One of Ireland's most illustrious castles, Ashford Castle has a history that stretches as far back as 1228, when the first building was erected at this site. Through the centuries it's been added to and owned by various noble families, including the Guinness family, until 1939 when it was transformed into a luxurious hotel. It's since welcomed many notable guests such as Prince Rainier III of Monaco and Princess Grace, President Ronald Reagan, John Lennon and Pierce Brosnan.
The 350-acre private estate has 83 rooms and suites, plus the standalone Hideaway Cottage, which have all been individually and elegantly designed. If you're expecting a sedate stay at this 800-year-old castle, you'll be surprised. The castle grounds have space for all manner of thrilling activities, from clay pigeon shooting and archery to kayaking and zip-lining. There's a nine-hole golf course and tennis courts too, while those with a passion for food will adore the estate's many dining and bar options.
Nestled on the edge of the Thuringian Forest, Wartburg Castle rises out of a high bluff, overlooking the town of Eisenach. First built in 1067, the oldest surviving section is the 12th-century great hall, but nearly every century since then a new addition or restoration has left its mark. The castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is notable as the place where Martin Luther translated the New Testament and part of it is now a hotel.
The Romantik Hotel at Wartburg offers 37 individually decorated guest rooms, all with plenty of historical charm and top modern comforts. As well as absorbing a sense of history, guests at this 5-star property can take in incredible views of the castle and the old town of Eisenach. The hotel's faultless restaurant Landgrafenstube is another highlight, also with breathtaking views stretching far across the thick forest to the Rhön Mountains.
If you're looking for a grand place to stay on the west side of the Atlantic, this six-bedroom fairy tale-esque castle in Texas is simply magical. Secluded within 113 acre-grounds, the property has scenic views of the Texas Hill country from its balcony with rooms offering plenty of storybook charm. For what it lacks in history, it makes up for in attention to detail, boasting its own castle walls complete with fortified towers and even a private chapel.
Inside, there are six individually designed bedrooms – go for the master suite which has its own Jacuzzi. There's plenty to do during a stay here too – guests can make the most of the games room with its pool table and dart board, while the TV room has a library of more than 1,000 films. Among the sprawling castle grounds are a koi pond with a waterfall, manicured gardens and a bubbling stream where you may (or may not) find an enchanting frog or two.
Towering over Old Québec's Upper Town (Haute-Ville) is Château Frontenac, an opulent grand railway hotel built in the 19th century to bring in the well-heeled tourists travelling on the Canadian Pacific Railway. With a full selection of towers, turrets and steep roofs, the imposing 18-floor building has a serious Gothic-fairy-tale feel about it. Inside are an impressive 610 rooms, elegantly decorated in cream and beige tones. Its suites are named after famous guests including Queen Elizabeth II and Celine Dion.
Overlooking St Lawrence River, the landmark hotel is perfectly placed for guests to explore Québec City's most famous sights and museums. For the ultimate stay, rooms at the Gold Level (from 14th floor upwards) offer the best views and allow guests access to the executive lounge and other perks. The castle-like hotel also has all the mod-cons, such as a spa and fitness centre, indoor pool and hot tub – perfect for getting ready for the ball. Or for hitting the hotel's renowned restaurants and bars.
This impressive Dutch castle has survived multiple fires, 80 years of war and many changes of ownership, all of which have left their mark and created a truly unique structure. Dating back to the 13th century, the moated castle (one of the country's largest) was the ancestral home of the aristocratic Van den Bergh family but is now an art gallery, museum and hotel – hosting overnight guests in its two towers.
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Located in the 800-year-old castle's outer bailey, the Round Tower and Flat Tower feature suites spread across two floors. Sleeping two, each suite has a kitchenette, sun terrace and TV room. Not only does Huis Bergh Castle suit history lovers, it's also great for keen walkers as it's surrounded by extensive wooded grounds. The oldest oak trees here date as far back as 1785 with large numbers of Douglas firs, Japanese larks and rhododendron bushes also adorning the area.
Overlooked by storybook turrets, this splendid hotel sits within Carcassonne's ancient walls right next to the Saint-Nazaire Basilica. While Hotel de la Cité, which dates back to 1909, isn't part of the historic fortress as such, it's the only one set within the ramparts of the medieval fortified town in southern France. Its 59 rooms and suites are all beautifully decorated in an eclectic mix of medieval- and Art Deco-inspired furnishings with balconies overlooking the battlements.
Hotel highlights include the lovely library bar, where cocktails and live piano music are on the menu, a spa and outdoor swimming pool and the Michelin-starred restaurant La Barbacane. The medieval-style dining room's stained glass windows, high ceilings and imposing fireplace are the perfect background for its impressive Mediterranean-style cuisine. The staff are also more than happy to organise river cruises and wine tastings in the on-site cellar.
