Spending the night in a monastery

Monasteries are often built in places where tranquility is self-evident: hidden in greenery, on the outskirts of villages or, on the contrary, in the middle of a city with thick walls as a buffer against the outside world. It is precisely this setting that makes sleeping in a former monastery so attractive. You experience the silence of the past, but with the comforts of today. In many of these buildings, elements from the past have been preserved. Think stained-glass windows, cloisters or authentic chapels. At the same time, the rooms are often surprisingly contemporary, with comfortable beds, modern bathrooms and sometimes even a wellness area or restaurant. This contrast between old and new creates an atmosphere you won't soon forget.

What is striking is that in monastery hotels you often feel "off" faster than in standard accommodation. Maybe it's because everything seems to go a little slower: the rhythm of the day, the lack of stimuli, the quiet in the corridors. Just what you need sometimes.

A monastery stay doesn't necessarily have to be minimalist or religious. Monastery hotels come in all shapes and sizes: from basic to distinctly boutique. Some retain the understated atmosphere of yesteryear, while others have been completely transformed into luxury designer hotels. For those looking for comfort, there are boutique hotels housed in old monasteries, complete with gourmet restaurant and spacious suites. But there are also places that deliberately opt for simplicity - where you stay in former cells, with shared bathroom facilities and simple furnishings. In both cases, the history of the building adds to the experience.

If you want to discover where such overnight stays can be found, you can, for example, look at the stays of monastery hotels in the Netherlands or monastery hotels in Belgium. From the hills of Limburg to the Belgian Ardennes, both countries offer unique locations that take you back to another time.

The feeling of sleeping in a building that is hundreds of years old does something to your stay. The history is palpable, even if the interior has been updated. Old monasteries are often built with an eye for symmetry, silence and rhythm - elements you experience, consciously or unconsciously, as soon as you step inside. In addition, many monastery hotels are small-scale. No mass tourism, no crowds. You literally step into another world, far away from the routine of everyday life. That makes it eminently suitable for those who want to take a break. For couples who want a quiet weekend together, for solo travelers looking for inspiration, or for those who have something to celebrate in a special place.

There are also locations that combine overnight stays with extras such as yoga weekends, silence retreats or local hiking trails. Not floaty or heavy - but tailored to people who consciously choose to travel in a different way. If you prefer something more adventurous, you can also check out the stays in a church - a surprising alternative with a similar atmosphere.

If you plan to stay overnight in a monastery, it's helpful to check a few things beforehand. Some locations still retain certain rules or customs from the time it was a religious building. Think silence after a certain hour or the lack of a television in the room. Not insurmountable issues, but good to know.

When booking, pay attention to the type of room: is it a former cell, a converted attic or a luxury suite? What is included - breakfast, dinner, use of a garden or library? And: is the monastery remote, or just in a town? A stay in a monastery hotel in Limburg, for example, has a very different character than a room in a city monument. The season can also make a difference. In summer, monasteries are often wonderfully cool thanks to the thick walls, while in autumn or winter you can benefit from the cozy atmosphere and atmospheric lighting in the corridors. So always look carefully at the photos, amenities and location to determine if it fits what you are looking for.

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