Ever wondered what it feels like to sleep where kings and queens once lay their heads? Thanks to the hospitality industry’s creativity and some serious restoration efforts, you can now experience royal living without needing a royal bloodline. These magnificent former palaces have been transformed into luxury hotels and exclusive rentals, offering you the chance to live like nobility for a night or longer.
From the opulent halls of Versailles to the floating wonder of Udaipur’s Lake Palace, these properties combine historical grandeur with modern luxury. Here is a list of 20 former royal palaces around the world where you can book a room and step into the pages of history.
Le Grand Contrôle, Versailles, France
Le Grand Contrôle is the first-ever hotel to operate within the grounds of the historic Palace of Versailles. Housed in a building dating from 1681 that served as the equivalent of today’s Ministry of Finance, the hotel is a truly luxurious affair.
Nightly rates start at €1,700 ($2,014) and include intimate evening tours of the main palace, including the king and queen’s state apartments and a hall of mirrors. The 14 guest rooms are named after historical figures linked to the property, and guests enjoy exclusive access to areas normally closed to visitors.
Schönbrunn Palace Grand Suite, Vienna, Austria
Though it’s not technically a hotel, it is possible to spend a night in the palace by booking the Grand Suite. Guests can live like emperors and empresses, with a series of gloriously gilded rooms including a salon, two bedrooms, a drawing room, and two bathrooms.
This former Habsburg summer residence offers an unparalleled view that includes the Gloriette, the Neptune Fountain, and the palace park. The experience comes with a private chef, butler, and limousine service to ensure that imperial treatment is maintained.
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Ashford Castle, County Mayo, Ireland
Standing sentinel on the shores of Lough Corrib for over 800 years, magnificent Ashford Castle was originally built as a fortress by the Anglo-Norman de Burgos family in 1228. The castle changed hands throughout the years, with various owners adapting its appearance from a defensive castle to a French Chateau to a Victorian Neo-Gothic style.
For centuries, this castle has been one of Ireland’s most magnificent residences and is now one of the world’s most luxurious resort hotels. The 83 individually designed rooms offer period furnishings and marble bathrooms, with activities ranging from falconry to fishing available on the 350-acre estate.
Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur, India
Jag Niwas, a masterpiece conceived between 1743 and 1746 by Maharana Jagat Singh II, the illustrious 62nd custodian of the House of Mewar, once served as a summer haven for the Mewar Royal family. This floating palace appears to drift magically on Lake Pichola’s waters, offering breathtaking panoramas of the lake and surrounding hills.
The 65 luxurious rooms and 18 grand suites have been meticulously restored, featuring silk, velvet, priceless rugs, and artifacts that once graced royalty.
Çırağan Palace Kempinski, Istanbul, Turkey
Ciragan derives from ‘Cerag’, the Persian word for ‘torch’, thought to be a reference to fireworks that were often displayed at banquets and celebrations held at this Ottoman imperial palace. Built in the 19th century as an Ottoman imperial palace, it served as a residence for the sultans and their court.
Sitting directly on the Bosphorus Strait shores, this palace hotel offers views that seem to float on water. The decor features lattice-clad columns, domed ceilings, and chandeliers that capture the essence of Ottoman luxury.
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Adare Manor, County Limerick, Ireland
The original palace was built in the first half of the 18th century by Windham Henry Quin, the second Earl of Dunraven, whose vision was to build a ‘calendar house,’ representing elements of the calendar year, while also featuring the most opulent and lavish details.
The neo-Gothic architecture includes 365 windows, 52 fireplaces, seven pillars, and four towers representing the calendar year. Adare Manor was a labor of love from the very start, created to delight, astonish, and impress. The 104 luxury rooms span across 840 acres of pristine parkland.
Palazzo Margherita, Basilicata, Italy
‘The Palazzo Margherita for me is a dream come true. Its magical gardens, the family gathering in the magnificent Salon for whatever purpose; celebrations, intimate teas, or evenings of films. It is a painted palace, with frescoes on its ceilings and walls, palatial rooms with countless details.’
Francis Ford Coppola transformed this former royal residence into an intimate hideaway that maintains its authentic Italian character. The frescoed ceilings and painted walls create an atmosphere where modern luxury meets historical grandeur.
Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur, India
It is one of the largest private residences in the world, built in Art Deco and Renaissance design. When Umaid Bhawan Palace was completed, the 347-room building served as the royal family’s residence in Jodhpur. Perched atop Chittar Hill, this golden sandstone palace offers panoramic views of the ‘Blue City’ and surrounding dunes.
The Art Deco interiors contrast beautifully with the palatial exterior, while original murals by renowned Polish artist Stefan Norblin adorn the walls.
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Castello di Casole, Tuscany, Italy
Castello do Casole is a tranquil, stunning community extending over 4,200 acres of unspoilt rolling Tuscan countryside with olive groves and vineyards on the horizon, located only 45 minutes south of Florence and only 20 minutes from the beautiful city of Sienna.
This thousand-year-old castle has been meticulously restored as a Belmond property. The typical Tuscan village lifestyle revolves around a central courtyard with dining outlets and occasional live music, creating the perfect ‘village square’ atmosphere.
