7 hotels inside former train stations for a unique stay in Europe and beyond

When we say you can sleep inside a train station, we don’t mean curled up on a bench, freezing and surrounded by drunk revellers because you’ve missed the last train home. What we actually mean, is you can have the luxury hotel experience but inside a former station, with decades of history within its walls.

From London to Japan, abandoned railway stations across the globe have had fresh life breathed into them as they’ve been transformed into opulent, unique hotels. While their original charm and architectural grandeur have been preserved, they’ve been eased into the 21st century thanks to the addition of modern-day amenities.

This offers guests the best of both worlds: a getaway lost in a time before TikTok could capture the beauty of these buildings and share them with millions, but also a luxury stay where contemporary comforts aren’t compromised. We’re rounding up some of our favourite railway station revamps—all aboard! It’s time to get booking.

Where? Charing Cross, London. Room rates starting price: £269.10. Situated just steps away from central London with easy access to the capital’s top attractions, The Clermont is almost a time capsule within a bustling city. While its rooms now boast free Wi-Fi and coffee machines, it originally opened as Charing Cross railway station in 1864.

In the 1800s, the hotel’s grand buildings served as status symbols for the wealthy as guests travelled far and wide into the Big Smoke. To get the latest news from the capital visit Metro's London news hub. Its name deriving from the original heart of London, the hotel first opened on May 15, 1865, with most rooms with balconies overlooking the main station concourse.

Prices have increased considerably since then, as you’d expect, as servants were once offered accommodating rooms for just 2p per night. But despite the makeovers it’s had in 160+ years, The Clermont has maintained its authenticity. Clearly proud of its heritage, the hotel includes exhibits where visitors can read handwritten letters from former guests, including those who stayed there during WWII.

Where? Isle of Wight. Room rates starting price: £396 (3 nights min). If you’re looking to escape the city for a more rural retreat, Whitwell Station Holiday Homes could be just the ticket. With two inviting cottages on offer, these holiday homes allow for independence with self-catering while still ensuring total serenity and comfort.

The Newport, Godshill and St Lawrence railway station first opened in 1897, its line weaving through the south of the island through to the coastline with captivating sea views. Gradually, passenger numbers decreased, and keeping the station open created financial hardship, resulting in its eventual closure in 1952, when the last-ever trip was made.

Fast-forward to now, and the station master’s office, ticket hall, and waiting room have become Primrose Cottage. Meanwhile, the ladies’ waiting room and parcel office have become Bluebell Cottage. Guests can still admire the building’s heritage by sitting underneath the station canopy, which offers especially spectacular views as the sun sets.

Where? Sommières, France. Room rates starting price: £70. Located in a historical district and just 0.6miles from the Castle of Sommières, Hotel Estelou also dates back to the 1800s. The French boutique-style establishment, which first opened in 1870, has replaced the rails with a ‘green route,’ allowing for walking and cycling.

In what guests have hailed as a ‘top-quality restoration,’ the former rural train station has been painted lemon yellow and divided into 24 rooms surrounded by terraces, an outdoor swimming pool, and a bar. Book a cosy suite overlooking the Mediterranean garden for a dose of tranquillity, or venture out in the daytime to nearby attractions.

Roc de Massereau Adventure Park is just a 12-minute walk away, while Château de Villevieille is a three-minute drive. Oh wow have things changed here ❤️ #stlunionstation #farriswheel #thearch #stlcheck #minigolf #fyp. Where? Missouri, United States.

Room rates starting price: £196. Across the pond, St Louis Union Station Hotel came to fruition after the station ceased operating as an active train terminal in 1978. In fact, the final passenger train departed on October 31, 1978, at 11:38pm, to be exact. The station then remained dormant for a while.

The building reopened in 1985, welcoming guests from all over into its doors and becoming the largest adaptive reuse project in the United States of America. In 2007, the hotel was given another modern refresh, ensuring its history was not erased but that 21st-century travellers didn’t want for anything, whether it be access to a fitness centre or an on-site restaurant.

If you’ve ever stayed at a Hilton, you’ll likely be familiar with this hotel collection, which dates back to the early 1900s and grosses billions annually. Where? Denver, Colorado. Room rates starting price: £238. The Crawford Hotel proudly offers guests a chance to ‘step back in time to the golden age of railway travel’.