Top 10 Castle Hotels Worldwide

If you're looking for a romantic vacation, then what better place to stay than in a castle? It's the stuff of legends. Who wouldn't want to peer out of a turret down to the moat or river below? Or take long walks in secluded woods? Once considered cold and draughty, canny developers and restoration experts have pulled out all the stops in castles around the world to ensure your vacation is filled with sumptuous suites, grand views and fantastic dining options. As a result, a holiday in a castle is now affordable for mere mortals, and not simply reserved for the nuptials of celebrities like Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. Channel your inner princess or knight in shining armor at one of these castle hotels.

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UNITED STATES

New York
Castle on the Hudson

www.castleonthehudson.com

Although the United States has never had official royalty, it somehow managed to produce a few royal retreats. Paying homage to the Norman fortifications of Wales, Scotland and Ireland, this sprawling, medieval-style castle resides on the Hudson River just half an hour out of Manhattan—in fact, one of the dining rooms in its Equus restaurant overlooks the New York City skyline. (Another dining room was first owned by Louis XIV and brought to the U.S. when the castle was built 125 years ago by the son of a Civil War general.) While the swimming pool feels a little Vegas à la the Excalibur, the overall atmosphere is majestic. Rooms with wood-burning fireplaces and turret alcoves are recommended.

Washington
Thornewood Castle
www.thornewoodcastle.com

When we think about Washington State, we think pioneers and Native Americans. But industrialist Chester Thorne had a different vision in the early 1900s when he had a 400-year-old Elizabethan manor dismantled in England and shipped to the Pacific Northwest to provide the foundation for Thornewood Castle. The 27,000-square-foot castle sits on the shores of American Lake south of Seattle, surrounded by gardens designed by the Olmsted brothers of New York City’s Central Park fame. Musts when visiting: watching the snow fall through stained glass panels dating back to the 1300s and exploring the original wishbone sticks (to ward off evil spirits and bring good fortune) hung around the perimeter of the basement by the Native American workmen who helped construct the castle.

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ENGLAND

West Sussex
Amberley Castle
www.amberleycastle.co.uk

Amberley Castle
Make your way to West Sussex for an idyllic getaway in the picturesque village of Amberley, and its major draw, Amberley Castle. The 14th-century stone castle is home to original medieval architecture, including a high curtain wall, a twin-tower gatehouse and a water gate. Landscaped gardens, a croquet lawn and tranquil lakes are all designed to allow you to indulge in a relaxing vacation. Climb the rope bridge to the thatched-roof tree house, play some tennis, enjoy a round of golf on the professional 18-hole course or simply hide away in your room on your four-poster bed and then take a soak in your personal Jacuzzi.

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FRANCE

Thouet Valley

Château de Saint-Loup

www.chateaudesaint-loup.com

Chateau de Saint-Loup

You know that a castle is the real deal when it comes complete with its own water-filled moat. Standing tall in the Thouet Valley in the southernmost part of the Loire Valley in the Poitou-Charentes region, the Chateau de Saint-Loup was built during the reign of Louis XII and is today owned by Count Charles-Henri de Bartillat.  In keeping with its medieval origins, rooms feature four-poster beds and stained-glass windows. The grounds boast manicured gardens with an orangery, a flower garden, canal, pavilions, courtyards, 1,000 fruit trees and a vegetable garden dating back to the Middle Ages. Wander through the castle and check out the library music room, complete with piano, available to all guests. Sip cocktails in the sitting rooms and enjoy a feast in the grand dining room. If you can drag yourself into some 21st-century pursuits, you can choose from a variety of activities, including biking, fishing and even taking a hot air balloon ride over the Valley.

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HOLLAND

Maastricht
Château St. Gerlach
www.chateauhotels.nl

Rescued from ruins, this pretty castle on the banks of the River Geul received a posh $26 million makeover from hotelier Camille Oostwegel. The transformation was stylish while respecting the castle’s heritage, which dates back to the 15th century. Enveloped by the Ingendael Wildlife Preserve, the garden-dappled grounds also contain an old farmhouse, convent, granary and Baroque church. The lovely bedrooms are located in the farmhouse, the convent operates as the estate’s museum and the castle is home to Les Trois Corbeaux, well known for its French cuisine. Also of note: the onsite Kneipp Wellness Center, with an ornate Roman-style swimming pool that is worth the trip alone.

