Best Dog/Pet Friendly Castle Stays - 2021

A strong candidate for Florence’s best hotel, the 5 star Four Seasons Gherardesca Palace Hotel is a veritable oasis in the heart of one of the world’s most visited cities. It has 11 acres of peaceful walled gardens to separate you from the tourist masses and, though the exteriors are relatively unassuming, the lavish interiors are an incredible, Renaissance era, feast for the eyes. Housed between the 15th century Palazzo della Gherardesca, which served as a private residence for Florentine nobility (including one Pope) and a 16th century convent across the gardens known as La Villa, it has a tremendous sense of history and is incredibly rich in historic features, right down to the smallest detail. Frescoes, stuccos, bas-reliefs and even old silk wallpapers have been carefully restored, magnificent pieces of classical art abound, and the whole hotel has the look and feel of a living museum. Facilities include a large outdoor pool nicely set in the gardens, perhaps Florence’s best spa facilities, and perhaps its best restaurant in the form of the Michelin starred Il Palagio. THE ACCOMMODATION: You can choose from 116 rooms and suites, from superior and deluxe double rooms all the way up to some tremendously READ MORE

If food, wine, history and romance are important factors in choosing a hotel, but you prefer the modern over the rustic, then Stromburg Castle near the Hunsrück mountains and the River Rhine is a solid choice. It is owned by one of Germany’s most famous TV chefs, the Michelin Star award winning Johann Lafer and is something of a place of pilgrimage for food lovers in the north west of the country. The castle, which dates back to the 11th century is located above the tiny village of Stromberg, at the edge of the mountains, and has sweeping views over the surrounding countryside. It is a boutique hotel with a small number of modern, contemporary style rooms, and a classy, refined atmosphere throughout. THE ACCOMMODATION: There are only 14, very sleek, rooms and suites at Stromburg and so booking ahead is well advised. The style of the rooms is best described as contemporary, minimalist chic so if you want the feeling of waking up in the 16th century then this isn’t the place for you. They have all the comfort and facilities (smart TVs, ipod docks, espresso machines etc.)  of modern luxury hotel rooms but transplanted into a medieval castle. READ MORE

The four star 19th century Château Hotel Grand Barrail lies among some beautiful countryside near to 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, and is particularly known for two things, its food; the kitchen, run by Chef Romain Gondras serves up some of the most innovative cuisine in the region, and its extensive spa which has two hammams, two saunas, a hot tub, various treatment and fitness rooms and a wide choice of Cinq Mondes body treatments. THE ACCOMMODATION: Between the château and its three neighbouring annexes there is a choice of over 40 rooms and suites. Check out all your options on the booking page here. Most of them have a terrace or balcony from where you can enjoy views over the surrounding vineyards and all are extremely comfortable and clean. Though these days they are quite modern in style they still retain a certain, quite old fashioned, opulent charm. They have the usual modern comforts of course; flat screen TV, WiFi, study and seating area, as well as some beautiful en-suite bathrooms. The château itself is of course very READ MORE

Château Marteret is a fairly tale like, luxury chateau for rent in the heart of Gascony, South West France, near to 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, and maintain loads of historical charm. Surrounding the chateau there are over 400 acres of estate to be explored which include orchards, woodland, meadows, a lake and a small herd of Meren horses. ACCOMMODATION: The chateau has a total of six spacious double bedrooms and one twin. It also has five very nice bathrooms some with romantic bath tubs, an elegant, French country style kitchen (catering services can also be arranged though if you don’t feel like cooking), dining room, and lounges and sitting areas with comfortable seating and stylish furniture. The chateau itself is undoubtedly beautiful and atmospheric but for many the estate’s private grounds make a stay there extra special. They cover nearly 450 acres in total and you can go swimming and sailing (there is a small boat there to use) in the large lake, sunbathe on its sandy shore, wander for hours around the meadow fields, READ MORE

