Travel

15 Stunning Castle Hotels Around the World

You’ll feel like royalty while vacationing in one of these opulent accommodations

May 1, 2023

Boasting ancient architecture and carefully preserved interiors, well-maintained castles are some of the world’s greatest examples of grandeur in design. So it makes sense that hoteliers around the world over would jump at the chance to convert a castle into a vacation destination. These 15 magnificent edifices have been transformed into accommodations suitable for the present-day traveler. From the top-notch ambience found within the walls of Germany’s Burg Wernberg hotel to the former ancestral home of Ireland’s Kings of Thomond at Dromoland Castle, this roundup of the world’s most breathtaking castle hotels will have you feeling downright royal. Next time you want to be treated like a king or queen, look no further than these castle hotels that take the crown when it comes to luxury.

Photo: Courtesy of Amberley Castle
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Amberley Castle, England
Steeped in 900 years of British history, this West Sussex landmark features 19 bedrooms, each named after one of the county’s castles. Located less than 60 miles from London, the hotel is surrounded by a 60-foot-high stone wall that makes it easy for guests forget the outside world and fully embrace the 12-acre grounds and ancient gardens. From $190/night; amberleycastle.co.uk
Photo: Courtesy of Ashford Castle
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Ashford Castle, Ireland
Recently inducted into the Red Carnation Hotel Collection, this five-star castle is set on 350 acres along the shores of Ireland’s Lough Corrib. Boasting decor from the 13th century, the 83 rooms of this opulent hotel offer an unprecedented combination of luxury and Irish hospitality. From $488/night; ashfordcastle.com

Photo: Courtesy of Cliveden House
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Cliveden House, England
This award-winning hotel, located in the heart of Berkshire, has been hosting England’s elite for more than 350 years. Sitting on over 376 acres of lush landscape, this 17th-century wonder exudes opulence with elegant suites, plush decor, and decadent antique furnishings. From $515/night; clivedenhouse.co.uk
Photo: Courtesy of Burg Wernberg
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Burg Wernberg, Germany
Located near Munich, this world-class residence features a gourmet restaurant helmed by two-Michelin-star chef Thomas Kellermann as well as a 12th-century dining experience suited for royalty. Sweeping views of the Bavarian countryside can also be seen from the peak of this hilltop estate. From $257/night; burg-wernberg.com

Photo: Courtesy of Dromoland Castle
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Dromoland Castle, Ireland
Embellished with stunning antique chandeliers and grand staircases, this renowned hotel was once home to the O’Briens of Dromoland, known throughout Ireland as the Kings of Thomond. Settled on 400 acres, the 16th-century monument offers an 18-hole golf course, as well as archery and falconry classes. From $596/night; dromoland.ie
Photo: Courtesy of Fenton Tower
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Fenton Tower, Scotland
Boasting panoramic views, this 16th-century castle just 18 miles east of Edinburgh is settled among some of the country’s most famous golf courses, including Muirfield, Gullane, and North Berwick, and has hosted such distinguished visitors as King James VI. With a 12-guest limit, the magnificently restored tower is as exclusive as it is charming. From $244/night; fentontower.com

Photo: Courtesy of Castel Porrona
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Castel Porrona, Italy
Featuring five suites embellished with rich furnishings and intricate textiles, this 12th-century Italian castle turned hotel offers guests unparalleled views of the Tuscan countryside and its flourishing vineyards. Steeped in history, the retreat allows the option for a private butler, and a tower with an elevator. From $338/night; castelporrona.com
Photo: Thornbury Castle/Relais & Châteaux
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Thornbury castle, Gloucestershire, England
King Henry VIII didn’t take it lightly when Edward Stafford, the duke of Buckingham, wanted to display his wealth and ambition by making Thornbury his home. Soon after Stafford was convicted of treason, the king acquired the castle, and turned it into his retreat instead. Built in 1511 on a 15-acre sprawl in Gloucestershire, the Tudor castle is now a Relais & Chateaux property with much remaining from the original structure. For some extra royal extravagance, book the King Henry suite, and make sure to visit the Privy Garden and Labyrinth for two refined takes on classic Tudor gardens.

