Skip to main content

Magnificent Castle Hotels You Can Actually Spend the Night in

Castles are shaping up to be “the” style of accommodations for upscale travelers in 2019. According to HomeAway, demand is up 55 percent. It might sound like a mode of travel that’s out of reach for most mortal men, but a night or two in a legit castle can be more affordable than you think. Whether you’re looking for the perfect royal digs to live out your kingly fantasies for a weekend or an uber-romantic setting to pop the question to your significant other, these are some of the world’s most luxurious castles you can spend the night in.

Cliveden House

Cliveden House
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Berkshire, United Kingdom

Ahead of the royal wedding, Meghan Markle stayed the night at Cliveden House. It’s hard to imagine a castle getting a better stamp of approval than from the British royal family. This Relais & Châteaux property is a stunning Italianate castle that sits on nearly 400 acres of impeccably manicured gardens along the banks of the River Thames. Guests are afforded access to a wealth of five-star amenities like luxury treatments at Cliveden Spa, Champagne teatime toasts, and private excursions down the river on a chartered vintage houseboat. It’s all located just 30 miles from downtown London, so you can be close enough to the action while still enjoying privacy away from the commoners. Rates start at 445€ (approximately USD $500) per night.

Castle of Ristonchi

Castle of Ristonchi
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Tuscany, Italy

It’s difficult to imagine a more picture-perfect landscape than rural Italy. Surrounded by lush forests and olive groves amid thousand-year-old country farmhouses, Tuscany’s Castle of Ristonchi is a stunning example of historical fine Italian architecture. Initially commissioned in the 900s by the country’s famed Medici family, the castle would spend more than a century as a military stronghold defending the Florentine territory. Fast-forward to present day where it’s now one of the country’s best-preserved castles-turned-Airbnbs. The “castle” is actually an entire village consisting of 30 apartments, a gourmet restaurant, a private chapel, and a royal banquet hall with symbols engraved by the original stonemasons who built it all. Rates start at just 60€ (approximately USD $70) per night.

The Kentucky Castle

The Kentucky Castle
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Versailles, Kentucky

It’s not that Kentucky’s aptly named The Kentucky Castle is especially authentic or historic as it was only built in 1969. What it does offer, however, is convenience (Americans needn’t travel all the way to Europe for a proper castle experience) and an undeniable quirkiness (a medieval castle in the middle of bourbon country?!). The structure offers all the authentic details you’d expect of a castle from the Middle Ages including massive wooden doors and fortified turrets all surrounded by a stone wall (gator-filled moat not included). Inside, the purpose-built “hotel” features plenty of modern, first-world luxury amenities. Some of the 16 rooms and chalets boast generous soaking tubs, kitchenettes, and private terraces overlooking the 50-acre estate. There’s also a regal game room, a ballroom, a beautiful library, and a fine dining restaurant. Rates start at just USD $195 per night.

Lisheen Castle

Lisheen Castle
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Tipperary, Ireland

If you’re looking for something a bit more intimate, Ireland’s Lisheen Castle is available for run-of-house rentals. That means guests and their companions have private access to the entire castle — all nine bedroom and nine bathrooms. At “only” 7,000 square feet, it might seem small for a castle. However, the high-end property boasts everything guests might need for a week-long stay in the Irish countryside. Inside, the architecture and design have been thoughtfully restored with period furnishings and artwork authentic to the early 19th century. The formal reception rooms, drawing rooms, and dining rooms all feature vaulted ceilings with hand-painted murals and antique chandeliers. Outside, the castle is surrounded by lush rolling pastures, and guests enjoy a location convenient to some of Ireland’s most iconic attractions including the Cliffs of Moher, the historic town of Cobh, and Kilkenny Medieval City. Rates start at USD $1,282 per night for the entire castle (seven-night minimum).

Editors' Recommendations

Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
Do you need a passport to go to Canada?
What to know about traveling to Canada
U.S. passport book

Traveling to Canada from the United States is relatively straightforward, but the documentation required can vary depending on your mode of transportation and citizenship status. While a passport is the most widely accepted form of identification for international travel, alternative options are available for U.S. citizens entering Canada by land or sea.

What you need to know about traveling to Canada
So, what exactly do you need to cross into Canada? It really depends on how you're getting there.
What documents do I need to cross the Canadian border by car?
If you're a U.S. citizen traveling to Canada by land or sea, you have a few options for acceptable documentation:

Read more
Monos vs Away: Which is the better luggage brand?
A view of the Monos Monos Hybrid Carry-on Plus suitcase.

It's time to get new luggage. Maybe you already have a trip planned, or you're getting ready to book a vacation, but in either case, you'll need a travel bag to stow your gear. Two of the hottest, upscale, and modern luggage brands on the market, which you've likely encountered at some point, are Monos and Away. As competitors, a head-to-head of Monos vs Away makes a lot of sense, albeit the comparison is not as simple as you might think. There are a lot of similarities but a lot of differences, too, especially depending on what you're expecting out of these high-end luggage offerings. Let's discuss.
Monos vs Away luggage: Who wins?

If you're not interested in the full comparison and just want to know which brand you should purchase, the answer is Monos. While offering better designs, premium materials, and higher build quality, Monos luggage still manages to be priced more competitively. That said, you can't go wrong with luggage from either brand, so you wouldn't be making a poor choice if you decide to purchase luggage from Away.

Read more
This ultra-luxury, 6-star cruise trip usually costs $102,780 — but it’s 64% off
scenic arctic cruise gilt march 2024 eclipse at sea

If you want the ultimate vacation and at a fantastic discount, Gilt has a spectacular offer on a fantastically luxurious cruise. Right now, you can enjoy travels around the Arctic Circle and Northern Europe for 17 nights for $35,990, for two people (that's $17,995 per person) instead of the usual $102,780 that Gilt says it would cost. That means a huge saving of 64% off the regular price and the chance to enjoy a vacation and cruise of a lifetime. It’s all thanks to Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours and we’ve got all you need to know about this phenomenal cruise. There’s just one space left on this highly exclusive cruise.

Why you should travel on the Scenic Cruise
This time around, there’s hardly any need to read up on cruise ship packages and add-ons worth paying extra for as this Scenic Cruise has everything you could need to be included. All you need to do is make sure you have a passport. You get 17 nights on board the Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours ultra-luxury yacht, the Scenic Eclipse. It leaves from Tromso, Norway on June 25, 2024. The small-ship experience has room for just 228 guests so it’s an exclusive trip.

Read more