Il Castello Delle Quattro Torra – the castle of the four towers – is an iconic sight on the outskirts of the walled city of Siena, Tuscany, and comes with tremendous views over the city on one side and the great plains of the Crete Senesi on the other. It dates all the way back to the 13th century and has been a Siena landmark ever since. Much may have changed since then but luckily, in its present incarnation as a B&B, the family owners decided not to modernize it too much. Inside and out it has a tangible historic feel, with the modern niceties you would expect in such a well regarded place not being allowed to intrude too much on the rustic, authentic atmosphere. Outside it is surrounded by beautifully tended Italianate gardens which are a pleasure to stroll around. You’ll find the owners warm and friendly, along with the B&B they also run an organic farm, vineyards and farm restaurant a few minutes’s down the road – be sure to sample some of their excellent food and wine there. READ MORE

Perched on a hilltop overlooking its 600 acre estate and vineyard Castello di Gabiano, near Casale Monferrato, Alessandria and  Turin is an arresting sight at first glance. The views from the castle too are tremendous – with the Alps to the north and the great plains of Piedmont to the south. The castle hotel is a very stylish, boutique luxury affair. The accommodation comprises both B&B rooms and self catering apartments and all are beautifully renovated with medieval features now blending seamlessly with modern Italian country chic styling. The estate is well known in Piedmont for its fine wines and a visit to the cellars and a vineyard tour is a nice way to pass the day. Their restaurant is highly praised too for its modern takes on traditional north Italian and its always fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Outside, apart from the vineyards and castle gardens, there is also a swimming pool and a fishing lake.   READ MORE

Cave Castle is a luxury historic hotel retreat near Hull, and York and Leeds, with superb facilities including an 18-hole golf course and a top of the range health club with spa facilities. The place goes back a long way – a dwelling on the site was first recorded in the Doomsday Book of the 11th century though the present grandiose castle, in reality a Victorian folly, was built in 1875. THE ACCOMMODATION: The hotel’s 70 plus rooms (all doubles or twins) are located between the castle and two newer wings which are more modern and contemporary in style. They are all spacious, comfortable and well appointed but with the castle rooms having the most historic character and many have four poster beds. If you’d particularly like a castle room, as opposed to a room in the more modern wings, you have the option of dropping them a note after booking and they will arrange. If it’s not possible for whatever reason our affiliate partnership with Booking.com allows you free cancellation. PRICES: Check out all the details – prices, reviews and more photos – on the booking page here. FACILITIES & THINGS TO DO: The castle is a grand old building READ MORE

Most Famous Former Guests: Empress Victoria of Germany (& Queen of Prussia), U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower. In the lovely old spa town of Kronberg, and conveniently near Frankfurt Airport, Germany, Schlosshotel Kronberg is a beautifully evocative building, both inside and out. Though only dating back about 130 years it has plenty of 19th & 20th century historical intrigue and big connections to both the Prussian and British Royal Families (see the history section below). On the subject of the latter – Schlosshotel Kronberg was recently chosen to double for Sandringham House in the upcoming film Spencer, starring Kristen Stewart and based upon the life of Princess Diana. It is these days a top of the range 5 Star Hotel, undoubtedly one of the best in Germany, with tremendous facilities including an 18 hole golf course, a fantastic fine dining restaurant, a beauty salon and beautifully atmospheric old English style gardens. The interiors are resplendent with an amazing array of antiques and art pieces; treasures such as original paintings by Titian, Rubens and Gainsborough, and the whole experience is one of tremendous grandeur and opulence. There is hardly a thing out of place anywhere, and though the rooms and suites are READ MORE

Most Famous Guests: Meghan Markle, Mahatma Gandhi, John Profumo, Christine Keeler. Meghan Markle left Cliveden House, near Windsor, on the morning of Saturday 19th May, for her wedding to Prince Harry having spend her last night as a single woman there (previous divorce aside!). We can’t be sure how much time she spent considering her accommodation options in the area but whichever way the highly glamorous Cliveden House was an excellent choice. From April to October on Thursdays and Sundays the doors of, at least part of, the magnificent property, are open to the admiring gaze of the public while all year round its beautifully manicured grounds are on display until evening. It’s a National Trust property, and one which attracts visitors from all around England and indeed the world but, unlike most other National Trust properties, Cliveden House is of course also a top of the range, 5 star luxury castle hotel, conveniently near London. The hotel possesses the sort of dubious glamour that is irresistible to many visitors, for you cannot mention Clivedon House without making reference to one of the most famous ever scandals in British Political history, the so called Profumo affair of the 1960s, an affair which READ MORE

