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

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

Hotel: The Warehouse Hotel
Location: 320 Havelock Road, Singapore 169628
Neighbourhood: Robertson Quay, along the Singapore River
Rooms: 37 rooms with individually designed layouts
Style: Industrial heritage meets contemporary design, retaining the building’s original pitched roof, beams and structural details
Family-friendly: Yes. Children are welcome, although the intimate rooms suit couples and solo travellers particularly well
Wellness: Riverside running routes and complimentary bicycles; no dedicated spa or on-site gym
Pool: Rooftop infinity pool overlooking Robertson Quay
Dining: Po serves modern Singaporean cuisine, with a lobby bar for drinks
Best for: Design enthusiasts, couples and travellers interested in Singapore’s industrial heritage
Prices starting from: SGD350 per night, depending on room and season

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 or Book through Booking.com

2. The Plaza Hotel | New York City, USA

Hotel: The Plaza, A Fairmont Hotel
Location: 768 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10019, USA
Neighbourhood: Midtown Manhattan, beside Central Park and Fifth Avenue
Rooms: 282 guest rooms, including 102 suites
Style: French Renaissance and Beaux-Arts architecture with grand interiors and classic New York luxury
Family-friendly: Yes. Family accommodation and child-focused experiences are available
Wellness: Guerlain Spa, salon and fitness facilities
Pool: No swimming pool
Dining: The Palm Court, Champagne Bar, The Plaza Food Hall and other dining venues
Best for: Luxury city breaks, families and travellers drawn to historic New York landmarks
Prices starting from: USD900 per night, depending on room and season

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 or Book through Booking.com

3. Dalhousie Castle | Edinburgh

Hotel: Dalhousie Castle
Location: Dalhousie Castle, Bonnyrigg, Midlothian EH19 3JB, Scotland
Neighbourhood: Rural Midlothian countryside, around 20 minutes south of Edinburgh
Rooms: 35 refurbished en-suite bedrooms, including castle rooms and suites
Style: Medieval Scottish castle architecture with period features and updated interiors
Family-friendly: Yes. The castle offers family accommodation and outdoor activities
Wellness: Spa and leisure experiences; check current treatment availability before booking
Pool: No swimming pool listed among the current hotel facilities
Dining: The Dungeon Restaurant serves Scottish dishes with French influences; additional dining spaces are available
Best for: History enthusiasts, romantic stays and countryside escapes near Edinburgh
Prices starting from: £180 per night, depending on room and season

For fans of yesteryear, how about a stay in Scotland’s oldest inhabited castle? Originally erected in the 1300s, the castle in the form it is today was brought to life in the 1450s. Originally accessed by a drawbridge that came down over a moat, the moat still exists today and history buffs will enjoy looking for the holes that were made for the bridge.

A selection of rooms, suites, and lodges are available across the property, with one of our favourites being The Castle Four Poster, complete with a four-poster bed for a very regal stay.

A trip to the Dungeon Restaurant is a must. Complete with barrel-vaulted ceilings and suits of armour on display, guests can enjoy traditional Scottish dishes with a French twist.

Nestled on eleven acres of Scottish countryside and wooded valleys, guests can enjoy a selection of experiences on the property, including falconry, archery, and guided walks.

The Castle also features on our list of best boutique hotels in Edinburgh. Plus, local singer/songwriter Jane Gilbert shares her tips on the best things to do in Edinburgh.

Learn more about Dalhousie Castle or Book through Booking.com

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

Hotel: Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel
Location: 10 Place de la Concorde, 75008 Paris, France
Neighbourhood: Place de la Concorde, in Paris’s 8th arrondissement
Rooms: 78 rooms, 36 suites and 10 signature suites
Style: 18th-century French palace architecture with contemporary Parisian interiors and bespoke furnishings
Family-friendly: Yes. Connecting rooms and spacious suites accommodate families
Wellness: Sense, A Rosewood Spa, with treatment rooms, hammam, sauna and fitness studio
Pool: Heated indoor swimming pool
Dining: L’Écrin, Nonos par Paul Pairet, Jardin d’Hiver and Bar Les Ambassadeurs
Best for: Luxury travellers, special occasions and architecture enthusiasts
Prices starting from: €1,000 per night, depending on room and season

