Stay Connected +1 631 440 3050
Art in Voyage
Art in Voyage

Fairytale Castle Hotels in Ireland, Scotland, and England

Living the Aristocratic Dream

You’ve stayed in five-star resorts, villas, perhaps even luxury treehouses; what’s the next frontier? Castle hotels. Originally built as forts to protect royal residents, castles have opened their doors in recent decades to allow visitors to peek at their centuries-old interiors, royal trinkets, and regal paintings. Now, we’re seeing a trend of luxury castle accommodation, and frankly, who wouldn’t want to live the fairytale dream, staying in a regal splendor?

Living like an aristocrat is a theme cropping up in popular culture, with series like Bridgerton (based on Julia Quinn’s novels), The Crown, and The Gentlemen hooking us with a “ton” of drama. It’s even evident in the recent fashion rage “horse girl aesthetic” that’s sweeping 2025’s catwalks (think tweed, Jackie Kennedy, Queen Elizabeth, equestrian-chic scarves, britches, and a haughty attitude).

Our CEO, Mikael Audebert, notes: “Aristocratic-style stays in castle hotels are about living out a fairytale fantasy, stepping into another life for a while — one with turrets, four-poster beds, and a butler who remembers how you take your take your tea.”

Read on for six of our top real castle stays in Ireland, Scotland, and England— from forts that have hosted the likes of King George V, Mary Queen of Scots (and more recently Brad Pitt) to regal estates strewn with wildflowers on the banks of Loch Ness.

Can you stay overnight in a real castle in Ireland and the UK?
Yes, many historic castles in Ireland and the UK have been converted into luxury accommodations or exclusive-use venues. Some are even still owned by aristocratic families.
What is it like to stay in a castle?
Castle hotels and luxury castle accommodations usually honor their historic roots but combine tradition with modern luxury — think four-poster beds, roaring fireplaces, fine dining, and expansive grounds. Some include extras like falconry, horseback riding, and butler service.

1. Stay in a famous castle: Ashford Castle, Ireland

The 800-year-old Ashford Castle in Mayo is far from musty. It’s a Forbes five-star hotel with fittings to impress the richest and most famous — which it has; its notable guests include King George V, John Lennon, Oscar Wilde, President Ronald Reagan, Princess Grace, and Brad Pitt. It’s also starred in Hollywood movies and series — The Tudors and The Quiet Man (1951) with John Wayne being two. In fact, it was formerly owned by the famous Guinness family, founders of the Emerald Isle’s iconic brewery.

Ashford Castle has 83 lavishly appointed rooms, an award-winning spa, two indoor pools, and several dining/bar options ranging from fine dining and fluffy scones to hearty Irish fare and private cellar wine tastings. Don’t be fooled by its stately exterior; there’s no dust gathering here, only plenty of action (off screen too) — wander its 350 acres of gardens, woodlands, and forests, fly a Harris Hawk, go horse riding, row out on the lake, or join in the Irish dancing in the evening.

Experience this: Explore Ireland on our Mystical Emerald Isle journey in May 2026, and add a stay at Ashford Castle hotel to your itinerary.

2. Stay in a castle by Loch Ness: Aldourie Castle, Scotland

The only habitable castle on the banks of Loch Ness in Inverness, Aldourie Castle’s biscuit-colored turrets are straight out of a fairytale, especially if you consider the legends of the Loch Ness Monster at its feet. It is an exclusive hire, not a hotel, so you can have a more true-to-life experience of aristocratic life when reserving it for yourself (and your court of friends and family). You’ll have a personal staff waiting on you, including a Michelin-trained chef (and Art In Voyage hosts if you so desire), 500 acres of wildflower-full grounds to explore, whiskey to sip by roaring fires, an Orangery glasshouse and boathouse to relax in, and three-floors of exquisitely appointed rooms to call home.

Experience this: Art In Voyage can create a unique itinerary around a stay at Aldourie Castle. Private event? We can manage that too — after all, this is a fairytale venue. Inquire here.

Which are the best castles to stay at in Scotland?
Castle hotels and luxury castle accommodations usually honor their historic roots but combine tradition with modern luxury — think four-poster beds, roaring fireplaces, fine dining, and expansive grounds. Some include extras like falconry, horseback riding, and butler service.
Can I book a castle stay through a travel company?
Absolutely. We offer curated itineraries around castle stays — including exclusive-use options with private chefs, guides, and access to experiences you wouldn’t get booking on your own.

