Everyone who takes a vacation abroad has the same aspirations: relaxing and having fun in a setting that’s nothing like home. You want to feel transported to somewhere special where you can forget all about your daily routine. And there are plenty of ways to do that. You can jump on a luxury ship, or book an opulent seaside escape, for example. But if you want to experience traditional luxury at its best, you make your way to a castle hotel. And we’re not talking about modern hotels that have slapped a turret and some crenelation on their facades. We’re talking about historical properties that used to house aristocracy. Luckily for you, there are plenty of them in Europe, and the three we selected are the creme de la creme.
Ashford Castle, Ireland
Those who like a property with an eventful backstory will love Ashford Castle. Built as a fortress nearly 800 years ago, Ashford Castle was nothing but a decrepit ruin when the Guinness family (of stout fame) purchased it in 1852. Undeterred by the work, over the decades, the family transformed the property into the sprawling, grand estate it is today. And although we had to wait until the late 1930s for it to become a hotel, it was well worth the wait.
Accommodations and Decor
Today, after more renovations in the 20th and 21st centuries, Ashford Castle is home to 83 rooms and suites. Each room is beautifully decorated with rich textiles, antique furniture, canopy beds, and glittering chandeliers. It’s an interior that’s reminiscent of when the property played host to royals, nobles, and prestigious figures. Travelers who wish to have more privacy can opt to stay in The Boathouse, a secluded accommodation that sits right on Lough Corrib. The Boathouse’s terrace offers some of the best views in the entire estate, and you don’t have to share them with anyone else.
Food and Drinks
Food and beverage options are abound at Ashford Castle. So much so that you’d have to spend many days on site to give them all a try. Breakfast is served daily in the gorgeous George V Dining Room, but you’ll want to experience dinner in this fabulous setting too. If you’d rather skip the fine dining for something more casual and typically Irish, go to Cullen’s at The Cottage. And finally, you’d be remiss not to book an indulgent afternoon tea in the beautiful Connaught Room.
Wellness and Experiences
As expected from a hotel of this caliber, Ashford Castle has all the bells and whistles of wellness. There’s a stunning thermal suite with a pool, steam room, sauna, jacuzzi, etc., a fully equipped gym, and a fitness studio. There’s also a high-end, Roman-inspired spa where you can enjoy a wide range of treatments.
While resting, eating, drinking, and lounging by the pool is a great way to spend your time at Ashford Castle, there’s a lot more you can do. For the outdoorsy guests, there is a tennis court, archery lessons, cycling and horseback riding tours, clay shooting sessions, guided walks, and more. There are even lake cruises. We highly recommend you take the Guinness Legacy Experience to know more about the history of the castle hotel. Learning about the past residents will make your stay even more magical.
Schloss Rosewood Fuschl
The problem with vacationing in Salzburg is that the city is so iconic that you need to find an accommodation that fits the vibe. After all, it’s the birthplace of Mozart, the backdrop to the 1965 masterpiece The Sound of Music, and the historic Center is a UNESCO World Heritage site, so staying in a soulless, run-of-the-mill hotel would amount to heresy. Luckily, just 30 minutes east of Salzburg, in the lush Austrian alpine countryside, is Schloss Rosewood Fuschl — a stunning lakeside castle hotel with roots in the 15th century.
Accommodations and Decor
The atmosphere at Schloss Rosewood Fuschl can be summed up in four words: simple elegance, quiet luxury. No matter how hard you look, you won’t find anything ostentatious or bling bling. The exterior of the castle is modest; there are no extravagant architectural features or bright colors. Instead, what catches the eye is the location – the castle is surrounded by tree-covered mountains and is right on the edge of Lake Fuschl. Inside, it’s the same story — the colors are neutral and soft; the furniture is simple and contemporary, yet warm and high end. The feeling of luxury is imbued in the quality of the decor elements, the thoughtfulness of the design, and the beauty of the light that comes through from the outside. We love all the rooms and suites at Schloss Rosewood Fuschl, but if you can book one with a balcony and views over the lake, do it – the scenery is even more spectacular than the collection of Old Masters paintings peppered throughout the property.
Food and Drinks
Your stay in Salzburg is an opportunity to try Austrian food, and you can do just that at the very chic onsite Schloss restaurant. If you’d rather focus on the views than the origin of the food, Seeterrasse, is the venue you’ll want to book. The Italian restaurant has a large terrace with astonishing vistas on the lake. Food-focused experiences at Schloss Rosewood Fuschl include wine tastings, mixology classes, and the unmissable praline-filled Mozart Afternoon Teas.
Wellness and Experiences
Schloss Rosewood Fuschl’s peaceful location is conducive to relaxation, but if you need a hand loosening up, the wellness facilities should help. There’s an indoor pool, sauna, outdoor infinity pool, as well as sound baths and yoga classes. For the most athletic-minded guests, there’s a gym, of course. If you want to take your fitness routine outside, there are e-bikes that you can use independently, guided hikes, and guided bike tours. Needless to say, there’s a wealth of spa treatments on offer too, including CBD oil-infused massages for when you desperately need to unwind.
If you want to make every second of your time at this castle hotel count, we suggest that you partake in some of the experiences on offer. Ride on board a hot air balloon above the scenery, take a guided tour of the hotel’s art pieces, or learn how to bake an apple strudel. You can even go on a nature walk with a local herb expert to learn about local plant life and forage.
Glen Affric Estate
If you don’t want to share your castle with other people, or don’t want to see other people at all during your luxe vacation, the Glen Affric Estate is probably the place for you. The 10,00-acre estate located in the wilds of the Scottish Highlands, upon which rests a small 19th-century castle, is available for private hire only. Tranquility is guaranteed.
Accommodations and Decor
There are three accommodations on the immense estate. There’s the castle (also known as The Estate Lodge) where there are seven bedrooms, all named after local flowers. The Green House is a modern, self-contained cottage with three bedrooms and a lot of lush plants. Lastly, there’s The White Cottage, a charming stone cottage with two bedrooms. We like all of the options available, but we love the Estate Lodge and its traditional Scottish aesthetics best. The Sir Edwin Landseer Room, with its hand-painted walls, is especially striking.
Food and Drinks
Because the Glen Affric Estate is only available for private hire, there’s no proper restaurants with limited hours. Instead, you can eat in any of the two gorgeous dining areas on offer, whenever you feel like it. If you prefer something a little more casual, you can even have a BBQ on the beach. No matter where you opt to have your meals, the chef will adapt to your culinary preferences using local and seasonal ingredients so you can get a real taste of Scotland’s bounty.
Wellness and Experiences
There are a lot of ways to enjoy the immense estate, including guided hikes, archery lessons, clay pigeon target shooting, horseback riding, canoeing, fishing, deer hunting, and more. For those who don’t relish in spending hours in the great outdoors, there’s the spa and the fitness studio. The views from both are exceptional.
Other Articles You’ll Like
The Best Hotel Spas In Scotland
Dreamy Hotels In The English Countryside
Best Palace Hotels In France
FAQs
Q: Was Ashford castle really owned by the Guinness family?
A: Yes, in 1852, the Guinness family purchased Ashford Castle and renovated it. The family owned the property until the 1930s.
Q: What is the afternoon tea like at Schloss Rosewood Fuschl?
A: Schloss Rosewood Fuschl organizes Mozart-inspired afternoon teas in the beautiful Sisi Teesalon.
Q: How big is the Glen Affric Estate?
A: The Glen Affric Estate encompasses 10,000 acres and includes a lake, a 19th-century castle, a spa, and more.