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Most Famous Former Guests: King Edward I (Longshanks), Oliver Cromwell, Queen Victoria. Dalhousie Castle Hotel in Bonnyrigg near Edinburgh, has the distinction of being Scotland’s oldest continually inhabited castle, one which has now been transformed into a uniquely atmospheric luxury hotel. With 29 plush B&B rooms, a top class restaurant, excellent spa facilities and a serene woodland setting by the banks of the River Esk, it is one of eastern Scotland’s finest hotels. It can also boast an incredible amount of local and national history (see the history section below) that few hotels, castle hotels or otherwise, can easily match. THE ACCOMMODATION: The castle has a great selection of luxury B&B bedrooms and suites, all of them with modern comforts and facilities but with classic styling and warm inviting colours. Some of the suites, though obviously expensive, are the last word in grandeur and opulence. 29 of the units are within the castle while six of them are located in the lodge, a nice old style country house hidden in the woods. Guests of either though can of course enjoy full access to the common areas of the castle and the grounds. PRICES: Check out all the details – prices, READ MORE

Most Famous Guest: Sir Winston Churchill. Glenapp is an extremely charming luxury castle hotel hidden away in the forests of South Ayrshire, near Glasgow, Scotland. It has, since its inception in the year 2000, offered the best in five star luxury with consistently high levels of hospitality and friendly service. Designed by renowned architect David Bryce in the 1860’s, it is to this day one of the finest examples around of the Scottish Baronial style of architecture. It is filled with elegant period features and furnishings, has a world class, Michelin Star winning, restaurant, and with acres of landscaped gardens, sea views and a secluded forest setting it makes for a wonderfully romantic hideaway. ACCOMMODATION: There are seventeen B&B rooms and suites to choose from at Glenapp Castle. Many of them (on the upper floors) have sea views where you can look out upon the famous volcanic rock of Ailsa Craig, the Isle of Arran and Holy Island in the distance, and on clear days it’s even possible to catch a glimpse of the hills of Antrim far across the water in Ireland. These are more expensive, naturally, than the ground floor rooms but you will find all of their rooms super comfortable, spacious READ MORE

Most Famous Guests: Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, Mikhail Gorbachev.  The very exclusive Dolder Grand, long regarded as one of Europe’s best hotels, sits on 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 two fairly distinct sections, the old, Belle Époque era castle building with its copper topped turrets and the newer (completed 2008) modernist wings on either side. The addition of newer sections to historical hotels is a tricky business and many have made serious blunders with such adventures, but not the Dolder Grand. The new sections are Norman Foster designed, he of the Gherkin & Wembley Stadium in London, and Hearst Tower in New York amongst others, and are a typically elegant, sweeping blend of steel, stone and glass. Both buildings, though over a century apart in style, accentuate each other in an uncommonly aesthetic way. Two other major things to note about the Dolder Grand are its tremendous two Michelin Star restaurant and its extensive private art collection with over 100 works by READ MORE

The very grand, 5 Star Bovey Castle is a Dartmoor and South Devon institution. It  has served as a luxury hotel for nearly 90 years now and still has oodles of old fashioned British elegance and class. It has a gorgeous setting too, by the River Bovey and Dartmoor National Park, and a vast country estate surrounding it that includes one of England’s finest golf courses. ACCOMMODATION: They have 60 rooms at the castle, singles and doubles, and family rooms that can sleep up to four. Out on the estate grounds there are also a number three-bedroom, three bathroom, self catering lodges. All the rooms are spacious, comfortable and well appointed, with the style being modest, understated luxury. The colour schemes are demure and soothing, fabrics are soft and inviting, and everything has a whiff of early 20th century class, despite the large flat screen satellite TVs and Nespresso coffee makers. Little touches include thick bathrobes, slippers, luxury ESPA toiletries, complimentary bottled water and decanters of estate produced sloe gin. The estate lodges are a relatively new addition and therefore more modern in style, though not glaringly so. They are well equipped, spacious and will probably suit families whose children 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 include a historic consecrated chapel, meticulously designed gardens (with a large swimming pool and tennis courts), as well as woodlands, orchards, streams and a small lake. THE ACCOMMODATION: Note: There is a 3 night minimum stay at this property. The interiors cover at least 800 square metres, with nine double and twin bedrooms in total. On the ground and first floor you have three master bedrooms with queen sized beds and ensuite bathrooms. And on the second, six more bedrooms all of which are also ensuite; one with king size bed, two with queen size, two with standard doubles and one with twin beds. Other rooms at the property include a lovely formal dining hall, a library, a large kitchen and three reception rooms. The Château’s internal courtyard is an extra charming feature with its fountains READ MORE

