B&B Castle Hotels – 2026

Parador de Alarcón is a truly stunning 8th-century Moorish fortress turned luxury Spanish castle hotel, in the village of Alarcón, near Cuenca. The setting is spectacular, the hotel has a wonderfully authentic historical ambience and it has one of the finest restaurants in the region. The Rooms: Parador Alarcon, though quite a large structure, has only 14 bedrooms and so is very much a boutique hotel. The choices are between… > Read More

Historic palace – 16th-century Residenza in central Rome, linked to Napoleon III’s family. Lavish suites – Napoleone Suite with four-poster bedroom, marble baths, lounge, and Rooftop Garden Suite with terrace and modern kitchen. Historic details – Frescoes, chandeliers, tapestries, and antiques blended with subtle modern amenities. Modern comforts – Air-con, WiFi, satellite TV, HiFi, and tech hidden to preserve the atmosphere. Service & perks – Butler, maid, concierge, organic breakfast, and… > Read More

Between Donegal Town and the wilds of the Blue Stack Mountains, in Ireland’s much underrated northwest, lies the 5 star Lough Eske Castle. The only castle hotel in Co. Donegal, it was once the seat of the infamous O’Donnell Clan and boasts a tremendous amount of local and national history. It also has an idyllic lakeside setting, 43 acres of private gardens and woodland, top-rate spa facilities, a choice of… > Read More

The most renowned of all Ireland’s castle hotels, 5-star Ashford Castle in Co. Galway, is an extremely impressive property, with an extravagant setting, an imposing exterior, and very lavish interiors. Those factors combined with a great range of modern facilities, great food, and high levels of service, make Ashford Castle a consistent choice for lists of the best hotels in Ireland, and indeed in Europe. Ashford Castle at a Glance… > Read More

Right outside Clifden, Connemara, this homely, welcoming Irish castle hotel can be a great base for exploring the region. Abbeyglen sits a wooded hillside overlooking Clifden Bay and with The Twelve Bens Mountains in the background it feels rural, but is yet only a five minute walk from the centre of the town (uphill on your way back though – be warned!) It’s a four star hotel in a Victorian-era castle… > Read More

Most Famous Guests: Princess Diana, Prince Rainer, Grace Kelly, Michael Jackson… The 5 Star luxury Gstaad Palace Hotel is another Swiss Alps institution smoothly fulfilling the desires of discerning international guests with great style and class. It has stood on a hill over the lovely Alpine resort of Gstaad for over a hundred years and is very much a hotel of the old-school type. The atmosphere is grand and regal… > Read More

Location: Gorgeous, secluded retreat beside Loch Faskally and Ben Vrackie. Aesthetics: Luxury castle hotel blending historic baronial style with more modern design. Accommodation: 42 rooms spread across the castle, lodges, and a modern wing. Dining: Two restaurants, including the award-winning Sandemans with 3 AA Rosettes. Wellness & Activities: On-site spa plus outdoor adventures like hiking, rafting, and fishing. Enter your dates & check prices here.   Where Perthshire begins to… > Read More

Most Notable Former Guest: Louis XIII of France. Château de Brissac, near Saumur and Angers, is one of the Loire Valley’s, and indeed France’s, best-known chateaux and sees many day visitors both French and international. With seven floors it is the country’s tallest, and its sheer scale alone makes it quite a jaw-dropping sight. It is also though an incredibly beautiful building, an elegant masterpiece of architecture that is still… > Read More

Most Notable Former Guest: Orson Welles. Parador de Cardona is a towering, 9th-century-era, hilltop fortress near Barcelona now converted into a beautifully atmospheric, modern luxury hotel. It is seen as the most important medieval fortress in Catalonia and one of the most important in Spain, the strategic setting allowing for jaw-dropping views and the castle itself still retaining a strong historical ambience. The Rooms: They have a choice of rooms:… > Read More

The 5-star Parador de Santiago – Hostal de Los Reyes Católicos is an integral part of the historic core of Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain, and one of the world’s very oldest hotels. It is located on Obradoiro Square beside the cathedral which marks the end of the infamous Camino de Santiago, with which the hotel is intrinsically linked. It was commissioned by King Ferdinand in 1499 as a place… > Read More

