Architectural ghosts of the past are subtly being resurrected across continents. Ghost towns, jails, and abandoned silos are being transformed into some of the most upscale havens of contemporary travel. After being saved from deterioration, these areas are today used by visitors who want both comfort and a good tale. The Dunton Hot Springs in Colorado, the Riggs in Washington, DC, and the Silo Hotel in Cape Town are remarkable illustrations of how imaginative reinvention can transform deterioration into pleasure and redefine what luxury is all about.
In South Africa, the Silo Hotel is especially fascinating. The building, which rises above the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art, was previously used to store grain for the whole country. Beauty is now stored there. The rooms’ geometric glass windows, each with a slightly different form, act as prisms to filter sunlight. The halls are filled with contemporary African art that reflects the inventiveness of Cape Town’s thriving cultural landscape. The atmosphere of the hotel does a remarkable job of mixing artistic intimacy with industrial aggressiveness. Visitors take in expansive views that seem as though they were painted, extending from Table Mountain to the glistening Atlantic.
The Abandoned Hotels Now Reborn as Luxury Hideaways
| Hotel Name | Location | Original Use | Transformation Highlight | Distinctive Feature | Current Status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Silo Hotel | Cape Town, South Africa | Grain silo | Converted into art-inspired suites above Zeitz MOCAA | Floor-to-ceiling geometric windows overlooking Table Mountain | Luxury hotel | www.thesilohotel.com |
| InterContinental Khao Yai Resort | Pak Chong, Thailand | Train carriages | Upcycled railway suites designed by Bill Bensley | Vintage railcar suites surrounded by forest | Operating resort | www.ihg.com |
| Riggs Washington DC | Washington, D.C., USA | National bank | Transformed into a boutique hotel with its original architecture | Café Riggs and a cocktail bar inside the old bank vault | Luxury hotel | www.riggsdc.com |
| Borgo San Felice Resort | Siena, Italy | Medieval village | Restored into a Michelin-starred Tuscan retreat | Spa built in a former olive press and vineyard views | Five-star resort | www.borgosanfelice.it |
| Cap Menorca Relais & Chateaux | Menorca, Spain | Military base | Rebuilt into a serene Mediterranean hideaway | Original canons preserved on the cliffside property | Luxury retreat | www.capmenorca.com |
| Rosewood Schloss Fuschl | Salzburg, Austria | 15th-century castle | Reimagined as an alpine luxury escape | Lakefront spa with historic alpine interiors | Rosewood-managed property | www.rosewoodhotels.com |
| Palazzo Scanderbeg | Rome, Italy | Noble residence | Revived into a Renaissance-style hotel | Vaulted ceilings and antique wooden floors retained | Boutique hotel | www.palazzoscanderbeg.com |
| The Rebello | Porto, Portugal | Wine warehouse | Converted into riverfront suites | Rooftop bar with views of the Douro River | Waterfront hotel | www.therebello.com |
| Dunton Hot Springs | Colorado, USA | Mining ghost town | Revitalized into luxury log cabins | Natural hot springs and rustic timber design | Luxury mountain getaway | www.duntonhotsprings.com |
| The Liberty Hotel | Boston, USA | Charles Street Jail | Transformed into an urban five-star hotel | Original jail atrium and catwalks retained | Premier city hotel | www.libertyhotel.com |
The InterContinental Khao Yai Resort, located in Thailand’s mountainous Khao Yai National Park in the far east, is a prime example of what happens when luxury and sustainability coexist. Retired railway carriages were used to create this resort, which was designed by the creative Bill Bensley. Inspired by the heyday of train travel, every railcar suite has a unique narrative to tell. An atmosphere that is both nostalgic and revitalizing is created when luxurious interiors blend with expansive vistas of the jungle. The resort’s architectural philosophy is incredibly efficient by repurposing ancient carriages, demonstrating that environmentally friendly hospitality can be surprisingly elegant.
The Riggs Washington DC redefines magnificence through preservation in the center of Washington, D.C. It served as the financial center for America’s elite and was formerly referred to as the “Bank of Presidents.” The building’s majestic character was maintained while a welcoming warmth was added throughout the conversion to a hotel. In a symbolic shift from protecting fortunes to celebrating them, the Silver Lyan cocktail bar now stands in the former bank vault, while Café Riggs maintains its original Corinthian columns. The Riggs are incredibly successful at bridging the gap between historical prestige and modern comfort because of their striking balance between luxury and approachability.