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Most Famous Guests: Victor Hugo, Charlie Chaplin, Coco Chanel. The 5 star Beau Rivage Palace sits in 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 discerning of luxury hotel aficionados. It has four restaurants to choose from all of which are excellent quality but with one particularly stealing the show; the 2 Michelin starred Anne-Sophie Pic at Beau-Rivage Palace. Add to that some chic bars and lounges, some very opulent Cinq Mondes spa facilities, tennis courts, swimming pools, hot tubs, and from beginning to end extremely high levels of service, and it becomes easy to understand why Beau Rivage Palace is one of Switzerland’s very best luxury hotel resorts. It is also a place of great historical and political importance with, on 24 July 1923, the Treaty of Lausanne being signed here and, in April 2015, negotiations on the Iran nuclear deal framework taking place with foreign ministers from Iran, the U.S.A. and the European Union amongst READ MORE

The 5 Star Schloss Bensberg Hotel, near Cologne & Düsseldorf, Germany, is a quite majestic, and quite enormous, 300 year old Baroque Palace with gorgeous gardens, a host of superb facilities and what many consider to be Germany’s very best restaurant; the 3 Michelin Star winning, Vendôme. Everything about Schloss Bensberg is of the highest quality, it is an extremely elegant property which has added modern features and facilities carefully and with great style, and it retains for the most part a wonderfully old European, Belle Epoque era ambience. ACCOMMODATION: Their rooms and suites run from basic doubles and singles right up to 120 meter square suites, the most opulent of all being the  the Presidential, which has a private sauna and hot tub, and stunning views of the Rhine Valley and Cologne Cathedral. In between are various ‘deluxe’ & ‘superior’ rooms, and smaller suites all of which will not disappoint in terms of space, comfort, interior design or features. If budget allows, avoid the basic single and double rooms as they are the only ones that may possibly disappoint in such a fabulous hotel. In room facilities include some wonderful marble bathrooms, WiFi, cable TV, free mini bars, plush READ MORE

The spectacular Château Gütsch is a Lucerne, Switzerland, landmark  — a fairytale like, 19th century folly castle, it sits high on a hilltop with stunning views over the city and Lake Lucerne. The setting is peaceful and isolated but the hotel has its own historical funicular which runs from 4.30am until 1.15am and so guests can come and go to the city in a matter of minutes. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have a choice of 31 spacious rooms and suites at Chateau Gutsch with the rooms, both doubles and triples, being pretty much identical except for the view. There is an extra premium for the ‘Lake View’ rooms which have those magnificent views over the city and the lake from their windows, while the others have views of the surrounding forest. Then there are the Junior and Deluxe suites both of which are really quite beautiful and, if budget allows, worth the extra. They have those tremendous views too and are lavishly decorated. The Junior suites cover around 40 m², and the Deluxe 73 m², but what makes the deluxe the real show stealers is their huge terrace, 82 m² of it, even larger than the suite itself. You’ll find all READ MORE

The 4 Star Schloss Waldeck is a stunning hilltop castle overlooking Kellerwald-Edersee Nature Reserve and Lake Edersee itself. It is a jaw dropping sight – it has the look and feel of exactly what is is – a medieval hill fortress protecting this very strategic part of Hesse for nearly a thousand years, as well as the ancient home of the Counts of Waldeck. Externally much of it looks unchanged for centuries and the views from it are simply breath taking. Internally though the design veers towards the modern, though will still many of the old features on display. The rooms are generally sleek and modern too, they feel like those of a boutique luxury city hotel, but with a dash of historic flavour. The restaurant is a classy affair, with modern international and German fare, but in a quite medieval dining room. There is also a stylish, more modern cafe, sleek bar & lounge areas, and spa facilities.   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 might expect for such a lavish building but have oodles of old style, Belle Epoque charm. Their rooms and suites are suitably luxurious and elegant, and the hotel has superb facilities including a fine dining restaurant, a spa, swimming pool, tennis courts, pétanque course and more, plus the surrounding forest is perfect for long leisurely strolls and cycles, with bikes being available from the hotel. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have a total of 108 sound-proofed rooms and suites at the chateau, all of which are doubles and range from classic rooms through executive and deluxe rooms right up to Royal/Presidential Suites. They vary greatly in size from 25 to 115 m² but they all share the same sense of old fashioned French style and class, with lots of period decor READ MORE

