Live like a maharaja, an Ottoman sultan, or a Chinese empress at these opulent palace hotels around the world, each full of history from royal eras’ past.
Inverlochy Castle Hotel, Scotland
Located amid the glens and lochs of the West Highlands of Scotland, Inverlochy is one of the finest luxury hotels you will find, ideal for guests with an appreciation for beauty, heritage and a sense of grandeur. In fact, in 1873, Queen Victoria herself spent a week here and said she had never seen “a lovelier or more romantic spot.” Each bedroom at Inverlochy has its own individual design and character, complete with the most stunning views of the grounds and surrounding mountains. Take advantage of Inverlochy’s spectacular location, and make a day trip to the Isle of Skye or visit Loch Ness. Inverlochy’s three dining rooms are all decorated with elaborate period furniture all which were gifts from the King of Norway, so when we say you’ll be dining in the lap of luxury, we mean it.
Hôtel de la Cité Carcassonne, France
Overlooking the valley of Lauragais and the lush Minervois vineyards, the walled city of Carcassonne is Europe’s largest fortified citadel. The Hôtel de la Cite Carcassonne is nestled between two historic landmarks-the Roman Chateau Comtal and the Gothic Basilica of Saint-Nazaire-and is built with its own gorgeous gardens. The decor in each room will remind you of the times gone by, but also features every modern convenience known to man. For the ultimate spa experience, head to the intimate Cinq Mondes spa that has a hammam, two treatment rooms and a relaxation room. After its opening in 1909, the Hôtel de la Cité’s quaint opulence has led to luminaries like Winston Churchill, Walt Disney, and Grace Kelly, the Princess of Monaco staying here-and over a hundred years on, its popularity still hasn’t waned.
The Xara Palace Relais & Châteaux, Mdina, Malta
The Maltese city of Mdina itself is a wonder: it’s been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose history was influenced by the Knights of St. John. Built in the 17th century to be home to the noble family of Moscati Parisio, it was reopened in 1999 to welcome guests as an exclusive 17-room luxury hotel. The highlight of the Xara Palace is its award-winning de Mondion restaurant, which conjures up the most picturesque views of the island along with traditional food.
Çiragan Palace Kempinski, Istanbul, Turkey
Once home to the Ottoman sultan Abdulaziz in the 19th century who built magnificent Ciragan Palace on the banks of the Bosphorus, this is the ideal residence for someone looking to indulge their inner royal. Arrive in this exclusive property in style by car, private yacht, or even helicopter, and stay in one of the most lavish suites in the world-the 4,300-square-foot Sultan Suite. The century-appropriate furniture, exquisite wool carpets, floor-to-ceiling windows, and towering columns are bound to give you a feel of the 1,001 Nights ambience, and the luxury spa combines Turkish hammam, Asian massage therapies and beauty treatments with lush, green gardens and a heated pool to give you the rest you truly deserve.
Aman Summer Palace, Beijing, China
One of the most popular sights in the Chinese capital is Beijing’s Summer Palace, and situated near its East Gate is the Aman Summer Palace. Comprising 100-year-old pavilions that were once reserved for guests of Empress Dowager Cixi from 1861 to 1908, this palace reopened as a hotel in 2008 for the most discerning guests. Surrounded by garden courtyards, Aman Summer Palace’s rooms and suites create a soothing environment with its wooden screens and Ming dynasty-inspired furniture, ideal for the guest looking for peace and solitude. Aman calls on its Qing dynasty heritage to offer a uniquely Chinese experience – the hotel’s symmetrical labyrinth of criss-crossing courtyards, covered walkways, neatly-tended gardens and wood-beamed halls will remind you that you really are walking where true royalty once trod.
Tivoli Palácio de Seteais Sintra, Portugal
Built in 1787 for Dutch consul Daniel Gildemeester before it was sold to the Marquis of Marialva, Lisbon’s Palácio de Seteais is a fabulous escape in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Sintra. This neoclassical home was converted into a luxury hotel in 1955, but its original grandeur is still retained through its antique furnishings and immense spaces. For wine enthusiasts, head to the hotel’s wine tasting hub, Seteais Colares DOC, and sample all the rare wines it has to offer. Spend an idle hour two wandering the iconic mazes, drink up the magical views of the mist-shrouded Sintra Mountains, get a sweat on in the lush tennis tennis courts, or simply ease your mind at the serene Anantara Spa.
