7 Incredible Castles You Can Stay In Throughout Europe

Your fairytale holiday comes true with these incredible castle stays.

I have good news and bad news. The bad: the odds are slim that many of us will be able to fulfill our fairytale dream of marrying a prince and becoming royalty. But there’s good news for travellers: you don’t need a prince to whisk yourself away for a luxe stay in some of Europe’s most beautiful and historic castles.

Whether you are looking to get away for a weekend of pampering or are interested in lasting reminders of European medieval history, these stunning properties are for you.

1. Ashford Castle, Ireland

Ashford Castle sits on 141 hectares of property at an intersection where luxury meets history. The castle, which overlooks the waters of Ireland’s second-largest lake, Lough Corrib, is 800 years old. Today the property is an esteemed 83-room, five-star hotel. But its storied history includes a period when it was the home to the famous Guinness family, as well as a battle prize between Anglo-Norman and Irish clans.

The castle has undergone many renovations over the years – such as the implementation of a state-of-the-art spa, cinema and boathouse turned romantic villa – yet the majestic character of the place stays intact. The antique furnishings, fine fabrics and splendid interiors maintain a true sense of royalty.

Closest airports: Ireland West Knock Airport (45-minute drive); Shannon Airport (90-minute drive); Dublin Airport (two hours, 45-minute drive)

The castle overlooks the waters of Ireland’s second-largest lake, Lough Corrib

2. Leeds Castle, England

This property is fit for a queen. Quite literally. Six medieval English queens have called Leeds Castle their home. Throughout its long, 900-year history, it’s also been a Norman stronghold, a palace for Henry VIII and a site for significant international conferences.

Today, the grounds are spilling over with fun, family-friendly activities, and events. Try your hand at falconry or let the kids loose on the castle-themed miniature golf course. Take your sweetheart on a romantic punt around the castle moat or sign up for a segway tour around the grounds with your mates.

The opportunities are endless when it comes to accommodation, too: there is everything from a ‘knight’s’ glamping to bed and breakfast rooms in the castle’s many cottages.

Leeds is about an hour’s drive away from London.

3. Parador de Oropesa, Spain

For a full medieval castle experience, the Parador de Oropesa is the perfect place to visit during the month of April. During this time, the charming town of Oropesa celebrates Medieval Days, a festival that pays homage to its history by recreating the past with period dress, medieval decorations and activities such as archery and falconry.

Even if you can’t visit during April, staying at the Parador de Oropesa will transport you to a different era no matter when you visit. The grand four-poster beds, the fortified ramparts and local, Toledo cuisine at the castle’s restaurant all contribute to the majestic effect.

The Parador is 35 km from the city of Talavera de la Reina; 32 km from the municipality of Navalmoral de la Mata and 112 km from Toledo in central Spain.

For a full medieval castle experience, the Parador de Oropesa is the perfect place

4. Pousada Mosteiro Crato, Portugal

Like many castles, this pousada has reincarnated as a palace, convent and castle in its storied history as the home of the Knights of Malta. Now, its 21 rooms and three suites are available to the public. Looking for an unusual stay? One of the luxury suites is nestled up in a castle tower… which was once the dungeon. Don’t worry – it’s been refurbished since then.

Nestled in the village of Flor da Rosa, the castle displays beautiful Moorish and Renaissance styles throughout the luxury hotel, outdoor swimming pool and Gothic-style church-fort.

Distance from Lisboa (Lisbon) airport: 180 km.4

21 rooms and three suites are available to the public at Pousada Mosteiro Crato

5. Château d’Hassonville, Belgium

With its multitude of turrets and location in the dense Ardennes forest, Château d’Hassonville has all the makings of a true enchanted castle. This one was built in the 17th century and most notably served as the hunting grounds for King Louis XIV.

In addition to ogling at the interiors and exploring the 55 ha of beautiful grounds, the château provides a multitude of unique activities. See the castle from a new perspective in a hot air balloon or lean into the medieval spirit with an introductory fencing lesson.

For those looking to feast like kings, Château d’Hassonville offers several gastronomic packages that include extravagant three-course meals and wine arrangements with your accommodation.

The castle is a 90-minute drive from Luxembourg Airport.

Château d’Hassonville has all the makings of a true enchanted castle

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

6. Château de Mirambeau, France

Decked with crystal chandeliers, antique furniture, and rich colours, this castle breathes opulence. Plus, it’s conveniently nestled between the vineyards of Bordeaux and Cognac, making it an ideal stay for a wine-tasting trip.

The 19th-century château has maintained its splendid Renaissance-era style and overlooks the Gironde estuary: a picture-perfect backdrop. The ‘Cognathèque’ is a room dedicated solely to the sampling of the region’s famous cognacs and wines. In addition, the Château de Mirambeau boasts all of the other regular trappings of a fine hotel stay: restaurants, spa, swimming pool, tennis courts, sauna and gym.

Nearest airport: Bordeaux-Mérignac (International), about an hour’s drive away.

Nearest train: Bordeaux Saint-Jean, about an hour’s drive away

Château de Mirambeau boasts all of the trappings of a fine hotel stay

7. Tulloch Castle, Scotland

This 12th-century castle was built for the enjoyment of the noblest Scottish chiefs. Thankfully, commoners can now flock to its royal comforts as well. You can easily imagine the Scottish revels of yore that occurred in the panelled Great Hall, which is 250 years old. The fireplaces and ceilings have also been carefully restored for an authentic experience.

Most castles are secluded, but this one is quite near Dingwall, making it a great home base to explore the Scottish Highlands. Another important detail: you can bring your pooch along for the royal treatment as dogs are welcome in Tulloch Castle.

Closest railway station: Dingwall (2.4 km away)

Closest airport: Inverness Airport (45-minute drive)

Tulloch castle was built for the enjoyment of the noblest Scottish chiefs

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

The 7 best castles you can stay in throughout Europe