You Can Live Out Your Fairytale Fantasies at These 13 Castle Hotels
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Perhaps it’s our obsession with the British royal family or maybe it’s childhood fantasies seeping into adulthood but there’s something so magical about envisioning yourself as a king or queen. And a luxury vacation is the perfect time to turn those regal dreams into reality. Hundreds of years ago, castles (not to be confused with palatial palaces like Versailles or sprawling country estates—though both existed in their respective grandeur) protected nations around the world and served as a place for royals to live.
Today, many of these magnificent fortresses no longer serve as a defensive outpost and refuge for the ruling class. Instead, some of the most dominating citadels have been transformed into high-end hotels featuring ornately appointed rooms and suites, spas for indulgent massages and gold facials, noble pastimes like clay shooting and falconry, Michelin-rated restaurants, and manicured gardens. Ready for a vacation befitting a benevolent monarch? Scroll on for the best castle hotels to make your royal wishes come true.
Adare Manor: County Limerick, Ireland
A resplendent Neo-Gothic castle, Adare Manor looks plucked from the pages of a childhood storybook. Surrounded by medieval ruins and parkland, it’s the ideal place to try outdoor activities like falconry, archery, clay pigeon shooting, and golf.
This five-star property also features the first-ever Michelin-starred restaurant in County Limerick and exquisite interiors furnished with plush velvet sofas and hanging tapestries. Luxurious but far from stuffy, the luxury resort is also quite family-friendly with matinees in the cinema that little princes and princesses will love.
Ashford Castle: County Mayo, Ireland
Once the beloved ancestral home of the royal O’Brien family and now a five-star resort, Ashford Castle has stood tall on the shores of Lough Corrib for over 800 years. That enduring sense of history presents itself at every turn. Guests can partake in classic country pastimes such as horse riding, fishing, falconry, and shooting or simply amble through the ancient woodlands. For regal relaxation, head to the award-winning spa. There are five restaurants, ranging from fine dining to cozy and casual. Because what would a storybook stay be without afternoon tea?
Dromoland Castle: County Clare, Ireland
Situated on a 450-acre baronial estate with verdant lawns, manicured gardens, and a picture-perfect lake, Dromoland Castle reigns supreme as the ultimate vacation destination for travelers keen to try all the aristocratic amusements of yesteryear. The seemingly endless list of activities includes hawk walks, horseback riding, playing a round on the championship golf course, and afternoon tea.
The posh spa with pampering treatments and an indoor pool also make it prime for relaxation. Design lovers will find plenty to appeal, thanks to the grand hallways and suites outfitted with Louis XV-style decor.
Amberley Castle: Amberley, United Kingdom
Grand in scale and stature, Amberley Castle shows off crenelations, battlements, and a portcullis. Stately architecture aside, the enchanting setting beside the River Arun makes this magnificent Relais & Châteaux property prime for living out noble daydreams of weekends in the English countryside—whether that’s wandering the gorgeous gardens, swinging a croquet mallet, playing tennis, or hitting the putting green. Another selling point? All 19 bedrooms are appointed with antiques and Vispring beds to ensure that even the more finicky princesses get some restful winks.
Glenapp Castle: Ayrshire, Scotland
Bordered by untamed woodlands and rolling hillsides in South West Scotland, Glenapp Castle gives guests the royal treatment in one of the most mystical, mellow settings in Europe. At this luxurious and halcyon hideaway, travelers are able to experience the way those close to the crown once vacationed.
The 110-acre private estate supplies countless opportunities for falconry, high pheasant shooting, salmon fishing, beekeeping, photography, and croquet. When it’s time to call it a day, retire to the courtly comforts of the interiors where gourmet locavore cuisine in a chandelier-illuminated dining room and spacious suites decorated with period furnishings await.
Castello di Reschio: Lisciano Niccone, Italy
Steeped in history and splendor, Castello di Reschio sits in the heart of Umbria. At this millennium-old castle turned high-end hotel, guests get swept up in the timeless romance of old stone walls and the heady scent of cypress trees. The ancient cellars now house a bathhouse sanctuary with therapeutic pools, a hammam, a sauna, and a treatment room.
Accommodations also exude a sense of character and heritage. True to the emphasis on tradition, the restaurant uses estate-grown produce and local olive oil. And you’re never far from a glass of Italian wine.
Althoff Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg: Bergisch Gladbach, Germany
Built at the behest of Prince-Elector Johann Wilhelm II of Düsseldorf and modeled after Versailles and Winchester Castle, Althoff Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg (aka the “Rhenish Versailles”), located outside of Cologne, later served as a military hospital and cadet school before being transformed into a high-end hotel in 2000.
Now one of the most luxurious lodgings in Germany, the five-star property and member of Leading Hotels of the World reflects a contemporary take on aristocratic elegance with baroque-influenced rooms and suites, Michelin-rated gourmet fare, and a holistic spa.
Castell Son Claret: Mallorca, Spain
Framed by palm trees and fragrant flowers on the idyllic island of Mallorca, Castell Son Claret is a 19th-century castle that fits the image of a fairy tale palace from Disney movies. Much of its allure ties back to the magical beauty of nature.
Outdoorsy types can soak up the Mediterranean sun by the pool and meander through the Moorish gardens, and many of the rooms and suites flaunt terraces or private piscines and mountain views. The 326-acre property also boasts two gourmet restaurants that spotlight local ingredients from the ocean, orchards, and fields as well as an oasis spa for royal-level relaxation.
Thornewood Castle: Lakewood, Washington
The Thorne family had remains of a 15th-century English Elizabethan manor broken down and shipped to America. Architect Kirtland Kelsey Cutter was tapped in 1907 to piece together the dismantled manor and build a striking Tudor Gothic country estate for the Thorne family.
Today, the castle sits among a labyrinth of English-style gardens with romantic views of American Lake. It serves as a bed and breakfast with over 100 pieces of stained glass and a rare art collection covering the walls.
Château Herálec: Herálec, Czech Republic
Just outside of Prague, Château Herálec offers a glamorous respite from the bustle of the city. The 13th-century castle served as the former home of Czech aristocrats, a textile factory, and a special education school before it was ultimately converted into a hotel. The L'Occitane spa draws people from around the world for its Finnish sauna and jacuzzi located in the castle’s tower.
Schloss Leopoldskron: Salzburg, Austria
Have you ever watched The Sound of Music and wished you could visit the Von Trapp’s extravagant home? Well, you can! A short walk away from the heart of Salzburg, Schloss Leopoldskron invites guest to explore its Rococo interiors and architecture while learning about Austrian history. Currently, Schloss houses 12 lavishly decorated suites and an additional 55 more modern rooms in its former administration building on the property.
Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur, India
The honey sandstone and white marble palace towering over Jodhpur was first established by Maharaja Umaid Singh in 1943 as a royal residence. Inspired by the architecture of the Art Deco movement, Umaid Bhawan Palace features traditional Indian decorations throughout its 347 rooms and halls with jaw-dropping Polish frescoes mixed in.
While the former Jodhpur royal family still resides at the palace, a section of the campus has been designated as a hotel for guests to learn about the fascinating history of the Rajasthan region.
Castle Hotel Auf Schoenburg: Oberwesel, Germany
It’s uncertain when Schoenburg Castle was first built, but written records suggest it officially became the royal residence of the Dukes of Schoenburg in the 12th century. During the Nine Years’ War, French soldiers set the castle on fire, leaving it in ruins.
Two centuries years later, the Rhinelander family bought the fortress from the town of Oberwesel and restored it to its majestic glory. Since then, the castle has switched hands and has been successfully operating as a hotel since the 1950s.
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