8 Enchanting Castles, Convents And Chateaux For A Fairy-Tale Stay

In the under-the-radar Maremma region of the Tuscan landscape – midway between Rome and Florence – lush with rolling vineyards, olive groves and farmland, the distinctive Castello di Vicarello is a 12th-century castle hotel with only 10 suites. Filled with antiques and artworks, each one is as unique and exquisitely curated as the last. Perfectly balancing being intimate in ambience and decadent in amenities, the estate has its own vineyard – guests can savor its award-winning, homegrown wares via wine and olive oil tastings on site – and two glorious outdoor marble swimming pools that boast picturesque outlooks. Spa treatments are offered in the bucolic setting of the garden gazebo, scented by the fragrant aromas of flowers and herbs.

A sprawling 16th-century convent has been sublimely reimagined in the old town of Nice to become the atmospheric Hotel du Couvent. Behind high historic walls, the original building, with its arched hallways and teetering, terraced gardens, has been beautifully reborn – from the charming monastic rooms and sea-view suites, all adorned with antiques and artworks, to the hotel’s own on-site herbalist, wine cellar, boulangerie (you will want to pick up some bread or warm madeleines for your onward travels) and ethereal Roman-inspired thermal baths. While the infinity pool and its expansive views – across mountains, the city’s red roofs and out to the Mediterranean beyond – is an utterly idyllic spot to enjoy an early morning swim or a golden-hour drink, the highlight of the hotel is the cloister restaurant. Right in the heart of the action, it’s a wonderful place from which to soak up the goings-on and feast on a seasonal menu, with many ingredients harvested from the grounds.

An entrancing 15th-century castle on the bank of Lake Fuschl, to the east of Salzburg and encircled by dense forested mountains, Rosewood has revived this ancient fortress into a serene retreat. Following in the footsteps of illustrious visitors from the past, guests can stay in magnificent rooms and suites throughout the castle – as well as new stylish lakefront chalets that come complete with their own private saunas and roaring fireplaces. The storybook setting offers a myriad of pursuits to appreciate its majesty, which is as glorious in the colder months as it is glinting in the summer sun. Think winter hot-air balloon rides that skim the breath-taking scenery of Salzkammergut, and boat trips which transport guests between the twinkling festive markets that illuminate the lake.

An extraordinary place where nobility have lived and visited, this palatial villa situated in a grand private park between Verona and Lake Garda has welcomed an eminent array of guests throughout its storied past – from emperors to aristocracy and cultural figures – as well as playing a role in shaping Italy’s history. Antonio Vivaldi composed here, Maria Callas was a friend of the family and has a suite named after her, and pivotal meetings took place for the Treaty of Villafranca between Napoleon III and the Emperor of Austria. Villa Sigurtà is available for exclusive use for up to 24 guests and comes fully staffed with a dedicated team that includes a private chef, housekeeper, maids and butlers. Given its grandeur, the opulent, high-octane interiors (from vast velvet sofas to dripping chandeliers and stunning frescoed ceilings) is to be expected, but the decor has also been given a playful twist by Count Jose Antonio Sigurtà, with eye-catching sculptures, bold orange and pink palettes, and vividly tiled bathrooms concealed behind hidden doors. Outside, the acres of prestigious gardens hold three contemporary guesthouses and a masterpiece swimming pool and fountains within an elegant amphitheater.

In the soaring spectacle of St Moritz, Badrutt’s Palace towers as a glimmering beacon among the mountain peaks. The legendary hotel, dating back to 1896, is as showstopping in the summer months as it is in the winter, but it does possess a particular magic when the roof is dusted with snow. Inside, elegant decor and impeccable service swaddle guests in their sumptuous rooms and suites, with cinematic vistas of the lake and village par for the course. The most incredible views, however, can be soaked up from the indoor infinity pool – a highlight of the Palace Wellness spa. Inside, you’ll also find a plethora of restaurants and bars, with the Michelin-starred Jordnær bringing Nordic fine dining to the venue for a winter residency this season. Outdoors, there are, of course, alpine adventures aplenty, from the iconic ski resort to ice skating and skijoring – skiing or snowboarding while being pulled by a horse, naturally.

Located in picturesque Limerick, the magnificent Adare Manor dates back to the 19th century and has been reimagined into a glorious countryside retreat. Meticulous renovations to the 842-acre estate in recent years have resulted in the delivery of a fabulous 42-bedroom wing, four restaurants (including Michelin-starred The Oak Room), state-of-the-art fitness and wellness facilities – including Ireland’s first 111Skin spa – plus a championship golf course and new padel club. The bedrooms are individually designed, too, with vast, enveloping beds and grand marble bathrooms to indulge in.

The awe-inspiring fort retreat of Suryagarh sits in ‘the golden city’ of Jaisalmer, a Unesco world heritage site in the state of Rajasthan. The dreamy honey-hued sandstone walls provide an entry point to Thar, the Great Indian Desert, where guests can explore the remarkable landscape with the expertise of hotel guides. Unparalleled sunsets can be marveled from the splendor of the hotel’s rooms, which fuse tradition with modern detailing, and the mesmerizing colonnaded havelis are set within courtyards that boast private pools. The hotel is also a member of Beyond Green, with sustainability initiatives include an on-site solar park for generating solar energy, commitments to preserving the area’s natural heritage, and programs that support local education and women’s empowerment, entrepreneurship and equality.

A charming 13th-century chateau surrounded by 2,500 forested acres in the Charente region, Domaine des Etangs – part of the Auberge Resorts Collection – is immersed in French history. It has transformed from a fiefdom of knights to a private family castle, and, now, a luxurious retreat. An immaculate restoration of the ancient site pays homage to its past while also imbuing it with a contemporary, artistic spirit. Guests can appreciate the renowned art gallery on site as well as the Michelin-starred restaurant, Dyades. Meanwhile, a beautiful wellness space born out of the old mill building, a floating tennis court, and a thermal baths pool house also await.

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