Oscar-winning films have a history of inspiring new travel trends: Out of Africa ushered in a new era of luxury safaris after its big win in 1986; Braveheart, honoured with five Oscars in 1996, sparked a surge in Scotland tourism – and kilt sales; and Brokeback Mountain’s 2006 Oscar hat trick led to a boom in working ranch holidays, especially among the urban cowboy set.
This year’s religious thriller “Conclave” continues the trend. A leading contender in eight Oscar categories, Edward Berger’s film follows a conclave of red-robed Catholic cardinals who gather in Rome to elect a new pope. The unholy machinations of the 100-plus cardinals, as they eat, sleep, plot and conspire behind locked doors, may not lure wayward souls back to Sunday Mass, but the film has certainly piqued the interests of discerning jet-setters: What would it be like to bed down in a monastic residence for a night or two?
Well, their prayers are answered. Centuries-old monasteries have been reborn into stunning, world-class hotels and spas – some even featuring Michelin-starred restaurants. Sparse monks’ quarters, prayer rooms and communal dining halls have been replaced by Papal Suites with private balconies, infinity pools, marble bathrooms with heated floors and spas.
AUGUSTINE, A LUXURY COLLECTION HOTEL, PRAGUE
The Presidential Suite
In the beginning: The 13th-century monastery, a short walk from the iconic Charles Bridge, was originally home to an order of Benedictine monks and, later, Augustinian friars. The latter dedicated their days to prayer, scholarship and community service. Guests can still see remnants of the original cloisters, as well as time-worn frescoes in the adjoining 18th-century St. Thomas Church.
Divine redesign: While four monks still live in a separate area of the monastery, guests bed down in their choice of 101 modern suites featuring vaulted ceilings, contemporary Czech Cubism furnishings, rustic wood beams, impenetrable doors covered in ornamental iron work and bedroom colour schemes in papal shades of purple, red and orange. Marble bathrooms are blessed with heated floors. Guests have access to the library at the baroque St. Thomas Church.
The Refectory bar
Food and drink for the soul: Enjoy elegant French cuisine at Augustine Restaurant in the courtyard, or traditional Czech tapas and lager at St. Thomas Brewery Bar in the monks’ former dining hall. The fresco-ceilinged Refectory Bar specializes in Angel cocktails.
Recharge and refresh: Try the Monastery Spa Ritual for a full-body cleansing at the onsite Augustine Spa.
CIRQA, A RELAIS & CHÂTEAUX PROPERTY, AREQUIPA, PERU
In the beginning: In 1540, Alonso De Luque, the first notary of Arequipa, and his wife bequeathed land to the Augustinian Order on the condition they build a church with cloisters and gardens to serve as a retreat centre for the monks and a refuge for travellers. The monastery operated until Peru gained independence in 1821, after which it was divvied up among private landowners.
Divine redesign: The 11-room Relais & Chateaux boutique hotel, built on land that was part of the San Augustín Church complex, opened in 2019. Its monastic origins are reflected in the traditional sillar volcanic rock walls, high vaulted ceilings and suite names like Aposento (prayer room) and Claustro (cloister). A trendy rooftop bar adds a contemporary touch.
Food and drink for the soul: Enjoy regional Peruvian gastronomy in the Salon & Terraza, which offers indoor dining at long communal tables or casual alfresco seating on the Terraza, next to the firepits. The rooftop El Techo de CIRQA – with breathtaking views of Arequipa’s volcanoes – specializes in picanteria-style dishes, inspired by traditional road-stop eateries that sustained early pilgrims.
Recharge and refresh: Rejuvenate in the heated plunge pools adjacent to the patio, and massage rooms.
KRUISHERENHOTEL, MAASTRICHT, NETHERLANDS
In the beginning: The Gothic church complex that’s home to the five-star Kruisherenhotel dates back to 1440, when the Order of the Holy Cross, also known as Crutched Friars, founded a monastery comprising a church, cloisters and living quarters. The order devoted themselves to charitable works until 1797, when they were expelled during the French Revolution.
Divine redesign: The long-departed friars would quake in their graves at the spectacle of glass-enclosed elevators, minimalist interiors by designer Henk Vos and whimsical furnishings by Philippe Starck. The 60 guest rooms accentuate warm lighting, contemporary art, ceiling murals and stained-glass windows. Former side chapels now serve as lounges, while innovative light sculptures by Ingo Maurer highlight the cloister yard and church interior.
Food and drink for the soul: Centuries-old frescoes, stained glass windows and oversized lamps enhance Spencer’s Restaurant, situated on the mezzanine, overlooking the lobby. The menu favours French-inspired dishes.
Recharge and refresh: Meditate in the monastery courtyard, or use the spa, Turkish steam bath and swimming pool at the nearby sister property Château St. Gerlach.
FONTEVRAUD L’HÔTEL, LOIRE VALLEY, FRANCE
📷 Christophe Martin
In the beginning: Fontevraud Abbey was established in 1101 and was home to four religious communities – of men and women – yet always governed by a woman, an abbess. The abbey also served as a royal crypt for the Plantagenet dynasty: Eleanor of Aquitaine, Henry II of England and Richard the Lionheart are buried under the 12th-century Romanesque church. The abbey was dissolved during the French Revolution and operated as a prison until 1963.
Divine redesign: In 2012, the Parisian design team of Patrick Jouin and Sanjit Manku reimagined the abbey’s Saint-Lazare Priory, transforming it into a 54-room hotel that blends modern minimalism with old-world charm. The hotel earned the prestigious Michelin Key in 2024. Accommodations range from spacious duplexes and high-ceilinged studios to intimate attic hideaways.
📸 Christophe Martin
Food and drink for the soul: The Michelin-starred Fontevraud L’Ermitage Restaurant takes a sustainable approach to French cuisine with ingredients harvested from the abbey gardens. Delicious brasserie-style dishes are the specialty at La Table de Mestre.
Recharge and refresh: Guests can unwind in 14 hectares of lush gardens, cloisters, chapels and landscaped courtyards.
MONASTERO SANTA ROSA HOTEL & SPA, AMALFI COAST, ITALY
📸 @enrico_costantini
In the beginning: The 17th-century edifice – perched on a cliff on the Gulf of Salerno – was built as a Dominican convent for cloistered nuns who became famous for their medicinal concoctions – and sfogliatelle pastries. The secularization of Italy led to the convent’s closure in the early 1900s.
Divine redesign: The vanishing-edge infinity pool – offering sweeping panoramic views of the Amalfi coastline – is a stark contrast to the ancient cloisters and preserved chapel. The 20 guest rooms, which overlook beautiful terraced gardens, feature bathrooms of dark wood and Jerusalem stone. Monastero Santa Rosa was named Hotel of the Year at the 2020 European Hotel Awards.
Food and drink for the soul: The Michelin-starred Il Refettorio specializes in regional southern Italian food. Guests can lunch at the casual Il Mezzogiorno Poolside Café, or enjoy a sunset hour cocktail at La Brocca Bar.
Mezzogiorno Pool Cafe
Recharge and refresh: The hotel’s reputation for thermal bathing is rooted in its architectural design, which features age-old vaulted ceilings and multilevel rooms accessed through interconnecting archways. Options include the vaulted hydro pool, aromatic steam room and stone sauna. There’s also a pomegranate-infused foot bath.
