Dog/Pet Friendly Castle Stays – 2026

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

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

Fabulous views: Overlooks Isle of Mull, Atlantic Ocean, and Hebridean islands. Choice of rooms: Self-catering apartments in the castle and former stables. Elegant furnishings: Warm colours, Victorian-style baths, and comfortable decor. Food options: Coffee shop, deli, and nearby pubs; owners provide fine whisky tastings. Outdoor activities: Guided walks, wildlife spotting, whale watching, and estate exploration. Accessible location: Northern tip of Mull, close to Tobermory with ferry access from Oban. Historical… > 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

Scenic Setting: Near Tarbert on the Kintyre Peninsula, with a peaceful location overlooking Loch Fyne. Historic Charm: Built in 1837 in Scottish baronial style, retains much of its original character. Comfortable Rooms: 36 cosy guest rooms, classed as Classic or Deluxe, some with loch views. Dining & Drinks: Award-winning restaurant, with local seafood a highlight, and bar with a wide selection of whiskies. Activities Nearby: Fishing, horse riding, golf, scenic… > Read More

The lovely Melville Castle Hotel, just a half an hour from Edinburgh, sits on a 54 acre private estate with eight centuries of Scottish history. The present castle building was built in the late 18th century and had King George IV, Sir Walter Scott and Queen Victoria among its most notable visitors. It’s been renovated and modernized plenty since then obviously, and the interiors are a real treat. The interior… > Read More

Prestigious address: Grade II listed landmark on Hyde Park Corner, one of London’s finest locations. Unmatched luxury: Lavish late Georgian/Regency interiors with 24-hour butlers for all rooms. World-class dining: Double Michelin Starred Céleste Restaurant and vintage cognac at the Library Bar. Award-winning spa: Previously voted England’s Best Hotel Spa, with bespoke treatments. Exceptional service: Elite concierge team, chauffeur-driven Rolls Royces. Check dates & prices here   The Lanesborough, on Hyde… > Read More

Top of the range, luxury hotel, one of the South West England’s very best. Great facilities include Michelin-starred restaurant, golf, tennis, croquet, and manicured gardens. Gorgeous, quintessential English village of Castle Combe provides the perfect setting.   The Manor House in Castle Combe is a quintessentially English, luxury castle hotel next to what is undoubtedly Wiltshire’s, and the Cotswold’s, loveliest village. The Manor dates all the way back to the 14th… > Read More

Notable guests: Mahatma Gandhi, John Profumo, Christine Keeler, Harold Macmillan. Royal connection: Meghan Markle stayed here before her wedding to Prince Harry. National Trust: Property open to the public seasonally with grounds accessible year-round. Historic scandal: Site of the 1960s Profumo affair, adding a touch of notorious glamour. Luxury hotel: 5-star manor house near London with top service and facilities. Enter your dates & check prices here.   Meghan Markle… > Read More

Hilltop fortress: A medieval stronghold overlooking Lake Edersee and Kellerwald-Edersee Nature Reserve. Historic yet modern: Exterior remains castle-like while interiors lean sleek and contemporary. Stylish rooms: Boutique hotel feel with touches of medieval character. Dining variety: Gourmet restaurant in a medieval hall, plus modern café, bar, and lounge. Spa facilities: Relax in a wellness area with castle views. Check dates & prices here   The 4 Star Schloss Waldeck is… > Read More

Historic hilltop castle: Dating back nearly 1,000 years, overlooking the village of Elgersburg. Charming rooms: Cosy standard and deluxe options blending medieval character with modern comfort. Authentic dining: Traditional German cuisine served in a grand hall, plus house-brewed Elgersburger Beer. Guided castle tours: Learn the rich history dating back to the 12th century. Scenic location: At the edge of the Thuringian Forest, with Goethe connections and Weimar nearby. Most Notable… > Read More

