Search results for:

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

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 and the impeccable service leans on the side of formal. It has 90 luxurious rooms and suites and lots for guests to pass their time with; five different restaurants, two bars, a nightclub (the infamous GreenGo club), a fitness centre, spa facilities, indoor & outdoor swimming pools, a squash court and four outdoor tennis courts. Note: The Gstaad Palace is a seasonal hotel; only being open for the summer season between June and September, and for the winter between December and March. THE ACCOMMODATION:   There are a total of 55 rooms and 35 suites to choose from, from classic doubles to roughly 90 sq m deluxe suites. Though all the accommodation units are relatively large, the emphasis is on cosiness and warmth, and their plump fabrics and pastel shades lend 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 also has some beautifully landscaped gardens, including a swimming pool, which guests are welcome to explore and enjoy. ACCOMMODATION: The chateau is the private home of your hosts but they also rent a single 30 m² (320 square foot) one double bedroom suite adjacent to the main building. This was once the studio of the above mentioned Louis Rivier, and it still has many of his original paintings adorning the walls. This cute, very romantic place is named in his honour as “Suite Louis Rivier”, though as you will see, it is listed in more modest terms as ‘Queen Room with Garden View’ on the booking.com page here. It has its own independent entrance, a rustic style double bedroom and a modern kitchen and bathroom. There is also an outdoor READ MORE

Most famous former guest: Emperor Napoleon III. Of all Manor Castle’s historic hotel suites the Napoleone Suite at the 16th century Residenza Napoleone III in central Rome, Italy, is the most lavishly beautiful. The interior design is an incredible feast for the eyes and, apart from the obligatory electric lights, as you scan the rooms almost nothing from the 21st or late 20th century seems to intrude, allowing a nicely disorientating sense of immersion in history. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have two self catering apartments for guests, the aforementioned Napoleone Suite, which is a 150 m² apartment consisting of a very romantic double bedroom with four-poster bed, a marble bathroom with bathtub, a large lounge and dining room, a kitchenette and up the wooden stairs a second bedroom with private bathroom with bathtub and a small balcony. The apartment is reached via an old staircase which is lined with marble statues of the Roman emperors Hadrian and Claudius, and Greco-Roman gods; Bacchus and Silenus, Apollo, Mercury and Aesculapius. This sets the scene for this incredibly beautiful historical suite, where the inside is an opulent display of grand chandeliers, frescoes, tapestries, and exquisite art and antique pieces, particularly the many classic oil paintings. 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

The 5 Star Villa Crespi Hotel, on the shore of Lake Orta, near Milan, Italy, is a unique and spectacular sight. Built in 1879 as a residence for a local wealthy cotton merchant, its eye-catching Arabesque architecture and minaret were inspired by its founder’s many business trips to the Baghdad of the 19th century. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have a range of accommodation at Villa Crespi from entry level, classic rooms to spacious, lavishly decorated suites. All of them are relatively spacious, and definitely luxurious, with even the classic rooms you have around 22 m² of space plus a balcony, queen size (or twin, as desired) beds and romantic freestanding bath tubs for example. Though the exteriors and much of the interiors of Villa Crespi are solidly Arabesque in style the interior decoration of the rooms and suites tends to be more classic European. They are very much old style romantic with four poster beds, antique furniture and art pieces, chandeliers, elegantly dressed windows and some really quite gorgeous bathrooms. It is a luxury hotel though so you can also expect modern conveniences; air-con, satellite TV, mini-bar etc. PRICES: Check out all the details – prices, reviews and more photos – READ MORE

Roch Castle is an early Norman era castle turned luxury B&B hotel with a lovely hilltop setting overlooking St. Brides Bay and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Wales. The impressive exteriors testify to the castle’s 12th century origins but, though they display suitably demure colour schemes, the interiors are contemporary chic. This modern style not be to the liking of some but as the layout is very much that of a castle it still feels somewhat medieval, with lots of oddly aligned walls and ceilings, archways and embrasures on display. THE ACCOMMODATION: Roch is very much a boutique hotel with just six bedrooms to choose from. They are divided in simple terms as King Rooms and Super King rooms, with the Super King having a little extra space and super king size beds as opposed to plain ol’ king size. They are then sub divided between those having only a shower and those having a shower and bath with the latter having a slight premium. All rooms are minimalist and slick, with light grey coloured walls and pale wood floors, and all luxury hotel mod-cons are offered; flat screen TV, iPod dock, WiFi, digital radio, tea/coffee makers etc., as well READ MORE

