DEC. 3, 2018 INSPIRATION

Banish the big box hotel blues with a stay in one of these re-purposed spaces transformed into luxury hotels. Re-purposed and re-imagined, these amazing spaces each have a story to tell.

Capo Spartivento, Sardinia

The coast of Italy’s second-largest island is dotted with old Spanish towers built to defend against attacks. Nestled between them is Capo Spartivento’s Lighthouse which has been guiding sailors for 160 years. It has been lavishly transformed into a guesthouse, welcoming travelers who want to soak in the Sardinian good life. Wood floors and stone walls exude old world charm combined with modern updates. Perched on a rocky outcrop, the exclusive property boasts gorgeous views of the Mediterranean and is only a short hop away from some of the southern coast’s most alluring beaches.

The Silo, Cape Town, South Africa

A historic 1924 grain silo has been transformed into one of Cape Town’s most iconic properties. Once a vital part of the country’s economic and agricultural boom, now The Silo is the place to see the top notch views of the waterfront and Table Mountain from one of the swanky 28 suites housed in the former grain elevators. It’s not just the panorama that’s a work of art; in the lower half of the building there are also the exhibits at the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa.

Hotel Paris Bastille Boutet, Paris, France

Willy Wonka would feel right at home in this former chocolate factory. The 1920s Parisian boutique hotel retains its mosaic-tiled Art Deco facade, enticing you to enter its sweet interior. Inside the decor shines with white tiled walls, timber woods, and mirrored paneling. Indulge your sweet tooth with the chocolate treats at the bar including a warming hot chocolate. Your worries will melt away like liquid chocolate during an organic cocoa oil spa treatment.

The Singular Patagonia, Torres del Paine, Chile

Built in 1915, this former meatpacking plant still retains some of its original elements, but its interior is nothing but the utmost in comfort. A harmonious balance of gritty industrial meets contemporary chic. Descend into a deep soaking bathtub after a decadent meal paired with Chilean wine; the breathtaking fjords and wind-whipped hiking trails can wait until tomorrow.

Iniala Harbour House, Valletta, Malta

Malta is a Mediterranean treasure, so it’s only fitting that you should stay in a former bank, complete with several vaults. The hotel shines in Valletta, a city already brimming with handsome palazzos. The charming Iniala Harbour House is a jewel box of scenic wallcoverings, bright blue rugs, and brass accessories.

The Oyster Bay Hotel, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Get away to this colonial-era maternity hospital to forget any reminders of jet lag before you set off on a Tanzanian safari. A fancy lunch of freshly-caught lobster is taken in the gardens as palms sway in the ocean breeze. Tall French doors open to verandas where guests lounge by the pool with a glass of Pimms.

Belmond Hotel Monasterio, Cusco, Peru

A 16th-century monastery gets a second chance as a modern Peruvian property, one of the finest in the world and a Ker & Downey favorite. Original artwork flanks the bedroom walls of this Spanish colonial structure. Feel like you are floating in the heavens with the extra blast of oxygen pumped into the air to help guests acclimate to the high altitude.

The Fingal Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh, Scotland

Sail into a sea of luxury on the 1964 boat docked right next door to Queen Elizabeth’sRoyal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh’s port of Leith, making this a highly desirable floating address. Swanky Art Deco-style cabins named after lighthouses evoke glitz and glam. After stretching your sea legs exploring Edinburgh, kick back in your comfy bed and dream of being the captain of a journey around the globe.

The Ned, London, England

This former London bank exudes 1920s elegance. There’s nothing staid about the Ned, even though it calls London’s business district home. Verdite columns reach to the lofty ceilings and pink velvet settees ground the shiny black-and-white checkered floor. It’s the kind of place where men in suits and ladies with Great Gatsby-style rouge lips would easily while away the evening sipping on martinis after getting dolled up in the delightfully decorated spa.

Boutique Travel Advisors (BTA) is a full service luxury travel advisory company, specializing in designing bespoke and unique itineraries throughout the world. Contact us today for assistance with planning your next getaway. 

This post was originally published by Ker & Downey, an award-winning USA-based tour operator and our trusted travel partner. Visit them at kerdowney.com.