3. Stay in Anne Boleyn’s castle: Hever Castle, England

Best known as the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, Hever Castle in Kent (the country known as the “Garden of England”) is as historic as it is English-countryside picturesque. The Edwardian Wing of the castle, built in 1903 onto the original 15th-century Tudor castle, is now a five-star rated bed and breakfast that serves up melt-in-your-mouth buttermilk pancakes and smoked salmon with a side of history. Interiors pay homage to traditional English design but with a modern crispness that banishes any thoughts of fustiness. Explore the castle, enjoy its events (Anne Boleyn The Musical takes place on the grounds in August 2025), play a round of golf on the 27-hole course, or get lost in the maze if you dare!

Experience this: Another Boleyn getaway! We’ll create a journey just for you around a stay at this historic gem, complete with the best activities in the area for a time-travel tour through Tudor times. Inquire here

4. Stay in a castle in Scotland: Borthwick Castle

Just 20 minutes from Edinburgh, you can stay in the actual bedroom of Mary Queen of Scots in Borthwick Castle. It is at this formidable 15th-century fort that the ill-fated queen lived out her last few days of freedom in 1567 before Queen Elizabeth I ordered her imprisonment. The castle is remarkably well-preserved, and the rooms are as sumptuous as they were almost 500 years ago. Tapestries, gilded mirrors, and artwork from prolific artists, including J.M.W Turner, adorn the 15-foot-thick sandstone walls. The 12 bedrooms feature ornately carved four-poster beds with brocade drapes, stone fireplaces, and perhaps a ghost or two. Borthwick Castle is available for exclusive hire, so you’ll have the whole fort-away-from-home to yourself, including its banquet halls and private staff and chef.

Experience this: A venue fit for royalty is the perfect place for your next milestone event. Art In Voyage is at your service to arrange your Borthwick Castle stay and trip, whether for a special occasion or a grand getaway for you and your entourage; Inquire here.

What are some unique experiences offered at castle hotels/accommodations?
Falconry, clay pigeon shooting, whisky tastings, horseback riding, afternoon teas, guided history tours, and even access to on-site spas or private chapels for events.

5. Stay in a castle near London: Amberley Castle, England

An authentic medieval castle hotel just an hour from London? Amberley CastleAmberley Castle is mentioned in the Domesday Book (a 1086 manuscript of William the Conqueror’s Great Survey of England); it’s the real deal. It has battlements, a portcullis, and sandstone walls with tendrils of green vines hiding its many secrets. This 900-year-old castle is now home to a 19-room Michelin One Key award hotel that holds many treasures behind its fortified gateway. Think plush, hygge rooms with lancet windows and characterful wooden beams, champagne afternoon teas, and gourmet British picnic hampers you can enjoy on the ground’s manicured lawns.

Experience this: Enjoy this Michelin stay with an Art In Voyage bespoke itinerary designed around your preferences: portcullis, picnic, and more! Inquire here.

Which are the most romantic castles to stay at in Ireland and the UK?
Cabra Castle (Ireland), Amberley Castle (England), and Aldourie Castle (Scotland) are often sought out for romantic getaways, honeymoons, and anniversaries
What are the best Irish castles to stay in?
Some of the best Irish castle hotels include Ashford Castle and Cabra Castle. Ashford Castle is the ultimate five-star retreat (and a famous castle at that), with guests ranging from royalty to rockstars. Meanwhile, Cabra Castle offers a more romantic, storybook vibe — all turrets, Tudor ceilings, and candlelit dinners. Whether you’re looking for Michelin-level pampering or to live out your knight-in-shining-armor dreams, Art In Voyage can arrange it for you.

6. Stay in a castle in Ireland: Cabra Castle

Imagine King Arthur’s castle — Cabra Castle looks exactly like that. This castle hotel in Ireland is where the legend of the Knights of the Round Table meets Disney. Built in the early 1800s, it is a masonry masterpiece with turrets, castellations, and a prominent great tower, and the interiors are just as romantic. Ornate Tudor-style ceilings, gilded balustrades, gothic arches, and luxurious, carpeted rooms welcome guests, making you feel like royalty. Dine in the Courtroom Restaurant, which serves seasonal Irish cuisine, and explore the surrounding countryside. Cabra Castle sits on the edge of Dún a Rí Forest Park, where you’ll find gushing streams and carpets of bluebells in spring under the canopies of trees.

Experience this: Add a stay at Cabra Castle to our Mystical Emerald Isle journey in May 2026 (spring — see the bluebells!), or have us create a custom Cabra Castle trip just for you.

Ready for more?

Your “happily ever after” is waiting for you in a luxury castle escape — click here to begin chapter one of your fairytale journey!

Let's get started

  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form
  • This field is hidden when viewing the form