Château de Fonscolombe is a magnificent 18th-century château built in the Italianite 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. ACCOMMODATION: They have a 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 and Prestige. The Prestige Suites are the ultimate in style and class, and a lavishly romantic feast for the senses, but even the most standard rooms at Château de Fonscolombe, though more minimalist, are also elegant and chic. The entire château is immaculately restored, in formal 18th-century style and is a great pleasure to wander around. It has numerous lavish salons and intimate spaces to lounge in, and a great array of old art and antique furniture to be admired. There is a fine restaurant here, a separate lounge bar, spa facilities and an outdoor heated swimming pool in the beautifully tended gardens. PRICES: Check out all the details – prices, reviews and more photos – on the booking page here. FACILITIES & THINGS TO DO: L’Orangerie is the hotel READ MORE

Most Famous 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 popular is it though that the hordes of tourists that descend on it every summer can take somewhat from the experience that such a stirring sight can promise. The walled city of Carcassonne has though a, not so little, secret that those in the know can use to take in all that medieval atmosphere without the masses. The secret is Hotel de la Cité, a beautifully crafted Neo-Gothic castle hotel tucked into the ramparts of the ancient walls that apart from being, in itself, a gorgeous and atmospheric property and the city’s only five star hotel, also gives access to the walls around which you can wander freely in the peace of the evening or night when all the tourists are gone. THE ACCOMMODATION: Hôtel De La Cité is undoubtedly Carcassonne’s READ MORE

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Near to St Tropez and the French Riviera, this 5 Star château hotel is a slice of heaven in rural Provence and a place guaranteed to greatly please lovers of nature, wine and food. The vast majority of the 1,235 acres 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 a vast 320 acres of vineyards. Their vineyards have been producing Provençal wines and rosés for over three hundred years, with their wines being consistently well rated. There are two fine restaurants at the hotel to enjoy too, one of which, Jardin de Benjamin, was awarded a Michelin star in 2017. They also have top of the range spa facilities and lots of activities on offer. Wine tasting, cellar & vineyard tours etc. are the first to spring to mind but also things like reiki and yoga, guided botanical walks, quad biking and the traditional French sport of Pétanque (boules). THE ACCOMMODATION: They have 27 spacious rooms and suites which generally have a rustic, country-chic vibe. With tiled floors, floral fabrics and much elegant antique furniture READ MORE

Most Famous Guests: King Henry VIII & Anne Boleyn. 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 of a genuine, immaculately preserved, Tudor castle. You can soak up history with a stroll through the castle itself and its beautifully tended grounds which include, surprisingly enough, a 500 year old vineyard, or treat yourself to a massage in the privacy of your own bedchamber and also enjoy some of the Cotswold’s very best food at the castle restaurant. THE ACCOMMODATION: The castle has 27 rooms in total ranging from classic baronial style bedchambers to some quite lovely superior and deluxe rooms and suites, as well as a cute two bedroom annex cottage in the castle yard. Check your options on the booking page here. Most of the beds are four poster or coronet in style and you’ll find period features throughout, including, in some rooms, an old style fireplace. Their bathrooms are suitably luxurious too and all in all no modern comforts are spared. FACILITIES & THINGS TO DO:   The castle has plenty of common areas; opulent old style sitting rooms and of course READ MORE

The enchanting Augill Castle Hotel has stood proud in Cumbria, England’s Upper Eden Valley for nearly two hundred years now and has some of the country’s loveliest rural regions at its doorstep – the North Pennines, the Yorkshire Dales and the Lakeland Fells. Built in 1841, in the very popular at the time, Neo-Gothic style, it started life as a grand country retreat and is still as grand as ever in its present incarnation as a luxury hotel. It is a very homely place, one which eschews needless formality and offers more the feeling of a stay with long lost relatives. THE ACCOMMODATION:  They have a range of rooms, suites and self catering apartments of various sizes to sleep up to four per unit. All have seating areas and most have open fireplaces and baths too. Check your options on the booking page here. You will find all the accommodation spacious and well turned out with the interior design showing a nice blend of styles from Victorian rustic country chic to bright and bold contemporary, and with some nice, creatively quirky, touches here and there too. There is a strong emphasis on comfort here, with plush soft fabrics and the READ MORE

