Stay in Majestic Castles and Palaces Around the World
When staying at a luxury hotel, you tend to expect the royal treatment. When that hotel is a centuries-old palace or turreted medieval castle, you can count on it.
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November 17, 2025
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From European castles built for nobles to an Indian palace that was once the home of a maharaja, these Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection properties offer a truly royal stay. They look pulled from the pages of a fairytale, with gilded furnishings, romantic touches like working fireplaces, and pursuits that harken back to yesteryear.
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If you’re ready to hold court on your next trip, get to know these properties fit for an actual king or queen.
1Certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade.
2Eligible charges vary by property.
Dromoland Castle | Newmarket on Fergus, Ireland
Medieval castles and ancient forts are a common sight around this village in County Clare – and this regally turreted castle hotel, dating back to the 16th century, is a desirable self-contained world of light-hearted luxury. Once the private home of the O'Brien family, descendants of the 11th-century High King of Ireland Brian Boru, the striking property’s façade is partially covered with red and green ivy, and rooms come with views of the castle’s lavish courtyard or the tranquil lake beyond. Enjoy a suitably royal experience at Mrs. White's Afternoon Tea, a daily high tea service with a selection of loose-leaf teas, finger sandwiches, and freshly baked pastries and scones. Spend an afternoon exploring the 500 acres of castle grounds by foot, spotting local wildlife along the way, or practice archery, clay shooting, or falconry with an on-site instructor.
Ashford Castle | Cong, Ireland
This Irish estate covers acres of woodland (half of which is dedicated to preserving the natural habitats of local wildlife) in Cong, a scenic village bordering County Galway. Built from steel-gray stone, the 800-year-old castle was once the private home of the beer-making Guinness family. In fact, you can indulge in a wine tasting experience in the cellar that once served as the family’s coal bunker. The 83 rooms are individually designed with antique furniture and eclectic artwork. George V Dining Room serves fine Irish cuisine made from locally sourced ingredients, some grown on the estate. Afterwards, carry on to the Billiards Room for a round of snooker and a night cap. Spend your days exploring the grounds on horseback, testing your aim with a round of clay shooting or archery, or joining a hawk experience.
Must be of legal age to consume alcoholic beverages. Please drink responsibly.
Castello di Casole, A Belmond Hotel | Tuscany, Italy
Cypress-lined lanes herald your approach to this 10th-century estate set on 4,200 acres of hills and vineyards. The property once functioned as a small village with its own school, priest house, and wine cellar – today that cellar houses the spa, while suites incorporate original materials, wood-beamed ceilings, and stone walls. Opportunities to explore the grounds abound: accompany an expert guide Lagotto Romagnolo (an Italian dog once used in hunting as a water retriever) on a hunt for local truffles or join a first-light excursion to spot wildlife like hare, deer, and pheasant as the woods awaken at dawn.
Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle | Versailles, France
It doesn’t get more royal than this hotel right on the grounds of the Palace of Versailles, the former residence commissioned by King Louis XIV in 1681. Guests get next-level access to the stately grounds and manicured gardens of Versailles – and an invite to explore the halls after hours. The hotel has just seven rooms and six suites, all decorated with period furnishings and named for historical figures. Be sure to take part in The Royal Feast, a sumptuous banquet that recreates King Louis XIV’s favorite dishes.
Glenapp Castle | Girvan, Scottland
A quaint Scottish harbor town, Girvan counts around 20 castles – and the most impressive is arguably Glenapp Castle, built in 1870. The castle hotel is a model of Scottish Baronial style, which fuses elements of Gothic and Renaissance design and features a variety of turrets, towers, and battlements. There’s an extensive activities program that takes advantage of the surrounding 110 acres of woodland. Get active with tennis, croquet, French boules, and cycling or take part in guided experiences like beekeeping, cooking and art lessons, falconry, perfume making, and an immersive encounter with the local highland cows.
Badrutt’s Palace Hotel | St. Moritz, Switzerland
This iconic hotel was founded in 1864 by Swiss hotelier Johannes Badrutt, the man who singlehandedly put St. Mortiz on the map – and it all started on a bet. Badrutt invited several English summer guests to visit him in winter, promising to reimburse them for their trip if they didn’t enjoy themselves. And the rest is history. Located in the Swiss Alps, the mountain resort’s spacious accommodations feature crystal chandeliers and stunning views of either Lake St. Moritz or the bustling ski town’s center. Still owned by the Badrutt family to this day, the hotel has been a member of Swiss Historic Hotels since 2006.
The Gritti Palace | Venice, Italy
This Venetian palazzo sits on the north side of the Grand Canal just across from the Church of Santa Maria della Salute. It was transformed into its current Gothic shape by the Pisani family in 1475 and later commissioned in 1525 by the Doge of Venice, Andrea Gritti, to become the family’s private residence. The palace is steeped in history, with interiors featuring dazzling artwork, original furnishings restored by local craftsmen, antiques, lavish chandeliers, silk damask walls, and balconies overlooking the Grand Canal. A picture-perfect destination for a romantic escape, the hotel provides guests with the opportunity to arrange a tour of the scenic canals and lagoons aboard its private yacht.
Castell Son Claret | Calvià, Spain
Dating back to 1880, this stunning castle hotel on the southwestern end of the island of Mallorca sits upon 326-acres of unsullied countryside at the foot of La Tramuntana Mountains – a UNESCO World Heritage site. The individually designed 25 rooms and 18 suites feature earth tones that echo the lush gardens; select suites come with private pools. The property produces its own olive oil and sources ingredients from an on-site vegetable garden for two on-site restaurants and the handcrafted cocktails at Castell bar.