Photo: Fairmont Frontenac
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Fairmont Frontenac, Quebec, Canada
When the president of the Canadian Pacific Railway opened the chateau in 1893 to lure the world’s crème de la crème to Quebec, he wanted it to be an icon. He succeed: Frontenac Quebec is currently the most photographed hotel in the world. From the Prohibition era, when Americans would visit to drink, to Wold War II, when Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt made strategies for Allied campaigns, the hotel has quite a few anecdotes attached. Now a Fairmont property, this Châteauesque hotel combines Gothic-Revival and Beaux-Arts architecture. The huge 611-room property has a spa, several restaurants, and views of the St. Lawrence River and the city's Old Town.
Photo: Manoir de Lebioles
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Manoir de Lebioles, Spa, Belgium
At the Manoir de Lebioles, fascination with the architecture of the Palace of Versailles in France transcends. The beautiful 18th-century hotel, certainly qualifies for a mini Versailles of the Ardennes. The castle is a fully authenticated masterpiece, blending classical renaissance elements such as columns, pilasters, pediments, arches, and stringcourses with modern state-of-the-art facilities. Try the hotel's spa that fuses earth, water, air, and fire in its treatments for holistic wellness treatments.

Photo: Alila Fort Bishangarh/Hyatt
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Alila, Bishangarh, India
This 233-year-old pale ochre citadel rises out of a single-cut granite rock from the oldest mountain range in the world—the Aravallis. It’s one of those lofty places where you peer down on the little houses of the village and start to feel like a king. The larger bulbous are transformed into suites, while Jarokha windows conceal the lounging corner. The amenities are encountered amidst the windowless boulder-strewn corridors and terraced lookouts. Here, you can retreat into the sleek darkness of the bar that was once used to address the army before the onset of war, or read a book in the war strategy room where coups have been quietly hatched. Now, it is a quintessential Hyatt and Alila property.
Photo: Castello Di Vicarello
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Castello Di Vicarello, Maremma, Italy
Castello Di Vicarello is for people who wish to be whisked away to rolling hills and olive groves without leaving behind modern-day luxuries. The 12th-century castle has ancient Italian country architecture—such as exposed stone and brick walls, arched doors and timber roofs—complemented by a tasteful mélange of antique and modern furniture. All of this accompanies an oriental touch, which stems from the owner’s years spent in Indonesia.

Photo: Burghotel auf Schönburg
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Burghotel auf Schönburg, Oberwesel, Germany
If you’re in Germany, you’re bound to encounter a castle, but only some, like Schonburg Castle, are available to spend the night in. Now restored as luxury hotel, the structure’s Romanesque and Gothic architecture still shines. While here, stroll through the town's charming streets, visit the local museums, or take a river cruise on the Rhine.
Photo: Parador de Granada
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Parador de Granada, Granada, Spain
Parador is a network of historic Spanish properties that the government manages due to their cultural value, and the Parador de Granada is one of the most impressive properties in the portfolio. The building has evolved from a 14th-century fortress, to a Moorish mansion, then a Franciscan convent, and now, into a luxury hotel. Inside, the hotel has preserved Arab baths with star-shaped skylights, vaulted ceilings, and arches. The gardens of Parador are also a testament to ancient hydraulic engineering that uses snowmelt from nearby mountains for irrigation.

Photo: Thornewood Castle
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Thornewood Castle, Washington, USA
Though it’s now in the States, Thornewood castle was initially a 400-year-old Elizabethan manor in England. In 1908 it was sold to an American who had the daunting task of dismantling, shipping, and assembling it block by block from England, the reassembling it on the west coast of the USA. Renowned architect Kirtland Kelsey Cutter oversaw the construction of this English Tudor/Gothic mansion. The property is dotted with 15th-17th century hand-painted glass artwork and a unique Kingsdale Hounds statuary collection. Thornewood Castle has also been a popular location for films and photo shoots.