Château de Bourron is a classy, boutique chateau hotel in Fontainebleau, near Paris. It has a moat, two small pavillons, 100-acre of wood and parkland, and has a history going back to at least the fourteenth century. The Accommodation: They have five entry-level double rooms in an adjacent building, Maison d’Artagnan, then some nicer rooms in the chateau itself, the latter being divided into superior, prestige, and deluxe categories with… > Read More

Most Notable Former Guests: Marlene Dietrich, Alfred Hitchcock, Audrey Hepburn… Long a St Moritz, and Swiss Alps, landmark, the 5-star luxury Badrutt’s Palace Hotel is a splendid building and a legendary hotel. Built in the grand, Neo-Gothic style popular in the late 19th century its historical elegance is still very much intact. It has now been wedded to modern facilities and levels of comfort and service that are simply world-class…. > Read More

One of only two castle hotels within the city of Dublin, Fitzpatrick Castle has a lovely setting overlooking Dublin Bay in the quiet, prosperous south side suburb of Killiney. The present structure dates back to the 18th century and the construction of a relatively modest manor house, named Mount Malpas, later Killiney Castle, At various points in the 19th century it then received more castle-like embellishments to resemble more closely… > Read More

Rustic charm – 900-year-old castle hotel in southern Chianti with authentic character. Accommodation variety – from simple rooms to luxury suites and self-catering farm apartments. Facilities – swimming pool carved from the moat, tennis courts, and traditional Tuscan restaurant. Scenic surroundings – vineyards, olive groves, woodland, and nearby Chianti villages to explore. Welcoming hosts – happy to arrange tours, excursions, and share local tips. Family & pet friendly – suitable… > Read More

Consistently rated as one of Ireland’s best luxury hotels, the first thing to recommend about the four-star Ballynahich Castle in Galway is its superb location. It has 350 acres of peaceful, mature woodland that sit below the Twelve Bens Mountains like a green oasis in what is very much the heart of Connemara, one of Ireland’s most beautiful natural landscapes. It will also impress with extremely high levels of service,… > Read More

Known as one of the most beautiful chateaux in Deux-Sevres, Aquitaine, the majestic Château de Saint Loup was commissioned in 1609 to honour Good King Henry, Henri IV of France, and is now an intimate boutique hotel. The chateau is a stirring sight, it still has a wonderfully medieval atmosphere and, though you may be paying for the pleasure, it feels quite a privilege to stay there. Knowing that in… > Read More

Historic castle hotel: Nearly 1,000 years of history overlooking the Neckar Valley. Michelin-star dining: Elegant Swabian cuisine with a view, plus an excellent wine list. Thirty unique rooms: Blend of rustic traditional charm and sleek contemporary comfort. Scenic activities: Discounted access to a top golf course, hiking trails, and river adventures. Family heritage: Still owned by the von Rassler family after nine generations. Check dates & prices here.   Schloss… > Read More

Why we chose this castle hotel: Baronial Style: Late 19th-century mansion in Glasgow’s Southside, now operating as a luxury hotel. Room Choices: Executive Rooms (castle or garden building) or Junior Suites, with castle rooms offering more character. Modern Comforts: Bathrooms feature heated floors, rainfall showers, deep soaking tubs, and Scottish-made luxury toiletries. Dining Excellence: The Morrison Room restaurant has refined seasonal Scottish cuisine in an elegant hall. Breakfast Spread: A… > Read More

Hilltop estate – overlooks 600 acres of vineyards with views of the Alps and Piedmont plains. Boutique luxury – stylish castle hotel with B&B rooms and self-catering apartments. Wine heritage – estate renowned for fine wines, with cellar visits and vineyard tours. Dining – restaurant serves modern takes on traditional North Italian cuisine with local ingredients. Outdoor amenities – castle gardens, swimming pool, and fishing lake. Family & pet friendly… > Read More

Château de Mathod, near Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland, is a very charming and special place. A recognized historical monument, it was once the home of the Swiss artist Louis Rivier and has been in the same family for seven generations now. They have a luxury B&B guest suite at the chateau which is beautifully renovated and decorated, and though having all modern comforts still retains a tangible sense of history. The property… > Read More

The four-star 19th century Château Hotel Grand Barrail lies among some beautiful countryside near Bordeaux and nearer still to Saint-Emilion in the heart of South West France’s Aquitaine Dordogne. The estate is surrounded by beautifully tended gardens and acres of vineyards. It is particularly known for two things: its kitchen, run by Chef Romain Gondras, serves up some of the most innovative cuisine in the region, and its extensive spa… > Read More

