10 hotels converted from historic buildings

The Beekman

Completed in 1883 as Temple Court, one of Manhattan’s earliest skyscrapers, The Beekman began life as offices for lawyers and assorted city operators. After years of neglect, it returned in 2016 with its nine-storey atrium and pyramidal glass skylight restored to full glory. Rooms feel generous thanks to those towering windows, and the atmosphere carries a whiff of old New York ambition. The atrium bar is a regular favourite with our members, who tend to claim a table beneath the skylight before dinner at Temple Court or Le Gratin. 

Hôtel du Couvent 

Founded in 1604, this former convent housed generations of nuns until the 1980s. After decades standing empty, it reopened in 2024 with its cloisters, gardens and sense of calm beautifully intact. Roman baths now occupy the grounds, and a resident herbalist prepares remedies from an old-fashioned apothecary. Bedrooms pair antique pieces with textured plaster and cool stone floors. Breakfast, included for Little Emperors members, is served at the table and reads like a love letter to the French petit déjeuner, complete with pastries, fruit and cooked dishes to order. 

Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Cartagena 

Due to open in 2026, Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Cartagena restores several Cartagena landmarks, including the 16th-century San Francisco cloister, the Beaux-Arts Club Cartagena and four historic theatres such as Teatro Cartagena and Rialto. Original frescoes and stonework are being carefully revealed as the buildings become 131 rooms and residences. Set in Getsemaní near the Walled City, many rooms will feature balconies for leisurely people-watching. The rooftop pool, overlooking the Caribbean, is likely to be a standout. 

The Silo Hotel 

Once a grain silo on the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, the striking Silo Hotel now rises above the Zeitz MOCAA with its distinctive pillowed windows. Inside, just 28 rooms offer eclectic design and remarkable views of Table Mountain and the harbour. Bathrooms are positioned for maximum impact, often with tubs facing the panorama. Hotel credit is extended to Little Emperors members to use as they wish, or they may opt to direct it to The Royal Portfolio Foundation’s conservation initiatives, a choice that resonates strongly with many of our travellers. 

Villa San Michele, A Belmond Hotel 

A hillside retreat above Florence, Villa San Michele began as a 15th-century Franciscan monastery, active for some 400 years before becoming a private villa. Its façade is attributed to the School of Michelangelo, and many original architectural details remain, from cloistered walkways to imposing wooden doors. Inside, rooms are serene yet far from austere, with marble bathrooms that feel suitably indulgent. La Loggia’s terrace, with its sweeping views across the Florentine skyline, is frequently mentioned by members who appreciate ending the day there as the city lights flicker on below. 

The Chancery Rosewood 

Formerly the United States Embassy in Grosvenor Square, designed by Eero Saarinen and opened in 1960, The Chancery Rosewood has been transformed into an all-suite hotel. David Chipperfield’s redesign respects the building’s bold lines, while interiors by Joseph Dirand introduce a refined, tactile feel. With eight restaurants and bars, including Carbone’s European debut, it has quickly become one of Mayfair’s most talked-about addresses. The fact that every room is a suite tends to be particularly appreciated by those who value a little extra space in central London. 

NoMad London 

Housed in the former Bow Street Magistrates’ Court and Police Station, completed in 1881, NoMad London occupies a building that once tried Oscar Wilde and detained the Kray twins. Courtrooms have become event spaces, and former cells now form part of characterful guest rooms. Roman and Williams have created interiors that feel romantic and theatrical without losing warmth. Early check-in and a relaxed late check-out, available to Little Emperors members, make it easy to stretch out a long breakfast under the glass atrium or enjoy a leisurely final morning in Covent Garden. 

Raffles London at The OWO 

Built in 1906 as the Old War Office, this Whitehall landmark shaped British military history and counted Winston Churchill among its notable occupants. Today Raffles London houses 120 rooms and suites, nine restaurants and three bars, plus a Guerlain Spa and an elegant indoor pool. Those reserving Heritage Suites through Little Emperors are met with complimentary roundtrip private airport transfers and a daily Full English breakfast for adults and children, an arrival and start to the day that feels entirely fitting in such stately surroundings. 

Hôtel Madame Rêve 

Originally the Louvre Post Office, opened in 1888 as France’s only round-the-clock postal hub, Hôtel Madame Rêve began a new chapter in 2021. Its lofty proportions now frame warm contemporary rooms with subtle nods to its mail-sorting past. The rooftop garden surveys Parisian landmarks, and it is here, cocktail in hand, that many of our members prefer to spend their early evenings before heading out into the First Arrondissement. 

Capella Singapore 

Capella Singapore incorporates the 1880s Tanah Merah barracks, once home to British artillery officers, alongside a contemporary addition by Foster and Partners. Set within 30 acres of greenery on Sentosa Island, it feels far removed from the city skyline across the water. Rooms feature deep soaking tubs, expansive terraces and intuitive technology. The trio of cascading pools are often cited as reason enough to linger on the island a little longer, even with Singapore’s attractions just across the channel.