Rosewood Schloss Fuschl, Salzburg, Austria
Nestled by Lake Fuschl, this fairy-tale castle, once a royal retreat, has been meticulously reimagined for a new era, marking the next chapter in its storied history. This 15th-century landmark has welcomed illustrious guests for hundreds of years and sits in the heart of Austria’s lake district.
The property offers both castle rooms and lakeside chalets complete with private saunas and fireplaces, all surrounded by majestic alpine scenery.
Taj Rambagh Palace, Jaipur, India
Built in 1835, Rambagh Palace, Jaipur, has stepped gracefully through time. It retains its elaborate splendor — extravagantly decorated with hand-carved marble latticework, sandstone balustrades, cupolas, cenotaphs, and elaborate Mughal Gardens. Known as the ‘Jewel of Jaipur,’ this former maharaja’s residence showcases the grandeur of royal Rajasthan.
The palace features manicured gardens, ornate architecture, and luxurious accommodations that transport guests to the golden age of Indian royalty.
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Ca’ Sagredo Hotel, Venice, Italy
The 15th-century palace that now houses Ca’ Sagredo Hotel stands prettily in pink on the edge of the Grand Canal, with some rooms offering incredible views across the water, and of the canal’s iconic bridges and gondolas. Originally built by the prominent Morosini family, this Venetian nobleman’s palace was later purchased by the prestigious Sagredo family in the 17th century.
The hotel opened in 2007, preserving its palatial luster with period furnishings and magnificent canal views.
The Castle of Mey, Scotland
The Castle of Mey, in the Highlands of Scotland, was the beloved home of the Queen Mother. Following her death in 2002, the estate was opened to the public, with cottages on the grounds now available as rental properties. Located in Caithness, this 16th-century castle offers visitors the chance to stay in accommodation on the royal estate.
The property includes The Granary Lodge, a ten-bedroom bed and breakfast house situated between the castle and the sea, known for spectacular views of the Scottish coast and beautiful sunsets.
Borthwick Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland
Borthwick Castle, where Mary Queen of Scots spent her final few months of freedom. Now transformed into a popular venue to stay overnight, the castle has room for up to 85 guests and is located on the outskirts of Edinburgh. This 15th-century tower house offers an authentic medieval experience just 12 miles from Edinburgh.
The castle maintains its historical character while providing modern comforts, making it perfect for those seeking to experience Scottish royal history firsthand.
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Taj Falaknuma Palace, Hyderabad, India
Elevated 609 meters above sea level, the Taj Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad, once the regal abode of the Nizams, exudes the refinement of its historic era. This ‘Mirror of the Sky’ palace was built in 1894 and served as the residence of the Nizams of Hyderabad.
The palace features Italian marble staircases, Venetian chandeliers, and the world’s longest dining table, all meticulously restored to showcase Nizami’s grandeur.
Villa d’Este, Lake Como, Italy
This 16th-century cardinal’s villa, now a luxury hotel, has hosted royalty and celebrities for centuries. Situated on the shores of Lake Como, the Renaissance palace features elaborate gardens, ornate frescoes, and terraces overlooking the lake.
The property seamlessly blends historical elegance with modern luxury, offering guests a glimpse into Italian aristocratic life in one of the world’s most stunning settings.
Palazzo Stern, Venice, Italy
This 14th-century Gothic palace once belonged to Venetian nobility and sits majestically on the Grand Canal. The palazzo features original Venetian terrazzo floors, period furnishings, and rooms with stunning canal views.
Guests can experience the grandeur of Venice’s golden age while enjoying modern amenities in this beautifully preserved example of Venetian aristocratic architecture.
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Parador de Granada, Granada, Spain
Located within the Alhambra complex itself, this former convent was built on the site of a Nasrid palace. The property offers an unparalleled opportunity to stay within one of the world’s most famous palace complexes after the day visitors have left.
The rooms feature views of the Generalife gardens and the Sierra Nevada mountains, combining Moorish architecture with Spanish hospitality.
The Gritti Palace, Venice, Italy
This former residence of the Doge of Venice dates back to 1525 and represents the pinnacle of Venetian luxury. Situated on the Grand Canal with views of Santa Maria della Salute, the palace hotel features opulent rooms decorated with Venetian antiques and fabrics.
The property has welcomed kings, literary figures, and Hollywood stars, maintaining its status as Venice’s most prestigious address.
Belmond Villa San Michele, Fiesole, Italy
Perched on a hillside in Fiesole overlooking Florence, this former 17th-century monastery was transformed into one of Italy’s most exclusive luxury hotels. The property features a façade attributed to Michelangelo and breathtaking views of the Renaissance city below.
Originally built as a Franciscan monastery, the villa has been meticulously converted while maintaining its sacred character, with cloistered gardens, frescoed walls, and terraces that offer panoramic vistas of the Tuscan countryside and Florence’s iconic skyline.
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When Dreams Meet History
These magnificent properties represent more than just luxury accommodations; they’re living monuments where centuries of royal history intersect with modern comfort. From the Sun King’s Versailles to the Maharajas’ floating palace in Udaipur, each location offers a unique window into how the world’s most powerful families once lived.
Today, what were once exclusive royal retreats have become accessible dreams, allowing anyone with a sense of adventure and appreciation for history to sleep in chambers where empires were ruled and dynasties flourished.
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