Aficionados of Italian wine, particularly Brunello, will be well aware of Castello Banfi near Montalcino, Tuscany. The 7,100 acre estate has been producing quality wines since 1978, offers a full compliment of eno-tourism activities and a range of elegant, 5 star boutique accommodation. The centre piece of the estate are the enchanting 12th century era castle and 17th century era hamlet which sit high on a hill overlooking the vineyards and the surrounding, typically picturesque Tuscan countryside. There you have a choice of beautiful, and very spacious, rooms and suites, two excellent gourmet restaurants, a traditional Tuscan enoteca, beautifully manicured gardens, a heated outdoor swimming pool, a small gym, a massage pavilion and a cookery school. THE ACCOMMODATION: The choices are between ‘deluxe’ double rooms which, at 40 m², are large enough to be considered suites in most hotels and then there are the actual suites; classic, junior, superior and deluxe, they range in size between 66 m² and 110 m² and can sleep up to four. They are all beautifully designed, classically furnished and full of regal charm. They also come with large bathrooms with walk in rainfall showers (some also with baths) and all modern hotel mod cons; 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

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

Most Famous 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 thankfully with us after over 400 years of service to the Dukes of Brissac, with the thirteenth Duke of Brissac being your welcoming host today. The chateau is the Duke and his family’s main home and so, despite the chateau’s vast size (its has a total of 204 rooms) only a number of its bedrooms are available to B&B guests. This makes a stay here feel quite special and even more so when the day visitors disappear in the afternoon and the entire chateau and estate is left to you, your fellow guests and the Duke. ACCOMMODATION: You have three choices for overnight stays, all of them suites, with the classic double suite being the pick of the bunch in terms of opulence and sheer romantic beauty. It READ MORE

Castello di Tornano is a rustic, and extremely charming, castle hotel in southern Chianti with a history going back over nine hundred years. It has a broad selection of accommodation ranging from relatively basic rooms up to luxury suites in the castle itself, and then some spacious self-catering apartments in the adjacent restored farm buildings. Facilities include a swimming pool, out in the beautifully tended gardens and cleverly carved out of the castle moat, tennis courts and a very fine traditional Tuscan restaurant. The surroundings are classic Chianti countryside – vineyards, olive groves and woodland – and Castello di Tornano makes a nice base to explore some of the wonderful little villages that make Chianti so admired. Your hosts will be more than happy to offer recommendations and advice and can also arrange tours, excursions etc. REVIEWS: “The staff, especially Loredana was extremely helpful even before my arrival. Even though my home country was thousands of miles away, the moment I arrived at the property Loredana made me feel at home. The overall feel, ambience was one of warmth and coziness despite this being a thousand year old castle! A great deal of effort and care had been given by READ MORE

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

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 but also READ MORE

Most Famous Guests: Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth II & Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh. In 1873 curiosity led Queen Victoria to forgo her usual holiday home at Balmoral, Scotland and instead spend a week at Inverlochy Castle near Fort William. “I never saw a lovelier or more romantic spot” she noted in her diary and this is as true today as it was then. The 5 Star Inverlochy Castle Hotel is truly a very special place; an imposing loch side baronial mansion near Fort William and in the foothills of the highest peak of the Scottish Highlands, Ben Nevis. In later years, in its present incarnation as a hotel, it would also play host to the present Queen; HM Queen Elizabeth and her husband HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, as well as a long list of foreign dignitaries and royalty, and various celebrities including the likes of Charlie Chaplin, Sean Connery, Elton John and Anthony Hopkins. The 5 Star Inverlochy Castle is the ultimate in old fashioned sophistication and luxury and it has the added attraction of having one of Scotland’s finest restaurants, with food from the renowned father and son chef team; Albert and Michel Roux Jnr. ACCOMMODATION: There are READ MORE

Schloss Kapfenstein is a charming, family owned boutique hotel with a thousand years of history, an excellent gourmet restaurant and a gorgeous hilltop setting over-looking the vineyards of Volkanland in Austria’s green and picturesque eastern Styria region. The castle estate also produces its own wine, wine which many consider to be among the best in the region, and a full compliment of enotourism activities are offered. THE ACCOMMODATION: With just 16 rooms and suites the castle is very much a boutique hotel and the choice is pretty straightforward; either a double room or a double suite. Both are extremely spacious and comfortable with the rooms covering 20 m² and the suites, which have a semi-separate seating area, a full 40 m². They both also display lots of rustic old style elegance, with wooden floors and beams and lots of nice antique furniture pieces,  while also having modern hotel mod cons including flat screen satellite TV, WiFi, safe and minibar. All accommodation is B&B and the breakfast is a generous feast, worthy of a hotel with such high culinary standards. PRICES: Check out all the details – prices, reviews and more photos – on the booking page here. FACILITIES & THINGS READ MORE

