing and balconies amid the award-winning restaurants, bar and lounge.

All of the original government office rooms have retained and paired so that each of the 48 rooms and suites comprise a bedroom and bathroom, none of which are identical.

The brand’s signature COMO Shambhala Urban Escape promises the expert treatments that the brand is regarded for, while the indoor swimming pool makes fitness doable in any weather.

Speaking of COMO properties, find out why we love staying at COMO The Halkin when we’re in London.

And these are the trendiest boutique hotels in Perth.

Learn more about COMO The Treasury, Perth

7. The Jaffa, a Luxury Collection Hotel | Tel Aviv

If you’re in Israel’s capital and on the hunt for a stunning design hotel in a heritage building, then look no further. The Jaffa, a Luxury Collection Hotel is set within a restored 19th century complex that once housed Jaffa’s French Hospital. It was transformed and brought to life again by John Pawson and team who worked on the project for no less than 10 years. 

The result? A property deeply rooted to it’s community but with all the mod-cons a design-loving traveller could need. The 120 rooms and suites offer the chance to stay in either the contemporary or historic wings with the latter showcasing arched windows alongside lofty ceilings.

Experience the serenity of L.RAPHAEL Spa, explore the buzzing neighbourhood, or head to on-site restaurant Golda’s to sample Mediterranean delights. Oh, and did we mention that pool?

Tasty info: they even discovered the remains of a 13th-century fortress during the excavation process and it can still be viewed in the lobby.

Read our story on the best boutique hotels in Tel Aviv too.

Discover more about The Jaffa, a Luxury Collection Hotel

8. SWEETS hotel | Amsterdam, The Netherlands

We doubt there is any spot cooler than SWEETS hotel in Amsterdam. Made up of 28 individual former bridge houses – that once accommodated the city’s bridge keepers, each house has been tastefully transformed into a trendy hotel room.

Located in varying areas across the city, each one-room space has been completed with a different design aesthetic, reflecting the neighbourhood or era in which built, and we think that’s pretty damn cool.

Word of warning though folks, due to the unique location of these rooms, you need to be over 21 to stay.

It also features on our list of best boutique hotels in Amsterdam.

Check-in to SWEETS hotel here

9. Belmond Hotel Monasterio | Peru

A stunning piece of history in Cusco, Pero, Belmond Hotel Monasterio is housed inside the former Seminary of San Antonio Abad, a monastery that sits on the site of a former Inca Palace.

Surrounding the gorgeously symmetrical courtyard is a selection of boutique guestrooms and suites that blend old and new design elements to create the perfect heritage hideaway. Wander through the exquisitely groomed gardens, explore the hotel’s art collection, catch live opera as you feast or learn how to craft your very own pisco sour at this very special hotel.

Find out more about Belmond Hotel Monasterio here

10. Kelebek Special Cave Hotel | Cappadocia, Turkey

Okay. So while this one is technically not a repurposed building, The Kelebek Special Cave Hotel makes the list as it repurposes caves above the village of Goreme into lust-worthy guestrooms.

Offering stunning views of the town below and the iconic hot air balloons that are renowned throughout the cave hotels of Cappadocia, this is the spot Instagram dreams are made of.

What we love the most about this magical spot is the selection of rooms available, including the Fairy Chimney Rooms that are located inside actual caves. Need some extra space? Check-in to the luxe Family Suite that brings cave, stone and wooden fixtures together for the perfect holiday spot.

Wander through the rose garden, catch up on a book at the terrace, or enjoy the swimming pool and Hammam.

Take a look at our tried-and-tested guide to the best boutique hotels in Turkey.

Learn more about Kelebek Special Cave Hotel

But wait, there’s more…

• Take a look at the very best boutique hotels in Zagreb, Croatia
• Here’s our guide to the best design hotels in Sydney
• And meet Artur Lupashko, a Ukrainian hotelier with big plans