The Manor House Hotel, Castle Combe, has been removed from our listings. It can still though be found, and booked, here at Booking.com: The Manor House Hotel at Booking.com.   To browse our recommended castle hotels in England click here: Best Castle Stays in England – 2021                   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 century but the present building and the general ambience lie firmly in the Victorian and Edwardian eras. The hotel has extremely high levels of service and comfort, and an elegant sophisticated ambience throughout. It also has superb facilities including a Michelin starred restaurant; The Bybrook, a full 18 hole championship golf course, tennis courts, a croquet lawn and some gorgeously well manicured Classic, Gothic & Italianate gardens THE ACCOMMODATION: There are 48 indulgent bedrooms & suites, to sleep up to three, in both the main manor house and in the Mews Cottages which lie along the lane between the main building and the village. Some rooms are relatively modern but READ MORE

Most famous former guest: King Edward VII. Pentillie Castle is a stunning Grade II listed Georgian manor house for rent in the heart of the Tamar Valley on the Cornwall & Devon borders. It has a history going back to the 17th century, is immaculately renovated inside and comes with 55 acres of woodland and gardens. The location too is excellent, being just off the A38 and a short drive from Dartmoor National Park, Bodmin Moor, The Eden Project, various beaches and some of the West Country’s loveliest villages. THE ACCOMMODATION: There are eleven double bedrooms at Pentillie (on its booking.com page it says a total of 6 bedrooms but you can disregard this), nine of them en-suite and two of them with shared bathroom. Most can be converted to twin rooms if requested. All are tastefully furnished, immaculately clean and comfortable, and have particularly opulent bathrooms. Most also offer soothing views out over the gardens or the river. You have a spacious, extremely well equipped AGA kitchen at your disposal should you wish to cook or catering can be arranged for you with local chefs, as well as picnic hampers and/or ‘DIY dinners’, prepared in advance and refrigerated, that READ MORE

Most Famous Guests: Richard Wagner, Johannes Brahms, Emperor Franz Joseph I, Charlie Chaplin. “Stay at the Imperial and feel like an Emperor,” said Charlie Chaplin during his visit, and that just about sums Hotel Imperial up. Completed in 1866 as a residence for Duke Philipp of Württemberg the neo-classical Palais Württemberg, as it was known, was within 10 years transformed into the Imperial, a hotel which quickly became known as Vienna’s finest and grandest. Not much has changed; Hotel Imperial has still such a reputation, and has managed to retain the ambience of the grand old days of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, with its ornate marble, hand-carved statues and massive crystal chandeliers, while subtly adding modern facilities and comforts along the way. The service here is consistently impeccable and its Michelin star restaurant, the OPUS, is considered one of the very best in Vienna, be sure to try at least one evening meal. THE ACCOMMODATION: There are 138 double/twin rooms in total, 62 of which are suites, a much higher proportion than usually found in, even the most luxury of, hotels and thus are relatively good value compared to rooms. The suites are really a cut above, and if you need extra convincing; READ MORE

Most Famous Residents/Guests: Charles I & Zita, Last Emperors of Austria. The family friendly & pet friendly, Schloss Wartegg/Wartegg Castle Hotel has comfortable accommodation in a lovely setting by the shores of Lake Constance in North Eastern 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 of time had resulted in quite a bit of structural damage and so much of the historical fabric was lost during the renovations. This means that the hotel, including the rooms, now looks quite modern internally, which is something of a pity, but it still does retain a certain historical feel. There is a quality organic restaurant at Schloss Wartegg, a luxurious spa, a fun playground for the kids and 32 acres of English gardens and trees, with woodland paths leading down to the lake. ACCOMMODATION: They have 25 rooms and suites at the hotel, from small singles to large family rooms to sleep up to four in two separate sleeping quarters, and junior suites which have a small lounge area. The rooms are modern and come with READ MORE