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INDIA

Rajasthan
Taj Lake Palace
www.tajhotels.com

This lustrous white marble palace rises like a mirage from the center of Lake Pichola in the city of Udaipur. You arrive by motorized gondola and are immediately ensconced in a kind of opulence unimaginable in today’s Philippe Starck world. The palace was originally built in 1740 as a summer retreat, a cool lake-top escape from the city’s landlocked, main royal residence. Romance is the defining characteristic here, from the beautiful gardens and lily pond to bedrooms adorned with silks and murals. With their opulent furnishings and to-die-for terraces, some of the suites will take your breath away. Neel Kamal restaurant pays tribute to the local wood-fired cuisine of Rajasthan, and the spa focuses on ancient Indian healing practices.

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MALTA

Mdina
Xara Palace
www.xarapalace.com.mt

Among this castle’s many significant attributes is the fact that its walls are integrated into the walls that make up the bastions of the fortified medieval city of Mdina. Just a few steps from the main entrance into the city, Xara Palace was built in the late 17th century to house the noble Moscati Parisio family, and was inhabited by the British during WWII—today it is once again family owned, this time by the Zammit Tabonas, who are responsible for its beautiful restoration. Because of its historic setting, its rooftop terrace dining will wow you. The bedrooms are decorated with period pieces and original local and international artwork, and their views range from the external courtyards to Vilhena Palace.

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NAMIBIA

Windhoek

Hotel Heinitzburg

www.heinitzburg.com

There are some parts of the world where you simply don’t expect to find castles, and for us Namibia is one of them. This is tented camp and Big Five territory, after all. But it is also a land of romance, which was the inspiration behind this intimate palace. It was built by Count von Schwerin for his fiancée in 1914, and its interiors are matched by its lovely views of Windhoek and the surrounding Khomas Hochland mountains. Accommodations are not as opulent as in most other castles on this list, but they’re extremely tasteful. The onsite restaurant serves game dishes and vintages from the country’s largest private wine cellar. Dramatic African sunsets and a vista of city lights make this a perfect setting for evening cocktails.

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PORTUGAL

Lisbon
Lapa Palace

www.lapapalace.com

With its elegant, understated façade and dramatic interiors, the Lapa Palace reflects the spirit of the country it inhabits. It was built in 1870 by a viscount for his son and then owned by the Count of Valenca who decided to turn it into a palace. The décor also offers a taste of national identity, with works by local ceramist Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro and walls and ceilings by portrait painter Columbano. While all of the rooms are beautiful, those in the Palace Wing are preferred. Its Noble Floor features original furnishings, and its Tower Room is incredible, with an elevated walkway to a tower terrace that feels as if it’s been set adrift above the city. Cooking classes are offered, but take note—they’re taught in Portuguese.

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SCOTLAND

Ayreshire
Glenapp Castle

www.glenappcastle.com

Glenapp Castle

Live out your ultimate fairytale fantasy in this Scottish castle on the Ayrshire coast, 100 miles southwest of Edinburgh. This Victorian mansion, built in 1870 and restored in 1994, is situated amidst 36 acres of gardens and woodland with spectacular views over the Irish Sea to the Island of Arran and its signature granite rock of Ailsa Craig.  It’s also the hotel Winston Churchill stayed in in 1944 while hammering out the D-Day invasion plan with Dwight Eisenhower. You’ll stay in one of seventeen guest rooms which have been decorated with antiques bought at Sotheby’s by owners Fay and Graham Cowan. There's plenty to do here, from salmon and trout fishing to golf, mountain bike riding, bird watching and walking tours. Be sure to try chef Matt Weedon’s six-course tasting menu in one of the castle’s grand dining rooms. If you’re all about authenticity, then Glenapp Castle, with its sandstone battlements and soaring turrets and towers is the perfect place for your royal vacation.

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(Updated: 02/21/08 KH)



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