Former Castle Hotels in Europe

The 900-year-old castle is enclosed in a 60-foot high wall. Behind its walls visitors will discover landscaped gardens and an excellent atmosphere of tranquility. The 19 rooms of the hotel maintain the historic character of the castle, while also offering a luxurious environment.

Waterford Castle Hotel boasts a long history since it was first built during the 15th century. Situated on a private island, the castle largely maintains its initial splendour and grandeur, as guests can admire the carved stone and wood paneled hall as well as the original tapestries. The decoration of the 19 elegant bedrooms reflects the atmosphere of the castle as it used to be some hundred years ago, offering gracious yet modern comforts and making it ideal for a romantic stay or a lavish wedding ceremony.

The very first watchtower of Zamek Reszel was built in 1241, but the rest of the castle was constructed about 100 years later. Although it was initially built with heavy fortification for military purposes, by the 16th century it had turned into a hunting residence. In the early 19th century, the entire castle was destroyed by a fire and when it was rebuilt, most of its medieval elements were removed. After various renovations over the years, in 2001 it opened as a hotel with a restaurant, an art gallery and a museum.

The castle was initially built in 1851 when the head of the Tollemache family decided to build a fortified home reminiscent of a medieval castle. During World War II, the castle was used as a refuge for disabled children that had been evacuated. In 1952, the castle was granted Grade I-listed status for its historic importance and by the 1980s it was used as a place for live-action fantasy games and later on as a venue for business conferences and weddings. In 2006 its current owners purchased the castle to turn it into the majestic hotel that it is today.

Parador de Alarcón is an 8th century castle, positioned next to the Júcar River. The stone castle has original wood beams and traditional furnishings. It overlooks Alarcón, one of the loveliest villages of Spain that has been declared an area of artistic and historical importance thanks to its beauty and harmony.

The initial fortress was built as far back as the 14th century, with only some moats, a corner tower and a staircase remaining from that building. In the early 16th century, it was reconstructed into a country residence and through the ages it changed many owners. In the 19th century, the castle was redesigned once again, this time in a Neo-Renaissance style. During World War II, it was occupied by the Germans, and afterwards it was turned into a military school and later on into a retirement home before becoming the luxury hotel that it is today.

The Witchery by the Castle was established by James Thomson, one of the most famous restaurant owners in Scotland, at a historic building at the gates of Edinburgh Castle. It takes its name from the hundreds of women burned at the stake as witches on Castlehill during the 16th and 17th centuries. The Witchery occupies a substantial 16th century building, Boswell’s Court, named after a former resident, James Boswell. With its antique-filled suites secreted within dreamy 16th-century building, guests are swept into an opulent, Gothic fantasy.

The hotel is located in Vila de Óbidos and is considered to be one of the 7 wonders of Portugal. The Pousada has great historical importance and some of its medieval features are dated as far back as the 9th century. The castle was given as a gift from King D. Dinis to Queen Santa Isabel for her wedding, which also took place in the establishment, and is one of the most impressive wedding sites until today.

Hôtel de La Cité was initially built in 1909 and its premises were extended in 1913 and 1927. In the 1920s, it became a stop-over for those travelling between Nice and Biarritz or between Biarritz and Barcelona. The hotel was closed during the WWII and reopened in 1945. During the 1950s, it was at the height of its glory but it started declining in the 1960s, with the restaurant closing in 1969 and the hotel itself in 1987. Two years later, in 1989, it reopened under new ownership, but in 1997 Hôtel de la Cité changed hands once again. It was entirely renovated from 1998 to 2001 and the two existing hotels, the four-star Hôtel de la Cité and the three-star Hôtel Dame Carcas were merged into a single luxury hotel. In August 2011, the hotel was acquired by Christine Pujol, an owner of several charming hotels in Carcassonne, thereby opening a new chapter in the hotel's history.

A medieval castle fortification in Wales, close to the town of Ruthin; it was constructed during the 13th century by Dafydd, on a red sandstone ridge looking over the valley. The castle has changed many hands throughout the centuries and has survived numerous sieges and invasions to the Welsh land. In 1923, the castle was used as an international private clinic devoted to the treatments of obscure diseases, but it closed in 1950. During the 1960s, the castle was sold again and this time it was opened as a hotel and started taking the shape it has today.

Positioned in the heart of the Beaujolais, this castle hotel boasts history that spans more than eight centuries. The fortification has been enriched after each change of owner, finally becoming the country residence that it is today. Château de Bagnols maintains the characteristics of a real castle such as a moat, drawbridge and towers with cruciform arrow holes. Now you can stroll around the countryside vineyards, or hike around the marked trails right outside your door.

