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Looking for a gentleman to remember?
A stay at any of these stunning castles is guaranteed to be a memorable one.
From an English castle beloved by King Henry VIII to a “dream castle” in France and an island fortress in Norway, these historic properties offer guests fairytale experiences.
And they cost just £96/$124 per night.
Which one is your favourite? Vote in our poll…
Pils Jaunmoku, Latvia
A stay at any of these stunning castles is sure to last a long time in the memory. Jaunmoku Pils (above), in Latvia, was originally designed as a hunting lodge and offers palace rooms as well as stays in the former stable.
Built in 1901 for the former mayor of Riga, Jaunmoku Pils It was originally designed as a hunting lodge in the heart of the green western region of Latvia.
Today, it is a hotel with two rooms located within the palace and 20 rooms in the former stable (don’t worry, there are no remains of the former residents). There is also a museum on site that explores the history of the castle.
The team says the palace reflects “the roots of our land and the legacy of the past.”
Rooms in the palace cost from €115 (£96/$124) per night, while rooms in the former stables are just €55 (£46/$59).
Thornbury Castle, United Kingdom
Edward Stafford built Thornbury Castle (above) in Gloucestershire, but was convicted of treason, so Henry VIII took over the property with his mistress-turned-wife Anne Boleyn. Guests can now sleep in the same room occupied by the royal couple
In general, Henry VIII did not like competition in love or lands. Edward Stafford, a man who rivaled the king in wealth and status, built Thornbury Castle in Gloucestershire in the 16th century.
He was convicted of treason shortly after its completion and Henry took over the estate with his mistress-turned-wife Anne Boleyn. The Thornbury team says the castle “served as a beloved retreat for Henry VIII and Anne” and is “steeped in royal grandeur”.
The castle’s 27 rooms are decorated in opulent Tudor style and guests can book a stay in the Henry VIII Suite, the same room Henry and Anne slept in on their royal tour in 1535. Deluxe rooms start from £299 ($386) per night, while the Henry VIII Suite starts at £649 ($839) per night.
Hugenpoet Castle, Germany
Hugenpoet Castle, seen above, in Germany, has a billiard room, a wine cellar, several luxurious halls and a chapel. It is set within an extensive park and is surrounded by moats.
Although the German meaning of Huge poet This hotel, located on the outskirts of Essen, could not be more luxurious: it is a “toad pond”.
The castle is set within a sprawling park and is surrounded by moats (perhaps with a few resident toads). The team behind the castle say it is “a magically inspiring place, inviting you to stay and, even more so, to return.”
The property features a billiard room, a wine cellar, several luxurious lounges and a chapel. A classic double room costs from €216 (£180/$232) per night, while the Ustinov Suite with a king bed and separate living room costs from €590 (£496/$641) per night.
Oscarsborg Fortress Hotel and Resort, Norway
Pictured here, the Oscarsborg Fortress Hotel and Resort was built to defend the area in the 19th century, but is now a hotel that Visit Norway describes as a “historic pearl” with 86 rooms.
Oscarsborg Fortress It was not designed for luxury. The fort, 30 minutes south of Oslo, was used to defend Norway from Germany in World War II, having been built as a defensive fortress in the 19th century. Shells and torpedoes fired from the island fortress went on to sink the German ship Blücher.
Although Norway was occupied, it is believed that the events at Oscarsborg gave the king and parliament the opportunity to leave Oslo. This castle-like building therefore has an impressive heritage.
The fortress is now a hotel that Visit Norway describes as a “historical pearl” with 86 rooms. Room prices start from 1,495 Norwegian kroner (£107/$138) per night, although the island can also be visited on a day trip.
Pousada Mosteiro Crato, Portugal
Pictured above, the Pousada Mosteiro Crato was built in the 14th century and served as both a monastery and castle. The property no longer has resident monks, but still has a “monastic atmosphere” that is “quiet and peaceful,” according to the hotel team.
Located in the Alentejo region of Portugal, close to the country’s Spanish border, Crato Monastery Inn It has served as a palace, a monastery and a castle. Built in the 14th century, the building no longer has resident monks, but still retains a “monastic atmosphere” that is “quiet and peaceful,” according to the hotel’s team.
The establishment has 24 rooms, one of which is a luxurious suite, located in an old dungeon of the hotel’s medieval tower. It also has an outdoor swimming pool with a sun terrace.
Prices start from €120 (£100/$129) for a standard room and €260 (£218/$282) for a master suite.
Castello Di Petroia Dimora d’Epoca, Italy
The bedroom in the medieval tower of Castello Di Petroia Dimora d’Epoca overlooks the entire valley: guests will feel as if they are sleeping in the Middle Ages. The Umbrian castle has been home to many Italian nobles over the years.
Set on a hilltop and surrounded by woods, this hotel is a medieval Umbrian castle. It was built in the 12th century and has passed through many noble Italian families over the years.
The hotel team says: “There is nothing more magical than this, enchanting rooms, where you will feel like you are sleeping in history, contemplating the breathtaking and endless views.”
Castello Di Petroia Dimora d’Epoca’s The medieval tower bedroom has views across the valley and guests will feel “like they are sleeping in the Middle Ages.”
Rooms start at €120 (£100/$129) per night, while the largest suite starts at €240 (£201/$260).
Origny Castle, France
Pictured here, Château d’Origny in France’s Rhône-Alpes region has just five suites, each individually decorated, and there’s even a helipad for those who want to arrive in style.
This castle, located in the French region of Rhône-Alpes, was originally the home of a wealthy ceramics merchant in the 16th century. Origny Castle It has been transformed into a “dream castle, Bed and Breakfast,” say the owners.
The castle has just five suites, each individually decorated, and there’s even a helipad for those who want to arrive in style.
Rooms start from €190 (£159/$205), while the Marquis de Luzy suite, the largest in the castle, costs from €379 (£318/$411).
Hotel Schloss Fernsteinsee, Austria
Pictured is the Schloss Fernsteinsee Hotel, Austria, which sits on a lake and was a favourite retreat for King Ludwig II of Bavaria. It now offers eight suites for guests to sleep in.
A fairytale property situated on a lake in the Tyrol region of Austria, Fernsteinsee Castle The design spans three periods: with architecture from the 12th, 14th and 19th centuries.
The property team states: “The castle atmosphere has been consciously preserved throughout the building”, while maintaining its “individuality”. The castle was the favourite retreat of King Ludwig II of Bavaria.
Guests staying more than two days receive a free permit to dive in the Fernsteinsee lake, while the eight suites are equipped with a private kitchen. The castle suites cost from €110 (£78/$100) per person per night.