30 Great castles you can stay in

While most Moroccan properties established in historic kasbahs, or inspired by hilltop fortresses, opt for a rustic-chic style in keeping with the rural mountain location and modest adobe villages, Sir Richard Branson’s extravagant retreat is sumptuous and palatial, more in keeping with the flamboyant personality of its owner.

Expect sprawling gardens, grand staircases, opulent tented suites with antiques, a colossal infinity pool and additional indoor pool for winter, tennis courts, and plenty of turrets, terraces and domes.

Food and drink are top-notch and served on enchanting dining terraces with stupendous views of the surrounding mountains and local Berber villages.

If you’re in the mood, there are multiple activities available in and around the retreat on request, including hiking, mountain biking and horse riding, plus cooking lessons, yoga and tennis.

It’s a one-hour drive to Marrakech, so not the choice is you’re coming for sightseeing (though of course a day trip to the city to see the main sites is not unreasonable). For a luxurious get-away-from-it-all escape though, it’s hard to beat.

Set above rustic Neemrana village on the shoulders of a stark ridge in the Aravalli Hills, Neemrana Fort-Palace is a sublime confection of medieval fortress and fairy-tale palace.

Originally built in the 1460s and expanded down the centuries, by 1947 it was abandoned and rapidly deteriorating. Its bold, late-1980s restoration has been bolstered by appealing, almost ‘Indo-Tuscan’, additions.

With almost 80 rooms and suites spread over 14 levels, it’s a lovely, relaxing and essentially rural hotel with charming terraces and gardens plus a welcome pair of swimming pools.

For a different perspective, a spectacular zip wire spans the lofty ridge above and behind the property – with awesome views of the fort-palace.

For a more sedate experience, the hotel arranges simple camel-cart tours of the locality – a mode of transport still used by some villagers throughout rural Rajasthan.

Staying at Amberley Castle is rather like appearing in your very own version of Shakespeare in Love.

The castle dates back over 900 years and the beamed bedrooms, suits of armour in the dining room, gleaming wood panelling and ornate tapestries all create a feeling of stepping back in time.

Happily, beneath the historic decor lies a smoothly-run 21st-century hotel, with Michelin-esque dining and staff who achieve that tricky mix of informality and absolute professionalism.

It’s a wonderfully romantic retreat – surrounded by the tranquil landscapes of the Sussex South Downs – although worth bearing in mind there is no spa or pool.

Ashford Castle was originally built in 1228 as the stronghold of the Anglo-Norman de Burgo family. Over the centuries, an 18th-century French-style chateau and 350 acres of grounds were added to the estate.

Today, this luxury 5-star countryside retreat offers a castle-themed experience of original medieval features and furnishings, four-poster beds, and falconry displays.

The 67km, UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley is home to 40+ castles, reflecting the importance of the Rhine as a trade route over centuries.

This 1100s Burg has been reconstructed to retain many of its original features. Its 24 guest rooms, while contemporary, are in the heart of the complex.

This 13th-century, fairytale-like castle is home to a 38m tower that’s rumoured to have inspired the tale of Rapunzel.

There are 22 hotel rooms integrated within the original medieval structure, with four-poster beds, secret doors and passages, low, beamed ceilings and exposed stone walls creating an authentic castle ambience.

Originally a roman-era defensive fortress dating back to AD 46, the current castle complex is a culmination of centuries of additions by a long history of counts, barons, and lords.

The 50 rooms, in the castle’s heart, feature suitable period styling and furniture and have views down over the valley and villages.

One of the best-preserved Gothic castles in Aragon, Castillo de Grisel is an iconic 11th-century fortress that bewitches with its machicolations, crenellated walls (battlements), defensive towers and walkways. Inside, the contemporary decor blends seamlessly with original features.

It hosts regular history and cultural events and activities, and groups can book a ‘medieval experience’ or exclusive use. There are 8 bedrooms, but no restaurant.

This imposing 11th-century fortress, with an enormous moat, has been the home of both Catholic monarchs and powerful bishops; it’s featured in centuries of political intrigue and warmongering.

Today, it’s a more tranquil 4-star hotel, beautifully restored to retain even the smallest, original architectural detail. The gardens include a medieval maze and vineyard.

This character-filled Rhine castle is one of its most famous, rich in the legend of feuding brothers. A small, family-run hotel now operates in the 13th-century main tower.

Original features predominate – exposed stone walls, low beamed ceilings and a medieval dining room.

The restaurant serves up traditional German dishes in the ‘Knights’ Hall’, and there are tranquil valley views from the panorama terrace.