Italy may be peppered with characterful castle hotels, but this one in Umbria is particularly picture-perfect. The 11th-century castle overlooks a gorgeous valley, just outside of the city Perugia. Now a luxury hotel, the castle's walls house a relaxation area complete with Turkish hammam, sauna and both indoor and outdoor pools, and the Gradale restaurant which has a pretty outdoor terrace overlooking the Umbrian countryside. The castle's charming rose garden is fragrant with more than 20 different varieties of the flower.
There are just 18 rooms in the Umbrian castello that all feature exposed stone walls, wood-beamed ceilings and windows looking out across the stunning surrounds. Each of the rooms is named after a different story connected to the castle's history. For example, La Segreta is a secret room that was found during the castle's restoration project while Dell'Angiolo is named after the angel sculpture found inside the room.
A stay at Dairsie Castle certainly puts you in good company – James VI, King of Scotland, fled to safety here from captivity in 1583. The castle, which has a history dating back to the 13th century, eventually fell into ruin in the 1800s before being rebuilt in the 20th century. Now sleeping 14, the six-bedroom castle can be completely yours for the night. Not only can you rule the royal residence, but you'll also have six acres of grounds to explore, stretching down to the River Eden.
Although a palace by name, this sprawling walled fort looks a lot more like a defensive castle. Carved into a hillside in Neemrana, Rajasthan, the lofty complex was first built in 1464 and was home to the city's rulers until 1947 when the crumbling castle was abandoned. It opened as a hotel in 1991 with just 15 rooms and a renovated façade, but today the heritage property has been lavishly restored with 76 rooms and suites that span 14 tiered levels. Wherever you stay, the views are sensational.
Set across nine wings, the rooms and suites here are just as gorgeous as the fort itself with traditional decorations and all the modern amenities. There are lots of places to explore during your stay in the hillside fort, which covers six acres, from hanging gardens and two enticing pools to an amphitheatre and Ayurvedic spa. For those after a bit more action, the hotel is also home to India's very first zip-line. You could easily spend a few leisurely days here without ever leaving the hotel.
Land of ancient kings and fierce warriors, Northumberland’s turbulent past makes it a must-visit for castle lovers. Built in 1350 by Sir Thomas de Lucy, Langley Castle Hotel oozes history at every turn and the hotel has accentuated many of its original features. There are nine bedrooms within the castle itself, including the Radcliffe Room which has a charming window seat set into the seven-foot-deep (2m) stone walls.
Built in 2014, The Castle Hotel might not be an authentic structure but it certainly has great ambitions with its jaw-dropping architecture and fairy tale-like setting. With a mission to make every guest feel like royalty, the hotel was modelled after the grand castles of Bavaria like Neuschwanstein with its soaring vaulted ceilings, turrets, mock defensive walls, neo-classical columns and marble floors.
With a history that can be traced all the way back to AD 800, a stay at this enormous medieval castle will make anyone feel like they've travelled straight back to the Middle Ages. It sits on hill and surveys the historic town of Cardona and an old salt mine, the source of the Dukes of Cardona's wealth. Every part of the Catalan castle, from structural elements such as its moat and turrets to small details like the wooden beams and exposed stonework, has been carefully restored to preserve its medieval glory.
But don't let its imposing exterior give you the impression that it's not a welcoming retreat. Inside, the parador has 53 cosy guest rooms with traditional decor and entrancing views over the town and Cardoner River below. There are also intriguing courtyards to explore and an impressive medieval dining hall that's now home to a superb restaurant. Just an hour's drive from Barcelona, this age-old castle is a great escape from the thrills of the city.
New York might not be the first place you consider when it comes to castle stays, but surprisingly it has a few gems up its sleeve, including some historic ones. The Castle Hotel & Spa in Tarrytown, Westchester County, just north of Manhattan, has a history that dates back to 1897. Also known as Axe Castle and Carrollcliffe in the past, the grand estate was built by the Hudson River for journalist and businessman 'General' Howard Carroll who was inspired by the great Norman castles of the UK.
Now a historic landmark, the impressive building became a popular New York bolthole when it was transformed into a luxury hotel between 1994 and 1996. After an extensive renovation in 2013, it is even more elegant with an award-winning restaurant and a wonderful spa. There are 31 guest rooms and suites, all decorated with plush furniture and generous amenities, and gorgeous grounds complete with outdoor pool. The stunning Great Hall and chandelier-clad Caramai Ballroom also make it a stunning venue for weddings and events.
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A vision in white, set against a jaw-dropping Alpine backdrop, it's hard to imagine that this well-preserved Austrian castle is nearly a thousand years old. Along with the estate's former farm buildings, the castle is positioned around a horseshoe-shaped courtyard that overlooks the stunning mountain scenery of the Schladming-Dachstein region. As well as soaking up the hotel's history, guests can go skiing and snowboarding in winter or hike into the green hills in summer. The staff can also arrange castle tours for guests keen to learn more about its history.