This Tuscan Castle for rent is a stunning old building with a wonderfully preserved old world atmosphere. It has ten bedrooms, to sleep up to twenty people in perfect comfort, and there is so much to admire at every turn; antique furniture, hand decorated ceilings, frescoes and numerous art works. The castle structure is impressively grand and imposing too, and is surrounded by flower gardens and lawns, with various seating, lounging and al fresco dining areas, as well as a swimming pool and a jacuzzi. It has a choice location; just a few kilometres from Tuscany’s Maremma coast and from its large roof terrace there are great views of the surrounding countryside, Elba Island and the Mediterranean Sea. Castello di Magona was built in the first decade of the 16th century and is known for its long association with the Grand Dukes of Tuscany including the very last Grand Duke, Leopold II, who reigned from 1824 until his abdication in 1859, and lived at the castle for most of that time. THE ACCOMMODATION: Castello di Magona has three floors. On the ground floor there is the impressive entrance hall and three lounge/living room areas, one of them with a bar 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

Most Famous Guest: Czar Peter the Great of Russia. Schlosshotel Münchhausen is a classically beautiful 5 Star Castle Hotel near Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany, with extremely high levels of comfort and service. It comes with top of the range facilities too; a spa & beauty treatment centre, a swimming pool, a Michelin Star winning restaurant, and its own park which has a lake and an 18 hole golf course. The castle dates back to the 16th century and has an enviable location in the peaceful, green Weserbergland Schaumburg-Hameln Nature Park. THE ACCOMMODATION: There is a choice 67 stylish rooms and suites, 31 of which are in the castle itself and 36 in the adjoining Tithe Barn. Check your options on the booking page here.) All the suites and rooms are relatively modern in style, the ones in the converted barn slightly more so, which might disappoint those seeking a more traditional castle stay atmosphere but it is a five star hotel and the quality and comfort on offer are hard to beat. All of them are luxuriously large with their terrific suites being up to 77 square meters in size, and both they and the rooms will have seating, writing desks, spacious READ MORE

Most Famous Guests: Catherine the Great, Alexander von Humboldt.  A very special hotel in a very special location; Castle Hotel Mönchstein sits, fairy tale like, atop the Hill of Mönchsberg in old Salzburg, is surrounded by its own wooded parkland and has stunning views of Mozart’s city below, and the glorious Alps. It has excellent spa facilities, massage, beauty and wellness treatments, an infinity swimming pool and an outdoor hot tub. It also has two of the very best restaurants in Salzburg, and a chic, stylish bar. All in all Schloss Hotel Mönchstein is a top of the range luxury 5 star hotel with an elegant ambience, exceptional levels of service and one which consistently appears in any sensible list of Austria’s very best hotels. THE ACCOMMODATION: The have a range of double rooms and suites, all of which are spacious and well appointed, and with some nice marble bathrooms (with jacuzzis, and some jacuzzis with a view). All the suites, and the largest of the rooms; the Executive Rooms, have space for another two single beds, or one double, if required, and so can sleep up to four people in total. The interiors of the rooms and suites, and indeed of the hotel generally, READ MORE

Château Secretary is a beautifully authentic chateau for rent on the borders of the Dordogne and Lot et Garonne, near Bordeaux, France. The building is elegant and spacious, can house up to fourteen people over 6 bedrooms, and has an acre and a half of outdoor space which includes, gardens, parkland and an outdoor swimming pool. The minimum stay is seven days from Saturday to Saturday, and be aware that the chateau gets booked out months in advance so reserve as early as you can! THE ACCOMMODATION: As mentioned the chateau has six bedrooms, all with extra large double beds and one with an extra two single beds to make a total occupancy of fourteen with extra cots also available for infants. There are six bathrooms too and spacious common areas which include a fully equipped kitchen (catering though can also be arranged), lounge room with satellite TV, library, dining hall and outside a furnished terrace for al fresco lounging and dining which also has barbecue facilities. In the 1.2 acre grounds there is an outdoor swimming pool, sand floor volleyball court and table tennis. PRICES: Check out all the details – prices, reviews and more photos – on the READ MORE

