20 of Europe's Best Castle Hotels

If you can afford to build a castle or château then you’re someone who can probably afford to pick a decent spot to build it. Somewhere picturesque or with a view, surrounded by a landscape that will charm you as much as your wealthy interiors will. Which is one the reasons our Gurus really enjoyed the task of picking out their list of 20 of Europe’s Best Castle Hotels. Some of the other reasons being the accoutrements of luxury that go hand in hand with these majestic settings: grand, welcoming entrances; spacious rooms and suites with beautiful decoration; memorable restaurants; meticulous service; and all the trimmings when it comes to comfort and facilities. Bear in mind there’s no hierarchy once a hotel has made the list, instead we’ve tried to categorise our favourites for their best features.

Castle Hotels fit for Royalty

The Castello di Guarene is an 18th century castle in Northern Italy, with all the opulence of an 18th century castle, including silk wallpapers, draped beds, plenty of gilt, frescoed ceilings and marble bathrooms — but the bathrooms have been updated with every 21st century luxury. The castello has just 15 rooms and suites, all of them different, but they all promise utter luxury. The restaurant is suitably fabulous, the views of Piedmont are incredible, and the gardens elegant. They have a pool and spa in their ancient cellar, but no trouble storing the wine.

Once in a Lifetime Castle Hotel Stays

Glenapp Castle is a family-owned baronial castle in Scotland’s historic lowlands, a place of turrets and towers, oak-panelled rooms, huge fireplaces and everything on a grand scale, from the entrance hall to the paintings. This part of the world is wonderfully unspoiled, and there are some astonishingly beautiful views along peaceful walking trails right out of the hotel doors. The hotel has 17 huge rooms and suites. There’s also a tennis court and a croquet lawn, and fishing and golfing opportunities a short distance away. The restaurant has won a number of awards, and the attentive staff deserve some too.
Lucerne’s Château Gutsch has 27 rooms and suites, all of which will make you feel like you’re staying in the most luxurious one. This renovated château dates from the 19th century, but the luxury is up-to-the-minute, with four-poster beds and original artworks, beautiful private terraces with stunning views of Lucerne and Lake Lucerne. The Mediterranean restaurant is excellent, and the bar has an impressive wine list, and they’re both extremely elegant, with parquet flooring, more art, and beautiful decorations.

Europe’s Most Romantic Castle Hotels

Between Padua and Verona is the stately Castello Bevilacqua, a wonderfully romantic, boxy, pink, historic castle, set in beautiful parkland and gardens. This property was meticulously renovated when it was converted, and it now has 40 beautiful rooms and suites, complete with original frescoes, beamed ceilings and period antiques. The best rooms have four-poster beds.
Built in the 12th century, Roch Castle perches on a rocky outcrop, overlooking spectacular St. Brides Bay and the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. It’s definitely got the look of a defensive structure, as well as a regal one, and inside the current decoration is elegantly minimal, a wonderful meeting of the original shape and features of the building, and clever, contemporary architecture. There are only six rooms and suites, and there’s no restaurant, so it’s a very private feeling escape, but there’s an excellent restaurant in the castle’s sister hotel.
The Burghotel Auf Schonburg is a very memorable building, set on a rocky outcrop overlooking the World Heritage Site of Oberwesel. As well as incredible views, these 25 rooms and suites have wood panelling, antiques, draped four-poster beds and lots of charming original features. There’s a gourmet restaurant onsite too, and you’re surrounded by walking trails. So it feels an intimate spot.

Castle Hotel Escapes

The Château Les Carrasses is relatively young, as far as castles go, built in the 19th century on an idyllic wine estate in the Languedoc region, and now beautifully converted into a luxurious, 28 bedroom hotel. There’s an excellent range of accommodation here, from elegant suites in the main house to private villas in the grounds, complete with three bedrooms and private pool too. The decor is contemporary, but unmistakably French rural chic. There’s a cocktail bar and wine cave, and a bistro style Mediterranean restaurant, though the villas have very well equipped kitchens. There’s also a kids club, a library, and orangery, tennis courts, boules, and complimentary bike hire.
The Hotel Berg Wernberg is a five-star hotel converted from a 13th century castle, a large, elegant, white-towered building overlooking the town of Wernberg-Köblitz in Bavaria. The hotel has 29 rooms and suites, all decorated in traditional style, with antique four-poster beds in some of the rooms, and simpler furnishings in others. The Bridal Suite has some beautiful murals. The hotel has a gourmet restaurant, and there’s a small spa.
Kokkedal Castle is just outside Copenhagen, on what the locals call the Danish Riviera, surrounded by its own golf course, and parklands. This is a grand enough castle to have been converted into a large hotel, with 62 rooms and suites, split between the main building and some modern stable conversions. On the inside this hotel looks like a sophisticated luxury hotel, with its castle-y heritage shining through in the intimate cellar dining room and public areas. There are two fabulous restaurants, and a chic bar, plus tea rooms and a spa.