This 800-year-old chateau-castle was built by a powerful lord, Guichard d’Oingt, in 1217, complete with high-wall fortifications and a moat.

Beautifully restored, mixing contemporary with historic features, it’s now a luxury hotel offering an authentic taste of wealthy French bourgeoise life; better yet, it’s located in the Beaujolais Wine Region, surrounded by world-class wine.

Note – it closes during the winter months.

Built in 1848, this enchanting 3-storey stone tower rich in local legend, sleeps just 2.

Stone walls, spiral staircases, panelled ceilings and single-floor octagonal rooms combine to create a homely, castle-esque atmosphere.

Stand on the parapet for spectacular views of the surrounding rolling hills, home to some excellent walks.

This 13th-century castle-come-manor house is best known as the former home of Henry VIII’s ill-fated second queen, Anne Boleyn.

It’s a beautifully-preserved historic gem, with evocative interiors of elaborately-panelled rooms, grandiose four-poster beds and walls bedecked with tapestries and portraits; the exterior features battlements and protective moats outside.

All-in-all, it’s a fascinating museum – and you can stay in it. Rooms can be booked in the Astor and the Anne Boleyn Wings.

This 12th-century Rhine castle was the home of the Dukes of Schonburg, who ruled the town of Oberwesel and levied customs on the Rhine’s flourishing trade.

Today’s 27-room hotel has many original features, including four-poster beds; you dine in the ‘Knights Room’ and views from the terrace are fit for royalty.

This majestic and authentic Kasbah-style hotel is located on a remote hilltop in the Ourika Valley, overlooking a picturesque river and citrus and olive groves, surrounded by vistas of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains. Decorated in Moroccan crafts, it was built by local Berber artisans.

The 26 rooms are split between the original house, and a newer building set within the gardens, alongside a private villa.

The cuisine is a first-rate mix of Berber, Arabic and international dishes. Lovely walking and hiking of the area can be arranged with local, knowledgeable guides.

It’s an isolated property, 40 minutes from Marrakech, so a more suitable choice for second-time visitors and travellers looking for an authentic stay, and to get away from it all.

If you’ve ever dreamt of bedding down in an ancient castle, it might well have looked like this bijoux bolthole.

Straight out of the pages of a romantic novel, 16th-century Kilmartin Castle lies in a wild, windswept west coast glen, once owned by the Campbell clan. Now a luxurious five-bedroom B&B, it’s been sensitively converted, retaining the stone-flagged floors, barrel-vaulted ceilings and spiral staircases.

It’s a tiny castle with bags of attitude and quirky touches, flickering fires, a record player and stack of vinyl and freestanding copper tubs. Best suited to history lovers, wild romantics and ‘Outlander’ fans, wanting to live the craggy-castle dream.

This bewitching artillery fort, built 1502, is now a one-bedroom, 2-room historic hideaway.

Interiors are contemporary, with all the home comforts you’d expect, but sufficient original features remain – from thick stone walls, low, beamed ceilings and passageways to bedrooms, to evoke the sense of history.

The bedroom is on the ground floor, the living room is on the upper floor, and there’s a roof terrace with lovely views across the estuary to Dartmouth Castle.

Built in 1350 and previously home to lords, ladies, viscounts and earls, this is one of the few medieval-fortified castle hotels in England.

Now a luxury 4-star hotel, it’s been carefully beautifully restored, retaining every original feature – exposed stone walls, tapestries on the walls, oversized fireplaces and four-poster beds.

This 5-towered, hill-top former Arab fortress overlooks an idyllic river valley in Spain’s Castilla-La Mancha region.

Inside the imposing walls, 14 atmospheric bedrooms feature modern comforts blended in with exposed stone walls and original features.

Authentic local Cuenca cuisine is served in the castle dining hall, as it would have been 13 centuries ago.

This imposing, 9th-century medieval fortress – a forbidding complex of moats, towers and walls – commands views over the Cardoner river valley from atop a hill above the town.

Now a 4-star hotel, the interiors are a mix of original and contemporary, atmospheric and bland; the Catalan cuisine is decent, the terrace lovely, and it’s only 1.5hrs from Barcelona.

This 5th-century Moorish castle was conquered and converted to a bishop’s palace in the 12th century; it opened as a 4-star hotel in 1964 – 700 years later.

The interior features a wealth of authenticity: suits of armour, giant banners and chandeliers, rooms with four-poster beds, and an impressively long, stone-vaulted dining room.

This majestic castle was originally built in 1437 for the Duke of Feria. The exterior features your classic imposingly-high, crenellated walls of stone, defensive towers and walkways.