Most Famous Residents: 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, and the reign of King Alfonso IX. The property is huge, with a great amount of common space; there are a total of seven living rooms for example and outside there are beautiful gardens, a vineyard, a maze, a pine forest and a saltwater swimming pool. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have a range of rooms and suites, 41 in total and all doubles or twins (all with king or queen size beds as standard), from Standard Rooms through Deluxe and Superior Rooms to the largest of all, the Junior Suites. Check your options on the booking page here. In most hotels there would be a great difference between these room types but the standard rooms here are elegant and spacious enough to warrant a grander title perhaps. The deluxe and superior rooms though, apart from being slightly more ornate, have more space and more natural light and, as the price difference is relatively small, it’s probably worth the upgrade. A READ MORE

Most famous former guests: King Henry VIII, King Charles II, Queen Elizabeth II. 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 have passed through its doors and it still retains a huge amount of historical features, including 60 foot high defensive walls, portcullis and moat. In its present incarnation as a luxury hotel it offers an immersive historical experience as well top class service and facilities including an 18 hole putting green, tennis courts, a croquet lawn and a famous fine dining restaurant. ACCOMMODATION: It has a selection of extremely comfortable, nicely decorated rooms and suites divided between the castle itself, and two atmospheric 17th century stone buildings tucked into the castle’s dry moat, known as the Manor House and the Bishopric. Most of the rooms and suites are historical in nature, with four poster beds, antique furniture, classic thick velvet curtains and lattice windows, with a few being more modern in style, though never modern enough to make you forget you are staying in a deeply historical building. Tip: If you request a four poster bed 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

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 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 famous Victorian era gardens, and it has one of Sussex’s very finest restaurants, the Michelin Starred ‘Dining Room Restaurant’. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have 17 classically styled en-suite rooms and suites at Gravetye all of which are plush and inviting with super comfortable beds, deluxe soft fabrics, antique furniture, quirky period features and soothing colours and floral patterns all around. They range from small single rooms through superior, classic, deluxe and luxury doubles and, largest of all, double suites which have a separate lounge area. Except for the single rooms they all are spacious, with the largest of the doubles, the luxury doubles being not much smaller than the more expensive suites, and so perhaps offer better value. Check your options on the booking page here.  They all come with garden views and the gardens here are among the most famous in England. Designed in 1885 by its former owner, and one of READ MORE

Staying within the walls of one of Europe’s most iconic historical sites, Granada’s Alhambra fortress, and being able to stroll around the grounds after the tourist hordes have left feels like an exclusive experience and that it certainly is. The only way to do this is to stay in the luxury Parador de Granada, something which makes it one of Andalusia’s and Spain’s most desired hotels and so, unless you are lucky, it can be extremely difficult to find a room there without booking months in advance. THE ACCOMMODATION: The accommodation is in a beautifully atmospheric medieval building, a building which was once part of the Alhambra Mosque & Palace later converted into a convent just after the Reconquista. It was also once the burial place of Spain’s most famous Royal couple, King Fernando and Queen Isabel, before their remains were later moved to Granada Cathedral. The spot that was their resting place is still there to be seen today. They have double and twin rooms, some of which also come with a sofa bed to sleep one extra person if needed. There are also 5 suites at the hotel, around 40 metres square they have a separate living room 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 too and the food and the wine is superb. For an extra novel stay, if a medieval château bedroom doesn’t appeal, you can also spend the night at the luxury treehouse in the gardens. THE ACCOMMODATION: The treehouse is a very popular choice so can get booked out months in advance. It is a fine piece of engineering, architecture and design and once inside it feels more like luxury studio apartment than what you might imagine a treehouse to be. The 16th century château itself has charmingly romantic rooms, with antique furniture pieces and four poster beds. The rooms are mainly doubles but there is also a family room which can sleep up to four, as well as a self catering apartment to also sleep up to four. Being a luxury hotel you can expect the accommodation to be high quality. Comfort is paramount, and READ MORE

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

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

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

Chateau de Chantore is a truly gorgeous 18th-century era Norman chateau B&B, with a view on the 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 a waking dream that Louis XV is still on the throne. The eye for design – the attention to historic detail in particular – is very impressive indeed. There are no duvets – only traditional linens and wool blankets on the beds, and certainly no TVs, though there is WiFi. If you’re looking for a thoroughly authentic French chateau stay, but with the comfort levels of today, then this is it. REVIEWS: “Chateau de Chantore is a magical place! Everything about it is wonderful – the most beautiful grounds to walk and experience calm and peace – peacocks, swans and fish in the lake, beehives, horses, beautiful apple trees (organic cider!) and the most sumptuous breakfast you will ever experience. Thank you to our wonderful hosts….” “I truly felt READ MORE

