7 incredible castle hotels you can book now

Live out a fairytale fantasy on your next vacation by booking a room in a castle. Yes, you read that right: Castles aren’t just places to admire by day. The most discerning of travelers can spend a night (or two or three …) in a select few sprinkled around the globe. Many have been renovated to include modern conveniences, without sacrificing Old World ambience, which makes for an unforgettable (and highly Instagrammable) experience.

RELATED: Want to be king for a day? Check out this complete list of castle accommodations!

Here are eight castles bookable on Orbitz that will make you feel like a king or queen, complete with something that its former royal owners didn’t have: WiFi access so that you can brag about your stay in real-time.

Photo courtesy of Appleby Castle

Appleby Castle, England

With a rich history dating back some 900 years, this English castle was once the residence of Lady Anne Clifford, a beloved patron of the arts in the 17th century. Situated near England’s Lake District, a setting renowned for inspiring legends such as Beatrix Potter and William Wordsworth, Appleby Castle today inspires guests from around the world who stay in its seven luxurious guest rooms or three onsite cottages. All rooms are decorated in period detail, so that you, too, can imagine yourself in the shoes of Lady Anne. Optional activities include fishing, bird of prey demonstrations, golfing, shooting, hot air ballooning—and ghost tours that recount tales of spirits said to live on the property.

Photo courtesy of Castello di Mugnana

Castello di Mugnana, Italy

The location of this seven-room castle is a wine lover’s dream: in Chianti, nestled in Tuscany’s rolling countryside between Florence and Siena. Castello di Mugnana‘s origins date back before 1,000 AD, with its Medieval architecture well-preserved to keep it on the “Albo d’Onore” (Roll of Honor) of Historical Residences of Tuscany. The castle is famous for its centuries-long production of wine and olive oil. Slip away from the hustle and bustle of nearby cities, relaxing by the castle’s pool or meandering its garden.

Photo courtesy of Castle Levan

Castle Levan B&B, Scotland

Exclusivity is a key perk at this luxury castle near Glasgow: It boasts just two guest rooms. You’ll feel like you own the place as you’re transported back to the 15th century (one where flat-screen TVs are included in each suite). With epic views of the water and Scottish mountains, the Castle Levan boasts a commanding stone arch entrance, a spiral staircase leading to the rooms, arrow slit windows, parapet walkways, turrets and a legendary castle ghost (the “White Lady”).

Photo courtesy of Stone Hall Castle

Stone Hall Castle, Canada

This Medieval-style castle is like something out of the movie “Braveheart,” only it’s in Canada. Located in Regina, Saskatchewan, Stone Hall Castle is a restored estate with origins dating back to the early 20th century. Wildly popular in the region for its tours, it boasts four guest rooms for those who want an exclusive overnight experience. The castle, including its accommodations, is immaculately decorated with 16th-, 17th- and 18-century museum-quality furniture, tapestries, wrought-iron chandeliers, woodwork and oil paintings. No detail is spared. Each guest room includes a kitchen, period-inspired sitting area and balcony (perfect for practicing that regal wave).

ALSO: A regal stay calls for regal rewards—make sure you earn the most back on your travel when you join Orbitz Rewards!

Photo courtesy of Castelo de Itaipava

Castelo de Itaipava – Eventos & Hotel, Brazil

Even South America has its castles! Castelo de Itaipava – Eventos & Hotel is a 24-room, Medieval-style castle near Rio de Janeiro. It’s the first (and only) of its kind in Latin America. The castle was originally constructed in 1920, but it transports guests to a time centuries earlier. Plush accommodations are complemented with countless crystal chandeliers, mirrors, armor, swords and other decorative objects that will make you feel like royalty.

Photo courtesy of Kildrummy Park Castle Hotel

Kildrummy Park Castle Hotel, Scotland

If you’re absolutely obsessed with castles, this is one place to put on your bucket list. Located in the Scottish Highlands, the Kildrummy Park Castle Hotel is nestled amidst some of the country’s most spectacular scenery, in a region renowned for its “Castle Trail,” a collection of 300 castles, stately homes and ruins. In fact, this luxurious, 16-room castle hotel is next door to the original Kildrummy Castle ruins, which date back to the 13th century. It’s also an ideal springboard to the famed “Whisky Trail,” home to more than half of Scotland’s malt whisky distilleries. Drink up, and sleep in the lap of luxury—not a bad combination.

Photo courtesy of Wilton Castle

Wilton Castle, Ireland

Enjoy a “Downton Abbey” experience in Ireland. In the heart of County Wexford, Wilton Castle has remained a fixture in this quiet countryside since the 13th century. (Although the legacy of the castle hasn’t always been so quiet, given the pistol duels, fires and civil war its walls have witnessed over the centuries.) It features four luxurious suites with kitchens and working fireplaces. It’s an ideal setting in which to relax for a few nights while touring Ireland, indulging in long walks in the open parkland and wooded countryside surrounding the castle, or soaking in your suite’s antique, clawfoot tub.

TIP: Orbitz offers a variety of unique and offbeat accommodations. After you select your destination and travel dates on Orbitz.com, check out the “Filter Properties By” column to the left of the resulting hotel selections. You can sort by “Property Type” and “Vacation Rentals” to uncover cool options such as villas, houseboats, tentalows, castles and more.

Tagged: Destinations, Europe, Hotels