Best Castles That Are Also Hotels: Sleep Like Royalty, Avoid the Moat!

Imagine spending the night where knights once roamed, surrounded by centuries-old stone walls steeped in history. It’s not just a daydream for history buffs or fantasy enthusiasts; it’s an experience offered by some of the best castle hotels in the world. These bastions of bygone eras have traded their drawbridges and dungeons for luxury suites and fine dining, without sacrificing their regal charm. Guests can feel like royalty while enjoying modern comforts in these storied settings, which make the perfect vacation destination for those looking to sleep in a slice of history.

Moreover, these castle hotels are not mere relics; they offer a plethora of regal pastimes. Whether one prefers a tranquil afternoon tea overlooking manicured gardens or a horseback ride through ancestral lands, castle hotels cater to those with noble tastes. Exploring the opulent halls and hidden passageways, you might feel the urge to hold court or proclaim decrees, adding a touch of humor to the plush accommodations.

Key Takeaways

• Castle hotels provide a unique blend of historical grandeur and modern luxury.
• They offer a variety of noble activities and pampering amenities.
• This vacation experience caters to those looking for a regal escape from the mundane.

Legendary Locales: Castles You Can Sleep In

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Behold the chance to snooze like royalty without the burden of ruling a kingdom! From the rolling emerald hills of Ireland to the historic heart of England, grand edifices offer beds fit for kings and queens. Meanwhile, across the pond, America serves up its own dash of noble flair, minus the dungeons and dragons, of course.

Europe’s Enchanted Castle Hotels

• Ashford Castle, Ireland

  • An aristocratic residence that predates the invention of the dinner party, Ashford Castle crowns the shores of Lough Corrib like a jewel. With a lineage that stretches back to 1228, invitees can often be found recounting tales of the estate’s regal heritage, or simply taking a whirl in a boat more majestic than most homes.

• Dromoland Castle, Ireland

  • Guests at Dromoland Castle need not worry about a jester jumping out from behind tapestries. Instead, they can parade around the manicured grounds, envisaging themselves as lords and ladies, or enjoy high tea without the fear of an archery session breaking out.

• Inverlochy Castle Hotel, Scotland

  • With Ben Nevis peering down like a nosy neighbor, visitors at Inverlochy Castle Hotel may half expect a kilted Highlander to serenade them with the bagpipes. It’s a place where one can feast in rooms fit for a clan chief and rest assured that the stone walls will keep out unwanted barbarian hordes.

• Amberley Castle, England

  • Among the English countryside, Amberley Castle stands, still in a tug-of-war with time. It promises guests an escape into historical opulence, where one’s biggest concern might be the choice between scones or crumpets for afters.

America’s Own Royal Retreats

• Oheka Castle, New York

  • One needn’t cross the Atlantic for aristocratic ambiance. At Oheka Castle, a stone’s throw (or a jester’s jest) from New York City, society’s elite gather for balls and weddings, avoiding any medieval melee, except maybe on the dance floor.

• Landoll’s Mohican Castle, Ohio

  • Ohio’s Landoll’s Mohican Castle proves that one doesn’t have to be a scion of Europe to revel in regal luxury. Here, guests trade crowns for hiking boots and scepters for wine glasses, all while dwelling in towers that seem plucked straight from a storybook illustrated by an overly enthusiastic Renaissance artist.

So, should you long for the fanfare of horns announcing dinner rather than microwave beeps, consider these castles where one can slumber in splendor—no moat monsters included.

A Room Fit for a King (or Queen): Posh Castle Accommodations

Those with a penchant for opulence can rejoice; castle hotels offer the pinnacle of grandeur. With suites that rival historic manors, every guest feels like nobility.

Who Needs a House When You Can Have a Castle Suite?

In Castle Hotels in the United States – Fodors Travel Guide, travelers learn that luxury isn’t just a word—it’s a suite with granite-lined bathrooms, chandeliers overhead, and a four-poster bed so majestic, even a knight would hang up his armor for a good night’s sleep. Visitors can expect nothing less than the most regal of furnishings, each suite a kingdom unto itself.