Exclusive retreat – medieval castle hotel, and restored hamlet available entirely for guest stays. Scenic setting – classic Tuscan hilltop village surrounded by 1000 acres of forest. Authentic lodging – B&B rooms and self-catering apartments in village houses, historic yet comfortable. Medieval atmosphere – no TVs to preserve the historic charm. Guest facilities – swimming pool, top-class restaurant La Torre di Gargonza, and rustic bar café. Outdoor spaces – lemon… > 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

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

Château Marteret is a fairytale-like, luxury chateau for rent in the heart of Gascony, South West France, near both Bordeaux and the foothills of the Pyrenees. It has eight bedrooms and can sleep up to fourteen people very comfortably. The beautifully renovated interiors are minimalist and chic, maintaining loads of historical charm. Surrounding the chateau are over 400 acres of estate to be explored, including orchards, woodland, meadows, a lake,… > Read More

This Castle Hotel’s Highlights: Iconic villa – 5-star Arabesque villa on Lake Orta, built in 1879 with stunning minaret and unique historic design. Rooms – Classic rooms to spacious suites with romantic décor, antiques, four-poster beds, and modern amenities. Dining – Two Michelin-starred restaurant with creative Italian cuisine and a 1,800-label wine collection. Wellness – Cooking classes and Chandra Deva wellness centre offering Indian-inspired treatments. Outdoors – Gardens, lakeside walks,… > 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

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

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

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

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

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

Iconic castle – 13th-century landmark with views of Siena and the Crete Senesi plains. Historic charm – preserved rustic atmosphere with limited modernization. Italianate gardens – beautifully maintained grounds for peaceful strolls. Family-run – welcoming hosts also manage an organic farm, vineyards, and a farm restaurant nearby. Flexible lodging – B&B rooms and self-catering apartments for up to four guests. Family & pet friendly – children and pets are welcome…. > 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

Hilltop castle hotel – 11th-century property near Montalcino with panoramic Brunello vineyard views. Exclusive retreat – intensely luxurious but with a notable price tag. Standout amenities – extensive spa and wellness, including natural thermal spring baths. Fine dining – two on-site restaurants that hold Michelin stars. Accommodation range – rooms to opulent suites (one with private pool) and spacious self-catering apartments.   Castello di Velona is a stunning 5-star, 11th-century… > Read More

Why we chose this castle for rent: Romantic folly retreat: 19th-century Gothic tower hidden in Snowdonia, now a unique self-catering holiday stay. Charming interiors: Two cosy bedrooms, bright living spaces, and sweeping views from the top floor. Modern comforts: Kitchen, wood-burning stove, WiFi, TV, and a spacious roll-top bath. Prime location: Set in stunning countryside near mountains, coast, and picturesque Welsh villages. Rich heritage: Linked to Owain Gwynedd, built by… > 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

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

  Notable guests: Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth II & Prince Philip, plus celebrities like Sean Connery and Elton John. Hotel style: 5 Star loch side baronial mansion in the Scottish Highlands near Ben Nevis. Luxury dining: Renowned restaurant by Albert & Michel Roux Jnr with modern British cuisine and French influences. Estate size: 42,000-acre grounds with forests, rivers, mountains, wildlife, and gardens to explore. Activities: Hiking, 4WD tours, horse riding,… > 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

The 17th-century era Château de Tourreau is without doubt one of the finest châteaux for rent in Provence, and indeed one of Provence’s finest properties in general. It has been beautifully renovated in keeping with its historical spirit, but with 21st-century conveniences and facilities, and the interior design is immaculate at every turn. It also has 17 acres of private parkland which includes a historic consecrated chapel, meticulously designed gardens… > Read More

The Napoleon III-era Château de Sacy is now a sophisticated boutique hotel near Reim in the heart of France’s Champagne region and just over an hour from Paris. With just 12 rooms and suites it is a homely, intimate place, which has friendly, helpful staff, an excellent restaurant, and sweeping views over the surrounding vineyards. The Rooms: Your choices are between classic, superior, and deluxe rooms and two lovely 50… > 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: Grace Kelly, Jacques Chirac, Queen Elizabeth II… The magnificent walled city of Carcassonne, France, is certainly a wondrous sight. The words ‘walled city’ can be used to refer to a huge number of cities around the world but in Carcassonne’s case the ‘walls’ are more castle ramparts than walls and so, rather excitingly, it could be said that Carcassonne is a city within a castle. So… > Read More