Most Notable Former Guests: Victor Hugo, Charlie Chaplin, Coco Chanel… The 5-star Beau Rivage Palace sits on 10 acres of its own private gardens on the shores of Lake Geneva, Lausanne, and has stunning views across the lake and of the French Alps beyond. The hotel itself, including its spacious and elegant rooms and suites, is equally stunning and the entire experience is one which will satisfy even the most… > Read More

Vast Estate: 6,500 acres in Glenshee with its own 9-hole golf course. Intimate Stay: Scots Baronial castle with just 17 cosy rooms and suites. Room Variety: From snug doubles to suites with lounges and fireplaces. Dining & Whisky: Fine dining, casual bites, broad wine list, and standout Scotch. Outdoor Fun: Hiking trails, fishing rivers, and one of Britain’s highest courses. Enter your dates & check prices here.   Dalmunzie Castle… > Read More

Château de Fonscolombe is a magnificent 18th-century château built in the Italianate Quattrocento style, now a 5-star boutique hotel in Provence, France. It has wonderfully elegant accommodation, beautiful botanic gardens, a vineyard and winery, spa facilities, and an excellent restaurant. The Rooms: They have 50 B&B rooms and suites at the château, from doubles to quadruples, with the rooms being classed as Standard, Deluxe, and Superior, and the suites; Junior… > Read More

Majestic Baroque palace: A 300-year-old 5-star luxury hotel near Cologne and Düsseldorf. World-class dining: Home to Vendôme, a 3-Michelin-starred restaurant acclaimed as Germany’s best. Elegant rooms: Suites range up to 120 m², with marble bathrooms and Rhine Valley views. Lavish facilities: Full-service spa, multiple restaurants, lively bars, and exceptional service. Prime location: Overlooks Cologne Cathedral, with easy metro and airport access. Check dates & prices here   The 5-star Schloss… > Read More

Barberstown Castle in County Kildare, not far from Dublin, has 1000 years of Irish history to its name, and is now a highly rated 4 star castle hotel. The building does include a 13th-century castle, which you can explore (and arrange private dining in the old castle dining hall) but the 55 rooms & suites are all in the adjacent Elizabethan and Georgian manor houses. The hotel has been careful… > Read More

The 4 Star Château de Labro is a luxury vineyard hotel & spa near the town of Rodez in central France’s Occitanie region, previously known as Midi-Pyrénées. The medieval château oozes old-world elegance and the grounds have charming gardens, a swimming pool, orchards, and vineyards. There is a very fine restaurant at the château and the food and wine are superb. For an extra novel stay, if a medieval château… > Read More

Royal heritage: Built by Empress Victoria of Germany in 1893, with ties to the Prussian and British royal families. Notable former guests: Empress Victoria, U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower, and many more. Film connection: Used as Sandringham House in the Princess Diana film Spencer. 5-star luxury: Fine dining restaurant, beauty salon, English-style gardens, and 18-hole golf course. Lavish interiors: Packed with antiques and artwork from Titian, Rubens, and Gainsborough. Prime location:… > Read More

Chateau de Chantore is a truly gorgeous 18th-century era Norman chateau B&B, with a view of Mont-Saint-Michel, and surrounded by nearly fifty acres of peaceful woods and parkland which includes a lake. It has a selection of tremendously elegant rooms and suites that really are a treat for the eyes and, though modern with some touches, they are so in keeping with the historical fabric that you’d be forgiven for… > Read More

Historic significance: Childhood home of Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII’s second wife. Most notable guests: Queen Anne Boleyn, Queen Anne of Cleves. Accommodation: 28 B&B rooms in two Edwardian-era wings (Astor Wing & Anne Boleyn Wing). Exclusive access: Guests may explore the original 13th-century castle until midnight. Edwardian extensions: Built in 1903 by William Waldorf Astor in mock Tudor style, with dining and lounge areas. Interior style: Antique furniture, tapestries, and… > Read More

Very Historic: Cave Castle combines a ‘newer’ Victorian era grandeur with a history dating back to the Doomsday Book. Spacious rooms: Over 70 well-appointed doubles and twins, with castle rooms featuring historic character and four-poster beds. Extensive facilities: Includes a renowned health club, spa, beauty salon, and a full 18-hole golf course. Dining variety: Choose between formal meals at Windsor Restaurant or relaxed dining at the Courtyard Bistro. Accessible location:… > Read More

