Umaid Bhawan Palace, India
One of the largest private residences in the world, with 347 rooms, Umaid Bhawan is still the principal residence of the erstwhile Jodhpur royal family. Part of the palace also houses a museum, and there’s also the luxurious Taj Palace Hotel. Check in to one of the 70 guest rooms here and you’ll be treated to lavish period furnishings – the Maharaja Suite features faux leopard skin throws, black marble floors and a mirrored dome.
Chateau De La Caze, France
In the Sainte-Enimie region of France, this 15th-century castle was built as a honeymoon home for a French noblewoman. The rooms are unique in layout and design, but come with niceties including four-poster beds draped with linens, original stone walls and antique furniture and furnishings. Try and book a room on the top floor, where you can walk out onto the terrace and take in river views from a turret converted into a hot tub.
Ashford Castle, Ireland
An 800-year-old medieval castle previously owned by the Guinness family, Ashford has played host to many notable guests over the years, from King George V to Queen Mary, John Lennon and Brad Pitt. Today, the expansive estate is home to a jaw-dropping hotel from Red Carnation, its rooms individually designed with lavish furniture and artwork. The estate is also home to Ireland’s first school of falconry and a world-class spa, not to mention at least a dozen different options for wining and dining – anyone for dinner in The Dungeon?
Castel Pergine, Italy
Another medieval castle, Pergine is perched on a hill in the western Dolomites. Built in the 13th century, the estate has been remarkably well preserved, with 20 rooms set in three towers – check in to a suite on the upper floors to enjoy views of the Pergine plain and Brenta Dolomites. Accommodations ring a peaceful inner courtyard where you can enjoy classic Italian fare around the clock.
Sujan Rajmahal Palace, India
Located on the outskirts of Jaipur, this palace was built in 1729 by the city’s maharaja. It remains a retreat for the royal family, but it has also been converted into a 14-suite hotel replete with bay windows, mirrored doors and meticulously appointed interiors. Over the decades, the property has hosted Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, as well as several other members of the British Royal Family, not to mention Jackie Kennedy, Lord and Lady Mountbatten and the Shah of Iran.
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