10 Hotels Inside Former Train Stations In Europe And Beyond
Check-ins can be boring, right? But not when you check into history!
There is a way to spend the night in a grand train station without having to catch a train. Across Europe and beyond, historic railway stations have been transformed into beautiful hotels, blending old-world elegance with modern luxury.
The best destinations are found where the journey once began!
1. The Old Railway Station Hotel – Petworth, UK
If you’ve ever dreamed of snoozing in a vintage train carriage, without the risk of missing your stop, this railway-turned-hotel is your kind of getaway. Built in 1892, Petworth Station once saw passengers traveling between Pulborough and Midhurst, until the tracks fell silent in 1966.
But rather than fading into history, it found a second life as a quirky hotel, where guests can swap their suitcases for a stay inside beautifully restored Pullman train carriages, polished to perfection with wood and plush. It gives it an adorable old-world charm.
For the full experience, grab a book, sink into a velvet armchair inside your carriage, and let the rain tap against the roof like a forgotten railway lullaby.
2. St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel – London, UK
Walking into this hotel feels less like checking in and more like stepping into a Victorian-era fever dream. In the best possible way! Originally opened in 1873 as the Midland Grand Hotel, this masterpiece was the height of railway luxury, welcoming travelers fresh off steam trains at St. Pancras Station.
After a long slumber (and a near brush with demolition), it was revived into its current stunning glory in 2011, complete with high ceilings, intricate ironwork, and that famous grand staircase. Yes, the same one featured in music videos and films.
The beauty of staying here? You’re practically inside one of London’s busiest train hubs, meaning Paris is just a Eurostar ride away, and the whole city is at your doorstep. Even if you’re not into history, it’s impossible to resist the magic of this place.
3. Union Station Hotel – Nashville, USA
Forget the usual hotel check-in desk! How about walking into a cathedral of stained glass and soaring stone arches instead? That’s exactly what you get at Nashville’s Union Station Hotel! This stunning Beaux-Arts landmark first opened in 1900 as a grand railway terminal.
In its heyday, this place was buzzing with cross-country travelers and the echoes of steam engines pulling in below. While the last train departed decades ago, the station itself stayed put.
It transformed into a hotel that kept all the grandeur and added a generous dose of Southern hospitality. But the best part? The hotel leans into its railroad past, with historic photos and vintage details hidden throughout.
You might even hear whispers of its ghostly legends. Because let’s be real, a building this old has a few stories to tell.
4. The Station Hotel – Perth, Scotland
Some hotels boast about being “steps from the train station,” but The Station Hotel in Perth takes that claim quite literally.
Built in the 19th century, this grand railway hotel was designed to cater to travelers arriving at Perth Railway Station, which still operates just next door. While it no longer serves first-class passengers stepping off steam trains, the hotel has managed to keep its old-world charm alive!
Think high ceilings, vintage furnishings, and a certain regal air that makes you want to sit down for afternoon tea, pinky up. And if you’re the kind of traveler who loves a good local recommendation, here’s one: take the train north to the Scottish Highlands.
5. Krønasår Hotel – Rust, Germany
Stepping into Krønasår Hotel is like wandering into a storybook where trains, adventure, and a touch of Nordic mythology collide. While this isn’t a historic railway station in the traditional sense, it was designed to look like one. Just with a hefty dose of fantasy.
Built as part of Europa-Park, Germany’s largest theme park, Krønasår embraces the beauty of old-world train travel, with clock towers, railway-style architecture, and a sense of adventure that lingers in every hallway.
What makes this place stand out isn’t just its whimsical design, it’s the attention to detail. The hotel is packed with steampunk-inspired relics, vintage suitcases stacked high, and cozy reading nooks that make you feel like you’ve stumbled into a 19th-century explorer’s private study.
6. The Railway Hotel – Hua Hin, Thailand
Not every seaside resort can say it owes its existence to a railway, but The Railway Hotel in Hua Hin has trains to thank for its glamour.
Even though the steam engines no longer dictate the pace of life, the echoes of its railway past remain. Walk through the airy verandas and vintage-filled lobbies, and you’ll spot black-and-white photographs of the hotel’s golden age, when guests in linen suits and silk gowns arrived with steamer trunks in tow.
For a proper throwback, hop on a train from Bangkok instead of taking the highway. The slow, scenic journey is worth it, and stepping off onto the sunlit platform feels like you’ve traveled through time.
7. Canfranc Estación – Canfranc, Spain
If railway hotels had a drama category, Canfranc Estación would take the Oscar. Built in 1928 as an opulent border station between Spain and France, this railway hub was meant to be Europe’s next great transit point. But fate had other plans.
World War II saw it fall under Nazi control, and post-war decline left it abandoned. And what a comeback it had! In 2023, after years of careful restoration, Canfranc reopened as a luxurious five-star hotel, seamlessly blending history with modern elegance.
Walking through the main hall will make you feel like entering a lost world. The big chandeliers, ceilings, and intricate detailing whisper stories of a bygone era when diplomats, spies, and secret deals passed through these walls.
8. The Roosevelt Hotel – New Orleans, USA
Hidden away in the heart of New Orleans, The Roosevelt isn’t just another historic hotel; it’s a living, breathing part of the city’s soul. Originally connected to the city’s rail terminal, this grand hotel first opened in 1893.
The place has seen it all: Prohibition-era speakeasies, legendary performances, and even a brief stint as a political headquarters. Today, it’s a Waldorf Astoria property, and while the world outside has changed, stepping inside still feels like a ticket to the Jazz Age.
One thing’s for sure! This is a hotel where you don’t just stay; you experience. Whether you’re sipping a French 75 at the bar or tracing the footsteps of jazz legends, The Roosevelt feels like a celebration of everything that makes New Orleans unforgettable.
9. Bahnhof-Hotel Saarbrücken – Saarbrücken, Germany
Saarbrücken’s Bahnhof-Hotel is proof that not every railway hotel has to be grand to be great. Located inside a former railway station, this cozy, unpretentious spot has been welcoming train travelers for decades.
It may not have chandeliers or sweeping staircases, but what it lacks in opulence, it makes up for in warmth and authenticity. It’s the kind of place where you drop your bags, grab a coffee, and immediately feel at home!
The station itself is still active, so there’s a certain romance in watching the trains roll in and out, just as they have for over a century. Inside, the decor nods to its railway past with vintage posters and a few well-placed relics from the golden age of travel. The staff? Friendly and full of local tips!
10. Grand Central Hotel – Belfast, Northern Ireland
Belfast’s Grand Central Hotel is a phoenix risen from the ashes of history. The original Grand Central Station was once the beating heart of the city’s railway network, bustling with travelers heading to destinations across Ireland.
Though the old station is gone, the name lives on in this sleek, modern hotel that pays homage to Belfast’s railway heritage while embracing contemporary luxury. It’s a skyscraper now, towering over the city, but in many ways, it’s still a place where journeys begin.
It may not have antique train carriages or old station clocks, but there’s something poetic about standing on the 23rd-floor Observatory Bar, sipping a whiskey while watching the city’s lights flicker like railway signals in the distance.