DanielaEver fancied having your own castle and pretending you are a princess or Sir Lancelot? Well, you can have that dream fulfilled and actually rent or buy a beautiful castle in Europe, and at affordable prices (or so the property experts say). For the rest of us we’ve put together a list with our top 10 castle hotels in Europe, and a little bit about each to ease your decision if you consider booking a room, or why not – plan a wedding:
1. Amberley Castle, England
http://www.amberleycastle.co.uk/
The lovely 900-year-old medieval castle in England is perfect for a slow vacation. The castle has a legendary history, including ownership by Queen Elizabeth I from 1588 to 1603; visits from Charles II; and a bout in the civil war, when Cromwell attacked its walls. Nowadays the 19 rooms are luxurious and enchanting, boasting elegant four-poster beds, rich wall hangings and carpets, antique frills, and a few modern additions like en-suite jacuzzi, TVs and VCRs. A standard B&B double room can be your for about 440 EUR.
2. La Bourdasiere Castle – Val de Loire
http://www.labourdaisiere.com/
Constructed in the 15th century for the royal mistress of King François I, the castle today is a popular honeymoon destination (for officially married couples). Located less than an hour from Paris, and surrounded by 140 acres of enchanted woodlands, Château de la Bourdaisière lets guests live like royalty, with 11 luxurious rooms (and three apartments), outdoor heated swimming pool, tennis courts, and more. Price of a standard room: 142 EUR.
3. Balfour Castle, Scotland
http://www.balfourcastle.co.uk
Right in the misty Orkney island of Shapinsay in Scotland, Balfour Castle is the world’s most northerly castle, lying at the very edge of Europe, and only reached via 25-minute ferry ride from Kirkwall. Set amid 10 miles of quiet hills and forested grounds, this 1848 baronial fortress is positively Victorian, complete with turrets, a magnificent old library, oil paintings, and even stuffed owls. The isolated manor also offers lush grounds, including an original walled garden, as well as two boats for guest to sail off to see the island’s spooky sea caves and dramatic cliffs.
4. Château de Castel Novel, France
Located in the Limousin region of the country, this 14th-century property was originally designed as a fortified hilltop castle – still evident in its round towers and keep – but remodeling in the 19th centuries brought a soft Renaissance flair. Local legend tells of a star-crossed romance between a troubadour and the lady of the house, while, more recently, the famed French writer Colette found inspiration in its rooms and even penned several novels here (guests can opt to stay in the Louis XVI apartment that served as her chambers). A double standard room is 200 EUR.
5. Saddell Castle, Kintyre
They were a cautious lot back in 1508. The builders of Saddell Castle included a trap door in the floor of the main entrance passage: when it was opened, unwelcome visitors would tumble straight into a deep pit prison with no other exit. Well, things are a lot more peaceful now: walk the battlements and you see only wooded hills, and seals rippling the still surface of the water just a few steps from your gate. Inside, the rooms are huge, it’s comfortable without being flash, and there’s a fireplace (with supply of logs) to tell stories by in the evening. Sleeps 8; four nights from 450 EUR; Landmark Trust ( landmarktrust.org.uk).
6. Langley Castle, Northumberland
LANGLEY CASTLE, Northumberland
Built in 1350, during the reign of Edward III, the castle has retained its architectural integrity and is regarded as one of the few medieval fortified Castle Hotels in England. Set in its own ten acre woodland estate, the Castle’s 7 feet thick walls provide a peaceful and tranquil refuge in which to escape from today’s hustle and bustle to a bygone age, making it perfect for weddings or for a special break, they say. Castle doubles room from EUR 260, B&B.
7. Chateau de Mercues, France
http://www.chateaudemercues.com
High on a bluff overlooking the River Lot, Mercuès was built to defend Cahors in the 13th century, and it has seen plenty of boiling oil poured since then — it was knocked about a fair bit in the Hundred Years’ war, but was properly restored in 1627. Now, it’s a seriously posh Relais & Châteaux hotel, where the 30 splendid rooms reek of antiquity and the view from the ancient stone battlements still stirs the blood. Standard double room: 272 EUR.
8. Castello Di Pavone, Piedmont
CASTELLO DI PAVONE, Piedmont
http://www.castellodipavone.com
This extraordinary pre-renaissance castle was built between 9th to the 14th century, with the purpose to guard the route from Italy to France. It’s a masterclass in combining grand aesthetics with military utility. Nowadays is a 4-5 stars hotel with a friendly service and a fantastic architecture. Doubles from 160 EUR.
9. Waterford Castle, Ireland
Waterford Castle
http://www.waterfordcastle.com
Offering an extraordinary escape from the mundane, the secluded and majestic Waterford Castle Hotel is situated on a sprawling 310-acre island, encircled by the flowing waters of the River Suir, in southern Ireland. Reachable only by the castle’s private ferry, your activities here are an 18-hole championship golf course, horseback rides in the surrounding woodlands, or watersports and fishing. the interior houses 19 luxury bedrooms and opulent main rooms decorated with colorful tapestries, antiques, and period decor. Owned by the illustrious Fitzgerald family from the 15th through mid-20th centuries, the castle was converted to a luxury hotel in 1988. Double room price: 279 EUR.
10. Palazzo Gritti, Venice
http://www.hotelgrittipalacevenice.com/
Commissioned in 1525 as the residence of the Doge of Venice, the Gritti Palace has hosted a long list of VIPs since, providing luxurious lodging for numerous heads of state, international royalty, literary bigwigs, and film and rock stars, including the likes of Ernest Hemingway, Greta Garbo, and Winston Churchill. While some claim the place has seen better days, others argue there is no more celebrated and history-rich hotel in Venice. Whichever side you take, there’s no disputing the Gritti’s prime location: Overlooking the Grand Canal, this palazzo provides unrivaled views of animated, aquatic Venice – vistas best enjoyed from the restaurant terrace. The classy interior is also loaded with antique-filled lounges and over 82 guest rooms and suites adorned with ornate Venetian-style furnishings. Standard double room from 460 EUR.
