Dozing off in a church usually results in a raised eyebrow and an elbow nudge — but not once that place of worship has been reincarnated as vacation accommodation. A clutch of decommissioned churches in the United States have undergone renovation, winding up as a unique (and utterly peaceful) spot to spend the night. Some properties lean traditional in style, while others have adopted a more modern aesthetic, but all deserve to be on the radar of those whose temple is travel.
Make it your mission to stay at one of these historic churches now functioning as boutique hotels across Tennessee, Colorado, Louisiana, and beyond.
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East Nashville’s Russell Hotel comprises 23 unique rooms set within a 1904 church. The owners hung onto as many original features as possible, including stained glass windows and old brick walls. They also repurposed the pews as bed headboards. The bedrooms are surprisingly simple on the whole, with clean lines met by minor quirks like arched bathroom mirrors and upgrades coming with skylight windows.
Much of the architectural splendor lies in the lobby, where guests are invited to take a pew and meditate over coffee. There’s no reception desk here; you’ll receive an access code ahead of check-in. Five Points is a five-minute walk, and Broadway is two miles from the hotel. A generous percentage of all profits is donated to local nonprofits tackling homelessness.
Steps from Frenchman Street in the Marigny neighborhood, Hotel Peter and Paul offers a heavenly stay in the heart of New Orleans. Designed by the NOLA architect Henry Howard, accommodation at this decommissioned church is spread across the old schoolhouse, rectory, and convent. Each room is individually decorated, with options for solo travelers, couples, and pajama parties. Pay attention, and note whether you’d rather a four-poster bed or a limestone soaker.
Baptise your vacation with a dip in the recently-added pool, and don’t skip cocktails at the Elysian Bar. One sip of their bourbon-heavy tonics and you’ll confess all your sins, but feel all the better for it.
Do Washington, D.C, differently with a stay at this commanding neoclassical church in the trendy Adams Morgan neighborhood. You’ll enter The LINE DC through weighty copper doors and find a friendly reception at the altar bar, where cocktails are an expression of art — nobody will judge you for ordering a second round. A popular spot for the local community, both No Goodbyes and its adjacent coffee shop are usually teeming with as many local residents as hotel guests.
Rooms contain modern art and chic brass beds bathed in natural light, and suites have the perks of landmark views. There’s a rooftop deck which is open for ad hoc events (weddings, generally, but you could always ask about exorcisms) and available for event hire.
This architectural jewel, a former Methodist church built in the Gothic style, contains four suites, three of which have stained glass feature windows. All have charming, historic furnishings that add a cozyness to your stay as well as personalized details inspired by St. Louis.
The shared spaces are where the real beauty lies — accented by handcrafted woodwork you’ll find a state-of-the-art shared kitchen framed by stained glass windows. There is also a rooftop hot tub (your other half will consider you a saint for booking this for the night) and lush, landscaped gardens with fire pits.