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 to 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 or Book through Booking.com

5. Hotel El Convento | San Juan, Puerto Rico

Hotel: Hotel El Convento
Location: 100 Calle del Cristo, Old San Juan, San Juan, PR 00901, Puerto Rico
Neighbourhood: Old San Juan, close to historic churches, forts and cobbled streets
Rooms: 58 rooms and suites in a restored 17th-century convent
Style: Spanish Colonial architecture with mahogany beams, traditional tiles, antique furnishings and contemporary comforts
Family-friendly: Yes. Selected room types accommodate families
Wellness: Fitness centre and heated rooftop jacuzzi
Pool: Rooftop plunge pool overlooking San Juan Bay
Dining: Patio del Níspero and additional terrace dining and bar spaces
Best for: History lovers, couples and cultural city breaks
Prices starting from: USD250 per night, depending on room and season

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 or Book through Booking.com

6. Hotel Vestibul Palace | Split, Croatia

Hotel: Hotel Vestibul Palace
Location: Iza Vestibula 4, 21000 Split, Croatia
Neighbourhood: Diocletian’s Palace, in the heart of Split’s Old Town
Rooms: Seven rooms and suites across four accommodation categories
Style: Roman, Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance architectural features paired with handcrafted contemporary furnishings
Family-friendly: Yes. The Luxury Suite accommodates up to three guests
Wellness: No dedicated spa or fitness centre
Pool: No swimming pool
Dining: Restaurant Magnus serves contemporary dishes using Dalmatian ingredients
Best for: History enthusiasts, couples and travellers seeking an intimate Old Town stay
Prices starting from: €200 per night, depending on room and season

There’s no debate that one of the highlights of visiting beautiful Split is taking in Diocletian’s Palace. But what about staying within the very walls where royalty once lived?

Hotel Vestibul Palace is located in the heart of the ancient palace between the Emperor’s Square and Chambers. It was actually created by merging together three palaces from different time periods (Roman, Gothic, and Renaissance) and guests will love the exposed palace walls that sit majestically in the guestrooms.

One of the highlights of a stay here is being amid the action and don’t be surprised if you hear music cascading through windows as the area comes to life in the afternoon.

Read our full review on Hotel Vestibul Palace and take a look at our guide to the best boutique hotels in Split.

Learn more about Hotel Vestibul Palace or Book through Booking.com

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

Hotel: The Jaffa
Location: 2 Louis Pasteur Street, Tel Aviv–Jaffa, Israel
Neighbourhood: Old Jaffa, close to the flea market, historic port and Mediterranean coast
Rooms: 120 rooms and suites across historic and contemporary wings
Style: Restored 19th-century French Hospital with neo-Renaissance architecture and minimalist interiors by John Pawson
Family-friendly: Children under 18 must stay with an accompanying adult; the hotel’s FAQ states that guests aged 18 and above are welcome
Wellness: Ronit Raphael Beauty Spa with massages, beauty treatments and dry and wet saunas
Pool: Outdoor swimming pool in the central courtyard
Dining: Golda’s serves Italian-inspired cuisine; check current restaurant opening arrangements before visiting
Best for: Design enthusiasts, couples and travellers exploring historic Jaffa
Prices starting from: USD400 per night, depending on room and season

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 its 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 or Book through Booking.com

8. SWEETS hotel | Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Hotel: SWEETS hotel
Location: 28 former bridge houses across Amsterdam, each with its own street address; the selected unit’s address is confirmed when booking
Neighbourhood: Multiple Amsterdam neighbourhoods, including the city centre, Jordaan and Amsterdam North
Rooms: 28 individually converted bridge houses, with a selection currently available for reservations
Style: Compact contemporary suites preserving the architectural character of Amsterdam’s historic bridge-keeper houses
Family-friendly: No. Guests must be aged 21 or above
Wellness: No dedicated wellness facilities
Pool: No swimming pool
Dining: No on-site restaurant; guests can explore cafés and restaurants in each bridge house’s neighbourhood
Best for: Couples, architecture enthusiasts and independent travellers seeking an unusual Amsterdam stay
Prices starting from: €110 per night, depending on room and season