Famous guests: Sir Winston Churchill being one example. Secluded location: Hidden in the forests of South Ayrshire. Architecture: Designed by David Bryce in the 1860s in Scottish Baronial style. Luxury: 5-star service, Michelin Star-winning restaurant, elegant period features, landscaped gardens and sea views. Enter your dates and check prices here   Glenapp is a very charming boutique castle hotel tucked away in the forests of South Ayrshire, Scotland. It has,… > 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

Historic luxury – 5-star Four Seasons in Florence, set in 15th-16th century palaces with 11-acre walled gardens. Elegant rooms – 116 rooms & suites, from deluxe doubles to the 234 m² Royal Suite, with marble bathrooms and fine linens. Fine dining – Michelin-starred Il Palagio, casual poolside options, and Atrium Bar for cocktails and tea. Spa & leisure – Top hotel spa, pool, gym, jacuzzis, and tranquil gardens for picnics or… > Read More

Most Notable Former Guests: Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, Mikhail Gorbachev… The very exclusive Dolder Grand, long regarded as one of Europe’s best hotels, sits on a hill overlooking Zurich, Switzerland, a city in which it is very much an iconic building. It first served as a Curhaus or health spa in the late 19th century and still does today though with much more modern facilities at its 4,000-meter spa. It has… > 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

Near St Tropez and the Riviera, this 5 Star French château hotel is a slice of heaven in rural Provence, and guaranteed to please lovers of nature, wine, and food. The vast majority of the 1,235-acre estate is left to the supervision of Mother Nature and is a classic Provençal mix of garrigue and centuries-old trees. They have some charming gardens too, which include a swimming pool, and surrounding it… > Read More

Unique setting: One of our most special castle hotels, proudly ‘in the middle of nowhere.’ Rich history: 13th-century era Mingary Castle Hotel has seen Scotland’s history first hand. Expert restoration: Two years of delicate work preserved the 9-foot-thick defensive walls and Georgian-era residence. Luxury today: Now one of Scotland’s and Britain’s most unique luxury hotels. Strategic location: Situated near Kilchoan on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula, the most westerly point on the… > Read More

Black Forest charm: Medieval castle surrounded by its own vineyards near Baden-Baden and Karlsruhe. Michelin-star dining: Home to Werner’s, a celebrated restaurant with cooking classes available. Fairytale setting: Castle perched above Gernsbach with sweeping views of the Murg Valley. Luxury stay: Rooms in the adjacent manor house offer comfort with a touch of old-world atmosphere. Wine & wellness: Estate vineyards, tours, tastings, and easy access to spa-town Baden-Baden. Check dates… > 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

Why we chose this castle hotel: Grand 5-star manor, blending classic British elegance with modern comforts. Set on Dartmoor, with 275+ acres of countryside, gardens, and golf course. Variety of stays, from castle rooms to spacious self-catering estate lodges. Extensive facilities, including spa, indoor pool, fine dining, and outdoor activities. Rich history, from aristocratic retreat to wartime hospital to luxury hotel.   The very grand, 5-star Bovey Castle is a… > 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

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

5 Star Georgian manor hotel: Stylish blend of historic and contemporary. Stunning setting: Lovely gardens flow down to the Exe estuary and Jurassic Coast. Award-winning dining: Michelin-starred restaurant within six months of opening. Enter your dates & check prices here   The 5-star Lympstone Manor Hotel in South Devon is a Georgian-era manor house turned exclusive contemporary hotel that has realistic ambitions to become one of South West England’s very… > 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

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

In County Clare, near Shannon Airport and the Cliffs of Moher, the 5 star Dromoland Castle is very much one of Ireland’s best castle hotels, and best hotels in general, it can be said. It has history too of course, a full thousand years of it, though the present castle structure is 19th century Gothic Revival. It was very closely associated with the O’Brien clan, direct descendants of Ireland’s most famous… > 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