Five luxury warehouse hotels

From industry to idleness: feel at home in these former storehouses.

CS Vintage House, Portugal

Not all warehouses are synonymous with urban chic, as proved by the CS Vintage House Hotel. Set amidst terraced vineyards on the banks of the Douro River, the building once stored the port wine that is produced throughout the region. Rooms are traditionally designed – so no exposed brickwork – and offer stunning views over the verdant landscape. There's a restaurant in a vaulted former wine cellar, as well as a wine academy, outdoor pool and terrace from which to take in the spectacular views.

CS Vintage House Hotel, Lugar da Ponte, Pinhão, Douro, Portugal (00 351 291 724 240; cs-vintagehouse.com ). Doubles start at €167, including breakfast.

Hotel Brosundet, Norway

This building typifies the Jugendstil (art nouveau) architecture that the fjord town of Alesund is celebrated for. A former fish warehouse, its exterior walls appear to plunge straight into the harbour. Inside, vestiges of its history remain, with heavy-duty beams and brick walls, timber floors and a seafood restaurant. The décor is distinctly contemporary though: dark and light wood fittings, moody-hued fabrics, sheepskins, Perspex-wrapped chandeliers and quirky art. A nearby lighthouse offers a cosy bolthole just for two.

Hotel Brosundet, Apotekergata 5, Alesund, Norway (00 47 70 11 45 00; brosundet.no ). Doubles start at 1290kr (£129) including breakfast.

Iron Horse Hotel, US

Taking Milwaukee's most famous creation as inspiration for both name and design, The Iron Horse Hotel is aimed at both business travellers and bikers. Across the bridge from the new Harley Davidson Museum, the hotel occupies a former bedding company warehouse and its loft-style rooms offer customised features for motorcyclists.

The Iron Horse Hotel, 500 West Florida Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US (001 888 543 4766; theironhorsehotel.com ). Doubles start at $240 (£160), room only.

Hotel Lindrum, Australia

Sandwiched between Melbourne's skyscrapers, the Lindrum's red-brick façade catches the eye. Its rooms have every 21st-century convenience and sophisticated design to boot, yet the former tea and coffee warehouse is steeped in history: built in Romanesque Revival style in 1900, it later served as offices of the The Herald.

Hotel Lindrum, 26 Flinders Street, Melbourne, Australia (00 61 3 9668 1111; hotellindrum.com.au ). Doubles start at A$255 (£126).

Hotel du vin Bristol, England

More than simply a spacious warehouse, Bristol's Hotel du Vin is a collection of six Grade II-listed, 17th-century sugar stores. The industrial heritage has been preserved – original features include a 100ft-brick chimney, exposed girders and brick walls. The décor is clean and chic and some of the double-height loft suite feature twin roll-top baths. The restaurant offers a modern European menu, while the bar specialises in dozens of rums.

Hotel du Vin Bristol, The Sugar House, Narrow Lewins Mead, Bristol (0117 925 5577; hotelduvin.com/bristol . Doubles start at £145, room only.