I’m a sucker for a good comeback story.
Although I’m not a fan of the Patriots, their 31-point rally against the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI was epic. And I cheer hard for Martha Stewart who managed to not only resurrect, but balloon, her domestic goddess reputation AFTER her release from prison.
Make 2026 the year you celebrate a good comeback story by booking a “Salvaged Stay.”
What’s a Salvaged Stay?
Hotels.com identified “Salvaged Stays” as one of its top travel trends for 2026. These are hotel properties in buildings that once had former lives as libraries, monasteries, banks and more. I’ve stayed in several in the past including Boston’s The Liberty, a former prison, and Union Station Nashville Yards, a transformed passenger train station.
I find it fascinating to see how today’s architects transform yesterday’s structures into comfortable, amenity-rich lodgings for modern travelers.
Historic Hotels of America’s Adaptive Reuse List
The Historic Hotels of America is the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation tasked with promoting member properties that “faithfully maintain their authenticity, sense of place and architectural integrity.”
They annually spotlight member properties on “best of” lists including most historic hotel bars and most haunted historic hotels. Salvaged properties appear on their adaptive reuse list, acknowledging hotels, inns and resorts in “preserved historic buildings that were not originally built to be hotels.”
The Benefits of Adaptive Reuse
The primary benefit of adaptive reuse is saving historic properties and renewing their economic vitality. For example, a former Catholic boarding school opened its doors as a 65-room boutique hotel in 2024, the first new hotel to open in Frederick, Maryland in 50 years.
The Visitation Hotel Frederick preserved much of the existing architecture, including stained glass windows, brickwork and original wood flooring. Operating as a Marriott Tribute property, The Visitation Hotel serves as an important connection to the past for residents and visitors.
What’s to Love About Salvaged Stays
The best part about staying in one of these Salvaged Stays is that they successfully blend the past with the present. Guests get all of the modern conveniences, amenities and accessibility they crave in a setting that’s straight out of an old movie.
During my stay at the Inn at Diamond Cove, a restored military barracks in Maine, I could stare out at the property lawn, then close my eyes and imagine uniformed troops going through their daily drills.
At Le Monastere des Augustines, a monastery turned boutique hotel in Quebec City, I absorbed the spiritual energy of centuries of nuns who lived, worked and prayed in the building. Every inch of stair rail radiates from their touch.
Things to Keep in Mind
The biggest pro of staying in one of these renovated gems is that you’re not booking a cookie-cutter box in a hotel that feels ripped from Any Place, USA. These hotels, inns and resorts have a genuine connection to the destination, forged through years of history.
However, there are things to keep in mind when booking one of these stays, including:
Accessibility May Vary
Think about the challenge of converting a historic post office mailroom into a 21st-century hotel room. There may be oddly placed windows or sloping walls. Showers may be smaller (or larger) than you normally encounter. Embrace the quirks.
But if you have certain needs, be sure to quiz reservation specialists.
Expect Noises
Old wood creaks. Sweeping down a grand mahogany staircase is wildly romantic and noisy. The vaulted barrel ceiling in a train station hotel may amplify the band playing ‘80s hits in the lobby bar to cacophonic levels. Go with it. It’s part of the experience.
Embrace What’s New
Read all the historical signs and check out the old photos. But definitely spend time on the property appreciating what’s new – whether it’s a glorious rooftop pool, chef-driven restaurant or spa.
How to Find Your Next Salvaged Stay
Wondering how to find Salvaged Stays? You can start with the Hotels.com list. Another good source is the Historic Hotels of America’s annual Best of Adaptive Reuse List. Their 2025 roundup includes a former junior high that has “hall pass” key cards and a “Prom Queen” drink special.
Some of the ones I’m putting on my “to go” list include:
- Former movie theater: The Hotel Warner in West Chester, PA
- Former bank: The 21c Museum Hotel in Lexington, KY
- Former ocean liner: The Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA
Let’s Have a Conversation:
Do you have a “salvaged stay” to recommend? What made the experience extra special? If you could spend one night undetected in a famous building, which one would you choose?
