10 dreamy castles you can actually stay in

So you can feel like royalty (but sleep in a real bed)

There’s something deeply stirring about castles. Maybe it’s the stone walls that have whispered secrets for centuries. Maybe it’s the candlelight flickering against stained glass. Or maybe it’s the dream of slipping into a slower, grander world—one where your only decision is whether to stroll through a rose garden or take tea in a turret.

I’ve put together a list of ten castles (and a couple of them are in the US!) that promise all the majesty of a bygone era, with every luxurious detail designed for today’s comfort-seeking traveler. If you’ve ever dreamed of living like royalty—or living out your own fairy tale—your storybook setting awaits. Read on to see all the options for staying in your very own castle!

IRELAND: Ashford Castle

Closest airport: Shannon or Dublin

83 uniquely designed rooms and suites. Ivy-covered elegance with falconry, lakeside picnics, and candlelit dinners. Regularly named one of the world’s most romantic hotels.

CANADA: Fairmont Le Château Frontenac

Closest airport: Quebec City

610 rooms, themed suites, and old-world charm in the heart of Old Quebec. Iconic skyline views and rooftop honey. They claim to be the most-photographed hotel in the world.

GERMANY: Schloss Bensberg

Closest airport: Cologne

77 rooms and 34 suites. Baroque elegance, Michelin-starred dining, spa with cathedral views. Pure grandeur.

NEW YORK: Highlands Castle

Closest airport: Albany

Exclusive rental for 8–21 guests. Your own private castle with Lake George views and fairy-tale charm.

ITALY: Castello di Reschio

Closest airport: Florence

36 rooms and villas. 1,000 years of history, olive groves, candlelit courtyards, and a spa in a former wine cellar.

FRANCE: Domaine des Etangs

Closest airport: Limoges or Bordeaux

29 elegant spaces on 2,500 acres. Artful serenity, dragonfly-dotted lakes, and a magical forest school for kids.

SCOTLAND: Melville Castle

Closest airport: Edinburgh

35 romantic rooms. Afternoon tea, riverside trails, turreted suites, and whispers of Mary Queen of Scots.

WASHINGTON: Thornewood Castle

Closest airport: Seattle-Tacoma

Historic suites and lakefront gardens. Shipped brick-by-brick from England, film site for Stephen King's movie Rose Red.

SPAIN: Castell Son Claret

Closest airport: Palma de Mallorca

43 tranquil rooms. Olive oil tastings, mountain views, and slow, sun-drenched luxury.

ENGLAND: Amberley Castle

Closest airport: London Gatwick

19 rooms behind 60-foot curtain walls. White peacocks, koi ponds, croquet, and stories of a ghost named Emily.

Tips for Choosing Your Perfect Castle Escape

• Want total privacy? Highlands Castle is all yours.

• Love pampering and local charm? Try Ashford, Reschio, or Domaine des Etangs.

• Prefer rich history with high-end service? Head to Fairmont Frontenac or Amberley.

• Traveling with kids? Domaine des Etangs is family magic.

• Seeking romance? Reschio or Castell Son Claret are your dreamy matches.

• Like a good ghost story? Melville and Thornewood are deliciously mysterious.

• Craving fine dining? Schloss Bensberg delivers in baroque style.

Ready to step into your own chapter of castle-worthy romance?

Let me know which escape sweeps you off your feet—I’d love to help you plan your perfect stay. Whether you stay for awhile or just one night, castle stays are an amazing addition to you next getaway!