“All these properties come with personalities and stories to tell, which is exactly what travelers are after nowadays.”

Taking something old and remaking it anew is nothing new. But it is a transformation that’s been taking over the hospitality world in recent years. As travelers seek more unique, character-driven experiences that truly immerse them in a destination, salvaged stays — hotels set inside repurposed, historic buildings or made from upcycled materials — are drawing more attention.

Breweries-turned-boutique hotels, nightclubs transformed into elegant countryside escapes; all these properties come with personalities and stories to tell, which is exactly what travelers are after nowadays. It’s such an on-the-rise phenomenon that travel booking behemoth Hotels.com named “salvaged stays” as one of its top travel trends of 2026.

Here are seven Azure Road-vetted properties that perfectly encapsulate this trendy style of stay.

Dunton Hot Springs, Colorado

While they’re now hubs for outdoor adventure, many of the mountain towns in Colorado’s San Juan range started out as remote mining communities. In the 1800s, prospectors poured into the region in search of gold and silver, establishing camps and towns. Some, like Telluride and Ouray, are still thriving to this day. Others became ghost towns. And at least one has become a luxury wellness resort.

Set on the site of an 1885 mining outpost, Dunton Hot Springs is a high-end, all-inclusive getaway that lets guests feel like they’ve stepped back to pioneer times. Many of the historic structures, from log cabins to a saloon, were revitalized and transformed into luxe lodgings, dining spaces, and spa facilities. For an extra dose of authenticity, the resort used original materials and construction styles to preserve the site’s spirit and character. Guests soak in natural springs once frequented by work-weary miners, fill their days with horseback riding or fly fishing, and dine on hearty meals in a saloon said to have been a hideout for Butch Cassidy.

The Pig at Bridge Place, Kent

Today, the Pig at Bridge Place is a charming retreat in the English countryside, renowned for its locally sourced 25 Mile Menu and proximity to wineries and scenic walks. Guests receive restorative spa treatments in cozy sheds, roam the gardens and grounds, and unwind in Old English-style rooms and lounges.

But once upon a time, this hotel was a 1960s rock-and-roll nightclub, hosting the likes of Led Zeppelin and The Kinks. Before that, it was a businessman’s grand 17th-century estate. Built around 1638, it was one of the area’s finest mansions before being mostly torn down and left in ruins for some 200 years. After its nightclub days, the building was acquired by The Pig — a boutique hotel chain with a penchant for reimagining old properties — and reopened in 2019.

Winebox Valparaiso, Valparaiso

Pay a visit to the seaside city of Valparaiso in Chile and, while taking in the Pacific views from hillside terraces, you’re likely to see a steady stream of shipping containers entering and leaving the port. Shipping is Valparaiso’s lifeblood, as it was once one of the most important ports in South America. Those boxy containers are an ever-present reminder of the city’s history and industry.

This is especially true at Winebox Valparaiso, an eccentric and art-filled boutique property on Cerro Mariposa that’s fashioned entirely out of repurposed shipping containers. Angular rooms, updated and made suitable for habitation, look out over the hills and ocean through floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies. Old bathtubs, barrels, and wood pallets take on new roles as chairs and sofas. As the name suggests, wine is a theme throughout thanks to owner Grant Phelps’ winemaking background. Vino-inspired artwork adorns the walls and facade, bottles and wine paraphernalia serve as decor, and a glass of Chilean Sauvignon Blanc pairs nicely with the ocean vistas.

The Schoolhouse Hotel, White Sulphur Springs

Although a surge in outdoor adventure tourism has brought fresh attention to the region, the West Virginia town of White Sulphur Springs has long been a coveted getaway destination. In large part, this was due to the Greenbrier, a venerated luxury resort built in 1913. With the opening of The Schoolhouse Hotel in 2022, visitors now have the choice to stay in another piece of White Sulphur Springs history.

Set in the city center, The Schoolhouse Hotel is housed within the town’s former school, a stately brick building dating from 1912. Now, it’s a 30-key boutique property with a rooftop bar, restaurant, and ballroom event space. In the refurbishment, rooms and spaces were reimagined to surpass ADA standards, making it the world’s first fully accessible hotel. These features range from roll-in showers to easy-to-reach outlets, ensuring guests of all abilities can come to enjoy the region’s offerings.

Hotel Marcel New Haven, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

It’s impossible to miss the Hotel Marcel. Towering above New Haven’s waterfront Long Wharf district, the boxy, Brutalist building dominates the surrounding skyline. Its clean-cut rectangular structure and uniform rows of windows instantly grab the eye. Yet the history behind it is just as fascinating as its appearance.

Created by the visionary Bauhaus designer Marcel Breuer, this architectural icon was originally built in 1968 for the Armstrong Rubber Company. For years, it changed corporate hands, from Pirelli Tire to IKEA, before architectural firm Becker + Becker purchased it in 2019. Now in possession of a true piece of design history, the firm set about reimagining it as a sustainable hotel. The property reopened in 2022 as the first Passive House-certified hotel in the country, with 165 mid-century modern rooms and suites, dining, and a zero-emission car service for eco-friendly exploring around New Haven.

Hotel Ottilia, Copenhagen

Getting a taste of Denmark’s famed beer culture is a must when visiting the country’s capital, Copenhagen. But the Hotel Ottilia goes even further by allowing guests to stay inside two historic buildings from the Carlsberg Brewery.

Initially, these two structures served as malt and beer storage facilities. Now, they house 155 design-driven rooms and suites that blend industrial bones with Nordic minimalism. Additional design features also pay homage to the buildings’ history, like the facade’s beer barrel-inspired shields. From the unique architecture and lovely rooftop bar to bike rentals and a delicious breakfast spread for guests, it’s easily one of Copenhagen’s top hotels.

Ignacia Guest House, Mexico City

This Michelin Key-recognized bed and breakfast in the Colonia Roma neighborhood started out as an estate house. Originally built in 1913 during the Porfirian era, it’s now an intimate, nine-suite property, named after a housekeeper who dotingly cared for this building for over 70 years.

The new owners have done a lovely job carrying on that legacy.  Spaces have been tastefully updated with contemporary amenities and touches without diminishing the historic charm and elegance. Guests start their days with a prepared breakfast, enjoying the latest finds from local markets. Then, they set off to explore the surrounding neighborhood, which brims with eateries, shops, and attractions. Undoubtedly, Ignacia Guest House is one of Mexico City’s finest stays, especially for those who crave privacy and love design.