For those who need something extraordinary, consider a castle or castle-like resort for the ultimate in global travel this or any Memorial Day Weekend, summer vacation or fall getaway. Here are five classic and modern castles to put on your luxury travel bucket list.
Italy: Castello Nipozzano
Looking for pure enchantment? Castles set in Tuscany bring together palace-style accommodations, wine, food, pool and village life. And none exudes this country chic lifestyle like Castello Nipozzano.
The 1,000-year-old estate is part of the Marchesi Frescobaldi family, which has been making wine at the family’s Pomino and Nipozzano castles in the heart of Italy’s Chanti Ruffina region (about an hour from Florence) for 700 years. Castello Nipozzano has four well-appointed rooms amongst its quaint “village,” along with a historic cellar and a family-like restaurant reserved for hotel guests. Frescobaldi wines are made right on the property, including the famed Nipozzano Riserva and other fine vintages nestled inside an almost unbelievable hillside cellar.
California: Allegretto Resort
California’s spectacular Hearst Castle sits just 39 miles east of the brand new palatial Allegretto Resort in the verdant and award-winning Central Coast wine country of Paso Robles. Built as a passion project by the patriarch of the Ayres Hotel chain, Allegretto feels like you are in Tuscany instead of only a scenic four-hour drive north of Los Angeles.
What makes Allegretto feel like a castle is the monastery-like architecture and the resort’s masterful art collection, which was gleaned by Ayres himself from his trips around the world. Even the walls at Allegretto are finished in true Venetian plaster with tiles curated from a quarry in France. The 171 rooms and suites at Allegretto are built around what Ayres calls “piazza magica.” This center of the property is truly magical with a celestial fountain, classic gleaming white statues, a rose garden and a double-staircase that looks as if it could be Juliet’s balcony in Verona.
Beyond the sheer beauty and peace of the place is a stained-glass chapel, bocce ball court, relaxing pool with private cabanas, an aromatherapy-themed spa, a wine tasting room and a restaurant, Cello. The luxuriously-designed rooms at Allegretto have surprisingly high ceilings, wood floors, marble-lined bathrooms and some even have garden-level patios. Don’t miss the “reserve” wine experience inside Allegretto’s cozy wine tasting room or a meal or two at the resort’s delicious Cello restaurant where just-tasted wines can be paired expertly with any dish.
Czech Republic: Chateau Heralec
The 13th century Chateau Heralec has just 20 rooms and has become one of the Czech Republic’s top boutique hotels and day spas. In fact, the hotel’s spa is run by the L’Occitane brand, no less, and guaranteed to be an equivalent experience to Spa L’Occitane in Provence’s Couvent de Minimes.
Located in the Czech Republic’s breathtakingly beautiful Vysočina region (which has the highest number of UNESCO World Heritage sites in the country), Chateau Heralec was transformed in 2004 into a family-friendly, yet luxurious 20-room retreat with a warm local atmosphere. The King’s Suite is renowned for its ornate wooden ceilings and mosaic flooring along with a draped king-sized bed. Don’t miss chatting with the hotel’s owner and manager, former TV journalist and publicist Alexandra Kasperova, who personally oversaw the entire reconstruction project from preserving historic elements to interior design to art curation.
While the chateau is situated near the Vienna, Prague and Brno airports with direct access from the D1 Highway, it is surrounded by deep forests, blooming pastures and pristine panoramas. Or just stay at the hotel and spa for some unmatched privacy and undisturbed peace. (The spa has a silencarium.) Chateau Heralec’s gastronomic experiences are crafted from fresh, local ingredients and can be paired with one of the largest collections of Bordeaux wines in the Czech Republic. Also, don’t miss the castle’s St. Anne Chapel and stargazing tower.
Africa: Cliff Lodge at Ulusuba
Built atop a rocky, tree-lined South African Savannah outcrop, Cliff Lodge at Ulusuba is as outrageously luxurious as it is remote. The property is part of Richard Branson’s Virgin Limited Edition luxury adventure hotel brand and sits inside the Ulusuba Private Game Reserve.
The Cliff Lodge’s rooms and suites seem to almost float and are ringed with stunning views of the grassy plains below. Some suites even have spectacular indoor-outdoor living spaces with private plunge pools and sun decks. The resort offers guests twice-daily game experiences with expert rangers and trackers. In 2016, Ulusuba was named the No. 1 Resort in Africa by Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.
Ireland: Ashford Castle
Ashford Castle, which dates back to 1228, is one of Ireland’s most renowned resorts any time of the year, so booking ahead for this ultimate castle experience is usually a must. This iconic five-star property sits most grandly on the shores of Lough Corrib (Lake Corrib) and was once owned by Ireland’s celebrity Guinness family for a century before it became a hotel.
The 85-room Ashford Castle is so luxurious and beloved that it has welcomed royalty (George V), celebrities (Brad Pitt, Fred Astaire, Barbra Streisand, John Travolta), and heads of state (Ronald Reagan). In 2015, Ashford Castle was completely renovated and equipped with new facilities such as a sumptuous spa, a 32-seat movie theater, a billiard room, a cigar terrace and a children’s game room. (Ask for the Lego menu!) The exquisitely-decorated guest rooms were upgraded with the latest technology, such as smartphone-compatible speakers, electronic blinds and air conditioning, mood light dimming, USB chargers and complimentary wireless service. The property is managed by the UK’s award-winning Red Carnation Hotel Collection.
Want wine? The castle’s “wine store” is a romantic hideaway where underground cellars are transformed into private dining rooms. Want to really get away? The “old boat house,” which is situated right on scenic Lake Corrib, is now a very secluded private suite. However posh the guest rooms and suites, however, Ashford Castle’s public spaces are inspirational and aspirational. The vaulted entrance hall (complete with suite of armor) and library are breathtaking and the castle’s three restaurants (Connaught Room, Prince of Wales Bar, Dungeon and Cullen’s at the Cottage) offer three meals and then some in meticulously renovated and designed fine eateries. In spring, summer and into fall, Ashford Castle abounds with outdoor activities such as fishing, swimming, tennis, horseback riding, golf, shooting, cycling and even falconery.
