Hotels inside converted churches, convents and monasteries

Hotels inside converted churches, convents and monasteries

If you're looking for a spiritual experience on your next holiday, then you might want to check into one of these holy hotels.

MailOnline Travel has scoured the globe for outstanding overnight rest stops in religious buildings.

For instance, the San Clemente Palace Kempinski in Venice is a former monastery that dates back to the 12th century, while the Monastero Santa Rosa perched high up on the Amalfi Coast boasts heavenly views. Scroll down to see some superb sanctums of solace...

Kruisherenhotel Maastricht, the Netherlands

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The Kruisherenhotel, a renovated 15th century monastery in the centre of Maastricht, boasts a Gothic exterior and a modern interior

The 60-room complex houses an impressive reception area, numerous conference rooms, a library, a boutique, a restaurant, and a wine bar

The Kruisherenhotel also has a beautiful courtyard complex, complete with modern art installations 

The Kruisherenhotel, a renovated 15th century monastery in the centre of Maastricht, boasts a Gothic exterior and a modern interior.

The 60-room complex houses an impressive reception area, numerous conference rooms, a library, a boutique, a restaurant, and a wine bar. 

Another standout feature is a newly-installed mezzanine, where guests are served breakfast while taking in views of Maastricht through the chancel windows. 

The interior is also matched by beautiful monastery gardens.

The Old Church of Urquhart, Urquhart, Elgin

The Old Church of Urquhart near Elgin, Moray, hides a four-star bed and breakfast inside after the owner converted it from a holy place of worship to the perfect stay-over destination

Amenities include a tennis court, cricket pitch, a full sized snooker table and a restaurant onsite in the grounds. To top it off there is an indoor swimming pool in the ancient chapel, with a sauna and steam room

The Old Church of Urquhart near Elgin, Moray, hides a four-star bed and breakfast inside after the owner converted it from a holy place of worship to the perfect stay-over destination.

The religious building, built in the perpendicular style of renowned architect James Gillespie Graham, can trace its history back to 1843 - but it became the Parrandier B&B in 1998. 

While retaining its original features, such as a bell tower, the spruced-up property also includes two floors of accommodation for future owners as well as a wedding and alcohol licence. 

Amenities include a tennis court, cricket pitch, a full-sized snooker table and a restaurant onsite in the grounds.

To top it off there is an indoor swimming pool in the ancient chapel, with a sauna and steam room.

L’Iglesia Hotel, El Jadida, Morocco

L’Iglesia, located in the heart of the ancient town of El Jadida in Morocco, is a Spanish church dating from the 19th century, which has been lovingly converted into a boutique hotel

Rooms in the convent have been redecorated with 1930s-style furnishings. Guests can enjoy ocean views at the breakfast table or they can opt to have dinner in the former salon of the consulate

L’Iglesia, located in the heart of the ancient town of El Jadida in Morocco, is a Spanish church dating from the 19th century, which has been lovingly converted into a boutique hotel.

Rooms in the convent have been redecorated with 1930s-style furnishings.

Guests can enjoy ocean views at the breakfast table or they can opt to have dinner in the former salon of the consulate.

There are 14 rooms in total, with each one individually decorated with objects found in antique shops from all over Morocco. 

Hotel Sozo, Nantes, France

Hotel Sozo in Nantes, France, is a modern-style homestay inside a 19th century chapel

In total, there are 24 rooms with original features including dramatic arched ceilings and stained glass windows

One of the bedrooms in the Hotel Sozo is located in the rafters, with stunning stained glass windows and arched ceilings 

Hotel Sozo in Nantes, France, is a modern-style homestay housed inside a 19th century chapel.

In total, there are 24 rooms with original features including dramatic arched ceilings and stained glass windows. 

The site also boasts a spa, with a sauna, ice room and hammam. For keen musicians, there is a piano and guitar in the lobby area. 

Little Tin Chapel, Chester

Chester’s only remaining Victorian tin chapel has been lovingly restored into a holiday home. The Little Tin Chapel is described as the perfect base for a weekend trip, just a two minute walk from the historic Roman walls, a ten minute walk into the city centre and a short walk from the racecourse

The quirky property boasts stained glass arched windows throughout. The main open plan living area has reclaimed pine flooring underfoot and Victorian style radiators

Chester’s only remaining Victorian tin chapel has been lovingly restored into a holiday home. 

The Little Tin Chapel is described as the perfect base for a weekend trip, just a two-minute walk from the historic Roman walls, a ten minute walk into the city centre and a short walk from the racecourse.

The quirky property boasts stained glass arched windows throughout.

The main open plan living area has reclaimed pine flooring underfoot and Victorian style radiators. Double doors provide access to the garden surrounding the chapel, complete with a BBQ area. There is a double and a twin bedroom that has a zip and link bed so it can be used as either a twin or super king-sized bed.

Chapel on the Hill, near Middleton-in-Teesdale, County Durham

The Chapel on the Hill is a conversion of a Methodist chapel close to Middleton-in-Teesdale, boasting stunning views of the surrounding countryside

The holiday cottage consists of a fully equipped kitchen, a cosy living room, four bedrooms and three modern bathrooms

The Chapel on the Hill is a conversion of a Methodist chapel close to Middleton-in-Teesdale, boasting stunning views of the surrounding countryside.  

The holiday cottage consists of a fully equipped kitchen, a cosy living room, four bedrooms and three modern bathrooms. 

It is located in a remote spot but shops, pubs and a post office are a short drive away. 

