World's top converted hotels

There are hundreds of hotels all over the world that have been innovatively created from a stylish or historic building giving guests a quirky and unusual place to stay.

However, with so many to choose from, and so many that have not been able to retain the original features that made the building special in the first place, it is always good to know the hotels that really wow their guests.

With this in mind, the users of the travel website Tripadvisor have put forward a top ten of the best hotel conversions across the globe, from water towers and prisons, to theatres, palaces and monasteries.

"Innovative and unusual, hotel conversions are becoming increasingly popular. And, from this list it would appear that Europe is leading the world in this sector," commented Ian Rumgay, TripAdvisor European communications manager.

"Travellers tell us the best conversions are those that retain the theme and atmosphere of the building's original use and seamlessly integrate it with amenities and services expected of a contemporary hotel."

1 - Hotel im Wasserturm, Cologne, Germany
"A former aquatic hub, the unique Hotel Im Wasserturm was the largest water tower in Europe before its conversion to a hotel in 1990," explained TripAdvisor.

The hotel's interior is known for its high spec design, and clever use of the building's features - such as the roof terrace on top of the circular brick tower.

A night costs around £165. For more information on the hotel see the Hotel Im Wasserturm website.

2 - Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace, Budapest, Hungary
"The Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace, [is] a former Art Nouveau palace restored to its original magnificence in 1906 and adorned with exquisite gold mosaic tiles," said Tripadvisor.

Guests can get the royal experience as they stroll down grand staircases, take in the stained glass windows and enjoy the views of the Danube.

A night at the former palace will set you back around £212. For more information on the hotel see the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace website.

3 - K+K Hotel Central, Prague, Czech Republic
The extraordinarily lavish art nouveau K+K Hotel Central in the Czech capital Prague used to be a cabaret theatre up until it was converted in 2004.

Now guests can take in ornate staircases, glass elevators and a stunning breakfast room - which used to be the theatre itself.

A night at the former theatre is around £113. For more information on the hotel see the K+K Hotel Central website.

4 - Chateau de Trigance, Trigance, France
You will have to resist wanting to pack a chain mail and a sword if you are staying at this towering converted fortress in the southern French countryside.

Built in the 11th century, the Chateau de Trigance features antique furniture and tapestries, rooms filled with artillery, and a chance to enjoy breakfast on the battlements.

A night at the former fortress costs around £82. For more information on the hotel see the Chateau de Trigance website.

5 - The Lighthouse, Llandudno, Wales
Built in 1862 in the style of a fortress using limestone and Canadian pine, The Lighthouse is close to the Victorian seaside resort of Llandudno, and is great for an active holiday as it sits within Great Orme Country Park.

"The Victorian dining room, facing the north, overlooks a 100 metre vertical drop and serves a renowned traditional Welsh breakfast," explained Tripadvisor.

A night at the former lighthouse costs around £73. For more information on the hotel see The Lighthouse website.

Also in the top ten

Old Bank Hotel, Oxford, England, converted from what was the city's first bank, featuring an 18th-century façade with a modern and stylish interior.

Hotel Pulitzer, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, converted from 25 adjoining 17th and 18th century canal houses, that were renovated in 2000.

Krolewski Hotel, Gdansk, Poland, a former riverside granary that opened as a hotel in 2000, which has 30 rooms.

Langholmen Hotel and Hostel, Stockholm, formerly Sweden's largest prison which was minimally converted in 1989 with furnished cells and a 24-hour cafeteria.

Mandarin Oriental, Prague, located in the Czech capital was built as a monastery in the 14th century and has views of the city, with an interior that fuses the building's historic touches with modern chic.