Castles

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What is a castle?

A grand, opulent castle is usually the former abode of royalty and nobility. These days, it's also possible to find a castle that is a hotel, which means you can crank up the style and live like an aristocrat for the duration of your holiday. Historic architecture and sumptuous interiors combine with fine-dining restaurants and gorgeous grounds to make you feel like royalty, and swimming pools, spas, and beautiful countryside locations are also common.

Why should I stay in a castle?

You should opt to stay in a castle if you feel like you need a little pampering and luxury. These places are often 5- or 4-star retreats with spas to help you unwind and leafy gardens to wander in contemplation. The interiors channel centuries of history in many of these accommodations, which is perfect if you really love to be immersed in the heritage of a destination. Other castles are perfect for honeymooners, offering luxury dining, butler service, and the like.


Where do you find castles?

Castles tend to come in historic locations, in countries with a rich past and an interesting story to tell. It's no surprise that you can find castles in Scotland, for example, where they stud the hills of the Highlands and pepper the countryside near UNESCO World Heritage sites. Ancient stone castle accommodations in places like those can be your chance to really feel the heritage of a place. But it doesn't end there, because there are castles in other parts of Europe that channel Baroque opulence or give you a glimpse into the region's rich history. In Canada, you can find luxurious lodging in Gothic Revival, Châteauesque, or Tudor Revival castles.


How much does it cost to stay in a castle?

It should hardly be a surprise that castle accommodation doesn't come cheap. In fact, a suite in one of these heritage-rich, historic establishments can often be one of the most expensive lodging options in any given destination. That's because the best castles to stay in have 5-star or 4-star ratings, and posh facilities such as swimming pools and spas. Alternatively, you could seek out smaller castles that serve as bed and breakfasts, and more low-key palaces that can get the royal vibes flowing for less.


How to book a castle

It might be hard to believe, but you can now get that royal suite in a castle in just the same way you go about booking a hotel room. There might not be quite so many options to pick from, but Expedia can make it easy to discover them. Just enter your destination into the search box and filter results by accommodation type. You can even save some money by booking flights, car rentals, and a castle hotel in the same package.


What do castles offer?

Castles might just be the most immersive sort of accommodation you can pick, especially in terms of history and heritage. That's because these storied hotels are usually housed in centuries-old palaces or citadels, full of tales of former kings, queens, battles, and more. Castles also herald luxury. Honeymooners can have plush suites with balconies and butler service. Spa enthusiasts can get plenty of pools, hot tubs, and saunas. Outdoorsy types can go for castles near Scottish hills or in the Bavarian countryside.


Castles vs hotels

Potential visitors may ponder what the difference is between castles and hotels. If a conventional room just isn't going to cut it for that once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon or luxury getaway, then perhaps a castle has got the frills you're after. Setting themselves apart from the usual hotel crowd with striking architecture and centuries of history, these stays have plenty of stories to tell. Location is also important, and you'll find castles in historic old towns or in the beautiful countryside where conventional hotels simply can't be found.