Fairytale setting: 14th-century Franconian castle perched above the town of Colmberg in northern Bavaria. Scenic routes: Located directly on both the Romantic Road and the Castle Road. Nearby gems: Close to Rothenburg ob der Tauber and the Franconian capital Ansbach. Historic charm: Castle origins from 1318, with a cosy, atmospheric feel and friendly staff. Hearty dining: Traditional Franconian and Bavarian dishes served in a medieval-style restaurant. Check dates & prices… > Read More

Most Notable Former Guests: Ferdinand II of Aragon, Isabella I of Castile… Castillo del Buen Amor/Buen Amor Castle near Salamanca, Spain, and less than two hours from Madrid, is a splendidly atmospheric place with a history going all the way back to 1227. The property is huge, with a great amount of common space; there are a total of seven living rooms, for example. Outside there are beautiful gardens, a… > Read More

Most Notable Former Guests: Richard Wagner, Jean Cocteau, Marlene Dietrich, The Dalai Lama…. The name Beau Rivage Hotel tends, these days, to be more associated with Lausanne than Geneva in Switzerland, Though its special concept of luxury is known around the world, the very first Beau Rivage was, and still very much is, a Geneva hotel. The Right Bank Geneva original no longer has any association with those who share… > Read More

The very pretty Chateau de Maraval is where 15th-century design meets 21st and somehow they get along quite nicely. Its unashamedly contemporary interior design is so well done it doesn’t seem at all incongruous on a five centuries-old canvas. The chateau is a boutique hotel but with only four rooms (book as quickly as you can!), very friendly hosts, and a down-to-earth atmosphere, it feels more like a gathering place… > Read More

Historic guests: King Edward I, Oliver Cromwell, Queen Victoria all stayed here. Atmospheric castle: Scotland’s oldest continually inhabited castle transformed into a luxury hotel. Accommodation: 29 plush B&B rooms offering comfort and charm. Facilities: Top-class restaurant, excellent spa, and woodland setting by the River Esk. History: Rich local and national historical significance adds to its allure.   Dalhousie Castle Hotel in Bonnyrigg near Edinburgh, has the distinction of being Scotland’s… > Read More

Most Notable Former Guests: Charles I & Zita, Last Emperors of Austria… The family & pet-friendly, Schloss Wartegg/Wartegg Castle Hotel has comfortable accommodation in a lovely setting by the shores of Lake Constance in Northeastern Switzerland. The castle dates back to 1558 and was the birthplace of Zita, the last Empress of Austria & Queen of Hungary, in the 19th century but was extensively renovated in the 1990s. The passage… > Read More

Hilltop setting – magical castle hotel overlooking Perugia, Umbria. Convenient location – just over 1 km from the old town, peaceful yet close to the city. Deeply Historic – 700-year-old building restored with respect for its history. Luxury done right – modern comforts blended subtly with heritage. Dining – two castle restaurants, including Michelin-starred Il Postale. Wellness – swimming pool and spa facilities on site. Family friendly – child friendly but… > Read More

Castlemartyr Castle Resort has 5-star accommodation near Midleton, East Cork, adjacent to the ruins of the 800-year-old castle that bears its name. The centrepiece building is the 18th-century manor house, but most of the 103 rooms and suites are in two adjacent modern wings. Castlemartyr Castle Resort at a Glance Castle: An 18th-century manor house beside the ruins of the 800-year-old castle that gives the resort its name. Accommodation: 103… > Read More

Elegance & space: Beautiful 400-year-old manor house with 1,000 acres of estate. Gardens & dining: Famous Victorian gardens and even more famous Michelin-starred restaurant. Notable Former Guests: Queen Mary, Gertrude Jekyll.   The 400-year-old Gravetye is a gorgeous 17-room boutique manor house hotel near East Grinstead, Sussex, Gatwick Airport, and just 30 miles from central London. It is surrounded by more than 1,000 acres of peaceful countryside including some deservedly… > Read More

Why we chose this castle hotel: Historic luxury castle: 12th-century era, immersive history. Thoroughly medieval: Retains defensive walls, moat, portcullis. Notable Former Guests: King Henry VIII, King Charles II, Queen Elizabeth II.. Enter your dates & check prices here   The 12th-century era Amberley Castle is a unique luxury hotel just south of London, in West Sussex, England with an impeccable historical pedigree. Some of England’s most famous historical figures… > Read More