Borgo San Felice Resort embodies the magic of rebirth among Italy’s vineyards. This opulent rural retreat was once a medieval village encircled by Chianti hills. The village’s olive press has been transformed into a botanical spa with lavender and rosemary scents, and the old stone houses now house tasteful suites. The resort’s Michelin-starred restaurant celebrates Tuscan customs with elegant execution while enhancing regional flavors. The project’s metamorphosis is very creative since it offers contemporary sophistication while respecting rustic authenticity. History is not obscured by glass here; it feeds, soothes, and breathes.
Cap Menorca Relais & Chateaux is a forgotten citadel that has sprung from the Mediterranean cliffs of Menorca. Originally constructed as a military installation for protection, it now welcomes peace. Relics from the property’s previous marriage were preserved after ten years of restoration by French businessman Laurent Morel-Ruymen. The interiors shine with simple charm, and the canons remain standing, silently observing the sea. Under the stars, guests enjoy locally sourced food while sipping Menorcan wine at twilight. The tale is incredibly relatable and demonstrates how places that were initially constructed for defense may transform into havens of tranquility.
Rosewood Schloss Fuschl in Austria is surrounded by mountain peaks and perches over Lake Fuschl like a scene from a fairy tale. Originally a castle for nobles in the fifteenth century, it eventually drew musicians and Hollywood celebrities looking for seclusion. Rosewood’s curation has significantly enhanced the contemporary renovation, which combines heritage woodwork with subtle luxury. With a view of the serene waters, the spa offers a sense of peace that seems to last for generations. Its stone hallways convey a legacy of subdued grandeur—an unbroken thread that skillfully and gracefully ties the past to the present.
A more subdued kind of grandeur can be seen in Rome at Palazzo Scanderbeg. Travelers are now housed in surroundings that evoke Renaissance grandeur at the old home of Albanian ruler George Castriot (Scanderbeg) from the 15th century. Old timber floors and vaulted ceilings serve as a reminder of the place’s aristocratic past, but the ambiance is surprisingly cozy. With their vintage furniture and gentle, golden lighting, each suite has the feel of a private apartment. The hotel’s strategy is especially advantageous because it makes history more approachable without being burdensome.
The Rebello, located in Portugal along the Douro River, serves as a link between the creative present and Porto’s industrial history. Originally a port wine warehouse, it has been transformed into a contemporary riverfront retreat. The boats known as “rabelos,” which used to transport wine barrels down the river, are referenced in the name. These days, modern suites with complete kitchens and floor-to-ceiling windows are housed within the stone arches of the warehouse. The building is topped with a rooftop bar that provides views that link the terracotta rooftops of the old city with the design of the future. It’s a brilliant example of architectural narrative that seamlessly combines functionality and beauty.
Something very different can be found at Dunton Hot Springs in Colorado’s untamed nature. A cluster of log houses that are genuinely rustic yet luxuriously comfortable have been painstakingly reconstructed from an abandoned mining town. Once a haven for miners, the hot springs now bubble inside a bathhouse from the 19th century. The historic saloon, which has walls covered in decades’ worth of etchings, is where guests eat. With elements of nostalgia, wilderness, and pure magic, the outcome seems deeply personal. It’s a place where the past is welcomed rather than forgotten, where the floorboards’ groan is like history letting go.
Perhaps the most emblematic of all the changes back on the East Coast is the Liberty Hotel in Boston. Previously the infamous Charles Street Jail, it is now one of the most upscale locations in the city. Although they now look out over cocktail bars rather than cells, the original stone walls and catwalks are still there. Under the once-constricting ironwork, guests relax in the central atrium. The conversion seems really poetic—a deliberate act of emancipation. The identical building that had stood for punishment now exudes sunshine, laughter, and liberation.
Despite being located on different countries, these hotels all adhere to the same, strikingly consistent philosophy: rebirth thru respect. Every alteration gives history new vitality and demonstrates that deterioration may be repurposed without sacrificing honor. Their success comes from appreciating the past rather than deleting it, which feels especially novel in a time when people are frequently fixated on the present. These qualities serve as a reminder that beauty can occasionally emerge from the ruins of time rather than always stemming from perfection.