Hospes Palacio de los Patos | Granada, Spain
This grand palace, comprising two separate buildings connected by a tunnel, was built in the late 1880s to celebrate the union of two prominent local families as a display of wealth and abundance. A Card Member favorite, the hotel is a bastion of Old-World majesty, with details like a grand marble staircase, ornate fountains, mosaic tiled floors, and high frescoed ceilings. The palace hotel sits behind wrought iron gates and feels like a garden oasis within the bustling city of Granada.
Rosewood Schloss Fuschl | Hof bei Salzburg, Austria
Overlooking the cerulean waters of Lake Fuschl, Rosewood Schloss Fuschl was originally Prince-Archbishops of Salzburg’s hunting lodge, where nobles and aristocrats would gather. It was reimagined as a hotel in 1950 and remains a lavish alpine refuge where guests can bask in the serenity of nature. After a sunrise mountain hike, bike ride, or a paddle across the lake, you can enjoy asaya Spa and the resort’s private See Club, and indulge in Austrian cuisine with Alpine high tea, strudel, and a wine tasting in the castle’s hidden wine cellar.
Must be of legal age to consume alcoholic beverages. Please drink responsibly.
Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul | Istanbul, Turkey
A 17th-century palace in the heart of Istanbul, this opulent hotel’s location on the banks of the Bosphorus was once designated as an Imperial Garden during Sultan Ahmed I’s reign. Originally built as the private residence for the sultan and his family, the hotel comprises two buildings, a restored 19th-century Ottoman palace and a newer annex. Suites feature traditional Ottoman motifs with modern touches, embroidered textiles, and traditional tulip designs.
Fairmont Le Château Frontenac | Québec City, Canada
Within the stone walls of old Québec City, Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is a Card Member Favorite and said to be the most photographed hotel in the world – and for good reason. It looks like a storybook castle, with dramatic turrets and spires and a perch on a towering bluff. Rooms offer sweeping views of the city and the St. Lawrence River; select suites boast decorative fireplaces, turrets, and historic artifacts. While it was never a royal residence, the hotel has hosted many royal guests over its 130-year history, and heads of state hunkered down here during the WWII Quebec Conferences. Louis de Frontenac himself is said to still roam the halls: legend has that he died while his fiancé was overseas and he searches the castle for her to this day.
Rambagh Palace | Jaipur, India
Forget rolling out the proverbial red carpet – here the welcome ceremony involves a procession of colorfully decorated camels, elephants, and horses. After all, you’re checking into the "Jewel of Jaipur,” built in 1835 as the garden house for a queen’s handmaid and later expanded into a royal hunting lodge. It went on to become the private residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur for some time before being converted into a luxury hotel in 1957. The 78 rooms and suites feature traditional period furnishings, colorful mosaics, and authentic touches like Thikri mirror work (mirrors inlayed with hand cut glass to create intricate designs).
The Taj Mahal Palace Mumbai | Mumbai, India
On the shores of the Arabian Sea, this opulent Mumbai palace’s red dome has been a fixture of the city skyline since 1903. The palace architect took inspiration from the Eiffel Tower and commissioned pillars made of the same steel for the hotel’s ballroom. Featuring the first air conditioning system in Asia when it was built, the palace spares no expense to this day. Spacious rooms and suites come with additional living areas and are done up with traditionally opulent Indian furnishings and rich fabrics and textiles. While you’re in an indulgent mood, why not try an ancient Indian purification ritual at J Wellness Circle or take a private yoga class with a resident instructor.
Aman Summer Palace | Beijing, China
Aman Summer Palace is steps from the gates of Beijing’s legendary Summer Palace, originally known as the Qingyi Garden (the Garden of Clear Ripples) when it debuted in 1750. The hotel embraces tranquility with its artful landscaping, marked by peaceful courtyards, pavilions, and water features that nod to the Confucian tenet of harmony between humans and the natural world. Suites feature clay tile floors inspired by the Ming and Qing dynasties. To get a taste of the life of royals of the past, you might join a centuries-old afternoon tea ceremony or descend to the subterranean spa, where imperial traditions influence therapies such as acupuncture, massage, and moxibustion.
Copacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
While never truly a royal residence, The Copacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel has long been a decadent playground for celebrities and dignitaries, including overnight guests hailing from the House of Windsor. The glamorous beachfront hotel opened in 1923 to much acclaim, with inaugural festivities including a performance by a famed French cabaret star. The luxurious art deco palace’s suites feature period furniture, curated artwork, and spacious living areas. Select suites include private terraces, Oriental rugs, and dedicated butler service.
Palacio Duhau - Park Hyatt Buenos Aires | Buenos Aires, Argentina
High atop a bluff overlooking Buenos Aires’ Recoleta district, this designated National Historic Monument dates back to 1934. The original owners weren’t blue bloods, yet they took inspiration from their travels across France – channeling the aristocratic Louis XVI style, from the silk curtains to crystal chandeliers, and Persian rugs. Expect a royal experience with personal butler service and a daily afternoon tea service. At the Ahín Wellness & Spa, take part in treatments like the Ragiantu Ceremony, which incorporates traditional Patagonian mud therapy into the experience.
Palacio del Inka | Cusco, Peru
A 500-year-old mansion across from Cusco’s sacred Temple of the Sun, this Peruvian palace is both luxe hotel and cultural touchstone. Once a museum, it still displays 60 original paintings from the pre-Inca, Inca, and colonial periods. Accommodations are appropriately rich and refined, with dark wood niches and yellow ochre walls. Select suites feature separate living and dining spaces, multiple bathrooms, and custom Peruvian furniture. Learn to craft a Pisco Sour, Peru's national drink, during a class at the bar and toast to the region’s rich history.
Must be of legal age to consume alcoholic beverages. Please drink responsibly.
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