The first house to be built on the Swinton Park estate was commissioned in 1695 by the English wool merchant and country gentleman Sir Abstrupus Danby. His successors built a stable block and gatehouse, and in the 1760s planted parks and created a chain of five lakes. In 1882, Samuel Cunliffe-Lister bought the castle at the age of 68. He embarked on an extensive building program, adding a third floor and expanding the dining room. From 1976 to 1998, the castle was occupied by the Lindley Education Foundation, which operated it as a management training center. Mark Cunliffe-Lister, Molly's great-grandson, bought the castle with his mother, brother and sister in May 2000. On June 17, 2000, Mark and Felicity (the current Baron and Baroness Masham) were married and, upon returning from their honeymoon, moved to Swinton to start the family business. The luxurious 32-bedroom castle hotel was opened in 2001 after a major renovation.

Idyllically located at the shores of Loch Faskally, Fonab Castle Hotel is a grand historic landmark of the area. It was initially built in 1892 in order to be used by port and sherry merchants. Later on, it was used by the Scottish Hydro Power company, until it was purchased by the Clark family in 2002, who turned the castle into a lavish and beautifully restored luxury hotel. Today, Fonab Castle Hotel is renowned for its exquisite accommodation and spa facilities and offers nothing short of a royal stay to every guest.

Located just minutes outside Edinburgh, Dalhousie Castle was built in the 13th century and belonged to the Ramsay clan for centuries. After a rather turbulent past and many renovations, the castle was turned into the award-winning hotel that it is today, providing guests with excellent service and a magical atmosphere that will make them feel like they have travelled through time.

The castle was first built in the 14th century. During the 17th century, it was sold to Mülln Abbey. Archbishop Paris Lodron ordered further fortifications like the Monica gates, Augustinian gates and drawbridges. At some point, it was used by the University of Salzburg as a place of repose for its professors and it was dubbed the "Professors' castle" in the 1600s. A few years later, the castle's tower was used as the astronomy station to observe the stars and planets.

The Althoff Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg has a rich and varied past, steeped in historical significance. It began its journey in the late 17th century when Prince-Elector Johann Wilhelm II commissioned its construction as a "Maison de Rétraite". Influenced by the grandeur of Versailles and Winchester Castle, this breathtaking location atop the Bensberg mountain terrace overlooks the cathedral city of Cologne, embodying a blend of majesty and tranquility. Initially intended as a hunting lodge for Johann Wilhelm's second wife, Maria-Luisa of the Medici family, the plan was revised to create an impressive castle after the prince-elector's visit to Versailles. The scale of the castle astounded visitors of the era, among whom was Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.

However, the castle bore witness to an unfortunate twist of fate. After the prince-elector's death in 1716, without ever having graced his "Rhenish Versailles", his widow returned to Italy, taking along all the artists, plasterers, and painters who were contributing to the castle's completion. As a result, the building remained unfinished, subsequently serving as a military hospital, cadet school, boarding school, and refugee center across different periods. In 1997, a significant turn of events transpired when the Aachener & Münchener life insurance company purchased the dilapidated building. With an investment of 75 million Euros, they transformed the historical edifice into an internationally renowned luxury hotel. In 2000, the Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg opened its doors, thus, inaugurating a new chapter in its illustrious history.

Standing atop an 80m hill, the castle was called Lebenberg from 1500 and on. It was built for Reichertsheimer von Wagrain in 1446. Until late 1800s, the castle housed many noble and royal families, including Empress Maria Theresia and the Red Archduchess Elisabeth Marie – the only child of Crown Prince Rudolf and the favourite granddaughter of Emperor Franz Joseph. Today, its fairytale-like atmosphere makes it one of the most beautiful wedding and romantic destinations on the Tyrolean Alps.

The castle was built during the 15th century by Prince-Archbishops of Salzburg as a hunting lodge. It also served as an aristocratic residence for many centuries. During WWII, it became the residence of a German foreign minister. It stands right where land meets water giving it a picturesque view of the lake. Guests can dine by the docks, savouring a blend of Austrian and French cuisine, while they overlook the lake, creating an utterly magical atmosphere befitting of a castle.

Chateau Herálec Boutique Hotel & Spa by L'Occitane is housed in an authentic castle that dates as far back as the 13th century. Its historic charm and majestic atmosphere create an ideal setting for an unforgettable stay at this fairytale-like castle.