Royal!

Five castle hotels where you can experience a royal break

Castles and estates steeped in history have always fired people's imagination. Enchanted castle grounds, elegant furnishings, winding corridors and the odd secret door, plus lots of history and perhaps even a veritable castle ghost: what could be more romantic than being able to escape into the protective arms of your loved one in such surroundings? Exactly. Just in time for Valentine's Day - but not exclusively for it, of course - five castle hotels that guarantee a luxurious time-out in style:

Four Seasons Gresham Palace, Budapest

Just 150 meters from the right bank of the Danube, in the V district of Budapest, lies the Gresham Palace, a beautiful Secession-style building. Opened in 1907, the building was renovated around 18 years ago at a cost of around 110 million US dollars and is now home to the Four Seasons Gresham Palace.



It goes without saying that guests there enjoy pure luxury. Just as it should be for a building that looks like it has come straight out of a fairy tale. Guests enter the hotel through an imposing reception hall with a mosaic of over two million tiles and a lavish chandelier, preparing them for what is yet to come: perfect service, unforgettable cocktails in the new lobby bar Mùzsa, gourmet delights that will make you go into raptures and a spa with wonderful treatments. www.fourseasons.com

La Mamounia, Marrakech

The gardens around the legendary palace hotel lure you outdoors with their beguiling colors and scents. Strolling among rose bushes, lemon and olive trees can be a challenging affair here. After all, the lush garden covers a full eight hectares. The best place to recover from such a long walk is in the spa. This awaits its guests on 2,500 square meters with a hammam and indoor pool. Gourmet dreams come true in the restaurants.



After all, none other than Jean-George Vongerichten takes care of dinner here. The hotel, a popular destination for luxury travelers since 1923, offers 136 guest rooms as well as 71 suites and three separate riads. If you feel like you're in a fairytale from 1001 Nights, it's no coincidence. www.mamounia.com

Palacio Solecio, Málaga

In the heart of Málaga's old town, a magnificent boutique hotel is hidden away in an 18th century city palace. It is located in the immediate vicinity of the Picasso Museum, the Alcazaba fortress and the Roman theater. After the famous Spanish architect invested a great deal of time in renovating and redesigning the hotel, it is now both a harmonious and luxurious hideaway. The interior design reflects the history of Andalusia. Moorish patterns and rich colors are predominant. In the hotel's own Balausta restaurant, star chef José Carlos García cooks Andalusian delicacies with modern influences. The restaurant's glass roof allows you to dine under the stars. www.palaciosolecio.com

Le Château de Bel Ombre

Open your eyes in the morning in a royal four-poster bed. The bright sunlight filters through the curtains. Birds are chirping. Palm trees sway in the wind. Old paintings bring times long past back to life. As you walk through the rooms of the villa, built in 1816 in the style of a former sugar plantation, you feel like you've traveled back in time. The manor house, which sits enthroned between the wide, hilly fields above the Heritage Golf Club, offers its guests a number of special features around Valentine's Day. These include a framed, custom-made portrait, a trip to the "World of Seashells", a two-hour couple's massage with flower bath, fresh fruit and cocktails as well as a five-course gourmet dinner. www.heritagebelombre.com

Schlosshotel Kronberg, Frankfurt

This luxurious retreat is located on the edge of the picturesque village of Kronberg, just outside Frankfurt. Victoria Empress Friedrich had it built. Even when it was completed in 1893, it was one of the most impressive castles in Germany. It has been a hotel since 1951. 61 guest rooms and suites in the middle of a magnificent park invite you to experience German history up close. This is because many of the pieces that come directly from the estate of the empress and mother of the last German emperor convey an authentic flair.


All rooms and suites are individually furnished. On request, you can also stay overnight in the empress's former living quarters. Guests can dine in two restaurants, play on an 18-hole golf course and explore the Taunus in one of two Porsche limousines. www.schlosshotel-kronberg.com