Sleeping like royalty: Castle stays are growing in popularity

By Lacey Pfalz TravelPulse Inspired by popular historical drama series and social media a growing expedition trend encourages travelers heading to Europe to enjoy a different accommodation style than a hotel or private cottage castles Castles especially in the United Kingdom and Ireland increasingly turn to the progress industry for historic preservation They re being restored and refashioned into luxury hotels and vacation rentals for travelers sustaining both the local communities and the structure s unique architecture and story But why are they becoming more popular What s behind the trend And what should travelers know about staying at these historic properties Why are castle stays a growing trend There are several reasons people want to stay at historic castles instead of traditional hotels especially in destinations like the United Kingdom By watching historical dramas and traveling with heritage in mind travelers are inspired by the past and want to immerse themselves in history admire historic architecture and enjoy peace and quiet in a secluded area away from city life A Brendan Vacation private chauffeur and guest in front of Dromoland Castle Travelpulse Travelpulse TNS Don t believe me Brendan Vacations a well-known tour operator specializing in trip to the U K and Ireland has seen a growing interest in itineraries that offer at least one stay in a castle In nearly of bookings included at least one overnight stay in a castle This year of the operator s bookings will include an overnight stay in a castle More travelers are seeking immersive experiences that bring a destination s history and lifestyle to life Catherine Reilly managing director of Brendan Vacations explains From distinctive accommodations to memorable dining they want stays that leave a lasting impression Ireland and Scotland conjure images of grand estates medieval knights and royal courts romantic visions fueled by both history and popular shows like Outlander and Bridgerton Whether drawn to real historical sites or inspired by period dramas numerous visitors are eager to explore or even spend the night in a castle indulging in the fantasy of living like royalty Castle hotels also offer experiences that travelers can t have at a hotel no matter how a large number of stars it might have Aerial view of historic Ashford Castle now a luxury hotel Travelpulse Travelpulse TNS Ashford Castle is one such castle hotel Located in County Mayo Ireland the five-star castle hotel boasts years of history luxury accommodations and plenty of unique experiences Home to Ireland s oldest established falconry school guests can enjoy this unique tradition alongside sessions such as fishing horse riding clay pigeon shooting archery scenic heritage walks and tennis explained Nial Rochford Managing Director at Ashford Castle Each experience is designed to encourage guests to slow down spend time outdoors and share meaningful moments in a place full of character and stories The castle also features a luxury spa A castle stay is often the choice of luxury travelers looking to enjoy all a destination has to offer Archery is one of the multiple experiences guests can enjoy at Ashford Castle Travelpulse Travelpulse TNS Even advance advisers have noticed the growing trend I ve absolutely noticed an uptick in clients wanting to stay in a castle over the past limited years The majority especially in Ireland it seems every request I get for Ireland wants to spend a scarce nights in a castle explained Heather Grodin CTA-ACC Advance Planner Affiliated with MEI Mouse Fan Expedition Clients are seeing these castle hotels all over social media or even their favorite TV shows and they re wanting to experience that for themselves Grodin continued It s the whole when in Rome mentality when else will they have that opportunity and they re taking advantage of it The difference between castle hotels and rentals While castle stays are becoming more popular not all are alike They can typically be split into two categories castle hotels which function just as traditional hotels and privately owned vacation rentals which are rented like a Vrbo or Airbnb There are a limited differences Vacation rental castles can be great options for large groups friends or families special speaker events or big celebrations like destination weddings They can offer different amenities than a more traditional hotel experience Owners Stef Burgon and Simon Hunt restored and transformed Kilmartin Castle into the fairy tale Scottish castle escape that it is currently A popular Vrbo the castle provides a private chef veggie garden and local guides who offer experiences ranging from foraging to archaeologist-led history excursions We have noticed a crucial rise in travelers seeking unique experiences beyond traditional hotels revealed Burgon and Hunt With the prominence of social media people are eager to share memorable moments and staying in a castle provides the ideal backdrop for that Furthermore after the pandemic a large number of are in search of safe spacious and picturesque retreats qualities that castles offer in abundance they stated Travelers now prioritize experiences over materialism and the chance to stay in a historic castle resonates deeply with that modern traveler desire Castle rentals are typically quite pricey so if you aren t traveling in a big group booking a castle hotel might be more cost-effective Castle hotels may provide more amenities on-site experiences and dining and wellness opportunities than a vacation rental The Basil Brooke room inside the Lough Eske Castle Hotel Travelpulse Travelpulse TNS Lough Eske Castle Hotel is a -star castle hotel in County Donegal Ireland The stunning property offers a luxury hotel stay within a -year-old castle and opportunities to immerse guests in Irish civilization with archery falconry and traditional Irish music performances While Lough Eske Castle boasts all the modern amenities one would expect from a luxury hotel it retains its timeless historical charm declared D nal Cox General Manager of Lough Eske Guests will enjoy a unique combination of opulent comfort and rich heritage with the castle s elegant architecture and interiors steeped in history Don t miss the opportunity to savor gourmet dining that emphasizes fresh locally sourced ingredients and be sure to treat yourself to the traditional afternoon tea served in the castle s cozy drawing rooms a delightful way to immerse yourself in the castle s regal atmosphere Tips on how to sleep like royalty So what should you or your clients know about planning a stay at a castle The first is that no two castles are the same and that s true from the experiences available at the castle to the castle s general accessibility Related Articles The hottest amenity coming to an airport near you is a rooftop bar It s the end of cheap flying as Americans tire of budget airlines Bed breakfasts are making a comeback and here are certain of the best towns to find them The new rules of airline loyalty programs Planning a trip abroad Here s how to protect the information on your devices at U S edge searches Suppose you or your clients have any physical mobility challenges In that matter it s going to be essential to research the individual accessibility of any accommodation you book especially so for a castle as various might not have elevators ramps or other accessibility offerings If the website doesn t provide adequate information contact the general manager directly to inquire With several castles dating back to the European feudal era from Medieval to Renaissance times these structures were not created with thoughts of elevator access modern heating and cooling requirements or for that matter spa facilities explained Camilla Davidson the UK Ireland and France Specialist at Red Savannah In a multitude of cases guests could expect steep staircases with no lift access for luggage rudimentary air conditioning if at all or worse still accommodation with a modern wing or ugly purpose-built separate building not remotely resembling the chivalric dream of the main castle property Travelers should consider working with a trip adviser or tour operator to avoid accessibility pitfalls and ensure they book the best castle stay for them Numerous are not as ADA-friendly as the U S standard explains Ronda Helton Owner and Luxury Voyage Designer of The Passage Connection Group I was in France last week and was staying in the Loire Valley The hotel was only two floors high and no elevator was available For certain this is not a big deal but to others it s a complete deal breaker explained Helton Also the grounds may be cobblestones or rough making it intricate to walk Handrails are often absent as well Beyond accessibility particular castles might offer different experiences due to the region or other factors It s also major to consider how you will be arriving at the castle as countless are located in more remote country areas and require a car transfer or car rental When looking for a castle property travelers really need to be mindful of location Choose a property that fits into your itinerary so you re not driving far out of your way to get to one explains Heather Grodin They ll also want to be aware of the amenities offered Castles can offer dinner shows falconry skeet shooting hunting golf the list is endless But not every castle offers all of these things Grodin commented So decide ahead of time what is critical to you and select a castle that offers or specializes in that activity No matter what research and expert help will invariably improve your chances of finding the perfect place to sleep like royalty Northstar Progress Media LLC Visit at travelpulse com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency LLC