Favorite castle accomodations in Europe...

Amberley Castle, Nr. Arundel, West Sussex (England). Est. 1301. Extremely nice accommodations and grounds. Excellent Queen's Room Restaurant.

www.amberleycastle.co.uk

So glad to hear that you enjoyed the Schoenburg!

I haven't stayed in any castles in the U.K. yet, but if you ever get back to Germany, another good one is on the Romantic Road, near Rothenburg:
www.burg-colmberg.de

Dromoland Castle in Ireland was fantastic and the setting is so beautiful.

http://www.dromoland.ie/welcome.html

Here the castle hotels where we have already stayed and which we can recommend (most of them have a pool):

In Scotland:
www.devere-hotels.com/our-hotels/cameron-house

In Germany:
www.schloss-waldeck.de
www.schloss-schorssow.de
www.schloss-teschow.de
www.schlosshotel-kronberg.de
www.hugenpoet.de
www.burg-hotel-anholt.com
www.sportschlossvelen.de
www.burg-schnellenberg.de
www.schlosshotel-lerbach.com
www.buehlerhoehe.de
www.burg-schlitz.de

In Spain:
www.paradores-spain.com/spain/poropesa.html

(to be continued)

Castle Gutenfels in Kaub, along the Rhine.

Pretty amazing castle. We enjoye dit tremendously.

Some have liked Ashford in Ireland.

Castello di Montegufoni, in Tuscany, about 20 km SW of FLorence. 12th century, with extensive grounds and a pool.

In France:

www.chateau-etoges.com
www.abbayedecernay.com
www.chateau-de-barive.com
www.lechateaudelatour.fr
www.tortiniere.com

ooh, I like this thread.

My family LOVED spending time at Ashford Castle! We've stayed at others, but this was our favorite.

THIS WAS OUR FAVORITE CASTLE IN GERMANY, TOO. WE HAD THE ROUND ROOM IN THE TOWER WITH THE ONLY BALCONY OVER-LOOKING THE RHINE.

Definitely bookmarking this one. I want to build a castle house here in the US and live in it.

The Alhambra in Granada, Spain. It is one of Spains Parador hotels. Book early (6 months in advance) because there are only a few rooms and the sell out early.

Italy does not go in for castle accomodation in quite the same way as Germany, but this one Castello dell'Oscano, in Umbria, not too far from Perugia is great. We loved our room with four-poster bed and fireplace. It is largely used by very upscale Italians in search of a quiet weekend with fabulous food, esp. local 'antica, autentica'
dishes.
www.oscano.com

An lovely place to stay in Scotland is Traquair House near Peebles. www.traquairhouse.co.uk
It's still a family home inhabited by the Maxwell Stuart family since the 12th century.
We combined the visit with a trip to Roslyn Chapel about 45 min. north of Peebles.

Looking like a french chateau, it's great for Bed and Breakfast (we stayed in the Blue Room on the website)and enjoyed breakfast in the Still Room with the family silver and a great view over the maze.

We also had the use of the 18th century living room and fireplace for the evening. The stay included a house tour. Note: they do weddings in the chapel and have a lovely dining room.

They have a wonderful on site brewery and we enjoyed meeting the local wildlife such as the peacocks, goat and Thelma and Louise, the cats.

Bonjour - Our group of 4 families totaling 17 people just returned from a stay in Loire Valley, France. Our self-catering chateau (w/housekeeper & daily continental breakfast)was by far one of our favorite stays in Europe. Chateau de Launay in Lombron (1/2 hour East of Le Mans)

Really enjoyed Glengarry Castle Hotel on Loch Oich, Schloss Hohenstein near Coburg, and the Chateau de Trigance at the eastern end of the Gorge du Verdon.

Ballyporty Castle, County Clare, Ireland. Near the town of Corofin. Absolutely gorgeous, and authentic...limestone walls, peat fireplaces, etc. Best of all, the castle and grounds are all for you...you rent the entire place for your family. After an orientation they just let you be and you get to be your own king/queen/etc. for however long you are there. Truly a special place. This is not a luxury resort, but is a thoroughly comfortable, very authentic and memorable experience.

I'm with you flygirl. This is great! And perfect timing as we're planning a trip to Ireland (spring '09). Thanks for all the great info everyone!!!