Castle Hotels to Treat Yourself in

In the heart of the Champagne region, the Château Les Crayeres is an idyllic option if you’re looking for a place to treat yourself to the finer things. This elegant château is an intimate size, with just 20 rooms and suites decorated with contemporary luxury in mind, but its Michelin-starred chef draws additional visitors. As you might expect from the region there are 400 different Champagnes available.
The Château de Marcay’s graceful white towers are much older than many of its fellow Chinon region châteaux, and it’s got a feeling of rustic, historic grandeur, with its beamed ceiling and exploded stone walls. It still has every comfort, though, including an outdoor pool with views over the surrounding vineyards, The food is excellent too, and it’s relatively affordable.

Hotels with Regal Views

Stockholm’s Ulfsunda Slott doesn’t have the turrets of a medieval castle, it’s more along the lines of an elegant villa. An elegantly symmetrical rectangle of big windows and balconies, overlooking an equally elegant and symmetrical courtyard, and beyond that the water. One of the best things about this hotel is the variety of its decor. There are 54 rooms and suites, and within their individually designed confines you can find an myriad of styles, from Scandinavian minimalist chic to traditional opulence. There’s an excellent restaurant too, and a spa and games room.
Austria's Schloss Hotel Thannegg peeks over the forest that surrounds it like something from a fairytale, especially when seen in the snow. Inside, the 18 rooms are cosy and homely, with heavy pine furniture and whitewashed walls. The hotel restaurant specialises in regional cuisine, and there’s an excellent cellar to sip from, which is 850 years old — the cellar, not the wines.

Family-Friendly Castle Hotels

Between the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales is the beautiful Eden Valley, in which the charming mid-Victorian folly, Augill Castle, was built. It has all the features one wants from an ancient castle (crenelated turrets, round and square towers with narrow windows for archers), only it’s not really a medieval castle. Which, when you take into account the lack of draughts in the large, elegant bedrooms with their smooth walls and floors, might just be a positive! The 14 rooms and suites still feature four-poster beds, roll-top baths, antiques and expensive looking curios, but they’re also really comfortable. And there’s an excellent range of family configurations too. The dining room is grand, with one long table, and the food is so good they run cookery classes — for adults and children. The key thing about Augill Castle is that it’s relaxed and welcoming.
Schloss Wartegg is an historic castle turned stylish, 25 room hotel on the shores of Lake Constance in Switzerland. This is a Swiss style castle, so it has towers and a stepped roof, but it’s more subdued than some of its counterparts, and inside it’s been modernised, and feels fresh and fairly minimal, with lots of pale wood and white linens. There’s beautiful parkland surrounding the hotel, and an organic restaurant serving locally sourced produce. There are beautifully designed family suites, and lots of play space for kids, plus all of the appeals of the lake itself.
The Czech Republic's Château Mcely is a beautiful, historic château in a rural spot, with green views from the windows of all 23 rooms and suites. And these are grand rooms, with high ceilings and elegant parquet flooring, dressed with antique furnishings. The château also has an excellent restaurant, a rooftop observatory, a spa and pool, and the estate has a lake too, and tennis courts, and opportunities to ride. There are specialist cooking classes for kids, and specialist menus and spa treatments, and in the summer there’s a kids club.

Great Value Castle Hotels

The Castello della Castelluccia is a wonderful 12th century tower/villa castle in Italy's Lazio region, with fantastic frescoes, terracotta and parquet floors and an original chapel and Mediterranean gardens. The 23 rooms range in size and style, but the majority are extremely romantic — expect antiques and heavy fabrics. The restaurant is known for its excellent local specialities, and while the location feels remote you’re just outside Rome.
Salamanca’s Castillo del Buen Amor is a beautiful old castle set in its own gardens and vineyards, with idyllic rural views from the towers and battlements. There are only eight rooms and suites, all spacious and simply, but traditionally, dressed with stone floors, antiques and oil paintings. There’s an outdoor pool, and the excellent restaurant is also known for its wine tastings.
The Castillo El Collado in La Rioja region, looks like it’s come straight out of a Basque country fairytale, with grand wooden staircases, vast fireplaces, wood panelling and beams and exposed stone walls. And all this set in fragrant gardens. There are ten rooms, decorated with antiques in solid wood, an atmospheric cellar restaurant and a sunny terrace with wonderful views.
Castello Seeschloss is a palatial hotel in the Italian Lakes District, right on the shores of Lake Maggiore. There are 45 rooms and suites, and some of them are really spectacular: think high-ceilings and huge windows, murals, frescoes and ornate plaster work. And there’s a heated pool and a restaurant where you can dine on the terrace overlooking the lake. This is a surprisingly affordable hotel too, and so romantic. And the location is incredible.

Still not sure where to book?

You might like to refine your search to our recommendations for the UK’s 15 Best Castle Hotels?
or the Best Castle Hotels in Ireland?
Or you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.