Ashford Castle

Ireland

Ashford Castle hosted Oscar Wilde, the Beatles and Ronald Reagan, among others. © Red Carnation Hotels

The medieval castle in County Mayo was built in the 13th century. Its original owners: an Anglo-German noble family. From the 1850s Baron Arthur Guinness lived at the estate. He had it extended. After a change of ownership, it became a hotel in 1939. After the takeover by Red Carnation Hotels in 2013 and numerous renovations, the hotel group turned it into one of the most exclusive 5-star hotels in Ireland. Vacationing at Ashford Castle is more like "residing" at the castle.

Ashford Castle
Ashford Castle Dr, Leaf Island, Cong, Co. Galway, Ireland
Web: ashfordcastle.com
Tel.: +353 94 954 6003
Price: doubles incl. breakfast from approx. €435

Carton House

Ireland

To this day, you can visit the room where Queen Victoria once slept. © Fairmont Hotels

The Irish luxury hotel is set in 445 acres of parkland in Kildare. Its history dates back more than 800 years. Once the estate of the FitzGerald family, it hosted a family of lords and ladies, earls and baronets. Even Queen Victoria was a guest here. The estate remained in the family until the late 1940s. After several changes of ownership, Carton House was turned into a hotel, complete with two golf courses, in 2000. Recently, the hotel near Dublin became the newest member of Fairmont. Therefore, the one with the most historic background.

Carton House
Carton Demesne, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, W23 TD98, Ireland
Web: cartonhouse.com
Tel.: +353 1 505 2000
Price: doubles incl. Breakfast from €465

Hotel Tangermünde Castle

Germany

What was good enough for the emperor is just right for the guests. © Hotel Tangermünde Castle

The forerunners of the castle on the Elbe were built by a margrave in 925. This was followed by years as an imperial castle before Emperor Charles IV even became ruler of the Holy Roman Empire in 1973. In its long history, the estate was, among other things, a children's hospital and a tenement house. After extensive renovations, it finally reopened at the turn of the millennium as a castle hotel including a spa area.

Hotel Tangermünde Castle
Office 1, 39590 Tangermünde, Germany
Web: castle-tangermuende.com
Tel.: +49 39322 737451
Price: doubles incl. breakfast from approx. €140

Thornbury Castle

England

Castle on the outside, chic on the inside - and equipped with all the amenities. © Thornbury Castle

In 930, a manor house was standing in the same place here, before the Duke of Buckingham had a country house built some five hundred years later. "Country house" is probably an understatement. A castle was built. After the Duke's death, King Henry VIII confiscated the estate. He lived there for some time with Anne Boleyn. It then fell into disrepair before being renovated in the 19th century. From 1966 to 1986 it was one of the finest restaurants in the entire United Kingdom. Now Thornbury Castle is a luxury hotel. 26 rooms make the dream of a vacation in the castle come true.

Thornbury Castle
Castle St, Thornbury, Bristol BS35 1HH, United Kingdom
Web: thornburycastle.co.uk
Tel: +44 1454 281182
Price: doubles incl. breakfast from approx. €300

Le Château Frontenac

Canada

The Château Frontenac is not only an opulent place to stay, but also to dine. © Fairmont

The stunningly beautiful resort in the center of Québec is not only a historic luxury hotel. It is also one of the city's most important landmarks. Supposedly, the Château Frontenac is one of the most photographed hotels in the world. It had a starring role in Alfred Hictchock's film I Confess (1953), among others. And in the older story? Well, the property isn't that old. It was built in 1893 - and has always been a hotel. Nevertheless, it has a historically significant role to play. In 1943, the Quadrant Conference was held in its venerable halls. Moreover, it is located on the hill from which the British captured the city in 1759.

Le Chateau Frontenac
1 Rue des Carrières, Québec, QC G1R 4P5, Canada
Web: fairmont.com.
Tel.: +1 418-692-3861
Price: doubles incl. breakfast from approx. €330