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

9. Belmond Hotel Monasterio | Cusco, Peru

Hotel: Belmond Hotel Monasterio
Location: Calle Plazoleta Nazarenas 337, Cusco, Peru
Neighbourhood: Plazoleta Nazarenas, in Cusco’s historic centre near Plaza de Armas
Rooms: 97 rooms and 20 suites in a restored 16th-century monastery
Style: Spanish Colonial and Baroque architecture with historic artworks, a cloistered courtyard and contemporary comforts
Family-friendly: Yes. Selected rooms and suites accommodate families
Wellness: Spa treatment suite and oxygen-enriched accommodation options
Pool: No swimming pool
Dining: Oqre serves Peruvian cuisine, El Tupay offers international fine dining, and Oqre Bar serves cocktails and small bites
Best for: History lovers, cultural travellers and luxury stays in Cusco
Prices starting from: USD450 per night, depending on room and season

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 or Book through Booking.com

10. Kelebek Special Cave Hotel | Cappadocia, Turkey

Hotel: Kelebek Special Cave Hotel
Location: Aydınlı Mahallesi, Yavuz Sokak No. 1, 50180 Göreme, Nevşehir, Türkiye
Neighbourhood: Aydınlı, above Göreme village and close to the region’s valleys
Rooms: 35 rooms, including cave rooms, suites, honeymoon accommodation and family suites
Style: Traditional Cappadocian stone architecture with restored cave interiors and rustic furnishings
Family-friendly: Yes. Family Suites are available
Wellness: Cave Turkish bath, sauna and massage treatments
Pool: Outdoor swimming pool overlooking Göreme
Dining: Happena Cappadocia Restaurant serves traditional Turkish, Anatolian and international dishes
Best for: Couples, families and travellers seeking a traditional cave-hotel experience
Prices starting from: €120 per night, depending on room and season

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 or Book through Booking.com

11. Tai O Heritage Hotel | Hong Kong

Hotel: Tai O Heritage Hotel
Location: 14 Shek Tsai Po Street, Tai O, Lantau Island, Hong Kong
Neighbourhood: Tai O fishing village, on the western side of Lantau Island
Rooms: Nine sea-view rooms and suites in a restored 1902 marine police station
Style: Colonial architecture with preserved police-station features, including historic guard towers and searchlights
Family-friendly: Yes. The hotel and surrounding village offer cultural experiences for families
Wellness: No dedicated spa or fitness facilities
Pool: No swimming pool
Dining: Tai O Lookout is a glass-roofed restaurant serving dishes inspired by local ingredients and food culture
Best for: History enthusiasts, couples and travellers seeking a quiet island stay
Prices starting from: HKD1,200 per night, depending on room and season

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 or Book through Booking.com

12. COMO The Treasury | Perth, Australia

Hotel: COMO The Treasury
Location: 1 Cathedral Avenue, Perth, WA 6000, Australia
Neighbourhood: Perth CBD, within the historic State Buildings
Rooms: 48 rooms and suites in restored 19th-century government offices
Style: Victorian heritage architecture with contemporary interiors by Kerry Hill, high ceilings and original architectural details
Family-friendly: Yes. The 150-square-metre Family Suite accommodates families, with two bedrooms and two bathrooms
Wellness: COMO Shambhala Urban Escape with treatment rooms, steam room and rooftop fitness centre
Pool: 20-metre heated indoor swimming pool
Dining: Wildflower rooftop restaurant, Post bistro, and Treasury Lounge and Bar
Best for: Design lovers, food enthusiasts and luxury city breaks
Prices starting from: AUD700 per night, depending on room and season

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 been 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 or Book through Booking.com

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 find out why you should try restaurants Nouri in Singapore and Wana Yook in Bangkok