The growing interest in art, culture and history is at the origin of the demand for hotels and restaurants offering a historical ambience. The number of historic buildings (castles, farmsteads, houses, churches and even industrial monuments) fulfilling a hospitality function after restoration or renovation is ceaselessly increasing. The guests belong for the greater part to the cultural tourist target groups having a high or average interest in culture and wanting to discover, experience and broaden their knowledge of art and history during their leisure time. That is why they prefer small-scale historic accommodations with a high experience value, personal hosting and regional gastronomy. An illustrative example of this is Saint-Gerlach, a historic country estate near Maastricht in the extreme south of the Netherlands consisting of a monumental castle, a convent and a farmstead. It owes its name to a pious hermit deceased in 1165 and still worshipped by pilgrims in the local church adjacent to the estate. Being situated in a river valley rich in natural beauty, the complex constitutes a unique site. In the course of the 20th century, the buildings have deteriorated, but in 1997 the estate has got a tourism function preventing its complete ruin. Camille Oostwegel Holding, a chain of historic hotels and restaurants and a member of the voluntary group Small Luxury Hotels, is the new proprietor of the entirely restored complex which now offers: • commercial facilities for the guests - a restaurant in the castle and a hotel in the farmstead - an apartment complex in the convent and the adjoining buildings. The external architecture has been based on the original style and the number of apartments has been limited in order to prevent physical pressure on the nearby conservation area. • social-cultural facilities for the parishioners and pilgrims - a new presbytery, sacristy and chapel dedicated to Saint-Gerlach as well as a room for religious education