Inside the schloss, there are 10 adorable spacious rooms, some are doubles and others two or three-room family suites, but all with plenty of historic charm. The Knight's Hall is a grand setting for meals with a big open fire on colder days. As well as celebrating its heritage, the hotel has forward-thinking environmental and sustainability credentials, using a groundwater heat pump and private hydroelectric pump to power the hotel with green energy.
Could this be the dreamiest château of them all? Château de la Caze has a dream-like beauty about it and an extraordinary setting. Tucked into a narrow stretch of land in the spectacular Gorges du Tarn, the 15th-century castle rises above the river. One of the first castles to be converted into a hotel in France, it opened its doors in the early 1900s and has since captivated guests with its medieval tapestries, paintings, stone floors and stairways, and vaulted ceilings. It also has a beautiful courtyard, gardens and pool.
Built in the 1920s, this Hungarian castle in the Bükk Mountains charms with its eclectic style. Once a high-society hangout transformed into a Second World War military hospital and then workers' holiday resort, the Hunguest has had many incarnations in its 100-year existence. Today, it's a luxury hotel with 133 rooms. Built in a neo-classical style, the castle has a bizarre but delightful mix of styles with Slavic-style domes, church-like belfries and distinctly Flemish gables.
Guests come here to breathe in the fresh mountain air and enjoy the Hunguest's fantastic wellness offering. It has a swimming pool, sauna and steam bath, spa and beauty salon. There are two bowling lanes and two pool tables for entertaining games nights while traditional Hungarian food and drinks are served in its restaurants and bars. Oenophiles shouldn't miss a tour of the wine cellars where they can sample an excellent selection of Hungarian wines, including ones local to the hotel.
Teetering on the cliffs of Cape Tainaron in Mani, the Tainaron Blue Retreat has an extraordinary location overlooking the sea and slopes of Taygetos mountain. The exclusive hotel occupies an early 19th-century stone tower, a perfect example of the defensive architecture characteristic of the area. The three-storey tower was nearly destroyed before being saved and restored into a guest house. Today it's a serene escape on the most southern point of mainland Europe and what feels like the edge of the world.
There are just three rooms on offer here – the top floor and loft houses the two-bedroom master suite with its exceptional sea views. The junior suite occupies the lower floor and has a roomy double and a separate single bed and overlooks the mountain. An executive double room can be found in an out-building just next to the tower with views out across the sea. All of the rooms are a gorgeous blend of old and new with exposed stonework and cool, contemporary finishes. The absolute highlight of a stay at Tainaron Blue Retreat, however, has to be a swim in its infinity pool that laps the cliff edge.
Named after the lake it overlooks, Schloss Fuschl is another castle with a seriously storybook-esque location. Located near Salzburg, it was originally used as a 15th-century hunting lodge and owned by the local archbishops followed by a succession of aristocrats. The Nazis commandeered it during the Second World War. It was subsequently converted into a hotel in the 1950s – and rightly so as it's hard to beat its gorgeous lakeside setting.
Guests can go for one of the grand suites in the main castle or contemporary country-style suites in the outbuildings. There is also Lake Cottage which has a delightful balcony looking out over the azure water. Days can be spent relaxing in the lovely spa, which has a fitness centre and an indoor pool too, or zipping about the lake by boat. The upscale on-site restaurant is also a reason to visit with its celebrated kitchen team serving up a delicious blend of Austrian and French cuisines.
Right in the heart of prosecco country to the north of Venice, CastelBrando is one of the oldest and largest hotels in Europe. It sits atop a wooded hillside overlooking the medieval village of Cison di Valmarino and has a history that stretches all the way back to Roman times when a defensive fortress sat on the lofty site. Parts of the original castrum, a Roman defence tower built in AD 46, can still be seen in the castle today. Changing hands many times during its long history, it was purchased by a private company in 1997 and converted into a hotel and a museum.
Today, the opulent hotel wows guests with its dramatic location, historic features and luxurious touches. A delightful spa sits in the space of the ancient Roman baths, remains of which can still be seen, and there are several museum areas within the hotel including in the old prisons. Guided tours reveal more about its fascinating stories. The large bedrooms ooze character too with canopied beds, noble crests decorating the walls and vintage furniture while the suites feature Murano glass chandeliers, some original Roman masonry and Venetian-style interiors.
Castles don't really get much more impressive than Warwick Castle. A thousand-year-old turreted stronghold built by William the Conqueror on the banks of the River Avon, today the castle not only offers guests the chance to explore and spend the night in a majestic historic setting, but it's also packed with an array of fun medieval-themed events and activities.
Overnight guests can either experience the high life by checking in to one of the two opulent suites within Warwick Castle's 14th-century Caesar's Tower or spend the night like commoners in woodland lodges at the Knight's Village. Suite guests can expect the full royal treatment with Champagne on arrival, a private after-hours tour of the castle and breakfast in the grand dining room. During the summer, medieval-style glamping is also on offer in well-equipped medieval-style tents (pictured).