5 Cheap Castles You Can Stay In

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You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to feel like royalty. We’ve found five affordable castles that you can sleep in, starting at just $52 per night. So give yourself a trip to look forward to by planning a regal return to vacationing. 

Editor’s note: Save these castles to your dream vacation list for later, and be sure to follow all local and international pandemic travel rules and restrictions if you do a plan a visit. 

Czocha Castle, Poland (From $52/night)

Czocha Castle is a fairytale castle you can stay in without paying a king’s ransom. The turreted stronghold was constructed in the mid-13^th century on the orders of King Wenceslas of Bohemia (no, not the one from Christmas carols). Lying in prime defensive position on top of a forested hill overlooking a lake, this landmark has a colorful history (including being besieged by the Swedes in the 1600s).

Today it’s a surprisingly affordable hotel, complete with dungeon, armories and even mysterious hidden rooms. Each bedroom is slightly different, some with atmospheric wooden beds surrounded by drapes. Part of the castle is open to the public for tours, knights’ tournaments, archery courses and medieval dances.  

Castrum di Serravale, Italy (From $132)

Currently operating as a bed and breakfast, guests are jousting to book rooms at this top-rated castle. Located in the heart of the historical center of Vittorio Veneto in Treviso, Italy, it was built by the Da Camino aristocratic family in the 12^th century on the site of a 1^st century Roman settlement. With medieval ramparts and a tower, its raw ancient charm is enhanced by comfortable rooms, a library and sun terrace.

The castle even has its own wine cellar carved into the rock, with a wide selection of local prosecco (tours on request). The rooms and suites feature historical touches such as chandeliers but also contemporary perks such as flatscreen TVs.

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Langley Castle Hotel, England (from $165)

Have a ‘knight’ to remember at the Langley Castle Hotel in England. Surrounded by a 10-acre woodland estate, this H-shaped castle was built by Sir Thomas de Lucy in the mid-1400s. The fortress was attacked by the forces of King Henry IV but restored in 1882, then turned into a luxury hotel by MIT professor, Stuart Madnick, in 1986. 

Having been restored in a style inspired by the medieval era, the décor features dramatic red drapes set against bare stone walls, canopied beds and stately oil paintings. So, it’ll probably be no surprise to hear the castle also hosts ‘Game of Thrones’-inspired weddings. All bedrooms come with contemporary comforts such as Sky TV, wifi and air-conditioning.  

Cahercastle, Ireland (from $194)

A room in this Galway castle can be snapped up via Airbnb (should that be ‘Heirbnb’) for the not-so-princely sum of $194 for up to four guests. It was built in the 1400s but today is owned by Airbnb ‘superhost’, Peter Hayes, and his partner, Eva. They restored it to its original glory using local materials. The master bedroom comes with access to its own turret.

Being an ancient property, it was built before en-suites were a thing, so the shared bathroom is downstairs and Peter warns a couple of rooms are still being refurbished. This quirky property also has a small kitchen and living room. Underfloor heating comes complements of the pet dragon that lives in the dungeon, the couple add.

Fairmont Banff Springs, Canada (from $283)

The Fairmont Banff Springs takes the crown as one of the finest ‘castles’ in North America. Encircled by the thick forest hugging the Canadian Rockies, this imposing hotel is the newest building on this list. And although it’s the only one that wasn’t built as a castle, it was created in Canadian chateauesque style in 1887 and even has its own resident ghosts, according to staff. The hotel was reconstructed in 1928 after a fire and King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother) visited in 1939.

The rooms were recently revamped in an elegant style that blends contemporary features with historical accents, bespoke luxury bathroom amenities and even in-room binoculars so you can spot wildlife in the national park surrounding it. Facilities include a spa harnessing the natural hot springs and a golf course often frequented by moose.

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