Schloss Schönburg is a luxury castle hotel on the Rhine River by the medieval town of Oberwesel, near Frankfurt, Germany, and is a quite stunning sight from near or far. There are also gorgeous views from the castle itself, of the famous river and of the surrounding rich, green, Rhineland countryside. You can expect consistently high levels of service and comfort here, and all in a beautifully preserved medieval atmosphere. It is conveniently located near the cities of Frankfurt, Koblenz, Bonn, Cologne and Dusseldorf, and also within easy reach of many other castles and historical sites in a region which has long been one of Germany and Europe’s most important. The excellent restaurant and the Knight’s Hall dining room deserve a particular mention, as do the private gardens; follow their various winding paths and there is something to discover around every corner; gorgeous flower beds, old style swings, snug mini cottages, secret hideaways, giant chess boards and various statues and art installations. THE ACCOMMODATION: The interiors of the castle are thoroughly elegant and careful interior design throughout serves to enhance the atmosphere of a property so rich in history. You can choose between 25 different B&B rooms and suites, all READ MORE

Château Monteil is a beautiful private chateau, with an outdoor heated swimming pool, to rent in the Dordogne-Perigord region of southern France. It is just over two hours from Bordeaux, in the eastern Dordogne, and close to both the beautiful medieval town of Sarlat-la-Canéda and the Lascaux Caves. THE ACCOMMODATION: The château is very spacious and can sleep up to seventeen people without much fuss. There are six bedrooms with various numbers of beds (take a look on the booking page here), five bathrooms, spacious lounge areas (which include, amongst other things, an open fireplace, a snooker table and a TV), a nice, fully equipped, kitchen, and finally outside you have gardens and terraces with sun loungers that overlook the aforementioned heated swimming pool. The château owners live close by and will always be on hand should you have any issues. They are also very good cooks and if you tire of cooking at the chateau they can arrange meals for an extra charge. With some advance notice they can provide breakfast and in the evenings a tremendous multi course home cooked meal featuring local recipes and ingredients. Wines can be ordered too, with the latest wine list from the READ MORE

Castello di Pavone is a tremendously authentic, 4 star, castle hotel just outside Turin. Once a medieval hilltop fortress it commands tremendous views over the surrounding little village of Pavone Canavese, the surrounding mountains and the city of Turin. It has twenty seven very atmospheric romantic double or twin rooms and suites to choose from, all of which are enormously comfortable and filled with elegant period furnishings. Modern conveniences are here though too – satellite TV, WiFi, mini bar and air conditioning for example, but don’t seem to intrude very much on the sense of history of the place. The castle restaurant has a great reputation in the Turin area – it has won many awards. The food and service are impeccable and and you have a choice of various dining halls and rooms to appreciate them in, intimate frescoed rooms and large, grand halls.     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

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

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, nine of them en-suite and two of them with shared bathrooms. 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 can then be simply heated at your convenience. There is a great amount of living space here READ MORE

Buckland Manor is an elegant, very historical boutique hotel in the Cotswolds. It lies on 10 acres of landscaped grounds in the village of Buckland and is in the heart of some of the Gloucestershire/Worcestershire Cotswolds’ loveliest countryside. It is also within easy reach of many of its most charming villages: Broadway, Stanton and Snowshill for example are all just a few minutes drive away. The manor house hotel has just 15 guest rooms and so is very much a boutique affair, with an intimate, though quite formal, Olde England atmosphere. The service is top-class, as is the food at their highly-praised restaurant. Other facilities include tennis courts and a croquet lawn. THE ACCOMMODATION: It has just 15 individually designed and styled rooms in various sizes, with the oak-paneled superior four-poster room being our particular favorite. They are all though extremely elegant, and comfortable, and offer plenty of luxury hotel niceties – Nespresso coffee machines, homemade biscuits, Vispring beds and expensive soft fabrics, etc., as well as L’Occitane skin care and bath lotions in their opulent, underfloor heated, bathrooms. Some bathrooms also come with a bath, and some rooms have electric fireplaces. PRICES: Check out all the details – prices, 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 we feel, for their extra space and 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. With its strategic hilltop location a stroll around the READ MORE