Loved Ashford Castle in Ireland Amazing place

We enjoyed the Castle/Hostel in Bacharach or St. Goar, Burg Stahleck. It's cheap to stay in and they gave us a family room with a view of the Rhine. The rooms are modern and clean in an ancient setting.

It's normally full so be sure to reserve if you get there.

We absolutely loved staying at Schloss Rheinfels back in the days when Europe was still affordable. Castle hotel stays used to be great bargains but because of their increased popularity they are now out of my budget.

Rheinfels sits high atop a hill overlooking St. Goar on the Rhine. The hotel offers fabulous views of the Rhine, especially the early morning river traffic. When they call these "romantic" hotels, they had this place in mind. I suppose many folks don't consider rooms just under $200 a night "expensive" but for that price I can stay at a Weingut or farm for three nights instead of just one at this castle: http://tinyurl.com/4vdrb6

Our absolute favorite is Gotzenburg in Jagsthausen. It's perfect as a starting or ending point along the Romantischestrasse. The most famous owner, Baron Gotz von Berlingen, is famous for his reply to his enemies when he was surrounded: When asked to surrender, he told them to kiss his hiney. I suspect that the American WWII General McAuliffe had the baron in mind when he gave the same sort of statement to the Germans surrounding Bastogne.

This castle has a great restaurant and during white asparagus season they offer some unbelievable dishes incorporating this local specialty. One night local musicians garbed in Medieval attire entertained a local club in the next room, but the diners in the restaurant were also able to listen. It really felt like being back in the Middle Ages.

The hotel section of the castle is everything you'd want in a castle: suits of armor and weapons in the hallways. Heads of dead animals look down on you as you wald down the corridors. The rooms are nicely appointed and clean, but the floors creak and things do go bump in the night. I've never been one for believing in supernatural nonsense but I have to admit I was a little nervous about leaving my bed in the middle of the night to hit the bathroom. Who knows what might be lying under my bed.

On another visit we were honored to be asked to serve as witnesses for two American flight attendents getting married in the lovely castle grounds. It was the perfect setting.

Duhhh!!! Here's the link for Jagsthausen's castle:

http://www.schloss-rheinfels.de/englisch

The town of Jagsthausen is a great place for an evening stroll.

Portugal...Pousadas/outstanding. Especially Obidos. Join LHW and get upgraded to a suite in Pestana Palace in Lisbon beyond outstanding.
Shonburg was absolutely georgeous 20 years ago and still is. Domaine de la Tortinere, another one mentioned and seconded by my and mine, is beautiful especially the outbuilding as the main chateau rooms are only queen. It has a wonderful location in the Loire and very helpful staff. In Ireland, Glen Abby Castle near Clifden.This thread will grow and grow..Most castle stays are wonderful, and not all that expensive if you take advantage of packages, senior disc. off season and hotel membershipd..ie: LHW. Free and very handy to have. Great you are travelling with your kids.I still do and now the grandkids are aboard We all have itchy feet.. Amer_can..

Ashford Castle (www.ashford.ie) and Dromoland Castle (www.dromoland.ie) in the west of Ireland are really rather special and I must go back again soon.They had the same owners until recently and I hope these changes will not affect the quality in any way.

Wow, what great replies!

We are planning a trip to Ireland in 2010 (as you can see I am a planning nut), and am thinking of a stay in Ashford Castle. What I liked about the Schonburg in Germany, was the real castle feel, somewhat luxurious, but not stuffy. We will be traveling with 2 children- do you think the Ashford is good for kids?

Thank you, and keep the castle tips coming!!!

Another vote here for Dromoland Castle in Ireland! The only place we have stayed that has brandy placed on the stand between the wingback chairs. What a great touch and when it was empty, it was refilled. All included in price of the room.

What a great thread.

My favorite castle hotel is the Chateau de Rochecotte where several family members met for a celebration a few years ago. It is located in a quiet setting not far from Tours in the Loire Valley. The TGV will take you from Paris to Tours in about 1 hour. Plenty of car rental offices and the Loire was easy to drive.

I can vouch for room 21 with the archway to the sitting area.

Dinner was excellent, the breakfast baguettes the best I've ever had and the staff were wonderful. We felt like the lord and lady of the manner during our stay. Pool and terrace.

http://www.chateau-de-rochecotte.fr/
http://www.franceby.com/derochecotte/

Yet another vote for Dromoland in Ireland. Just remember to make your dinner reservations early or you won't get in the dining room!

bm