There is something about a castle that makes a trip feel like a story. The stone walls, the long driveways, the sense that people have been arriving at the same door for hundreds of years. Castle hotels in Europe are some of the most romantic places to stay anywhere, but they are also a little different from a modern five-star hotel, and it helps to know that before you book.
I shared a reel about the reality of booking historic castle hotels, featuring La Mirande in Avignon, because it is the side of these stays that photos rarely show.
Here is what to expect, and the castles and palaces I would book.
What Castle Hotels in Europe Are Really Like
No two rooms are the same. In a historic building, rooms were not designed in a row. One might have a tower view and a fireplace, the next a smaller window and a sloped ceiling. This is part of the charm, but it means room category matters more than usual. Read the descriptions carefully and ask the hotel for specifics.
There will be stairs. Many older properties have added elevators, but not always to every wing. If stairs are a concern, say so when you book.
Bathrooms vary. Some are grand and renovated, others are fitted into spaces that were never meant for plumbing. Look at photos of the exact room type.
They are often remote. Most castle hotels sit on large estates outside town. You will likely need a car or a driver, and dinner will usually be at the hotel. I see that as a feature: the best castle stays are about staying put.
Plan for at least two nights. Between the grounds, the activities and a long dinner, one night never feels like enough.
1. La Mirande, Avignon, France
La Mirande sits in the heart of Avignon, right by the Palais des Papes, and the building’s history goes back to the 14th century. According to the hotel, it has just 26 rooms, many with views of the Popes’ Palace. Its restaurant, led by chef Florent Pietravalle, holds a Michelin star, and there is a cooking school devoted to the produce of Provence. It is technically a palace in the middle of town rather than a castle in the countryside, which makes it one of the easiest historic stays to enjoy without a car. Learn more at La Mirande.
2. Ashford Castle, County Mayo, Ireland
Ashford Castle is the one most people picture. A castle has stood on the site near the village of Cong since 1228, and the estate later belonged to the Guinness family before becoming a hotel in 1939. Red Carnation Hotels bought it in 2013 and reopened it after a major restoration in 2015. It sits on the shores of Lough Corrib, and the grounds are reason enough to go.
3. Dromoland Castle, County Clare, Ireland
Dromoland was the ancestral home of the O’Briens, Barons of Inchiquin, and the current Gothic Revival building was completed in 1835. It became a hotel in 1963. It is close to Shannon Airport, which makes it an easy first or last night in Ireland. For families or groups, I covered the launch of Dromoland Lodge on the estate.
4. Inverlochy Castle Hotel, Fort William, Scotland
Built in 1863 near Fort William in the Highlands, Inverlochy is where Queen Victoria stayed for a week in 1873, writing that she “never saw a lovelier or more romantic spot.” It has been a hotel since 1969 and makes a beautiful base for the Ben Nevis area. Expect a remote, quiet setting and dramatic scenery.
5. Château de la Chèvre d’Or, Èze, France
This is the Riviera version of a castle stay. The hotel is spread across a series of stone houses in the medieval village of Èze, high above the Mediterranean, with views toward Cap Ferrat. It is also the clearest example of the practical side of a historic stay: the lanes are steep and narrow, and you will walk up and down to reach your room. The views make it worth it.
6. Castello di Casole, A Belmond Hotel, Tuscany
For Italy, Castello di Casole is set around a historic castello in the Tuscan countryside near Casole d’Elsa. It suits a slower trip with wine, long lunches and day trips to Siena and the hill towns.
If You Prefer a Palace in the City
Not everyone wants a remote estate. If you love the history but want to walk to dinner, a palace hotel is the answer. I have written about Hotel Taschenbergpalais Kempinski in Dresden and Çırağan Palace Kempinski in Istanbul, both great examples of historic grandeur in the middle of a city.
My Tips for Booking Castle Hotels in Europe
- Call the hotel. Ask which rooms are in the original building and which are in newer wings. Both can be lovely, but you should know which you are getting.
- Ask about elevators and walking distances from the room to the restaurant and spa.
- Book dinner when you book the room. On a remote estate, the hotel restaurant may be your only option nearby.
- Check the season. Some properties change their hours or close part of the year.
- Pack layers. Old stone buildings and countryside estates can feel cool, even in summer.
Castle hotels in Europe are not about perfection. They are about atmosphere, history and the feeling of being part of a place’s long story. Go in knowing what to expect, and they are unforgettable. For more travel stories, visit Santé Magazine.
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