• Suite Royalty: Gold-trimmed curtains, silk bedspreads, and knightly armor in the corners for that authentic “I own a kingdom” feel.
• Tower Room with a View: Because everyone should wake up to a 360-degree panoramic kingdom—er, country—er, the parking lot?
• Fireplaces: One in every suite, for that classic “roast a boar for dinner” ambiance.

Sleeping Like Royalty Without the Reign

Guest rooms in America’s Best Castle Hotels – Oyster.com offer more than a place to rest one’s head. These posh accommodations fit for a king—or queen—boast clawfoot tubs for soaking in style and fireplaces perfect for plotting to take over the throne (or maybe just what to have for breakfast).

• Beds Fit for a Monarch: Every mattress is rumored to be stuffed with goose down rivaling the fluffiness of the royal corgis.
• Bathrooms That Sparkle: Fixtures so shiny, you’ll need sunglasses. Get ready for a bath time befitting a sovereign.

Activities for the Noble at Heart

One doesn’t need a crown to partake in the regal recreations that castle hotels offer. Whether they fancy wielding a falcon or swinging a golf club, guests can immerse themselves in the leisure pursuits of yore.

Royal Sports and Serfing: From Golf to Falconry

• Falconry School: One might not have a throne, but they can still command the skies. Falconry schools let guests experience the ancient art of bird handling. Bird enthusiasts rejoice, for they will have a ‘hawking’ good time!
• Golf Course: The golf course is the royalty’s answer to lawn care—vast and perfectly manicured for the game. These castle courses often come with stunning vistas that can distract from a less-than-regal swing.
• Tennis & Archery: Guests can serve, volley, and, er, defy gravity in tennis or take a shot at archery. Either they’ll hit the bullseye, or they’ll make for a merry spectacle.
• Other Noble Pursuits:
  • Hiking: Exploring the kingdom on foot is but a hike away.
  • Horseback Riding: Trotting through the countryside on horseback, one’s noble steed shall not be a broomstick this day.
  • Fishing: Excursions await for those inclined to plot and ‘fish’ for their food, just like the good old days.
  • Clay Shooting: Aiming and shooting clay pigeons is ideal for those who enjoy the thrill of the hunt without the need to ruffle any feathers.

No Moat-ivation Needed for These Castle Pastimes

Guests can drawbridge to another world where leisurely castle pastimes await. They don’t need a moat full of motivation to enjoy these genteel sports and recreations.

Whether guests choose to roam the past or hold court over a chessboard, these activities ensure a stay at a castle hotel is nothing short of legendary. After all, who needs a jest when you can be your own source of amusement?

Pampering & Peasant-Free Leisure: Castle Amenities

When one stays at a castle hotel, they don’t simply expect a bed and breakfast; they anticipate an indulgence worthy of royalty. These castle hotels cater to their noble guests with lavish amenities that ensure every comfort is but a silk-gloved hand away.

Spa-rkling Spots to Relax Your Royal Toesies

In the chambers of these stone behemoths, one may unearth spa sanctuaries that make a commoner’s day spa look like a mud hut. Imagine relaxing in a Finnish sauna as the steam wafts around you like the whispers of court jesters, or unwinding with a massage that kneads your muscles back into royal submission.

• Romantik Hotel at the Wartburg: Guests are treated to pampering within a UNESCO World Heritage site. Feast thine eyes!
• Culzean Castle: A Scottish haven where one can soothe their noble skin after gallivanting through Ayrshire. Behold the relaxation realm!

Plunge into the Posh – Pools and More

A castle without a pool is like a knight without his armor—scandalously underprepared. These establishments boast both indoor and outdoor swimming pools for a leisurely backstroke beneath the battlements.

• Castello di Pavone: Italy’s finest, offering a refreshing dip enclosed by 9th-century walls. Dive into history!
• Afternoon Tea: Because why would one swim on an empty stomach when they can partake in the finest of teas first?

With these extravagant amenities, guests will find themselves steeped in luxury, with nary a peasantly care, whiling away hours in lush comfort that even the blue-blooded enviers would approve of.