Castillo de Arteaga is a fabulous Neo-Gothic castle hotel near Guernica in the rolling hills of the Basque Country. The present-day structure was built in honour of Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte, Prince Imperial of France, in the mid-19th century, on the site of a ruined castle dating from the mid-15th century. Its four grand towers now make a very imposing sight over the wilds of the Urdaibai Nature Reserve and its interiors… > Read More

Historic Cumbrian castle: Augill Castle in Upper Eden Valley, nearly 200 years old, homely luxury. Beautiful surroundings: North Pennines, Yorkshire Dales, Lakeland Fells nearby. Enter your dates & check prices here   The enchanting Augill Castle Hotel has stood proud in Cumbria, England’s, Upper Eden Valley, for nearly two hundred years. It also has some of the country’s loveliest rural regions at its doorstep – the North Pennines, the Yorkshire… > Read More

Neo-Gothic castle hotel: Striking Gothic atmosphere, famous filming location, and a landmark in Windsor. Expansive grounds: 33 acres with gardens, woodland, golf, tennis, spa, pool, and fine dining. Notable Former Guests: Prince Imperial Napoléon, Lilly Langtry, Christopher Lee. Enter your dates & check prices here.   Perhaps Windsor’s most famous hotel, the luxury Oakley Court is a fabulous Neo-Gothic castle hotel on the banks of the River Thames. It has… > Read More

Parador de Chinchón is a 17th century convent palace, in a charming little town near Madrid, now converted into very classy, stylish and friendly hotel. Kudos go to the interior designers here for keeping a perfect balance between the modern and the historic. The exteriors are very much old style (apart from the obviously modern outdoor swimming pool) and beautifully atmospheric, with a lovely old cloister and traditional gardens perfect… > Read More

Tiara Chateau Hotel Mont Royal Chantilly, to give it its full title, is a lavishly beautiful, 5-star chateau hotel near Paris, France with a sublime hilltop setting overlooking the ancient royal hunting grounds of Chantilly Forest. The chateau is quite a sight from the outside and was certainly built to impress. It is towering and commanding and yet elegant and refined. The interiors are more simple and understated than you… > Read More

UK visitors may know Chateau Mareuil from the Channel 4 series, Escape to the Chateau DIY, which ended in 2021. It’s a very charming 15th-century chateau with a lovely setting overlooking the Asse valley in the Hautes Vienne region of France. It has, as fans of the series will know, been painstakingly restored and the result is a chateau guest house with an authentic look and feel. The environment is… > Read More

Wine & estate – 7,100-acre Brunello-producing castle estate near Montalcino. History – 12th-century castle and 17th-century hamlet with vineyard views. Rooms – 14 boutique rooms and suites, 40–110 m², modern amenities included. Dining – Three restaurants, from casual to fine dining, plus enoteca tastings. Facilities – Pool, gardens, gym, massage pavilion, cookery school. Wine experiences – Vineyard tours, tastings, picnics, local wine visits. Location – Near Montalcino, under 1 hour to… > Read More

Tudor Era: Castle with beautiful grounds and a 500-year-old vineyard. Luxury B&B: Combines period features with modern comforts. Activities: Private massages, fine dining, and outdoor activities available. Most Notable Former Guests: King Henry VIII & Anne Boleyn. Enter your dates and check prices here   Thornbury Castle Hotel is a true luxury B&B retreat at the edge of the South Gloucestershire Cotswolds, and one of the finest examples in England… > Read More

Star-studded guests: Wagner, Brahms, Emperor Franz Joseph I, Queen Elizabeth II, and Charlie Chaplin among many others. Palatial grandeur: Built in 1866 as Palais Württemberg, later transformed into Vienna’s finest hotel. Belle Époque luxury: Marble halls, chandeliers, statues, and timeless Austro-Hungarian elegance blended with modern comforts. Royal treatment: Suites come with personal butlers; service remains famously formal, polished, and discreet. Fine dining: Michelin-starred OPUS restaurant, Imperial Café with Viennese classics,… > Read More

Ireland’s oldest still inhabited castle is the imposing, 12th-century era, Kilkea Castle, in Kildare, near Dublin. Now a castle hotel, it is one of the finest in the country. It has an abundance of historical character and is surrounded by a 180-acre estate which includes some beautifully tended gardens, much wild parkland and woodland, and even its own 18-hole golf course. Kilkea Castle at a Glance Castle: A 12th-century castle… > Read More