Stay in This 1920s Church-Turned-Boutique Hotel in California

If you absolutely love staying in a hotel that was once, well, something other than a hotel, we have a potential next great stay for you.

© Casa Iglesia

Casa Iglesia is a new property that was originally a historic, Santa Barbara landmark and 1920s church (though the church’s congregation’s roots go back further, to the 1800s, giving the structure even further historic appeal). Intimate and exclusive, the hotel offers fewer than 40 guestrooms, and each and every space honors the original architecture.

Choose from typical studio-style hotel rooms, lofts and two-bedroom suites. Amenities include keyless entry, private reverse osmosis water filtration systems, smart toilets and more.

© Casa Iglesia

“My vision for Casa Iglesia was to preserve the character of the old church while creating something warm, calm and timeless,” said Shaliz Nakashima, hotel designer. “We kept the original footprint and opened the atrium in the center to create an outdoor gathering space that became one of the defining features of the hotel. The design has Spanish and Moroccan influences, with the goal of creating a place that feels transportive and welcoming, like a hidden retreat with a story behind it.”