NEEDHAM, Mass., Nov. 30, 2007 - TripAdvisor(R), the world's
largest travel community, today announced its list of the top ten converted
hotels in Europe, as determined by TripAdvisor travelers and editors. These
unconventional buildings have been wonderfully converted into hotels, retaining
the spirit of the original structure, while offering luxurious accommodations
and modern amenities.
1. Watershed Moment: Hotel Im Wasserturm, Cologne, Germany
- Average Nightly Rate: $341
A former aquatic hub, the unique Hotel Im Wasserturm was the largest
water tower in Europe before its conversion to a hotel in 1990. Enjoy the
hotel's beautiful and chic interior design and continue the liquid tradition
by sipping a drink at La Vision, located on the circular brick tower's
roof terrace. As one TripAdvisor traveler said, "This is a designer's dream
of a hotel, well thought out and very cleverly built from a water tower
with lots of design touches from the bottom to the top!"
2. Palace Props: Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace, Budapest, Hungary
- Average Nightly Rate: $437
Sleep like a king at the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace, a former
Art Nouveau palace restored to its original magnificence in 2004 and adorned
with exquisite gold mosaic tiles. Sashay down the grandiose stairwells,
peer at the stained-glass windows or have a drink below the cupola, all
while taking in the stunning panoramic views of the Danube. As one TripAdvisor
traveler described, "The Four Seasons Gresham Palace is truly a palace.
From the grand foyer, to the luxurious rooms and personalized service,
this hotel is by far the best hotel I've ever stayed at."
3. Curtain Call: K+K Hotel Central, Prague, Czech Republic -
Average Nightly Rate: $233
Steal the limelight by staying at K+K Hotel Central, an historic Art
Nouveau building and cabaret before its conversion in 2004. Enjoy the hotel's
theatrical elements, including glass elevators, ornate staircase and show-stopping
breakfast room, converted from a theater, with a high ceiling and views
of the old balconies. As one TripAdvisor traveler said, "The building has
been restored to its former glory. As soon as you enter reception you know
it's a high quality hotel."
4. Medieval Times: Chateau de Trigance, Trigance, France - Average
Nightly Rate: $168
Step back in time at Chateau de Trigance, a former XI medieval fortress
(converted in 1961) perched on a rock, towering over the village of Trigance
in the South of France. Dine at the candle-lit restaurant, with ancient
arched artillery-filled rooms before returning to your stone-walled accommodation,
decked with antique furniture and medieval tapestry. As one TripAdvisor
traveler said, "This is an extraordinary place - an atmospheric little
restored castle ringed by stunning mountains. Sip kir on the terrace or
have breakfast on the battlements."
5. Guiding Light: The Lighthouse, Llandudno, North Wales - Average
Nightly Rate: $150 (per person)
Follow the glow to The Lighthouse, built of Canadian pine and limestone,
once a beacon for mariners until 1985. The Victorian dining room, facing
the north, overlooks a 100 meter vertical drop and serves a renowned traditional
Welsh breakfast. As one TripAdvisor traveler said, "It was a unique experience
amidst dramatic scenery with the most welcoming hosts you can imagine.
This was more of a dream than reality."
Old Bank Hotel Oxford
92-94 High Street
OX1 4BN Oxford
United Kingdom
|
Hotel Pulitzer
Prinsengracht 315-331
Amsterdam, 1016 GZ
Netherlands
|
Mandarin Oriental, Prague
Nebovidska 459/1, Mala Strana, 118 00
Prague 1
Czech Republic
|
6. Bank On It: Old Bank Hotel, Oxford, England - Average Nightly
Rate: $466
Invest in the Old Bank Hotel, converted in 1999 from what was Oxford's
first bank. In contrast to the traditional 18th century facade, the interior
favors a modern style with a chic lobby, 20th century British art and bedrooms
with silk linens, chenille headboards and suede sofas. As one TripAdvisor
traveler said, "The Old Bank is a small and intimate delight in a stunning
location. We were very well treated by the staff and enjoyed the lively
sense of humor of the head porter."
7. Pulitzer Prize: Hotel Pulitzer, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Amsterdam,
The Netherlands - Average Nightly Rate: $440
Cruise up to the jetty at the Hotel Pulitzer, comprised of 25 adjoining
17th and 18th century canal houses, renovated in 2000 and located on the
Prinsengracht and Keizersgracht canals. The hotel features unique Dutch-influenced
rooms, a cigar lounge, and for art lovers, its own modern art gallery.
As one TripAdvisor traveler said, "The hotel lies along a grand canal in
a beautiful and historic Amsterdam neighborhood. Everything about it is
five stars; especially the service, elegant and comfortable rooms, and
food."
8. The Big Krolewski: Krolewski Hotel, Gdansk, Poland - Average
Nightly Rate: $132
Once producing a staple of Gdansk's economy, the Krolewski is located
in one of 30 former granaries, opening as a hotel in 2000. On the edge
of the Motlawa River in northern Poland, the Krolewski is a stunning building
with 30 rooms that seamlessly integrate the granary's architectural features
into elegant suites. As one TripAdvisor traveler described, "An excellent
hotel, beautifully converted from an old granary building, with amazing
attention to detail, a friendly staff, and top notch restaurant."
9. Lock Me Up: Langholmen Hotel and Hostel, Stockholm, Sweden
- Average Nightly Rate: $179
Serve a voluntary sentence at the Langholmen Hotel and Hostel, once
Sweden's biggest prison before its conversion in 1989. Stay in one of the
former "cells," now furnished, eat in the cafeteria, offering 24-hour service,
and grab your room key, which will make you feel like a guest rather than
an inmate. As one TripAdvisor traveler said, "This hotel is an absolute
delight! The old prison has just barely been transformed into a hotel.
At the front desk we didn't check in we were 'sentenced.'"
10. Monastery Mojo: Mandarin Oriental, Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
- Average Nightly Rate: $426
Find inner peace at the Mandarin Oriental, Prague, a 14th century Dominican
monastery before its conversion in 2006. Dine at the five-room Essentia
restaurant below vaulted ceilings or appreciate the view of the city's
historical buildings and rooftops, featured in many of the rooms. As one
TripAdvisor traveler said, "Built in a renovated monastery, the hotel keeps
a lot of the old and impressive design in the common areas. However, you
still feel you are in a top-of-the-line modern hotel."
"With such a deep and rich history of architecture, Europe is a natural
breeding ground for elegantly converted hotels," said Michele Perry, director
of communications for TripAdvisor. "From former lighthouses to theatres
to water towers, these conversions offer something unique for every kind
of traveler, but are consistent in that they all receive high marks from
TripAdvisor travelers."
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