It’s not everyday you spend the night in a castle which dates back to the 7th century and survived battles during the English Civil War, or sleep in a sandstone palace on India’s old Silk Route which dates back to 1156. And it is for this exact reason that there are now a plethora of castles and palaces across the world ready to immerse you not only in their storied histories, but also modern luxury. Experience a different type of hospitality at these breathtaking castle hotels, perfect for a fairytale escape. 

Glenapp Castle, Scotland

Glenapp Castle is a luxurious 21-bedroom Relais & Chateaux hotel tucked away on the dramatic Ayrshire coast. Book here to get lost within the castle’s 110 acres of private estate and local woodland, or escape to the majestic Scottish countryside for long walks and beautiful views of Ailsa Craig and Northern Ireland. One of Scotland’s most beautiful hotels, it’s renowned for its colourful history (it is rumoured the hotel hosted Winston Churchill in 1944), its high level of service, world-class restaurants and plethora of outdoor activities, including falconry, curling, stargazing and foraging.

Glenapp started its life as a castle back in the 19^th century, under the ownership of the Earl of Orkney, before industrialist James Hunter – later known as the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Ayrshire – acquired it and commissioned Edinburgh-based architect, David Bryce, to redesign the castle in 1870 to emulate Scottish Baronial style, which combines elements of Gothic and Renaissance design to create a fairytale-like appearance. Expect to spot sandstone battlements and soaring turrets and towers – all of which have helped Glenapp Castle earn its place as one of the most romantic destinations in Scotland. Go one step further by booking the most opulent penthouse suite in the whole of Scotland, which spans the entire top floor and boasts four bedrooms as well as a sauna, beauty treatment room, library and games room, private dining area for up to 16 guests and a rooftop terrace with 360-degree views of the estate and coastline. 

From £395 per night.

Adare Manor, Ireland

One of two Forbes five-star rated hotels in Ireland, Adare Manor has combined Old World glamour, meticulous design and modern features to create a stand-out stay. Dating back to 1832, the design and build of the stately castle was overseen by one of the most notable dynasties in Ireland: the Dunravens. The second Earl of Dunraven called upon the best architects to bring his vision to life – and it wasn’t until 1860, some 28 years after renovations to the existing Adare House started, that Adare Manor as we know it today was completed, resulting in a magnificent transformation of the family seat. Featuring large arched doorways, a turret and countless hidden walkways, Adare Manor is certainly reminiscent of a grand gothic chateau. 

Book here for your fill of charming Irish hospitality, and splash out on the Wyndham-Quin suite, which overlooks the manicured gardens while boasting high ceilings, carved wood panelling, stucco detailing and king-sized beds spread across a lounge, bedroom, walk-in wardrobe and spacious bathroom with Acqua di Parma amenities. Later, get lost in the variety of stately rooms, from the Long Gallery – the longest dining hall in Ireland after Dublin’s Trinity College – and the Michelin-starred Oak Room, before rounding off the evening in the Tack Room for a wee dram. 

From £517 per night. 

Suryagarh Palace, Rajasthan, India 

This golden sandstone fortress, originally built in 1156, blends so seamlessly into its surroundings in north-west India’s Thar Desert that it’s actually quite hard to spot. Formerly a pivotal point on the old Silk Route, Suryagarh Palace is a 104-key hotel roughly 30 minutes from the Golden City of Jaisalmer and is designed to immerse its guests in Indian culture. Guests can learn about native religion and folklore on a temple trail through the Thar, take a midnight drive over the dunes to seek out chudails (native spirits), and search for fossils from a time when the desert was beneath an ocean, while trekking via camel. 

Inside, discover the award-winning Rait spa featuring a sauna, rooftop pool and private hot tubs, as well as a treatment menu of international and Indian therapies designed to relax every part of the body. Choose from two restaurants at the hotel: Nosh, which serves international fare in a casual setting, and the more traditional Legend of Marwar – an adults-only restaurant serving food inspired by traditional Marwari recipes. Expect more than a hint of spice…

From £440 per night. 

Bovey Castle, Devon

Enveloped by the rolling hills of Dartmoor National Park, Bovey Castle started its life in 1890 as the country bolthole of William Henry Smith (later to become WH Smith, of the bookshops, and Viscount Hambleden). During both World Wars, the grand neo-Elizabethan manor became a convalescent home for officers and then a military hospital, before being sold to Great Western Railway in 1928 to fulfil the brand’s hopes of creating a country golfing hotel. It was a continual success, and while Bovey Castle has changed hands a few times, it was eventually awarded five-star status in 2004, now encompassing 22 estate lodges, a second restaurant, spa and pool.

Step inside the 60-key hotel to discover an array of period features, from stone fireplaces and sweeping mahogany staircases, to original feather-filled sofas and grand windows boasting views of the national park beyond. Head to the Great Western Grill to discover the best Devonshire produce, ready to fuel a day of archery, shooting and 4x4 off-roading in north Devon. 

From £240 per night. 

Amberley Castle, West Sussex

Still celebrating after being awarded a Michelin key this year, Amberley Castle is everything a history buff could dream of: roots dating back to 683AD, 19 quaint but luxurious rooms and an architectural marvel for a restaurant. The castle’s current buildings owe their origins to a timber-framed hunting lodge built in 1103 – and the following 400 years saw this lodge transformed into a fortified manor house complete with crenelations, battlements and a portcullis. What followed was a destruction warrant by Oliver Cromwell, a visit from royalty once the monarchy was restored, and being turned into a hunting lodge, before finally being bought by the Emmet family in 1926 as a country home. It wasn’t until 1989 – 900 years after its inception – that Amberley Castle started its latest chapter as a luxury hotel. 

All bedrooms are decorated in a quintessentially-English style – think checked furnishings, floral wallpapers, prim-and-proper white linens and antique furniture dotted throughout. Feeling hungry? Head to the first floor of the castle and take a seat in either the Queen's Room – featuring a barrel-vaulted ceiling dating back to the 12th century and open fire – or the Great Room, which was originally built in 1165 by Bishop Luffa of Chichester and has become one of the finest examples of Norman architecture thanks to its high lancet windows, tapestry, and suits of armour.

From £230 per night. 

The Kentucky Castle, Kentucky, USA

Nestled within sprawling horse farms in central Kentucky lies a whopping 50-year-old castle, complete with turrets and high outer walls, as well as luxury suites, tennis courts, a ballroom and a swimming pool. Don’t expect a storied history like others on this list: the Kentucky Castle was, in fact, born in 1969 when Rex Martin and his wife Caroline Bogaert Martin began construction on this piece of land after being inspired by the age-old European architecture they spotted on their honeymoon. Thanks to their efforts to replicate a real castle, it is now one of the most popular hotels in the state. 

Book one of the 18 rooms or four suites to be greeted with grand king-sized beds and en suite bathrooms, but the real star of the show here is the food. One huge part of the 110-acre estate is its farm and greenhouse, which directly fuels the farm-to-fork restaurant and outdoor picnic excursions. Don’t miss the goat yoga classes and horseback riding lessons, either. 

From £235 per night. 

Read more: The best five-star hotels for a private island escape