Shiv Niwas Palace, Udaipur
Built in the early 20th century during the reign of Maharana Fateh Singh, this lavish palace has been renovated into one of the most opulent luxury resort hotels in the country. The hotel was designed in traditional Rajput architectural styles, with classic glass mosaics, frescoes, ivory and mother-of-pearl inlay work, vivid chandeliers, and beautiful arched alcoves. The rooms are stunning on their own, but the true stunner is the Imperial suite-you’ll feel no less than a king in its opulence. The palace’s restaurant Paantya welcomes guests for a meal fit for a king-while it may serve a selection of dishes from across the world, local delicacies like lal maas and safed maas are usually their most sought-after.
Villa d’Este, Lake Como, Italy
Lake Como may be lined with palatial villas, but none as grand as the Villa d’Este. Built in 1568 for Cardinal Tolomeo Gallio, this palace was converted into a luxury hotel in 1873. Surrounded by a private park, the Villa d’Este consists of its main historic building and the four villas – Villa Cima on the lakeshore, Villa Malakoff, Villa Garrovo, and the Mosaic House. For those inclined towards sportier pursuits, the hotel’s sporting club has a golf club, gym, tennis, and squash courts; and no one should forget to take a dip in the iconic floating pool.
The Gritti Palace, Venice
Built in 1475 and named after its most famous owner, Andrea Gritti, the Gritti Palace is one of the most famous and revered palazzos in Venice. Used first to welcome Vatican ambassadors, The Gritti Palace was eventually turned into a hotel in the late 1800s, welcoming guests the likes of Peggy Guggenheim, Elizabeth Taylor, W. Somerset Maugham, and Ernest Hemingway. The Gritti Palace is the ultimate when it comes to traditional luxury-Rubelli fabrics on walls, floor-to-ceiling windows, and the dazzling Murano chandeliers bound to take your breath away. Whether you stay in their standard rooms or the extraordinarily plush Presidential Suite that opens out to a gorgeous view over the Grand Canal, there’s no room at the Gritti that won’t make you gasp at the attention to detail. Painted ceilings, antique mirrors, exclusive Acqua di Parma toiletries all work together to give you the best mix of old-school elegance with modern comforts.
La Posta Vecchia, Rome
Italy has no dearth of grand palazzos, but La Posta Vecchia is in a league entirely of its own, because of its beauty and its exceptional history. Located just 30 minutes outside the Italian capital, La Posta Vecchia was built in the mid-17th century by the Renaissance Prince Orsini and then lovingly restored by oil tycoon J.P. Getty in the 1960s. La Posta Vecchia does a fabulous job of blending together the glamour of Renaissance opulence with the comfort of modern amenities, with priceless antiques sitting comfortably along modern features like indoor pools and helipads.
Häringe Castle, Sweden
A stay at the Haringe Castle is quite different from any other palace hotel on this list. An imposing building on the outside, Häringe Castle is warm and inviting on the inside. With Sweden’s first outdoor Olympic-size swimming pool, a bowling alley from the 1930s, and gorgeous river views, you’ll be spoilt for choice on what to do. And if these seem boring, try cooking classes with the castle chef, take horseback riding lessons, sweat it out in the sauna, or try the exclusive “castle murder” package, where you get to solve a crime during a dinner experience.
Chateau Herálec, Czech Republic
With walls dating back to the 13th century, be transported back in time in the Chateau Heralec. Located on an 18th century park that sits amid verdant forests and breathtaking natural scenery that host a wide range of leisure activities and a lively sports scene, Chateau Herálec is more than your typical stay. Choose whether you want to reach by helicopter or by the D1 Motorway from Prague or Vienna, and then rejuvenate in the spa by L’Occitane that includes four different types of saunas, a hot tub, and fitness centre. The decor in each room is meticulously individual, conceived in cooperation with the Vysočina Regional Gallery, in which every room is named after the painting of the old masters from the collections of the gallery.