Castello di Velona is a stunning 5 star, 11th century era, castle hotel set high on a hilltop outside Montalcino, Tuscany and comes with panoramic views over the iconic Brunello vineyards of the Val d’Orcia. It is very much an exclusive, luxury retreat, and one which also comes with a hefty price tag. The only negative reviews it seems to receive are, at least in part, in regard to the cost but once you come to terms with that it is a very special place indeed.  The quality of the accommodation and service, the uniqueness, and beauty of the setting, the tremendous spa and wellness facilities – including natural thermal spring baths, and not one but TWO restaurants with Michelin Stars – an outstanding achievement – means it absolutely has to be on our list of the best castle hotels in Italy. They have a great range of accommodation, from basic (relatively speaking of course) double rooms to some enormously opulent suites (one even has a private pool) and some equally opulent and spacious self catering apartments. REVIEWS: “Amazing views of a gorgeous, historical valley as far as the eye can see. We had a huge “Junior” suite with a beautiful READ MORE

A Victorian era Scottish Castle with fabulous views over the Isle of Mull, the Atlantic Ocean and the Hebridean islands of Coll, Barra and the Uists, Glengorm Castle Hotel is a friendly, homely place with an atmosphere that is part boutique hotel, part cosy family home. THE ACCOMMODATION: There is a choice of just 5 B&B rooms and one self catering apartment at the castle, while in the grounds there are also a number of self catering cottages. Check out all your options on the booking page here. All the rooms are traditionally furnished, with warm colours and private bathrooms which have some nice old Victorian style deep baths. The self catering apartment has a lounge and well equipped modern kitchen with two double bedrooms, one of which has a king size bed. It is at the very top of the castle with roof access overlooking the turrets, while the various cottages are scattered around the estate offering more privacy and seclusion. PRICES: Check out all the details – prices, reviews and more photos – on the booking page here. FACILITIES & THINGS TO DO:   The castle itself has much common space, with a particularly welcoming sitting room with a large READ MORE

Most Famous Guests: Laurel & Hardy, J.K. Rowling, Oprah Winfrey, The Queen Mother, Elizabeth Taylor. For over a hundred years the imposing 5 star Balmoral Hotel has sat at Edinburgh, Scotland’s most prestigious address; No. 1 Princes Street. The historic building and its grand clock tower are city landmarks and the hotel’s reputation here, as the ultimate in old fashioned sophistication and style, is second to none. Enjoy fine dining at its Michelin starred restaurant, sooth any strains at the award winning spa facilities, sample some Scotch at the famous Balmoral Whisky Bar which has over 500 varieties in total, and/or just relax, wander around and enjoy the delightfully civil atmosphere of this very special historic hotel. THE ACCOMMODATION: The Balmoral describes itself as the ‘perfect marriage of tradition and modernity’ and though the modern is present it is the tradition that makes the building so unique and aesthetically pleasing. It is a classic 19th century homage to Renaissance architecture with bold, broad staircases, towering columns and large windows. There is a total of 168 rooms and 20 suites to choose from, all of which were individually styled by the designer Olga Polizzi in more, but not overtly so, contemporary READ MORE

The 4 Star Château de la Caze is a very romantic, Renaissance era chateau hotel with a fairy tale like setting in the Gorges du Tarn near Rodez, a canyon gorge that is one of this area of France’s most well known natural wonders. The chateau has an intimate, boutique hotel feel and a peaceful, relaxed atmosphere. It also some lovely gardens, a heated outdoor swimming pool, a spa bath, a gym and an excellent gastronomic restaurant amongst other things. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have a choice of rooms and suites available from standard double rooms to 40 m² suites. Most of them are in the chateau itself with some suites also to be found in the Maison de Martine, an adjacent converted old farm building. All the accommodation choices are doubles but in the Maison de Martine suites you can sleep an extra two people using the sofa bed (though for an extra charge). Some people have reported that some of the standard double rooms are a bit on the cramped size, to be certain of adequate space you can go for the superior rooms or above. Of the suites the only thing to decide is whether to take one READ MORE