Stanbrook Abbey Hotel, Worcester, England 

Dating back to the early 16th century, Stanbrook Abbey Hotel in Worcester, England, has 55 rooms

The former monastery retains many original features including chunky stone work and Gothic stained-glass windows. There is a restaurant on the site aptly named Sister Charlotte's, offering breakfast, lunch, traditional afternoon tea and dinner

Dating back to the early 16th-century, Stanbrook Abbey Hotel in Worcester, England, has 55 rooms.

The former monastery retains many original features including chunky stone work and Gothic stained-glass windows. 

There is a restaurant on the site aptly named Sister Charlotte's, offering breakfast, lunch, traditional afternoon tea and dinner. 

On top of that, the hotel is set in 26 acres of extensive gardens that are open for guests to explore.

San Clemente Palace Kempinski, Venice

San Clemente Palace Kempinski Venice, a former monastery which dates back to the 12th century, is located on the private Island of San Clemente in Venice, just ten minutes away from Piazza San Marco by boat

The complex has 190 rooms and suites, seven courtyards and its own private chapel. It also boasts a range of amenities including a heated outdoor pool, a golf area, tennis court and newly-opened spa

San Clemente Palace Kempinski Venice, a former monastery that dates back to the 12th century, is located on the private Island of San Clemente in Venice, just ten minutes away from Piazza San Marco by boat.

The complex has 190 rooms and suites, seven courtyards and its own private chapel.

It also boasts a range of amenities including a heated outdoor pool, a golf area, tennis court and newly-opened spa.  

Monastero Santa Rosa, Amalfi Coast

The Monastero Santa Rosa hotel is a former 17th-century monastery perched on a dramatic clifftop along the Amalfi Coast. A must-visit is the infinity pool, which boasts stunning views of the blue ocean and beyond

Local designers have converted the old nuns' quarters into 20 chic rooms. Each of the rooms have been christened after herbs grown in their previous occupants' own private gardens

The Monastero Santa Rosa hotel is a former 17th-century monastery perched on a dramatic clifftop along the Amalfi Coast.

Local designers have converted the old nuns' quarters into 20 chic rooms. Each of the rooms have been christened after herbs grown in their previous occupants' own private gardens.

A must-visit is the infinity pool, which boasts stunning views of the blue ocean and beyond.

In total there are 20 rooms and suites on the site, along with a spa and restaurant.

High Haven, Lambston, Pembrokeshire 

High Haven is a former church in Pembrokeshire dating back to the 11th century, which has been carefully converted into a contemporary home

The owners, who are architects, have preserved many original features including stone flooring, arched walkways and the old oak alter

High Haven is a former church in Pembrokeshire dating back to the 11th century, which has been carefully converted into a contemporary home.

The owners, who are architects, have preserved many original features including stone flooring, arched walkways and the old oak alter.

Another standout feature is the bathroom, with a tub offering views out over the countryside beyond. 

The holiday home sleeps four to eight people, with two sofa beds on a mezzanine gallery area.  

Fontevraud L’Hôtel, France

The Fontevraud is famed for being the largest abbey in Europe. The complex, situated in the Loire valley area of France, served as a high security prison at one point in the early 19th century under Napoleon Bonaparte's orders

Today there are 54 hotel rooms inside the historic priory building, a former nunnery. The website notes that the place has been upgraded so that it now 'lives to the rhythm of the 21st century'. There is also a chic restaurant on site and a space dedicated to art exhibitions

The Fontevraud is famed for being the largest abbey in Europe. The complex, situated in the Loire valley area of France, served as a high security prison at one point in the early 19th century under Napoleon Bonaparte's orders.

Today there are 54 hotel rooms inside the historic priory building, a former nunnery. 

The website notes that the place has been upgraded so that it now 'lives to the rhythm of the 21st century'.

There is also a chic restaurant on site and a space dedicated to art exhibitions.  

St Curigs Church, Capel Curig, Gwynedd

St Curigs Church in Capel Curig, Wales, offers four en-suite rooms, two with hand-carved four-poster beds and two twin rooms. The property also has a basic bunkroom with four beds and wonderful views towards the Carneddau mountains

On the entertainment front, the property has a hot tub in the garden with views of the Snowdon Horseshoe â€" the most photographed spot in Wales. It also has a zip wire, pool table, grand piano, guitar, table tennis table, dressing up box and various board games

St Curigs Church in Capel Curig, Wales, offers four en-suite rooms, two with hand-carved four-poster beds and two twin rooms. 

The property also has a basic bunkroom with four beds and wonderful views towards the Carneddau mountains.

On the entertainment front, the property has a hot tub in the garden with views of the Snowdon Horseshoe â€" the most photographed spot in Wales. 

It also has a zip wire, pool table, grand piano, guitar, table tennis table, dressing up box and v arious board games. After all of that activity, you can rustle something up in the fully-equipped kitchen on the mezzanine level.

 Old St John’s Church, Gamblesby, Cumbria

Old St.John’s Church in Cumbria underwent a complete restoration after being purchased in 2010. It now operates as a guest house with three double bedrooms on offer

Guests can take a pew in the dining room, which features the original stained glass windows. They can also pop up to the church spire to soak in the leafy sights and sounds via a viewing platform

Old St.John’s Church in Cumbria underwent a complete restoration after being purchased in 2010.

It now operates as a guest house with three double bedrooms on offer.

Guests can take a pew in the dining room, which features the original stained glass windows. 

They can also pop up to the church spire, to soak in the leafy sights and sounds via a viewing platform.

Spa treatments, private chefs and activity days can be booked on request. Some might recognise the home from the Channel 4 show, The Restoration Man.