The interiors blend luxury finishes with original features. Rooms spread across the nine towers. There’s a central courtyard with a restaurant, and a seasonal pool.

The pretty town of Zafra is outside the gates.

Built in the late 12th century, to fortify the Welsh border, this small, 6-bedroom castle features your classic thick stone walls, arched windows, stone staircases leading to single-storey tower rooms.

Interiors are contemporary, so ideal for those who are willing to compromise on authenticity for their home comforts. Also available for exclusive hire.

This dreamy 19th-century fortification has been beautifully restored into an exquisite 3-room micro-hotel.

Stone walls, low ceilings, stone staircases and tower rooms, giving that authentic castle flavour, complement luxury mod-cons and spellbinding, unobstructed sea and mountain views. An intimate restaurant serves superb Greek specialities using locally-sourced ingredients.

It’s only open from May to October.

This 1511 Tudor castle, turned luxury hotel, once hosted King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn on their honeymoon. It was also the home of Queen (then princess) Mary I.

Dripping with royal history, it’s everything you expect from a castle: Tudor-style interiors, spiralling tower staircases, suits of armour, large open fireplaces, and panelled rooms with four-poster beds.

There’s even good old-fashioned archery and falconry in the grounds.

A hotel fit for a king (or queen). Children over 8 only.

Charming, authentic and classy, this secluded, 17th-century chateau in Eze (between Monaco and Cap Ferrat) is fit for a prince. Literally, in fact: for years it was the summer residence of Prince William of Sweden.

With unforgettable views over this verdant, fabled sliver of coast, lapped by turquoise sea, the hotel’s rooms and suites are ideal for honeymooners, with four-posters, ornate, traditional furnishings and private terraces – some with Jacuzzi tubs. There’s no swimming pool, but it’s only a short drive to lovely local beaches.

Although hard to leave, it’s convenient for popping down to the sights and beaches, but worth returning for dinner at its panoramic restaurant terrace, one of the Cote d’Azur’s most romantic dining spots.

Sitting in gardens at the end of a long avenue, south of Chinon, Marcay provides a perfect combination of countryside calm and authentic chateau splendour, with crenellated towers and ancient stone walls straight out of a fairytale.

The 33 rooms are split between the 15th-century chateau itself and an attractive converted pavilion.

The hotel is a true gourmet stop, with a great restaurant, kitchen garden and truffle plantation, alongside its own vineyard. They organise tours of their wine cellars and wine tastings every evening, and can also help organise visits to other nearby vineyards.

Built each winter, this icy architectural showcase has become one of Lapland’s – and indeed Finland’s – biggest draws. Designed by a different architect each year, it always includes the castle, a restaurant, wedding chapel and the infamous ‘SnowHotel’. Bedecked with dramatic ice sculpting enhanced by colourful lighting, it’s a unique visual spectacle that will captivate adults and children alike.

The castle contains bedrooms for guests to stay over in; beds made from of ice and room temperatures a chilly 0°C to -5°C. Thick furs and sleeping bags are provided, but one night is usually enough.

There’s also a restaurant (open to anyone) that serves up Finnish cuisine on tables made of ice; choose between a 3-course menu or a simpler menu of soups and pastries. Drinks include fresh juice from pressed local berries, mulled wine or hot chocolate if you need some warming up, and a fully licensed bar. It’s open for lunch and dinner.

A 15th-century tower, 17th-century manor, and cellars carved into the bedrock, make up the stunning Chateau de Beauvois, niched in woodland north of the Loire.

It has 36 gorgeously rustic rooms with furnishings varying from pseudo-medieval to Louis XV, and an inventive restaurant, with a grand dining room for winter stays, and a lovely terraced garden in summer.

As a special treat, the hotel can organise special dinners for 6 to 12 people in its troglodyte wine cellars, and also puts on wine tastings.

Then there are 140 hectares of beautiful, wooded grounds to explore, on foot or by bike.

A fanciful 19th-century chateau with a sense of fun, the Tortiniere brings a refreshing contemporary spirit to chateau-hotel style, mixing stylish fabrics and clean lines with antiques and grand fireplaces.

Set amidst beautiful woodland, Tortiniere has been run by the same family for three generations and feels relaxed and welcoming, whether you’re here for a quiet, romantic weekend or a family holiday.

Special treats include the excellent restaurant serving local specialities like pigeon, poires tapees and goat cheese. In summer, you can dine on the lovely outdoor terrace overlooking the valley. You can also take the hotel’s rowing boat for a potter along the River Indre.