One of the most unique and special of our castle hotels, and proudly ‘in the middle of nowhere,’ 13th century Mingary Castle has a huge history but had been lying in ruins for 150 years before some very delicate renovation work was undertaken in 2014. Two years of great craft and care was needed to preserve the integrity of the castle, its very impressive 9 feet thick defensive walls, and the Georgian era residence which stood within. So that now, with just five rooms (so book well in advance!), it has come to be one of Scotland’s, and Britain’s, most unique luxury boutique hotels. Its location was pivotal to its strategic importance as a defensive castle, lying outside the tiny village of Kilchoan on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula, the most westerly point on the British mainland. And it is also pivotal to its modern success as a castle hotel, where the views over the Atlantic and the Hebrides Islands to the west, and the iconic Scottish Highlands back to the east, are truly inspiring. THE ACCOMMODATION: There is a choice of just four suites and a self-catering apartment in the west wing of the castle, which is accessed through its own front READ MORE

Château de Sadillac is an exclusive, 11th century era, château for rent near Bergerac in the Dordogne department of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, France. It has 6 bedrooms 3 of which are en-suite, a spacious kitchen, living & dining room, bar and a large outdoor terrace area. It also has nicely tended gardens, barbecue facilities, a huge chess board, a kid’s play area, a trampoline, a fishing lake, an outdoor swimming pool, a Finnish sauna and, most note-worthy of all, a 9 hole, 27 par golf course, which guests at the chateau have exclusive, private use of for the duration of their stay. ACCOMMODATION: There are 6 bedrooms at the property, 3 of which are en-suite, a spacious living room with comfortable seating, a wood burner, TV & DVD player etc. and an adjoining bar-room. The kitchen is also large and fully equipped, and apart from the more general kitchen facilities it also has a coffee machine, a dishwasher and a washing machine. The property is secluded and private with an ancient wall and lines of trees protecting it from the outside. Around the large terrace area there is a children’s play corner, oversize chess board, table tennis, barbecue facilities plus pizza/bread making oven, 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 ACCOMMODATION: Your choices are between classic, superior and deluxe rooms and two lovely 50 m² suites. All are individually decorated, opulent and chic, and get the balance just right between modern and period style. They are also spacious with even the most basic rooms; the classic rooms, covering a minimum of 23 m². Of all the room choices these Classic Rooms probably represent the best value behind just a tad smaller than the Deluxe Rooms but equally stylish and comfortable, though their bathrooms have just a shower and no bath, if that’s important to you. Speaking of bathrooms and baths, those of the suites are really quite something, and come with classically romantic roll top baths. Modern conveniences include Wifi and cable TV but, oddly enough for such a plush looking place, no mini-bar or tea coffee making facilities, though this may be READ MORE

Most famous former guest: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.  Near Weimar and Leipzig, Germany, the beautifully atmospheric Elgersburg Castle, which has a history going back to at least the 12th century, is one of Thuringia’s finest and best preserved castles, one which now happily serves as a luxury hotel. It also has a lovely hilltop position, towering over the pretty village of the same name, at the edge of the fabled Thuringian Forest (Thüringer Wald in German). THE ACCOMMODATION: You can choose between standard and deluxe singles and doubles, with the deluxe being worth the extra premium for their extra space and for their more lavish decor. All of the rooms, in line with the rest of this roughly 1,000 year old castle, display plenty of old world charm. They feel cosy and warm, and with modern facilities, flat screen TV and digital hotel guides for example, kept relatively unintrusive. PRICES: Check out all the details – prices, reviews and more photos – on the booking page here. FACILITIES & THINGS TO DO: Though the hotel feels intimate there is much common space to be explored, allowing one to soak up some of the medieval atmosphere. And with its strategic hilltop READ MORE

Known as one of the most beautiful chateaux in Deux-Sevres, Aquitaine, the majestic Château de Saint Loup, which was commissioned in 1609 to honour Good King Henry; Henri IV of France, 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 times gone by such a property would have been out of bounds for all except the highest levels of French aristocracy. ACCOMMODATION: They have just nine spacious rooms to choose from; doubles, triples and one larger ‘family room’ which has two separate sleeping quarters and can sleep up to four. All of them are carefully decorated to maintain the medieval ambience with some lovely four poster beds, antique furniture and art pieces, and private bathrooms with old style bathtubs. The chateau has much lovely common space to explore too, with a library, a music room with piano, sitting rooms and a drinks bar at your disposal. The estate surrounding the moated chateau covers over 120 acres and includes some stunning 18th century landscaped grounds, including lawns and flower beds, an READ MORE