Castle hotels are a popular and distinctive lodging choice for visitors wanting a mix of history, elegance, and adventure. These hotels offer visitors the option to stay in a real-life castle, customarily with original features and historical furniture, while enjoying the services. Constructed as medieval fortresses to protect empires from invaders, these magnificent castles were symbols of power and prestige in their prime.
Several castles have been converted into magnificent hotels in recent years while retaining their unique beauty and individuality.
To fulfill the demands of today’s discerning travellers, the restoration process requires a careful balance of retaining historical characteristics while adding modern amenities and services.
Best Castle Hotels in Europe
Apart from the experience of living in a majestic medieval structure built centuries ago, the location of Castle Hotels also adds to its uniqueness. Several castles are set in magnificent countryside, with gardens, lakes, and forests to explore.
Visitors can also engage in traditional activities like archery, falconry, and horseback riding or unwind in spa facilities that provide treatments made from locally derived materials.
Here’s a list of the 10 best Castle Hotels in Europe where you can stay:
1. Hotel de la Cite, Carcassonne, France
Hotel de la Cite is a medieval hotel in the southern French-walled city of Carcassonne. The hotel was built in the latter part of the 1800s as a stopover for people visiting the region.
The hotel includes 60 rooms and suites, with breathtaking views of the Cite’s castle walls, towers, and roofs. A Michelin-starred restaurant, a bar, a spa, and a swimming pool are all available at the hotel.
The hotel is well-known for its excellent service and attention to detail. Throughout their stay, guests are given a warm welcome and customised attention. La Barbacane, the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant, is known for its inventive food and vast wine selection.
2. Swinton Estate, Masham, England
Swinton Estate is a historically significant estate near Masham, North Yorkshire, England.
The estate is home to various species, including deer, grouse, and pheasants, and spans 20,000 acres of undulating hills, woodlands, and farms. Swinton Park, a historical mansion turned into a luxury hotel, is also part of the estate.
Swinton Park provides a variety of services and activities to visitors, including exquisite cuisine at the hotel restaurant, a spa, and outdoor sports like falconry, fishing, and shooting. The hotel’s 31 rooms and suites are each uniquely furnished and provide breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.
One of the unique features of Swinton Estate is its commitment to sustainability. The estate houses a working farm, and the hotel’s restaurant only serves locally sourced seasonal produce. Swinton Estate provides an exquisite and ecological way to enjoy the beauty and history of the English countryside.
3. Hotel Schloss Thannegg, Grobmig, Austria
Located in Grobmig, Austria, the castle was initially erected as a fortress to defend the region against invaders in the 12th century.
One of Hotel Schloss Thannegg’s unique features is its stunning gardens and parks, which provide a calm location for guests to unwind and appreciate the surrounding area’s natural beauty. In addition, the hotel includes a restaurant that provides traditional Austrian cuisine created from fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Staying at Hotel Schloss Thannegg provides a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience history and comfort in a breathtaking natural environment.
4. Castel Porrona, Tuscany, Italy
Castel Porrona is a small town in the Tuscany region of Italy. The medieval castle dates back to the 12th century and is the town’s main attraction.
Castle Porrona is well-known for its distinctive amenities, which include a spa, a swimming pool, and a restaurant. Cooking courses, wine tastings, and guided excursions to the local area are also available at the hotel. The medieval architecture and rich history of the castle make it a one-of-a-kind and fascinating location to stay.
5. Balfour Castles, Orkney Islands, Scotland
Located on Shapinsay island in the Orkney Islands off the coast of Scotland, the Balfour family, wealthy proprietors in the region, erected the castle in the mid-nineteenth century.
The castle is well-known for its stunning setting and one-of-a-kind facilities. The castle’s lovely grounds, which include a walled garden, a rose garden, and a Japanese garden, are open to visitors. The property also has a private beach and a tennis court.
Guests can stay in one of the castle’s nine deluxe bedrooms, individually designed with ancient antiques and modern facilities. The castle also has a dining room, a bar, and a lounge area where guests may relax and enjoy the unique ambience of the castle.
6. Obidos Castle, Obidos, Portugal
Obidos Castle is a medieval castle in the town of Obidos, in the central-western region of Portugal.
Staying at Obidos Castle is a one-of-a-kind and unforgettable experience. The castle has been transformed into a luxury hotel with 17 rooms and suites designed in classic Portuguese style. Each room is uniquely decorated, with antique antiques and contemporary comforts.
Visitors at Obidos Castle may use the castle’s distinctive amenities, including a swimming pool, a spa, and a restaurant serving traditional Portuguese cuisine. The castle’s location within the walls of Obidos also allows tourists convenient access to the town’s historic sights, shops, and restaurants.
7. Burg Wernberg, Germany
Burg Wernberg is a medieval castle in Wernberg-Köblitz, Bavaria’s Upper Palatinate area.
Burg Wernberg is now a luxury hotel and restaurant known for its superb dining and one-of-a-kind features. The castle has 32 distinctively furnished rooms and suites with ancient antiques and contemporary facilities. Visitors may enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding Bavarian landscape from the castle’s towers and walls.
Burg Wernberg is also home to the Kastell, a Michelin-starred restaurant recognised for its inventive cuisine and use of local products. The castle’s wine cellar has approximately 500 fine wines, many obtained from surrounding Franconian vineyards.
Conclusion
Finally, castle hotels provide travellers looking for a one-of-a-kind accommodation experience with a unique combination of history, elegance, and adventure. European castles have been converted into spectacular hotels that provide contemporary facilities and services while keeping their original beauty and character. The hotels are usually in attractive countryside locations with gardens, lakes, and forests to explore. Traditional sports like archery, falconry, and horseback riding, as are spa treatments from locally sourced ingredients, are available to visitors.
